Fly into the land of the thunder dragon. The flight over the Himalayas is one of the most spectacular experiences one will ever experience. You will fly past Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the entire Himalayan range visible on the left-hand side. On landing at Paro, you will be welcomed by the Bhutanese representative from Zero Degree Latitude. After visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will be escorted to your hotel in Paro.
After the welcome ceremony and checking in the hotel we then visit the places of cultural interest. We will visit the National Museum, Paro Rimpung Dzong and Kichu Lhakhnag. Later in the evening, stroll in the beautiful Paro town. Drivetime: 30 mins Overnight in ParoToday we will hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest. It is located at 3100 meters and this will be good for acclimatization.
A one-hour hike will bring you to the cafeteria, stop for a cup of tea and toilet break. The cafeteria offers you the stunning view of the monastery, prayer flags adorn the cliffs. Your lunch will be served in the cafeteria on your way back. It is usually a day’s hike. In the evening we will drive to a farm house to have our traditional herbal hot stone bath treatment. This will help energize our body to be fit and ready to start our trek tomorrow. Also, we will have our authentic Bhutanese meal at the farmhouse. Drivetime: 1hour Overnight at Paro.We begin the day by driving up to Drukgyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), where the road ends. View the Dzong, which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan 's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. The trek begins, following the Paro River gently uphill through rice paddy terraces, apple orchards, and forest, passing the village houses, monasteries and chortens.
Distance: 17 km Trek time: 5-6 hours Start: Drukgyel(2580m) Campsite: Sharna Zampa(2870m)The trail continues to gradually climb along the side of the Paro River. The valley narrows and closes, and the path then winds along the stream. This day's trek is not difficult, but it is long, and there are many short ups and downs. Nearby the lunch stop we can see the route to Tremo La, which is paved in stone and served as the main trade route to the Phari Dzong in Tibet. It was also the main invasion route of the Tibetans ages ago. The trek to Thangthangkha continues for 3-4 hours through beautiful forest consisting mainly of birch, fir, larch, maple blue pine, and rhododendron. The camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. A magnificent view of Mt. Jomolhari can be seen from our campsite on clear days.
Distance: 22 km Trek time: 6-7 hours Start: Sharna Zampa (2870m) Campsite: Thangthangka(3630m)Today we will gain elevation and you will be comfortably worn out at day’s end. You are now entering “yak” country. Yaks are utilized for pack animals as well as supply cheese, milk, tea, meat and Yak hair for the weaving of huts, blankets, clothes, backpacks, and hats. Burley and huge, the yak plays an important role in Bhutan history, yesterday and today. Remote villages are dotted throughout this area. A stone and log bridge provide access to Jangothang. Unparalleled views of snow peaked mountains from the eastern side of the valley. We are in the most spectacular camp spot in the entire Himalayan range. You are truly in the High Himalayas!
Distance: 19 km Trek time: 5-6 hours Start: Thangthangka (3630m) Campsite: Jangothang (4090m)Acclimatization Day. We can spend the day relaxing or there are several day hikes to choose from. Two interesting hikes would be to get views of Mt.Jomolhari or Jichu Drake. Follow the trail that climbs the moraine and goes as far as possible on this towards Jomolhari. The moraine-ridge walk gives a good view down to the glacier and allows acclimatization in preparation for crossing the Nyile La.
If you are interested in a lake, then you can hike to Tsophu glacier lake. Easy day hike up the valley towards the foot of Jumolhari. Campsite: Jangothang (4090m)Today’s trail will take us over Nyile La (pass), which is at 4,880m. Feelings of great accomplishments will arise as you sip your tea under the prayer flags aflutter at Nyile La. It tends to be windy at the pass. You can see yak pastures on the way. Depending on the time of year, you will encounter nomads. You will have a great view of Lingshi Dzong further along the trail. It's also possible to see blue sheep and musk deer. Tserim Gang Mountain and glaciers are at the north end of the Lingshi valley.
Distance: 18 km Trek time: 5-6 hours Start: Jangothang (4090m) Campsite: Lingshi (4010m)Today is the shortest walking day, we will take it easy. Much of the trail is level and leads along the ridge of the river valley, which is known for its aromatic medicinal herbs, and down into a side valley were Goyak settlement is located. This is a typical cluster of stone houses, surrounded by fields of highland barley. Pass through the village of Goyak the camp is in the valley of Chebisa, a beautiful highland village.
Distance: 10 km Trek time: 5-6 hours Start: Lingshi (4010m) Campsite: Chebisa (3880m)Leaving all settlements and villages behind, the trail again climbs through high-altitude pastures, frequented by the blue sheep and grazing yaks. Crossing Gombula pass at Alt, 4350m, the trail descends to ford a stream and then climbs a further ridge (4230m) to reach the forested valley of the Jolethang-chu, where Shakshepasa helipad is located. From here the trail winds uphill to the yak pastures of Jachim (4260m) before dropping down to the meadow camp at Shomuthang alongside a tributary of the Mo- Chhu.
Distance :17 km Trek time: 6-7 hours Start: Chebisa (3880m) Campsite: Shomuthang (4220m)An early start today crisscrossing the river, with the peak of Mount Gang Bum (6840m) in the distance to the south-east, the trail gradually ascends Jari La Pass at 4600m. There are fine views of the snow peak of Mount Gangchentak (6840)m to the north, and more distant views of Mount Tserim Gang and Mount Jomolhari. The switchback trail now zigzags downhill to meet a stream. Rhododendrons grow thickly in these parts, as the trail meanders down to cross a small bridge over the Jolethang-Chu, and reach the meadow clearing at Tseri Jathang, a summertime sanctuary for the takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Climbing again, it than bypasses a small lake to reach the rock-strewn meadow camp at Robluthang.
Distance: 18 km Trek time 6-7 hours Start: Shomuthang (4220m) Campsite: Robluthang (4160m)Today is a big day as the trail zigzags up the hillside through burnt-out forest and marshy terrain, to reach a glacial valley. Fording a stream and climbing through pastures potholed with marmot burrows, Shnche La pass (5000m) comes into view. This is the highest point on the trek, and as it is crossed, the snow massif of Mount Gangchentak can be seen to the north. A long winding descent through boulder- and moraine-strewn valleys follow, as the trail crosses the Gang Chhu twice, and climbs through rhododendron and cedar forests to a meadow campsite at Limithang alongside the Zamdo Nangi- Chut with the Great Tiger Mountain looming over camp.
Distance 19 km Trek time 6-7 hours Starting: Robluthang (4160m) Campsite: Limithang (4140m)Today is all the way downhill along a winding river valley with quite a closed-in feeling. The trail splits, one going down with the river to the camp site used by the army. The other stays high and brings you to the west side of Laya village. We will camp on a high flat bench above the east end of Laya village. The peak towering above Laya is Masagang (7165m).
Distance: 10 km Trek time: 4-5 hours Start: Limithang (4140m) Campsite: Laya (3840m)Today, we will explore Laya village and spend time with the Layaps (nomads). It is one of the most beautiful highland villages, where women still wear the distinctive Laya dress. And there are many interesting living cultures to see around in the village. In the evening we will watch a nomad cultural show performed by the beautiful women of Laya.
Campsite: Laya (3840m)We say goodbye to Laya and the layaps, the trail winds up and down along the Mo Chu River, avoiding natural obstacles and affording breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams, and waterfalls. The beginning of the trek will take you past an army camp and the route junction for the Snowman trek. Campsite at Koina is one of the worst campsites on this trek but you will have to use it due to unavailability of campsites or availability of water.
Distance:19 km Trekking time 6-7 hours Start: Laya (3840m) Campsite: Koina (3050m)The route may seem all the way downhill, but you have to cross the last pass on this trek - Barila pass at 3900m after which is all the way downhill till you reach camp. The camp is near the Gasa Dzong and village. You can go further 1-1/2 hours to Gasa Tsachu (hot spring) if you prefer a hot spring dip than the Gasa village, please inform your trekking crew at the start of the trek and they will camp according to your requirements.
Distance 14 km Trekking time 6-7 hours Start: Koina (3050m) Campsite: Gasa (2770m) (End of Trek)Today we will drive to Punakha. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is located at an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level. After reaching Punakha we will visit Punakha Dzong and explore the beautiful Punakha valley.
Drive time: 3 hours Overnight at a resort in Punakha.Today we will drive to the capital city of Bhutan. On the way make an excursion to the famous fertility temple. Continue your journey towards Thimphu. Your lunch will have served on the Dochula pass where you can see the view of your trekking trail. After arriving the capital city check in your hotel and explore the modern capital city.
Drivetime: 3hours Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.We will start our day with visiting places of cultural interest in Thimphu: Zelukha Nunnery, National Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro en-route visit to Simtokha Dzong the first fort built in 1627-29 by Zhabdrung who unified the Kingdom and continue the journey following the Thimphu River till Chuzom (Confluence) and taking the direction toward Paro following Pa-chu.
Tonight, you are invited to a cocktail dinner to witness a grand cultural show, which will show-case age-old folk dances & songs, religious mask dances, cultural dramas and many more. Enjoy your night with our representatives. Drive time: 1.5 hours Overnight at Paro.After the breakfast, our representatives will bid a fond farewell to the magical kingdom in the sky and wish you a happy journey back home. Depart for Paro airport for your onward flight with full of Bhutanese nostalgia.
Drivetime: 30 mins
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
