| Day 01:-Arrival at
Paro and Transfer to Shana.
Our representative upon arrival at the airport will
meet you and will drive you up to Drugyel Dzong where
the road ends and the trek begins, following the river
gently uphill through a narrowing agriculture valley.
Initially you will pass through the serene pastoral
life of the village with their dogs and children playing
in the fields. Camp is just beyond an army post. Alt.
2800m. Distance 17 km, about 5-6 hours.
Day 02:- Shana - Soi Thangka
The trail ascends through the river valley. It narrows
and closes in and the trail winds up and down along
the drainage. Camp is just beyond an army post. Alt.2800m.
Distance is about 21km, 7-8 hours.
Day 03:- Soi Thangkha - Jangothang
The trail climbs up the Pa Chu pass a small army post
where the valley begins to widen out. Views of high
ridge and snow-capped peaks are seen all around, and
close by are yaks and yak-herders camps. Lunch will
probably be served at one of the camps beneath a ruined
fortress, at the base of Chomolhari. Altitude 4040 m
distances 19 km, about 5-6 hours.
Day 04:- Jangothang - Lingshi
You will come across the yak pastures on the way up
and down the pass. You will enjoy the great views of
Lingshi Dzong as you come down Tserim Kang and its descending
glaciers at the north end of the valley. Altitude 4150
m, distances 19 km, about 5-6 hrs.
Day 05:- Lingshi - Chebisa
An easy walk today- covering 19 km in about 5-6 hrs;
there will be time to stroll around the village houses
of Chebisa(Altitude:3850m) before resting at camp.
Day 06:- Chebisa - Shomuthang
The hike today is through wild and high altitude pastures,
across Gobula pass (altitude 4350 m); camping at a bend
overlooking the river -a tributary of the Mo chu that
passes by Gasa Tsachu - hot springs; camp site altitude
is about 4260 m after covering a distance of 17 km in
6 hours.
Day 07:- Shomuthang - Robluthang
Start off early today towards the Jarela Pass alt. 4600
m, crossing over to Tsharithang. It is possible to come
across herds of the unique Takin grazing on the slopes.
Distance covered is 15 km after about 5 hrs, campsite
is at altitude of 4400m.
Day 08:- Robluthang - Lemithang
After crossing the Shingela Pass alt. 4900 m descends
and skirts the valley towards Lemithang that falls within
Laya district. Notice the unique dress worn by the Layaps
- the high altitude cattle dependent, herders. Lemithang
stands beneath the Great Tiger Mountain - Gangchenta.
Depending on your time and interests 0 you can explore
around for a day in these mountains. Overnight at camp
alt 13,567 ft. Distance covered is 19 km in 6-7 hrs.
Day 09:- Lemithang - Laya
All down hill hike today along the winding river valley.
Two paths lie before you- one leading to the army camp,
the other stays high and reaches west side of Laya village-
the path taken leads you to your camp site on a high
plateau at alt 12680 ft with a distance of 10 km covered
in about 4 hrs.
Day 10:- Laya (Halt)
Spend this day relaxing and taking in the natural habitat
of the Laya people, visit the unique houses and learn
of their unique ways of living. Depending on your interests,
there could be arrangements for song and dance performed
by the Laya folk by the campfire.
Day 11:- Laya- Koena
The trail winds up and down along the river valley,
crossing natural obstacles and witnessing breathtaking
views of water falls and swift streams. Camp at altitude
12,682 ft, distance covered is 19 km in about 7 hrs.
Day 12:- Koena - Gasa
Scaling the Belela Pass, altitude 12,267 ft, the trail
descends untill you reach camp near the Gasa Dzong -
altitude 9250 ft, distance of 17 km in 6-7 hrs.
Day 13:- Gasa - Gasa Tsachu
After a late-relaxed breakfast trek to Gasa Tsachu Hot
springs. A good time to heal your body aches, sore feet
and calves, simply relax in these natural hot spring
used by the Bhutanese for all kinds of ailments and
sickness. Overnight camp by the Hot Springs.
Day 14:- Gasa Tsachu- Geon Damji
For the botanists and natural life enthusiasts - the
Gasa trek portion can be most thrilling and memorable
experience; one passes through virgin forests of oak,
pine, rhododendrons- exotic flowers and most colourful
and varied butterflies- as if taken out of a romantic
painting of nature; as you proceed down the valley-
Gasa Dzong fades into the distance, in a shimmering
play of light. Overnight camp at Goendamji altitude
2280m distance covered is 21km in about 7 hrs
Day 15:- Goendamji - Tashithang
The trail descends gradually into the lush semi-tropical
warmth of the Punakha valley- where you find wild bananas,
creepers, monkey and totally different vegetation from
barely 2 days back. After about 17 km in 5-6 hrs we
reach Tashithang where your pick-up crew may remind
you of the 20 th century. Ride the dirt road to Punakha
town.
Day 16:- Drive to Paro via Thimpu.
Day 17:- Departure |
