Jumolhari Yaksa Trek

Day 1: Delhi - Paro (2200M)

On arrival in Paro our guide will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch we will see the rich history of Bhutan exhibited in the 17th century National Museum. The Paro Dzong, a massive fortress built in the 17th century now houses the monastic body. A tour of this beautiful Dzong will introduce us to the unique aspects of the Bhutanese Buddhism. A lovely stroll downhill from the Dzong over an old cantilever bridge wraps up an eventful rst day in this magical kingdom.

Day 2: Paro

Taktsang or the tiger's nest temple is the most revered temple of the Buddhists. This magical temple clings to a vertical granite cli 800m above the valley. Legend has it that in the 8th century, Guru Rimpochey, a tantric master ew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave around which the temple is built. A hike to this temple will take up most of our morning. In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful 1200-year-old Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, to bring us good luck for the rest of the journey.

Day 3: Paro - Shana (2800M) - 15 kms/6 hrs

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. Our trekking crew for the start of our trek will meet us at this historic site. Follow the Paro Chu upstream through the village of Tshento on a dirt road for about an hour. We have lunch in a friend's house on the trail. Just before reaching our camp, we pass through an army check post, where your guide will produce your trekking permit.

Day 4: Shana - Thangthangkha (3630M) - 21 kms/8 hrs

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 5: Thangthangkha - Jangothang (4090M) - 16 kms/6 hrs

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 6: Jangothang

Acclimatization and rest day. A good optional hike is to climb to the Tshophu Lake at 4300m, which is about 2h from Jangothang.

Day 7: Jangothang - Yaksa (4090M) - 17 kms/7 hrs

Pass to cross: Bongtey La, 4820M 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.

Day 8: Yaksa

Rest day in Yaksa. Hike to visit the village and meet the nomads. Afternoon back to the camp for lunch. Rest in the afternoon.

Day 9: Yaksa - Thombu (4150M) - 14 kms/5 hrs

Pass to cross: Thombu La, 4550m 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 an hour 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.

Day 10: Thombu - Gunitsawa (2600M) - 17 kms/6 hrs

A short steep climb will take us out of the Thombu basin, traversing along a trail cut into a rocky cli with a dizzying drop. 4 hours of steep and dusty descent (1½ k of vertical descent) will bring us to the army check post that we crossed on the rst day of our trek. Our camp is a further 2 hours downstream from the army camp.

Day 11: Gunitsawa - Paro, Thimphu (2400M) - 10 kms/4 hrs

Last day of our trek. We are back tracing the trail now. Very soon Drugyal Dzong will come into view where our transport will be waiting. After lunch in Paro, the drive to Thimphu the capital is 1hour 45 minutes.

Day 12: Thimphu

Explore Thimphu. Visit the National Memorial Chorten (monument), the Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, Takin zoo, the National Library, the Government Handicrafts and the Handicrafts Emporium. Evening hike to the temple of Cheri and Tango.

Day 13: Thimphu - Paro

Thimphu to Paro (2 Hrs) Morning drive to Paro. Afternoon after lunch at leisure. Overnight in Paro.

Day 14: Paro - Delhi

Early morning ight from the Paro International Airport to Delhi.