Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2,200 m) - (L/D): The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world. Upon your arrival, a Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer to the Hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Sight Seeing in Paro (2,200 m) - (B/L/D): Morning take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been restored in its original grandeur. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons and country’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley. Evening visit a traditional farm house to get an idea on lifestyle of local people. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Drive to Shana Trek to Thangthangkha (3,610 m) - (B/L/D): (07-08 hours): After a 2 hour drive through rice terraces, fields of millet and apple orchards, we reach Shana Zampa from where we will start our trek. If the day is clear, we will have our first views of the summit of Chomolhari at the head of the valley. Soon the valley widens and we reach the army post of Gunyitsawa. This is the last stop before Tibet, with a fork in the path leading across the Tremo La (Forbidden Pass) into Tibet. The trail follows the Pa Chhu river, ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. We enter the Jigme Dorje National Park, the largest protected area in Bhutan. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for lunch. We then continue along the river, and as we climb higher, the forests are replaced with rhododendron, bamboo and ferns. We cross the river once more before reaching our campsite. Overnight at the tented camp.
Day 04: Trek to Jangothang (4,040 m) - (B/L/D): (07-08 hours): The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040 m). From here, the view of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb. Overnight at the tented camp.
Day 05: Acclimatization at Jangothang (4,040 m) - (B/L/D): (03-04 hours): The base camp at Jangothang sits by an old ruined fortress, beneath Mount Chomolhari and its neighbour Jichu Drake. Today we will take an acclimatization hike to around 4,500m for some great views of these two colossal mountains. Following the ‘walk high, sleep low’ principle, this hike will really help with your acclimatization. Overnight at the tented camp.
Day 06: Trek to Lingshi (4,000 m) - (B/L/D): (07-08 hours): The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking view of Chamolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (4,700m). We descend gradually from the pass to our camp site at Lingshi (4,000m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong as we walk. Overnight at the tented camp.
Day 07: Trek to Shodu (4,100 m) - (B/L/D): (08-09 hours): The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Chomolhari trek route here. Our trail climbs up towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chu valley. The trail stays on the west side of this largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli-la (4,820m). On a clear day you can see Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass. Descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4,100m), where we camp in a meadow with a chorten in it. Overnight at the tented camp.
Day 08: Trek to Barshong (3,600 m) - (B/L/D): (06-07 hours): We are now back at the tree line, and our path follows the course of the Thimpu Chu, descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of rocky cliff faces and waterfalls along the way. We stop at the riverside for a hot lunch. Then the trail takes us gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3,600m), near which we camp for the night. Overnight at the tented camp.
Day 09: Trek to Domshisa and Drive to Thimpu (2,340 m) - (B/L/D): (15-30 m) (drive 2-3 hours) (35 KM): After breakfast at your camp, you will walk half a kilometer, taking about 15 minutes, to reach the road point. Your car will be waiting here to take you to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimpu.
Day 10: Sightseeing in Thimphu and drive to Paro (2,200 m) - (B/L/D): Commence sightseeing in Thimphu with includes. Institute of Zorig Chusum where students undertake a course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan; National Library, which holds an extensive collection of Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back to several hundred years back, as well as modern academic books, mainly on Himalayan culture and religion; The Post office; National Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the late 3rd King Jigme DorjiWangchuck, KuenselPhodrang/ The Giant Buddha- a huge statue more than 50 meters high, situated on top of a hill overlooking the city. Evening 1-hour drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Departure - (B): Breakfast at Hotel. Today you will be transferred to the airport to fly onward destination.
Note: If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences.