Day 1: Arrive Paro
Arrive Paro and transferred to the hotel. After lunch visit National Museum and Paro Dzong. Evening explore Paro town. Welcome dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Paro
Day excursion to Taktshang Goenpa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). Evening visit Kyichu Lhakhang built in the 7th century. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Paro – Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours: TREK BEGINS)
The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2580 m) 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 you will come across some apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and you reach the Gunitsawa Army Post (2810 m). This is the last stop before Tibet. You will continue just beyond Sharma Zampa ( 2870 m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Overnight at camp.
Day 4: Shana – Soi Thangthangkha (20 km, 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, you stop of lunch (depending on time). Then you continue along the river, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching the campsite (3750 m). Overnight at camp.
Day 5: Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang (190km, 7-8 hours)
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. You then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Lunch will be served on route. A short walk from here into the valley takes you to your campsite at Jangothang (4040 m). You will enjoy superb views of Mt. Jhomolhari (7314 m) and Jichu Drake (6989 m).
Day 6: Jangothang – Lingshi (18 km, 7-8 hours)
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. You now start you climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Mt. Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyelela Pass (4700 m). After the pass you descend gradually from the pass to our campsite at Lingshi (4000 m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong as we walk. Overnight at camp.
Day 7: Lingshi – Shodu (22 km, 8-9 hours)
The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Jhomolhari trek route here. Your trail climbs up towards a small white choeten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chu valley. The largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yelela Pass (4820 m). On a clear day you can see Mt. Jhomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass. After the pass descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in a cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4100 m), where we will camp in a meadow with a choeten in it. Overnight at camp.
Day 8: Shodu – Barshong (16 km, 6-7 hours)
You are now back at the tree line, and your 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. Lunch on route by the riverside. Then the trail takes you gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3600m), near which we camp for the night. Overnight at camp.
Day 9: Barshong – Dolam Kencho (15 km, 5-6 hours)
The trail descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers, and 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 stream runs 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 3600 m.
Day 10: Dolam Kencho – Dodena – Thimphu (80km, 3 hours: TREK ENDS)
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 pass at 3510 m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (2600 m). Evening at leisure. Met by transport and drive to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Thimphu – Paro
Morning visit Memorial Choeten, Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School), Textile Museum and Folk Heritage Museum. After lunch drive to Paro for your final night in the country. Farewell dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast you will drive to Paro International Airport for your flight to onward destination.