Yaksa Trek

The fight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred jumolhari and jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival in Paro  Airport, you will be received by our guide and transfer to restaurant for lunch . After lunch, you will visit the Rinpung Dzong, the 15th century massive fortress which now serves as administrative and monastic center of the valley. From the Dzong, you can walk down to the road head crossing a traditional wooden bridge. After that you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred temple built in 7^th century. In the evening, you can stroll in Paro town.

5Km | 4-5 hours | 900m Ascent

After breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which is located at face of the cliff( 3100m) offering the best view of Paro valley. Today’s hike will be the acclimatization for the next day’s trek. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro. Overnight in hotel

17Km | 4-5 hours | 450 Ascent | 70Descent Camp| altitude 2850m

Drive 30 minutes North of Paro, where trek starts from Drugyal Dzong at 2400m with a downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail gradual ascents through Chentoe village of rice terraces and fields of millet and area of an Apple orchards.  . After about four hours walk you will reach the army post at Gunitsawa (2,800m). At the army check point your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed, then walk for another 20 minutes to reach our campsite. The campsite is on the opposite side of the Paro river.

21Km | 6-7 hours | 900 Ascent | Camp altitude 3750m

Today will be the long day trek, following Paro river crossing several time wooden bridges and Paro river. The trail enters National Park after crossing the wooden Bridge, continues with lots of small ups and downs in the forest of Dhododendrons,fir,hemlock,Larch,sprouse and Birch. After crossing the last bridge for the day, climb uphill gradually through the meadow where a camp will be set up at the altitude of 3750m. From here, if weather permits, you will see amazing view of Mt. Jumolhari.

19Km | 4-5 hours | 300 Ascent | Camp altitude 4050m

This morning see Jomolhari Peak, if you have not seen last night, the trek continues up through the forest for 40 minutes, then widens into patches of alpine meadow following the Paro river. Today you will cross above treeline(4000M) and cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. The trail becomes easier, in this area, where yaks, Yak- herder’s camp can be seen, passing through the villages will be another highlight on this trek. Before reaching to our campsite,,we will come across community school and basic health care center, this is the place where Jomolhari Festival is held, where Highlander comes to exchange their culture and tradition and products. From here you will catch  the most beautiful view of Jichu Darke and Tsheringmagang peaks.. Then, the trail gradually ascents to reach the most beautiful campsite for the trek facing majestic Jomolhari peak, just nearby we can also see ruin fortress

Today is rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. There is the great opportunity to spot some blue sheep and Marmot on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can also trek up to Tsophu Lake (Twin Lake) or hike towards Jomolhari Peak.

16Km | 6-7 hours | 810 Ascent | 1090m Descent | Camp altitude 3800m

Today walk for 20 minutes in the valley, then follow the right trail and cross Paro river. The trail leads steep ascents on the ridge through bushes of Rhodendrons, Jinupers and wild bean plants for an hour to reach on wide meadow, you may see here blue sheep. Back side with amazing Jomolhari, Jichu Darke and down in the valley jomolhari campsite. Trail becomes easy walking through wide yaks pastures, Yak-Herders camp and rocky mountains for an hour to reach Tshopho Lake(Twin lakes), 4380m, along the trail you may see Marmots, and Yaks. You will climb on tree less trail for an hour to reach cross the ridge, then walk in the valley for 30 minutes, here you may see Raven(National of Bhutan), have lunch here before climbing the pass. After lunch, the trail leads steep ascents to the highest pass for the trek, rocky Bontey La pass 4890m, for an hour to complete it. After the pass, the trail steep descents through rocky trails for 2 hours to camp, cross the Dhumzo River, the campsite is nearby river. The yaksa village is just to our camp at 3800.

11Km | 4-5 hours | 720m Ascent | 340m Descent | Camp altitude 4180m

The trail climbs over 20minutes in the forest of Rhododendrons, hemlock and sprouse and monal and blood pheasant sees, and then drops to another stream. After crossing this stream, the trail gradually climbs to Dhunge La pass with colorful prayer flags. From here, the trail through pasture land for 40 minutes, the steep ascents for an hour to reach the Tagulung la pass (4520m). From here you can get better view of jomolhari, Jichu Darke,Terigang and in the distance Kanchenjunga(Sikkim) peaks. You can also see your tonight campsite in the valley. The trail descents an hour to reach beautiful wide Thombusong valley(4180m), here yaks and  yak herder’s huts can be seen. This is your last camp for the trek.

13Km | 4-5 hours | 200m Ascent | 1650m Descent

Climb gradually on the ridge through the bushes of Rhododendron, and junipers from valley to Thombu La at 4380m, and then walk on the ridge for another 20 minutes to get stunning view of Himalayan range. The trail then makes a steep descent, switch backing down the ridge for 2 hours in the alpine forest, finally reaching the helipad at Gunitsawa (2730m). Our vehicle will be waiting at the road point to drive us to Thimphu for comfortable hotel.

Today you can enjoy beautiful drive to Punakha. En route we will stop at Dochula pass (3150 meters) where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.In the clear sky, we will see all the  Himalayan ranges including the highest peak of Bhutan Gangkar Puensum(7560m) above sea level. From the pass, drive downhill through the forest of rhododendron,fir,and hemlock. After lunch, you can take short walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang( temple of fertility). Continue drive to Punakha. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, former capital and the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan. Overnight in hotel

Today we will drive 30 minutes to north of Punakha and hike through rice fields up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built in 1990s by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and it took 10 years to complete temple. From here walk back to car parking and enjoy rafting down to the Mochu river, where the incredible Punakha Dzong sits. After lunch drive to Paro via Dochula pass, then finally in Paro, visit archery playing ground, where local plays traditionally.

Drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.