Duration: 28 Days

This is Bhutan’s toughest trek and well described by The Lonely Planet as one of the most difficult treks of the world. From Laya it takes you into higher altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas.

The consolation for your drive is the spectacular peaks as you trek through the most remote areas up to very high altitudes above 5,000m.

You will sometimes need to camps on blankets of snow. Trekkers are taken into the Lunana region and further on to Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Trongsa district, depending on the route chosen.

Day 1 Paro

Arrive at Paro International Airport after having experienced an enthralling flight with peaks of the mighty Himalayas, including Mt Everest greeting you and the plane taking you through the awesome Bhutanese foothills, not to mention the thrilling landing at what is considered one of the most challenging landings.

Our company’s representative will welcome you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. After lunch at the hotel, begin Paro sightseeing by driving to the National Museum (once a watch tower – Ta Dzong), which has some of the Kingdom’s fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then, drive to the massive Rinpung Dzong (Castle on a Heap of Precious Jewels), another historic Bhutanese structure. Later, take a stroll of Paro town.

Overnight at Hotel

Visit Kichu Lhakhang which was founded by Tibetan king Songtshen Gyambo in 659 AD. It was built to subdue the demon occupied lands all over the Himalayas that prevented the spread of Buddhism. The king built 108 temples in a day to overcome the demon.

Over night at hotel in Paro.

Day 2 Paro

  • After breakfast and a 30 minute drive, you begin one of the most exciting sections of your trip, the hike to Taktsang Monastery, The Tiger’s Lair. One of the most revered religious sites in Bhutan and a centre for pilgrimages, the monastery is perched some 1000meters on a cliff, overlooking a valley. Associated with the great Tantric Saint from the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, it is believed that Padmasambhava came riding on a tigress in a fiery and wrathful form and in a cave within the temple subdued the evils who were obstructing the spread of Buddhism. Since then, several Buddhist masters have meditated in and around the monastery. Some have even discovered hidden religious relics.
  • The hike takes about five hours (round trip) and follows an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.
  • Over night hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Trek begins

  • Drukgyal Dzong to Shana.
  • From Drukgyel Dzong, trek begins, following a farm road and through farm road till Metshena Suspension bridge. Gradually climb through the rice field for two hours and reach a Chorten (stupa), a good spot for lunch. Trail then follows through pine wood forest until you reach the Army check post where you pick required special treks route permit. After 10 minutes cross the suspension bridge to the left side of Paro chu. Walk for thirty minutes to reach to camp.

Day 4

  • Shana to Thathangka
  • Today is longest and hard day. The trail is rough and stony with many rises and drops through different vegetation zone. You cross Paro River two times till reach to camp site.

Day 5

  • Thathangka to Jangothang
  • After an hour walk from camp you reach an Army camp. After that trail goes through wide open river valley pass, where you see many yak herder’s permanent houses.

Day 6 Halt

  • Halt the day to explore around in many different directions. There are five different places you can explore around. Or take rest and do laundry.

Day 7 Trek

  • Jangothang to Lingshi
  • Walk towards the north following the river end of the last house in Soe valley, and cross the small wooden bridge and start steep climb for one hour. Walk through the wide open meadow and  again start climbing to Nelela pass(4890m). From the pass, decent down 40 minutes; a good place for lunch. After lunch cross the small stream and follow the ridge and drop down to camp.

Day 8

  • Lingshi to Chebisa
  • Start climb toward Lingshi Dzong, 100m below the Dzong, trail goes down to Lingshi school. Today the walk is gradual and beautiful along the ridge and passing by an isolated village called Gongyul. After two hours walk from Gongyul village you reach a small village where we will camp for night.

Day 9

  • Chebisa to Shakeyapasang
  • It is a steep climb from the camp to Gogu La pass(4440m). You may see herds of Blue Sheep and Himalayan Griffin flying over your head. From pass decent down hill into the rhododendron trees and fir forest. Finally reach an open river valley. On the other side of river is our camp site.

Day 10

  • Shakeypasang to Robluthang
  • Day starts with 230m climb to yaks herder camp with trail following the stream source coming from Jeri la. After one hour walk along the stream, start climbing to Jeri La pass (4780m). From Jeri La get good view of Gangchen Ta or Tiger Mountain (6840m) and move to Robulathang camp site. It is a drop down hill through fir forest and open valley. In the summer season hundereds of Takins (National Animal of Bhutan) migrate in these areas.

Day 11

  • Robluthang to Ligmethang
  • The trail follows many moraines dam and trails along the stream source coming from Sing Chen La. After two hours walk, the trail zigzags and climbs to Sing Chen La pass(5000m). This is followed by a three hour drop down to river valley, following the stream and leading to Ligmethang camp.

Day 12

  • Ligmethang to Laya
  • Today there are no major passes to cross. Trail goes through the dense coniferous forest. You the cross two major river bridges which come from Tiger Mountain. Camp in Laya.

Day 13

  • Laya (Halt Day)
  • There are many places one can explore around Laya, depending on one’s interest. Walk around the villages and visit temples. If you are adventurous take the four hours walk to climb the top of Rocky Mountains at the summit of Laya village. You also have option to visit the Yellow and Black lakes behind Laya village.

Day 14

  • Laya to Roduphu
  • From Laya we descend to the army camp and continue our trek following the river till the turn-off point to Rhodophu, where we have our lunch. After lunch, we continue the up-hill trail traversing through rhododendron bushes until the camp at Rhodophu. Overnight at the camp.

Day 15

  • Roduphu to Narethang
  • Today there are three pass to cross and all are more than 4500m. From the camp is a steep one hour climb through draft rhododendron forest to Amachesa marines. Trails follow through old rock fall and ascends to Tsimo La(4780m).The trail drops slightly after the pass and then winds higher through alpine meadows. The camp is in the front of Mt Gala Karchung(6300m).

Day 16

  • Narethang to Tarina
  • About one hour from camp you reach the popular pass, Gangla Karchung(5223m). The high peaks of Lunana are visible from the pass on clear days, such as, Tarina, Jejikhangphu Gang, Tshenden Gang. Trail drops 300m steep from pass and after about two hours walk, sees two huge lake at the base of Tarina Mountains. Camp is far south of Tarina valley.

Day 17

  • Tarina to Woche
  • It is a much easier trek as the path follows the river down the valley.  Lunch will be served at the lowest point for today (3500 m). After lunch, we climb up about 300 meters to the village of Wache and camp for the night.

Day 18

  • Woche to Lhedi
  • The trail traverses through thick forests made of juniper and fir trees, before changing to rhododendron bushes. We then climb up to Kechela (pass) (4,480 m), from where we can have a great view of the mountains. Once we cross the pass, we descend to the riverside and trek through a village. We will be greeted with stunning views of Table Mountain and others. We continue following the river, one of the main sources of Pho Chu, till Lhedi village.

Day 19

  • Lhedi to Thanza
  • The trek continues following the river and rising gradually to Choejong village. After lunch, we will visit the Choejong Dzong and then continue the trek, which takes us towards the wide valley. After crossing a bridge, we reach Thanza and camp there.

Day 20

  • Halt Day at Thanza
  • This is yet another day to relax and immerse yourself in the sights of the beautiful and stunning views offered as you walk around or climb up the ridge. The surrounding lakes and mountains paint a picture, which only a trek of this kind can offer.

Day 21

  • Thanza to Tshochena
  • Today is the hardest day on this trek. Morning start climbs to pasture land and the river valley. Follow the stream for one hour and then trail turns right, crossing the small wooden bridges and a steep climb to Jazoe La(5250m), through rocky terrain. From the pass see glacier very closely. Trail drosp down to two big lakes, our camp for the night.

Day 22

  • Tshochena to Jichu Dramo
  • It is an interesting trek as we pass many lakes and landscapes of surrounding mountains. Trails has several gradual ascent and decent. Finally ascent to Lojula pass(5000m) and decent down to Jichu Dramo camp.

Day 23

  • Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo
  • Two hours continuous climb to the second highest trekking pass Rinchenzoe La(5302m) in Bhutan. Before and after pass there are many glaciers lakes with different colours. From the pass we take a long trek to the camp.

Day 24

  • Chukarpo to Tempetsho
  • Gradual down hill walk following Chukarpo, through draft rhododendron for three hours and reach coniferous vegetation zone. After that is a steep climb  till you reach a big lake, above which we camp.

Day 25

  • Tempetsho to Morothang
  • Walk for one and a half hour from camp to the last pass Tempe La(4500m). Decent down from pass through yaks pasture land, and pass by the secret lake. It is said that in the 15th century Lama Pemalingpa discovered treasures from this lake. Again trail drop down to another lake, following a steep decent down to camp.

Day 26

  • Morothang to Sephu
  • Trail follows the left side of Nika Chu all the way down to end of the trek. Trek ends at Sephu village wherea feeder road are connected. Our staff will be  waiting here with refreshment and a welcome back scarf.
  • Two hours drive to Gangtay valley where a warm shower will be ready.
  • Over night stay at hotel in Gangtay.

Day 27

  • Gangtay to Punakha
  • Visit Gangtay Gonpa, the only Nyingmapa Monastic school in western Bhutan. The temple is 457 years old and was founded by the first reincarnation of Terton Pemalingpa. It was rebuilt by his successive reincarnation Teazin Lakpay Dendup in 1613. Today it is the seat of Pedling (Teaching of Terton Pemalingpa).
  • Visit the Black Necked Cranes Information Center and enjoy a good view of the whole crane habitat.
  • Hike around the crane’s habitat.
  • After lunch in Gangtay, drive to Punakha.
  • Over night at hotel in Punakha.

Day 28

  • Punakha to Thimphu.
  • Visit Punakha Dzong which played an important role in the olden days. It was Bhutan’s second monastic school after Cheri Monastery. The first king was crowned inside this Dzong in 1907. It is the winter residence of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Central Monk Body.
  • Hike to Chimi Lhakhang through paddy fields and farm houses. The temple was built by Lama Nawang Chogyel in 1499 and is today a popular temple where barren women come to pray for a child. The temple is popularly known as the Fertility Temple.
  • Enroute stop at enchanting Docula pass (3040m above sea level). On a clear day one can see panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains ranges, which we had came across during your treks.
  • Over night halt at Thimphu.

Day 29

  • Thimphu to Paro.

 You will discover the beauty of Thimphu and its treasures epitomized in the historic and massive structures such as the largest Buddha Statue at Buddha point, the 12th century Changangkha monastery, Takin zoo, Sangaygang (view point of Thimphu valley,) Handicrafts Emporium, Nunnery and the Memorial Chorten (Stupa).

After lunch, you will visit the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress), the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses the King’s office, Throne Room, some government Ministries, the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and senior monks. We will visit the archery ground and witness a match, if there is one ongoing.  In the evening, drive to Paro.

Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 30

  • Depature from Paro.