Day 1 arrive in Paro
After arriving you will meet your Bhutanese guide and drive a short distance via the main street of Paro to our accommodation.
Day 2 Paro Valley, takstang Monastery (3.100m)
Our morning is spend exploring the Tigers Nest Monastery or Takstang, as it is known in Bhutan. We return back to our accomadation for lunch and then some touring.
Day 3 drive to Drukyel Dzong (2.580m) commencing our trek to Shana (2.860m) 16km about 5-6 hrs
A short drive of 15minutes up the Paro Valley to the roadhead at Drukyel Dzong where our trek starts. We gain our first views of the summit of Chomolhari (7,314m) at the head of the valley. We get under way and take a break for our packed lunch where it suits us. Initialy the trail is wide and flat, passing through farm country. It is a reasonable day's walk today, taking us past a couple of settlements including a military post where our permits will be checked. Our camp at Shana is in a grassy clearing among a forest of tall pines beside the river.
Day 4 trek to Tsema Marpu (3,300m) about 7-8 hrs
We are now trekking within Jigme Dorje National Park, The largest protected area In the country (4,350 km²) which extends beyond Laya to Lunana in the east and all the territory to the south. Our camp site is close by the river.
Day 5 trek to Soi Thangthangkha (3,600m) about 45min (and take a resting day)
Today is a short trek to be able to rest and get used to the higher altitudes. After a short walk to Soi Thangthangkha through the forest we make camp. On this resting day there is an option to walk to Soi Yaksa village, which is a 6 hour return trip.
Day 6 to Jangothang (4.100m) 17km about 6-7 hrs
We continue to our camp at the base of Chomolhari. Jichu Drake rises at the right side.
Day 7 at Jangothang (reserveday)
We will go on a side trip up the small valley where we will have an amazing viewpoint of a glacier. Also we may make a scenic excursion to Tshophu lake set adjacent to the Nyile La pass, both will be amazing photo viewpoints.
Day 8 cross Nyile La (4,890m) to Lingshi village (4,010m) 21km about 6-7 hours
From camp we start our ascent to the Nyile La (4.850m). This is not so demanding and if this is your first Himalayan pass just take your time. From the Nyile La we leave Chomolhari and Jichu Drake behind and make a steep descent to the outskirts of Lingshi village.
Day 9 trek to Chebisa village (3,990m) 16km about 7hrs
We continue to head northeastward, ascending past the Lingshi Dzong to Chebisa.
Day 10 cross Gombu La (4,440m) to Shomuthang (3,990m) camp 14.5km about 7- 8 hrs
From Chebisa the trail gradually ascends to the Gombu La (4.450m). The descent to our camp beside some yak herder camps at Shomuthang is through a forest. Our camp will most likely be beside a river, but we may also hike up the valley an hour to make tommorow's hike easier.
Day 11 cross Jare La (4,785m) to Robluthang (4,165m) 16km about 6-7 hrs
Our route takes us directly upwards this morning. Once at the gap, marked by flags we can look expansively across to the adjacent valley and our next pass, the Sinche La. We trek several hundred metres in height up the opposite side of the valley to our camp in the hollow at Robluthang.
Day 12 cross Sinche La (5,005m) to Lemithang (4,150m) 14 km about 7-8 hrs
It will take us approximatly 4 hours to make our ascent of Sinche La. At the pass itself there are glimpses of peaks to our left including Gangchenta. And our Lovely riverside camp is surrounded by tall conifers and the Tiger Ears as our back drop.
Day 13 trek to Laya village (3,800m) 13km about 4 hrs
This morning we descend the Zamdo Nangi Chhu valley to Laya, the largest village of the trek.
Day 14 rest day in Laya / short hike to the Military camp (1-2hrs)
We will enjoy some visiting time in Laya. Depending on the logistics, we will either spend another day in Laya or descend down out of the village to the Mo Chuu river and camp at an army post that guards the frontier with Tibet.
Day 15 to Rodophu (4,215m) 14km about 7-8 hrs
After leaving the Army Camp and crossing the river we begin our ascent towards Lunana and the most remote stages of our trek. It will take us more than 3 days to reach Woche, the 1st settlement of Lunana.
Day 16 cross Tsemo La (4,905m) to Narethang (4,900m) 11km about 6-7hrs
We cross the river and ascend the slope, trek on through another small valley to a small pass; Tsemo La (4,905m). Then we descend and traverse around some slopes. Our camp is on grassy slopes.
Day 17 cross Karakachu La (5,020m) to Tarina (3,938m) 17km about 8-9 hrs
Our hike will take us to the remote Lunana District. It should take us around one and half hour to reach our pass, then we will have a verry long descent of around 1.200m to the valley of Tang Chuu. After dropping down on the valley floor we walk 2 to 3 hours to reach our camp side in a clearing.
Day 18 Tarina to Greenlake 15km about 8-9 hrs
The river, we descend the valley, then we have to climb over a ridge towards the village of Woche at 3.940m high, it is the first village of Lunana. After we cross a river and make our way to the pass. We camp just below the pass in a clearing beside the lake.
Day 19 cross Keche La (4,666m) to Chozo (4,070m) 17km about 8-9 hrs
We trek to the gap of the Keche La (4.670m). The tempratures are warm here so we trek beside the river, past a small village of Lhedi and on to Chozo. Arriving there we can have relaxing time. Both Chozo and Thanza are considered the 2 main villages of Lunana. Yaks need to be changed.
Day 20 rest day in Chozo
Time to do washing, relaxing or perhaps walk up to the glacier near Table Mountain and Thanza. You can also take pictures of Chozo Dzong.
Day 21 to Tshochena (4,940m) via Sintia La (5,200m) 18km about 8-9 hrs
Crossing the river first, we continue our steep ascent of a long rolling slope and narrow valley to the Sintia La at 5,200m. It will take us around 4 hrs but the view back to Lunana is unique. Stay close to your guides and trekking partners as fog can quickly roll in. Camp is set on a barren plateau.
Day 22 to Jichu Dramo (4,900m) via Loju La (5,145m) about 5-6 hrs
We cross the Loju La (5,145m) winding around several ridges. Our camp is set in a little patch of grassy tundra.
Day 23 cross Rinchen Zoe La (5,326m) to Chukarpo (4,600m) about 8-9 hrs
Today we cross our highest pass, the Rinchen Zoe La (5.326m). Before crossing a plateau reminiscent of the Tibetan Plateau and descending to our camp side beside the river in a forest clearing. It will take us several hours to gain the pass. The hike to the camp involves a steep descent.
Day 24 to Tampoe Tsho (4,330m) about 6-7 hrs
A solid day of trekking brings us to a camp just beneath our last pass. We will have a sustained climb as we gain more altitude, however we are rewarded with a beautiful settingfor our last mountain camp.
Day 25 cross Tempe La (4,665m) to Marothang (3,698m) about 7-8 hrs
In less then one hour we reach the Tempe La (4.665m), our last pass on the trek. From here the trek is all downhill to camp. We follow the Nikka Chhu river through fairly leveled terain to Marothang.
Day 26 to Nikka Chhu (2,627m) about 5-6 hrs, drive to Thimphu about 6 hrs
We follow the trail to the Nikka Chhu through a forest which is cool and pleasant. It takes us some time to finally descend to the roadhead and a small collection of shops at Nikka Chhu. Our transport meets us here and we drive on to our accommodation in Thimph.
Day 27 drive to Paro about 1/2 hrs, our trip ends
It is about 1/2 hour drive to Paro where we will be transferred to the airport for onward arrangements. All Apex hopes u had enjoyed on this trip and had experienced some unique moments.
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