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Once in Paro we will be met by our guide who this year will be Doje Tschering. Doje has worked as a guide for over 10 years organising and leading treks. He will arrange to have us collected and taken to the hotel where we will overlook the valley and Paro. As he is renowned for his local knowledge and trekking expertise it is not suprising he was chosen as the official guide in many films and documentaries about Bhutan, such as the BBC Documentary of Joanna Lumleys travels within the Land of the Thunder Dragon and more recently Michael Palins Trip across the Himalayas. The altitude in Paro is 2280m so to help you adjust to the altitude we will spend the following day in and around Paro visiting the famous Dzong ( Monastry ). Either later that afternoon or maybe the following day itinerary allowing we will do our first aclimitization walk up to Tigers Nest. Day 1- Start of the Laya Lingshi Trek The Drugyal Dzong was built in 1654 by the Shabdrung to commemorate one of the many war victories against the Tibetans. Over the centuries, it guarded the trail from Tibet into the Paro valley. We will be met at this historic site by our trekking crew for the start of our trek. Follow the Paro Chu upstream through the village of Tshento on a dirt road for about an hour. We will have lunch in a friend’s house on the trail. Just before reaching our camp, we will have to pass through an army check post, where your guide will produce your trekking permit. Day 2 - Shana to Thangthangkha The trail from Shana to Thangthangkha is a very rocky series of small ups and downs along the Paro Chu and can be very muddy if it rains. About 2 ½ hours into the trek, you will come at a junction where a trail branches to go to Tibet. Don’t go to Tibet! Day 3 - Thangthangkha to Jangothang Today you will come across small sparse settlements, and herds of yaks. You will also be crossing the tree line (4000m). Our camp at Jangothang will bring us face to face with the majestic Chomolhari. Jangothang means the land of ruins; you will see ruins of some old settlements, which no one seems to know much about. Day 4 - Acclimatization and rest day Day 5 - Jangothang to Linghi Sleeping altitude: 4090m Heading uphill from Jangothang we cross the first of the many passes. 4 hours of uphill climbing will take us over the very windy Nyele La pass at 4090m. Scree makes it a little tricky to go down the pass on the other side. Lingshi dzong will soon be visible in a distance. Day 6 - Lingshi to Chebisa Since today’s hike will not be as long, we can afford to wander around a bit. We will start off by visiting the Lingshi dzong, built on a commanding hill by the Shabdrung in the 1600s. About 3 hours into our trek is the dramatic village of Gangyul, surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of cliffs. Our camp is in windy Chebisa, a small village with 2 storey stone houses. Day 7 - Chebisa to Shakaypasa 2 hours of climbing from Chebisa will get us over the Goku La pass at 4350m. From the pass we descend into a rhododendron filled valley, and continue past some yak herder camps to Shakaypasa. Day 8 - Shakaypasa to Tsheringyangu An early morning start will get us on the way to Jari La pass at 4747m. From the pass, its all the way downhill into the picturesque valley of Tsharijatha where herds of takin (the national animal of Bhutan) are normally seen in the summers. From here a small climb will take us to our camp at Tsheringyangu. Day 9 - Tsheringyangu to Limithang Snow Leopard country. Being highly elusive animals, it is very rare to spot one but their paw marks can be seen occasionally. Starting early, a strenuous hike will get us over the Sinchey La, the highest pass on our trek. Descending to Limithang we’ll see the snow covered peak of Gangchenta (6840m) and the glacially carved Gangchenta valley. Gangchenta means Great Tiger Mountain. Day 10 - Limithang to Laya Since we are nearing Laya, we will come across Layaps going to tend to their yaks. We will be entering Laya from the west, through narrow cobble stone paths between houses, to camp in the wheat field that belongs to a friend. Day 11 - Rest day. Explore Laya. Day 12 - Laya to Koina 2 hours downhill from Laya is Taktsimakhang, a small army check post. A little further from the army camp the trail branches and the left trail is to go to Lunana, on the Snowman trek. Koina has often been described as the worst camp site in Bhutan, especially when it rains. Day 13 - Koina to Gasa Tshachu (Hot spring) Junipers and spruce give way to pine tress. The circular Gasa dzong can be seen as you as you climb down the very rocky trail. Despite its remoteness and lack of motor roads, Gasa is an administrative district, with the office of the district governor in the Gasa dzong. The hot springs are a good 1½ hour downhill from the dzong. Day 14 - Rest day. Soak in the Gasa Tshachu. Day 15 - Gasa Tshachu to Punakha Last day of the trek. Gasa dzong can be seen as you look back. After lunch at the village of Damji, a further 2 hours and our trekking crew will wave us goodbye at Kabina, where our transport will be waiting for us. From Kabina, it is about 2 hours drive on a dirt road to our hotel in Punakha. Cost $ 200 USD a day Inclusive + Flights
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