Yaksa Trek

Day 1: Arrival

You will be flown to Bhutan, the Land of Thunder Dragon. As you land, you will have a visual treat of lush green paddy fields, small houses mushrooming, prayer flags on hilltops, and hills and mountains guarding the settlements.  Soon after landing at the Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide in the traditional Bhutanese way and take you to your hotel.
After a brief recess, shedding off the jetlag, you will visit the National Museum first. Then, we will take you to Paro Rimpung Dzong, the fortress of the heap of jewels. Our next visit will be to Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest monastery in Bhutan which was built in the 7^th century.

Overnight stay at Bhutan Mandala Resort

Day 2: Hike to Taktsang

Right after breakfast, we will drive to the base camp which is about 15 minutes drive. From there, you will hike up.
Tiger’s nest monastery which is known as the Taktsang monastery is one of the holiest sites in the country. It is said that Guru Padmasambhava came riding on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon in the 8^th century. At the place where he vanquished the flesh-devouring demon, he constructed a small temple. Since then, it became one special site for pilgrims.
In the evening, you may have a stroll along the quiet street of Paro town.

Overnight stay at Bhutan Mandala Resort

Day 3: Paro to Sharna Zampa

(17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 2870M)

You will drive 12km north of Paro valley from your hotel to the historic Drugyal Dzong ruins at 2,580m, from where your trek starts. Your trekking crew will be waiting here for you. After a brief meeting, you will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Pachhu (river), which then climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Soon the valley widens and the route enters an area of apple orchards, traditional farmhouses, and the tiny settlements of Mitshi Zampa and Sangatan. You reach the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810 after walking through the blue pine forest for a while. Here your trekking permit will be checked and stamped. This is the last stop before Tibet and the border close to it. You will then cross the Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa at 2,870m. Just beyond Shana Zampa, there are several meadows surrounded by trees where you will camp for tonight.

Day 4: Sharna Zampa to Soi Thangka

(22KM | 7-8 HOURS | 690M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3750M)
The trail again follows Pachhu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak, and spruce forests. After 2 hours of continuous hiking and crossing several streams, you will reach Shingkharap, a stone house at 3110m. A hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the river. Little ahead is the trail junction – left an old trade route and invasion from Tibet and right leading to the wooden bridge (we follow the right). After climbing up through rhododendron forests and finally crossing the bridge again, we reach our camp at 3750m, which is amidst beautiful meadows.

Day 5: Soi Thangka to Jangothang Base Camp

(19KM | 5-6 HOURS | 290M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4040M)
Although today is not a long trekking day, a significant height gain will take place as your trail goes above the tree line. From the camp, your path ascends for a while till you reach the army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line enjoying the stunning view of surrounding peaks. We walk through a very muddy section of trail, pass a mani wall and enter yak country. Hot lunch will be served inside a yak herder’s camp. After lunch, we walk past the yak herder settlements of Soe and Takethang. Common crops that people grow here are barley, potatoes, and turnips. We walk our final approach across a plateau and up a stream bed and Dangochang village to the awesome campsite of Jangothang at an altitude of 4,040m. From here, the views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.

Day 6: Jangothang acclimatization and exploration

Today, you will spend a day doing a four-hour acclimatization hike to the north of your camp. There is practically no trail but you will climb on an open and endless slope till you see the view of Mt Jichu Drakye (6989m). You can scramble further up to 4895m (higher than Mount Blanc) to see an amazing view of Mount Jumolhari. You are likely to spot rare blue sheep, Himalayan rhubarb, griffon vultures, golden eagles, and the remarkable blue poppy. Jangothang base is a flat grassy land with an old ruined fortress on a hillock in the foreground, beneath the colossal Mount Jumolhari and its neighbor Jitchu Drake. Most people show signs of mountain sickness at this altitude and it is recommended that all trekkers halt here. If you do not wish to hike but simply just relax in camp, whichever option you choose, it’s certainly going to be a memorable day.

Day 7: Jangothang to Dhumzo

(16KM | 6-7 HOURS | 850M ASCENT | 1090DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3800M)
The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and descends once again to the Paro Chhu (River), crossing it on a wooden bridge. Walk up to the torques of Tshophu lake (4380 meters), which ruddy shelducks inhabit. You will come across a second lake after you climb across a slope to a crest. Then descend into a hidden valley and climb steeply to Bonte La at 4890m, the highest point of the trek with great mountain views of Basingthang (5500m) and Chatarake (5570m). After the pass, the trail descends crisscrossing yak trails down to the Dhumzo Chhu and after walking downstream past a few houses you arrive at a camp at 3800 meters.

Day 8: Dhumzo to Thombu Shong

(11KM | 4-5 HOURS | 720M ASCENT | 340M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4180M)
The trail climbs over 100m over a ridge and then drops to another stream. Crossing that stream, the trail heads up the hillside, dropping into a small side valley before emerging onto a ridge. Here the route turns south, ascending past a few huts to Takhung La (4520 m). A short descent leads to wide and grassy Thombu Shong (4180m) with few yak herder’s huts.

Day 9: Thombu Shong to Sharna Zampa

13KM | 4-5 HOURS | 200M ASCENT | 1650M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 2730M
Climb out of the valley through rhododendron forests to Thombu La at 4380m. On clear weather, great views of Mount Jumolhari, Jicchu Drake, Teri Kang, and even Kanchenjunga from the pass is rewarding and a treat for hectic minds. The trail then drops gradually to about 4000m, switchbacking down the ridge, and you finally reach the helipad at Gunitsawa (2730m).

Day 10: Sharna Zampa to Paro

17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 150M DESCENT
After breakfast, we retrace back through blue pine forests downstream Paro Chhu River, farmhouses, rice fields, and small human settlements to Drugyal Dzong. Your car will be waiting here to transfer you to the hotel.

Day 11: Departure
Depart for your respective countries. We hope that you have had a good experience.

• Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes.
• Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
• All meals, including evening tea/coffee etc through-out the trip.
• All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees.
• Experienced Culture Tour Guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp serivce.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights in and out of Bhutan.
• Travel insurance, Drink, Visa fees, Laundry