Arrive Paro-Thimphu

Upon arrival at Paro airport, reception by our representative and transfer to Thimphu. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu Tour

Full day tour of Thimphu city. Visit Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong, National Library, School of Painting, Institute of Traditional Medicine and Handicrafts Centre. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu - Punakha - Tashithang

Crossing to Punakha through the Dochula pass (3100 m), beautiful rhododendron and magnolia forests. The pass offers a panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan peaks and an enticing view of the Lunar Path. Picnic lunch at Punakha by the river. Enjoy the view of Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 during the Shabdrung era. The Dzong is now used as the winter residence of the monks and the administrative center of the district. After lunch, transfer to Tashithang along the Mo Chu River. Camping in Tashithang at the end of the road at an altitude of 1600m.

Tashithang - Damji

The trek begins by the river, following a well-maintained path through the semi-tropical forest. This part of the area is quite wet and one has to watch out for leeches. Also for flower lovers there is an abundance of wild orchids. Their daily walk is a fairly gentle climb to the village of Damji. Camping in Damja at an altitude of 2250m. Walking time 5/6 hours.

Damji - Gasa

The journey continues through subtropical forests and villages to Gasa Tshach (hot spring). Tshachu is a famous place where people from all over the country come to bathe because of its healing powers. There are four pools with varying temperatures from mild to hot. A hot lunch will be served just before spring. After lunch, two hours of hard climbing to Gasa Dzong. Camp under the Dzong at an altitude of 2900m. Walking time 6/7 hours.

Gasa - Chamsa

After breakfast, a visit to the Dzong, which was built in the 17th century to protect the valley from Tibetan invaders. The journey begins with a sharp ascent to the Bele la pass (3700 m) through bamboo, rhododendron, juniper and fir forests. Then descend for about half an hour to the camp in Chamse at an altitude of 3650m. Walking time 6/7 hours.

Chamsa - Laya

The trail begins with a descent to the banks of the Mo Chu River. Lunch will be served on the side of the bridge over the river. After lunch, gradually climb up to Laye through the military camp. Night camp at an altitude of 3800m. Walking time 8/9 hours.

Rest day at Laya For Acclimatization

One can go around villages, visit houses and people. Lay people are very friendly and happy to pose for your photos. The women of Laye wear special dresses and typical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments. Cultural evening with dances performed by local girls.

Laya - Rhodophu

From Laya we go down to the military camp and continue along the river to the turnoff to Rhodoph. After lunch, we continue climbing through rhododendron bushes to the campsite at an altitude of 4350m. Walking time 8/9 hours.

Rhodophu - Tarina

Today is the longest day of the trip and an early start is important. Start at about 5 o'clock with the ascent to Tsimola (4700 m). After crossing the first pass and a small peak, there is a wonderful view of Mount Lunana. Chomolhari and Mount. Jichu Drake. The journey is on the plain for another four hours before the ascent to the Kangla Karchula pass (5080 m) begins. The view from the road is breathtaking and you can see a number of mountains including Masagang, Tsendgang, Teri Gang. Along the way, it is a very long descent into the Tarina Valley. Camping at an altitude of 3980m. Walking time 10/11 hours.

Tarina - Woche

The walk leads down through coniferous forests along the upper course of the Pho Chu. The trail then climbs over the ridge and descends to Woche at an altitude of 3,800 m. Walking time is 6/7 hours.

Woche - Lhedi

The trek starts with juniper and fir forests and then rhododendron bushes. Ascent to the Keche la pass (4,480 m) from where there is a wonderful view of the mountains. After the pass, descend to the waterfront by walking through the village with spectacular views of the Mesas and more. Continue along the river to the village of Lhedi, which is one of the main sources of Pho Chu. Camping at an altitude of 3,650m.

Lhedi - Thanza

The trek continues along the river and gradually climbs up to the village of Choejong. After lunch, visit Choejong Dzong and continue walking towards the wide valley. Across the bridge to the Thanza campsite at an altitude of 4000 m. Walking time is 7/8 hours.

Rest Day at Thanza

You can walk or climb the ridge to get a fascinating view of the lakes and mountains.

Thanza - Tsorim

The trek begins with a climb to the ridge with a beautiful view of Table Mountain and the Thanza Valley below. The height of the ridge is 4,500 m and gradually rises to 4,650 m. After lunch, walk along the left side of the bridge and enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains. Further, after overcoming the ridges, you will reach the Tsorim campsite at an altitude of 5,125 m. Walking time 8/9 hours.

Tsorim - Gangkar Puensum Base Camp

This is the highlight of the journey and the day begins with a short climb to Lake Tsorim. Take a walk along the shore of the lake and enjoy the panoramic view of the Gophula range. The last climb to the Gophula saddle (5230m) is very short. After the pass, descend to the base camp, walk along the ridge and enjoy a great view of Gangkar Puensum. If interested, you can deviate to the left side and climb to the top of the pyramid for a better view, or you can descend to the base camp near Sha Chu at 4,970 m. Walking time is 6/7 hours.

Rest Day at The Base Camp Enjoying The Great View

This rest day at base camp is not just about physical recovery; it's a chance to reconnect with nature and each other. As night falls, we sit around a crackling fire, sharing our dreams and desires under a canopy of stars, feeling grateful for this incredible experience.

Gangkar Puensum Base Camp - Geshe Woma

It's time to leave the beautiful mountains, but the trek isn't over yet. The trail then follows Sha Chu and gradually descends to Geshe Woma at an altitude of 4200 m. Walking time is 6/7 hours.

Geshe Woma - Warathang

The road continues along Sha Chu for two and a half hours until the steep ascent to Sakala begins. Visibility along the Sakala Trail is poor, so you need to see the top of the ridge for orientation. Lunch near the yak herders camp. Then the ascent to the Sakala pass at an altitude of 4800m. We descend to the lakes and another short climb leads to the Wartangle Pass (4590m). The scenery is again stunning with small lakes and mountain peaks. Camping at an altitude of 4000m. Walking time is 8/9 hours.

Warthang - Dur Tshachu

A short half-hour climb leads to the Juelela pass (4400 m). After the pass, we descend to the river bank through thick rhododendron, juniper and conifer forests. After the bridge, there is a short climb to the Dur Tshachu hot spring, where Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have bathed in the 8th hot spring. Walking time is 5 hours.

Dur Tshachu - Tshochenchen

Since spring, it is again a long and persistent climb with beautiful views of the mountains in Lunana. You will also come across blue lakes and a camp of yak herders at an altitude of 3850 m. The walking time is 8/9 hours.

Tshochenchen - Dur / Bumthang

This is the last day of the trek where you change from yaks to pack ponies. The path follows the Chemkhar Chu, gradually descending with several climbs. The trek ends when you arrive at Dur village where a Connecting Horizons Adventures transport will pick you up and take you to the lodge in Bumthang.

Explore Bumthang

Bumthang Valley is a center of cultural wealth. The hills around the valley are full of monasteries dedicated to Guru Padsambhava. It is also the home of one of the great Buddhist teachers, Pmalingpa, to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its origins. Explore the valley visit, Jakar Dzong, Kurje Lhakhang, Jambet Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhanng. Overnight at lodge in Bumthang.

Bumthang - Tongsa

Tongsa is the home of Bhutan's royal family. The Crown Prince of Bhutan traditionally becomes Penlope, (Governor) before being crowned as King. Built in a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, Tongsa Dzong was the traditional home of all four Bhutanese kings before they were crowned as kings. Above this fort stands Ta Dzong, which once protected the site from internal rebellion and gives visitors more insight into the historical significance of Tsonga in Bhutanese history. Overnight in a lodge in Bhutan.

Tongsa - Paro

After breakfast transfer to Paro. An evening in nature or a visit to a traditional farmhouse. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Explore Paro

Full day tour of Paro city. Visit Drukgyel Dzong, Ta Dzong (National Museum), Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Departure from Paro

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the connecting flight to the next destination.