This trek is also very popular in Bhutan offering diverse flora and fauna, including a good opportunity to spot Blue sheep, Takins and the Blue poppy (Bhutan’s National flower). It gives well introduces you to the unusual culture of the layap people and offers a stop at a natural hot spring in Gasa. The trek is moderately strenuous and goes upto 4270 Meter.
Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Paro
Fly with Druk Air to Paro. On arrival, the group will be accorded a very warm reception by our Bhutanese representative and drive to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast, sightseeing to Drukgyel Dzong, the fort of the victorious Drukpas and the Kyichu Lhakhang. After lunch, visit to Ta Dzong, originally the Watch Tower for the Rinpung Dzong. Walk down the trail to Rinpung Dzong famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Paro- Shana 2800m. (trek start) 17 km. 5-6 hrs.
Drive up to Drugyal Dzong where the road ends and the trek begin. The trail follows the Paro Chu and is a gentle walk through terraced fields and a narrowing valley. There are a few quaint farm hamlets en route. The campsite is just beyond an army outpost.
Day 04: Shana - Soe Thangthangkha 3400m. 15 km. 4-5 hrs.
Continue uphill through the river valley which closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the river bank. After the initial climb, most o the way is downhill. The campsite is located in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Day 05: Soe Thangthangkha - Jangothang 4040m. 19 km. 5-6 hrs.
Walk up along the Pachu (Paro river), pass a small army outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can now clearly view the high ridges and the snow-capped mountains all around and also see yaks and herders settlements. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of the Jomulhari Mountain.
Day 06: Jangothang rest
Explore this wonderful area around the bases of Mt. Chomolhari , JitchuDrake, un-climbed summits and ridges and lakes as you wish. Overnight at camp.
Day 07: Jangothang - Lingshi 4150m. 19 km. 5-6 hrs.
Walk up toward the pass through a wide pastureland. Depending on the season, you might find some yak herders in their camping tents along the way. As you come down after the pass to the Lingshi basin, you will see beautiful views of the Lingshi Dzong and the valley and also Tserim Kang (mountain) and its descending glaciers. Camp in a stone shelter with a built-in fire pit or in the tent.
Day 08: Lingshi rest:
rest day at Lingshi for an excursion to Tsokha lake 4500m. 4-5hrs. During the excursion see hundreds of Blue Sheep and Musk Deer.
Day 09: Lingshi - Shodu 3815m.
The trails take about 6-7hrs through the deep valley ascending to Yeli-la pass at Alt. 4820m. Spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari , Mt. Tsheringang and Mt. Masagang can be seen on a clear day.
Day 10: Shodu- Barshong 3685m. 5-6 hrs.
The trail winds up & down gently following the Thim-chu before a gradual climb to the ruins of Barshong Dzong.
Day 11: Barshong - Dolam Kencho
The trail descends gently down to meet the Thim-Chu through dense forest of Rhododendron , birch and conifer and across pasturelands. Camp in a meadow at Alt, 3428m. trek takes about 5-6hrs.
Day 12: Dolam Kencho - Thimphu
Continue the trek till Dodena where a team from Thimphu awaits to receive you. The trail goes gently uphill through mixed forests of conifer & high altitude broad leaves. The trek takes about 4-5hrs.
Day 13: Thimpu sightseeing - Paro
Morning visit the memorial temple, folk heritage museum, the textile museum for antique textile collections; and the Zilukha Nunnery. Drive up to the highest viewpoint overlooking Thimphu valley and while returning, the Takin research center. After an evening tea, drive to Paro along a winding road for about 2 hrs to spend a night there.
Day 14: Departure
Drive to Paro airport; Farewell and fly to your further destination.
Tour cost: USD 2735 (1-3 person) and USD 2470 (4-12 person)
Single supplements charge: USD 245
Note: One person half of the tour cost for 12-14 person and group leader free of tour cost above 15 person.
Flight cost: It depends on the sector and USD 448 round trip if kathmandu sector
Visa: USD 20 and TDF: USD 10
Tour cost includes: Royalty fee, accommodation, all meals, sightseeing tours by private coaches, service of experienced and English speaking guide, all transportation within Bhutan, entrance fee to the monuments, permits, during trekking-all camping/kitchen gears, ponies or yaks for transportation of gears, trekking guide and cook etc.
Tour cost excludes: Bhutan visa fee, TDF, airfares, expense of personal nature travel insurance, drinks, cigarettes, laundry, telephone call and tipping etc.
