Duration: 21 Nights/22 Days
Season: January-May & October - December
Max Altitude: 4350mts. 

About The Trek

One of the most challenging and tougher trek of Bhutan, this trek is meant for the most fit trekkers. Some days of drives and visits makes the trekkers fit and acclimatized to the high altitude. It passes through several high passes at challenging altitudes of which Gobula Pass at  4,350 m is one of the highest and tougher. Grazing grounds of Yaks and yak herder can be often seen on this trek. Huge water falls, glaciers can be viewed along side the trek route. Several petit villages are on the way with small monasteries, ruins of forts and the flora and fauna all the way. A day rest is given at the beautiful village of Lava where one can interact with the locals, take photograph or even visit a local house. Camps are pitched near water sources, sometimes at riverside, sometimes near village and sometimes in stone shelters made by the shepherds / yak herders. The scenic beauty on this trek is unmatched a good camera is recommended to capture the beauty of the Himalayas.

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival, met by representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight hotel at Delhi.. 

Day 02: Delhi –Paro
Full day sightseeing of New and old Delhi historical monuments also including the parliament house, India Gate and the National Museum. Evening transfer to International airport. Fly Delhi Paro. Arrive at Paro Airport, met by our Bhutan representative and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Paro
Morning after breakfast sightseeing of Drugyel Dzong, ruin fortress that once defended the valley from Tibetan invaders. Visit Ta Dzong, which houses the National Museum and the courtyard of Kichu Lhakhang  which is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan - dated 7th century AD. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Paro-Taksang-Paro
 Drive from hotel after breakfast to visit the famous Takshang, the Tiger's Nest. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 3,000 ft above the valley floor. The monastery unfortunately got burnt in 1998 and has recently been reconstructed.  Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Paro-Shana Trek point. (approx. 5 - 6 hours.)
 Drive to Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begins. The path follows the river uphill through a narrowing agricultural valley. The camp made of stone shelter is in a meadow. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Shana-Soi Thanbgthangkha. (approx. 6 -7 hours)
 The path goes uphill through the river valley and along the river drainage. The trail passes through conifer and rhododendron forests. On the way, there is a  great view of Mount Chhomolhari. Camp will be set up in a meadow with stone shelter. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 07: Soi Thangthangkha-Jangothang. (approx. 5 - 6 hours.)
This path goes past a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. From this point one can get views of snow capped peaks and high mountain ridges. One should also be able to see some yaks and yak herders. Camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt Chhomolhari. Overnight at camp.

Day 08: Jangothang-Lingshi. (approx. 5 - 6 hours.)
The trail climbs gradually to Nyilila Pass (Alt. 15354 ft / 4,680 m). Wide yak pastures can be seen all along the trail. If the weather is clear, one can get a great view of the Lingshi Dzong as one descends into the Lingshi basin. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers can be seen at the north end of the valley.  Camp is in a stone shelter. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 09: Lingshi-Chebsa. (approx. 5 - 6 hours). 
This is the shortest walking day. On reaching the Chebisa camp one can visit some village houses. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 10: Chebisa-Shoumthang. (approx. 6 hours).
The trail goes through wild pastures where one will meet few yak herders & yaks. Cross Gobula Pass (Alt. 14,268ft / 4,350 m) and on to Shomuthang. The  camp here is near a river, a tributary to the Mo Chhu which comes out below the Gasa Tshachu (Hot Spring). Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 11:  Shoumthang-Robluthang: (approx. 6 - 7 hours.)
After passing the Jarela Pass (Alt. 15,088ft / 4,600 m) one will arrive at Tsharijathang, the valley where herds of Takin, Bhutan's national animal is normally seen. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 12:  Robluthang-Lemithang: approx. 6 - 7 hours)
After Shingela Pass (Alt. 16,072ft / 4,870 m) the path descends and then goes through the valley. Lemithang is in the Laya district and it is here one will begin to see people in their unique attire and hats. Camp is at Kang Che Da beneath Gang Chen Ta, the Great Tiger Mountain. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Dau 13:  Lemithang-Laya: ( approx 4 - 5 hours)
The path goes downhill along a winding river valley and one enters the east end of Laya village. Overnight at camp.

Day 14:  Laya-Rest Day
 Explore the village
  
Day 15:  Laya-Koena: (approx. 7 hours)
The trail goes along the river valley and one will get a breathtaking view of the vibrant rivers, feeder streams and waterfalls. Dinner and overnight at camp

Day 16:  Koena-Gasa: (approx 6 - 7 hours)
Enroute cross Balela Pass (Alt. 12,342 ft / 3,740 m). After the pass, the trail goes downhill to the camp. The camp is near to Gasa Dzong. Dinner and overnight at camp.
  
Day 17:  Gasa-Gasa Tsachu
After a late breakfast, trek to Gasa Tsachu (Hot spring). After lunch relax at the hot spring. The hot spring is believed to be very effective in curing many ailments and joint aches and many Bhutanese families visit the hot spring every winter. Dinner and overnight at camp.
  
Day 18:  Gasa Taschu-Geon Damji: (approx. 5 - 6 hours) 
The trail winds through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and oak and pine forests. Dinner and overnight at camp.

Day 19:  Geon Damji-Thashithang: (approx. 5 - 6 hours)
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mo Chhu into the lush semi tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and animals. Dinner and overnight at camp.
  
Day 20:  Thashithang-Wangdue Phodrang
Drive down through Punakha valley. One will get a good view of Punakha Dzong, one of the most spectacular Dzongs built in the junction of two rivers - the  Pho Chhu (male river) and the Mo Chhu (female river). The remains of Shabdrug Ngawang Namgyal, unifier of Bhutan in the 17 th century is preserved in this  Dzong. This is also the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body. Drive on to Wangdue Phodrang. Overnight in hotel.
  
Day 21:  Wangdue Phodrang-Thimpu
Visit the Wangdue town. The drive to Thimphu goes over Dochula Pass (Alt. 10,000ft). If the weather is clear one can get the view of the majestic  Himalayan ranges and will also be able to see Gasa Dzong at a distance. Drive on to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.  
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
  
Day 22:  Thimpu- Paro-Delhi-Home
Early morning drive to Paro Airport, Fly Paro-Delhi. Evening transfer to International airport fly Delhi-Home.