JUMOLHARI YAKSA TREK

ITINERARY

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JUMOLHARI YAKSA TREK (6 DAYS ON TREK)

10D/09N

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DAY 01| ARRIVE PARO – THIMPHU

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The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide.

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

 

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DAY 02| THIMPHU

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Once a rustic village sitting in a broad, fertile river valley, Thimphu is today the nation’s bustling capital. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernisation, and as a monument to world peace. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972. Continue on to 12th century Changangkha Temple and Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha Nunnery.

Other sites to visit include: the School for Arts and Crafts where students are taught the 13 types of Bhutanese art, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Traditional Paper Factory displaying the Bhutanese paper making process, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.

If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of food of Bhutan, including basket upon basket of fiery chillies, cheese and a variety of greens. (This market is open only from Friday-Sunday).

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu

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Day 03| Thimphu- Paro Sightseeing ( 1.5 Hrs)

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Morning drive to the base for the hike (3 hrs uphill) to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff over looking the Paro valley. Most of the day will go on the hike. Evening if you have the energy and time visit the Kichu Lakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan which marks the beginning of Buddhism in the country. It will bring us good luck for the rest of the journey. Back to the hotel and get yourself packed and ready for the much awaited adventurous trek.

Overnight: Paro

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Day 04| Paro to Shana – Thangthangkha (Start of trek)

Distance: 21 km

Walking time: 8 hours

Sleeping altitude: 3630m

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Morning drive to the north end of the valley where the road ends by the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. Over the centuries, it guarded the trail from Tibet into the Paro valley. This is where the dirt road starts for another hour following Paro Chu upstream through the village of Tshento. Finally reaching by the army check post, where your trekking crew and ponies will be waiting for you. The trek starts with crossing the army checkpost and the river. It 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! It’s a long hike following the valley with gentle ups and down.

 

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Day 05| Thangthangkha to Jangothang

Distance: 16 km

Walking time: 6 hours

Sleeping altitude: 4090m

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Today the trek is much easier and shorter with better trail. 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.

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Day 06| Jangothang Halt

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Acclimatization and rest day. A good optional hike is to climb to the Tshophu Lake at 4300m, which is about 2h from Jangothang. Or could hike up right at the base of the Mt. Jumolhari offering magnificent glacier lakes.

 

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Day 07| Jangothang to Yaksa

Distance: 17 km

Walking time: 7 hours

Pass to cross: Bongtey La, 4820m

Sleeping altitude: 3800m

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2 hours from Jangothang is the Tshophu Lake, which you probably visited yesterday. From the lake, it’s another 2 hours to the pass. Climbing up to the pass, we will be rewarded with stunning views of the Chomolhari and Jichu Drakey. From the pass, it’s all the way downhill until our camp at Yaksa.

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Day 08| Yaksa to Thombu

Distance: 14 km

Walking time: 5 hours

Pass to cross: Thombu La, 4550m

Sleeping altitude: 4150m

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Climbing out of Yaksa, you will see the few houses that make up the Yaksa village across the valley, and the pass you came over yesterday. About 2 hours of gradual climbing and you will cross the tree line, entering another valley. The pass is 1 hours climb from here. From the pass, you can see the yak herders grazing grounds of Thombu, our camp. On a clear day, you can even see some houses in Tibet.

 

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Day 09| Thombu to Gunitsawa (End of trek) – Paro

Distance: 17 km

Walking time: 6 hours

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A short steep climb will take us out of the Thombu basin, traversing along a trail cut into a rocky cliff with a dizzying drop. 4 hours of steep and dusty descent (1 ½ k of vertical descent) will bring us to the army check post that we crossed on the first day of our trek. Our transport will be waiting here for us. This is where we say goodbye to our trekking crews and drive back to Paro through the dirt road. Check in to your hotel, get to unpack your stuff and do all the washing and end with a lovely farewell dinner with your guide. If you wish hot stone bath could be also arranged.

Overnight: Paro

 

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Day 10| Departure

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Morning transfer (15 mins) to the airport for your departure flight. Your guide will bid you farewell at the airport.