This trek is popular for mountain scenery
Day 1
We receive you at Paro International Airport and take you to the hotel. Paro is a beautiful valley. The small town is surrounded by paddy fields.
Day 2
Today we hike to Taktshang Monastery, perhaps the most popular landmark in Bhutan, clinging on the face of a cliff. It is a good acclimatisation for your 11 days of trek. We come back to the hotel on the same day.
Day 3
Paro to Shana
Time: 6 hrs
Distance: 17 km
Today, we will drive to ruins of Drukgyal Dzong from where we start our trek. While our luggage is being loaded on the ponies, we have enough time to explore the remains of the dzong. The dzong that was built in 1644 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invasion was burnt in 1951.
There is a feeder road till Gunyitsawa. We can choose either a day hike near Paro for acclimatisation or drive towards Shana camp in the late afternoon.
Day 4
Shana to Soe Thangthangkha
Time: 7 hrs
Distance: 19 km
Today we ascend across the river valley through pine and rhododendron forests. Along the way we get a view of Mt. Jomolhari if the sky is clear. We camp in a meadow at 3,860 m.
Day 5
Soe Thangthangkha to Jangothang
Time: 6 hrs
Distance: 19 km
We continue our trail along the river and pass through an army camp. Today we enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains in all directions. When we ascend to 4,040 m, we see yaks and yak herders. We camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jomolhari.
Day 6
Rest at Jangothang
We have a choice today to either stay at the camp to enjoy the views of the mountains or hike towards Mt. Jomolhari to the west, Jichu Drake to the north and other mountains towards the east.
Day 7
Jangothang to Chora
Time: 7 hrs
Distance: 16 km
Today, after crossing Pacchu River by a wooden bridge we climb towards Tshophu at 4,380. From there, we trek to another lake across a serene slope. After a short descent, we climb steeply to Bhonte La at 4,890 m. After we cross the pass, the trail descends to Dhumzo Chhu. After we cross the river, a short ascent takes us to the camp in a meadow at Chora at 3,800 m.
Day 8
Chora to Thombu Shong
Time: 5 hrs
Distance: 12 km
Today, the trail ascends 100 m over a ridge and then drops to a stream. After crossing the stream, it climbs a hillside and descends into a small valley. The trail then goes past a few huts on the way to Takhung La at 4,520 m. A short walk from there takes us to Thombu Shong at 4,180 m, our campsite among three yak herders’ huts.
Day 9
Thombu Shong via Gunyitsawa to Thimphu
Time: 5 hrs
Distance: 13 km
From Thombu La at 4,380, we descend about 4,000 m. From there, we descend sharply to the helipad at Gunyitsawa at 2,730 m.
Day 10
Sightseeing in Thimphu
Day 11
Depart