Seasons:The
ideal time for this trek is April to June and September to November.
Day
01:Arrive Paro
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by your Access
Bhutan Tour representative and transferred to your hotel after completion of arrival
formalities. Evening visit to Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel in
Paro.
Day 02:Paro
Morning visit to Ta Dzong, built in 1651
as a watchtower and in 1968 inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum. The collection
includes art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, postage stamps, coins and
handicrafts, as well as a small natural history collection. Below Ta Dzong is
Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), “the fortress of the heap of jewels”, built in 1646,
and now housing the offices of the district administration and Paro’s monk body.
In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang. Built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen
Gampo in the 7th century, it is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 03:Paro – Shana
17km,
5-6 hours
The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) with a short downhill
walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well maintained rice
terraces and fields of millet. Later on we come to apple orchards and forests.
Soon the valley widens, and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2,810m). This
is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa
(2,870m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by
trees.
Day 04:Shana – Soi Thangthangkha
20km, 7-8 hours
The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through
pine, oak and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the
river, we stop for a hot lunch. Then we continue along the river, climbing upwards
through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching
our campsite (3,750m).
Day 05:Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang
19km, 7-8 hours
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army
camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views 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 views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.
Day 06:Jangothang
– Lingshi
18km, 7-8 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 views of Chomolhari, 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 campsite at Lingshi (4,000m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks
and Lingshi Dzong as we walk.
Day 07:Lingshi – Shodu
22km,
8-9 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 will camp in
a meadow with a chorten in it.
Day 08:Shodu – Barshong
16km,
6/-7 hours
We are now back at the tree line, and our path follows the
course of the Thimphu 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.
Day 09:Barshong – Dolam Kench
15km, 5-6 hours
The trail
descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers, then
drops steeply to meet the Thimphu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the
river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side streams run
down into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high
above the Thimphu Chu, coming out onto pastureland where we camp for the night
at 3,600m.
Day 10:Dolam Kencho – Dodena – Thimphu
8km, 3
hours
The trail winds in and out of side valleys above the Thimphu Chu,
making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf
species to a pass at 3,510m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following
it southward to the road head at Dodena (2,600m). Access Bhutan transport meets
us here, and we drive to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day
11:Thimphu – Paro
Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley visiting
the following, as time permits: National Memorial Chorten; Tashichhodzong (“the
fortress of the glorious religion”); National Library; Institute for Zorig Chusum
(Bhutanese arts and crafts school); National Institute of Traditional Medicine
(outside only); Handicrafts Emporium.
Evening drive to Paro. Overnight
at the hotel in Paro.
