Jeroma Tours and Travels

Day       01    Arrival by Druk-air         –     Paro

Day       02    Paro                           –     Sightseeing

Day       03    Paro                           –     Shana

Day       04    Shana                         –     Soi Thangthangkha

Day       05    Soi Thangthangkha         –     Jangothang

Day       06    Jangothang                   –     Lingshi         

Day       07    Lingshi                        –     Chebisa

Day       08    Chebisa                       –     Shomuthang

Day       09    Shomuthang                 –     Robluthang

Day       10    Robluthang                    –    Lemithang

Day       11    Laem Thang                    -    Laya

Day       12    Laya                             –     Halt

Day       13    Laya                             -     Roduphu

Day       14    Roduphu                       –     Narithang

Day       15    Narithang                      –     Tarina

Day       16    Tarina                          -     Woche

Day       17    Woche                          -     Lhedi

Day       18    Lhedi                            -     Thanza

Day       19    Thanza                          –     Halt

Day       20    Thanza                          –     Tshochena

Day       21    Tshochena                      –    Jichu Dramo

Day       22    Jichu Dramo                    –    Chukarpo

Day       23    Chukarpo                        –    Tampetso

Day       24    Tampetso                       –    Maorothang

Day       25    Maorothang                     –    Nikachu Chazam

Day       26    Nikachu Chazam               -     Thimphu

Day       27    Thimphu                         –    Sightseeing

Day       28    Thimphu to Paro for departure by Druk-air

 

 

Day 01 Arrival by Druk-air – Paro

 

 During this flight (if from Katmandu) one will enjoy the view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Chomolhari & Mt. Jechu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport the representative of Jeroma Tours & Travels will receive you and transfer you a hotel for the overnight halt.

 

Day  02 Paro – Sightseeing

 

Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort (destroyed by fire in 1950.) which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. From here one can have the view of sacred Mt. Chomolhari on clear days. On the way back make a visit to a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch drive to Ta Dzong former Watch Tower which now houses the National Museum and then walk down passing close by the Paro Dzong, crossing the typical Bhutanese wooden roofed bridge to Paro town. After a short stroll in town drive back to hotel for the night halt.

 

Day 03 Paro - Excursion to Taktsang

 

Spend a full day of hiking to Taktsang (now under repair after it was destroyed by fire) till the viewpoint, the Tiger’s nest. This magical monastery used to cling to the vertical granite cliff of 3,000' above the valley floor. It is believed that Guru meditated here in the 8th century. The disciples of Guru built the temple, which was later enlarged by Shabdrung in the 17th century. After lunch, hike back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

 

 Day 04 Paro – Shana

 

Drive up to Drugyel Dzong where the motor-able road ends and the trek to Shana begins which is about 5 to 6 hours walk with gradual climb following the Paro river through the agricultural valley and villages. The campsite is opposite the army check post in the meadows, near the river at an altitude of 2,800m.

 

 

Day 05 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha

 

The trail is a gradual ascend following the Paro river through the conifer forest and Rhododendron. The path narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Camp is in the meadow with stone shelter built for trekkers, surrounded by conifer and birch forest and on clear days one can have a magnificent view of Mt. Chomolhari peeping at you through the clouds. Camp at Alt. 3,860m and trek of 6 to 7 hours.

 

Day 06 Thangthangka –Jangothang

 

The trail leads bypassing the array post and the valley begins to widen as you come by the winter house of yak herder where hot lunch will be served in one of the houses. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari, Alt. 4,040 m and trek about 5 to 6 hours.

 

Day 07 Jangothang- Lingshi

 

After your breakfast you start ascending up the mountainside towards Nyelila (Alt. 4,680 m). During the ascend you will be seeing the Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drake and Tsherim Gang till Nyelila at which point you will be seen off by the former two mountains. There after you will be seeing only Tsherim Gang. From Nyelila pass the trail leads you all the way down to the camp at an Alt. Of 3,950-m distance 19 km and 5 to 6 hours walk.

 

Day 08 Lingshi – Shomuthang

 

The walk is through Gongyuel village and if you are lucky you might see the Raven bird and  sight herds of blue sheep is no miss. Then you get to a small village called Chebisa, winter house of yak herders, thereafter the walk gets tougher as you ascend the steep hill side till Gobula, Alt. 14,268 ft. From Gobula pass the walk is a very gradual descend till you get to the tree line which is the campsite and by the river, Alt. 4,260 m.

 

Day 09 Shomuthang – Robluta

 

The walk starts a little early and we head towards Karela pass Alt. 15,088ft. From here you drop to Tsharijathang, the valleys where herds of Takin are usually seen grazing in the meadows. Overnight halt in camp, Alt. 14,400ft/4,250 m. Distance is about 18 km and 6 to 7 hours walk.

 

Day 10 Robluta – Lemithang

 

You will be passing over the highest point on this trek, Shingela Pass at 16,072ft/4,870 m. The walk is tough till the top, and from there you start descending towards Lemithang. You trek through the valley till Lemithang, which is under Laya District. Here you will see kids in funny hats. Camp at Laem Thangis beneath Gang Chen Ta, Great Tiger Mountain. If time permits it is worthwhile to spend a day of exploration here. Overnight in camp, Alt. 13,567ft/4,090 m. Distance is 19 km and is about 6 to 7 hours.

 

Day 11 Laem Thang– Laya

 

The walk for the day is all the way downhill along a winding river. As you walk down, the path splits in two, one going down in the direction of the river to the campsite which is also used by the army, and the other maintains almost the same height and leads you to the west side of Laya village. You can camp on this flat bench sort of landscape above the East End of Laya village. Overnight in camp, Alt. 12,680ft/3.820 m. Distance is 10 km about 4 to 5 hours.

 

Day 12 Laya - Halt 

 

Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp.

 

 

 

Day 13 Laya – Roduphu

 

The trek is 19 km about 6 to 7 hours with a gradual downhill and after an hour or two taking left side route with gradual ascend the conifer, maples, rhododendron forest following the stream which is flowing from Mt Tsendey gang ranges. The campsite is near the stream at alt. 13,645ft/4,160 m.

 

Day 14 Roduphu – Narithang/Tarina

 

The trail leads uphill through mountain desert where you will hardly see any vegetation. The trail leads up and down the rugged terrain to a pass called Tsimola, where there is a lake called Tsomola, alt. 14,342ft/4,346 m and then you reach Narithang, a small plateau area where it is possible to camp. The other option would be to start from Roduphu early in the morning and continue to Tarina without camping at Narithang.  From Narithang the trail leads to Ganglakarchung pass, alt. 16,720ft/5,100 m which takes approx. one hour and a half with gradual climb. From Ganglakarchung the trail is down hill through bushes and forest till you reach Tarina. Camp at Tarina. The total distance from Roduphu to Tarina is approx. 35 km and would take about 11 to 12 hours.

 

Day 15 Tarina – Woche

 

The distance is about 17 km and the path leads through the conifer forest following the stream flowing from Tarina. From a particular point the trail leads up hill for about 2 hours till you reach a village in Woche. On arrival at the camp you can visit a village house of Woche. The Lunana area begins from here. Overnight in camp.

 

Day 16 Woche  -  Lhedi

 

The trail follows a gradual climb till the Kechel Pass, 15,015ft/4,550 m and leads downhill till Thega village, where you stop for lunch and continue the trek, which is slightly easy, till you reach Lhedi village where the modern health facilities/communication links have reached. These facilities cater to the needs of the whole of the Lunana area. Camp at Lhedi. Distance 17 km, about 5 to 6 hours walk.

 

Day 17 Lhedi – Thanza

 

The trail for the day is a gradual climb uphill following the main source of Pho-chu river till you reach Chojo village where you make a short stop to explore the Chojo village. Then you continue the trek to Thanza village, which is the campsite for the day. From here you can see a snow-clapped peak called Table Mountain. Distance 17 km, about 5 to 6 hours walk. Alt. 13,428ft/4,050 m.

 

Day 18 Thanza – Halt

 

Visit village houses and mix around with the local folks, OR hike in and around the camp. Overnight in camp.

 

Day 19 Thanza – Tshochena

 

The trek for the day is slightly longer than the previous ones so it is advisable to start early. The trail is one and half-hours of climbing up hill, thereafter it is gradual all the way till the base of Jaze-la. Then it is again an up hill climb till the Jaze-la pass, alt. 16,564/5,050 m. From here it is down hill till the campsite, alt. 15,744ft/4,800 m. Distance 20 km, about 8 to 9 hours walk.

 

Day 20 Tshochena – Jich Dramo

 

The distance for the day is 14 km which is about 4 to 5 hours walk with gradual ups and downs between snow-clapped mountains till you cross Loju-la, alt. 16,203ft/4,940 m. Then you reach the campsite at Jichu Dramo, alt. 16,006ft/4880 m.

 

Day 21 Jichu Dramo  - Chukarpo

 

The trek for the day is a climb of Gang Rinchen-zoe pass, alt. 16,859ft/5,140 m. After the pass it is all the way down till you reach Chukarpo, campsite for the night. Alt. 14,731ft, distance 18 km, 5 to 6 hours walk.

 

Day 22 Chukarpo – Um-tso

 

The trek starts with about two hours walk downhill till the base of Tampela. Thereafter it is a steep climb till the Tampe- la pass, alt. 15,015ft/4,550 m. After the pass it is downhill till the camp at Um-tso, alt. 13,895ft where there is a lake and it is believed that religious treasures were found by Terton Pemalingpa. Distance 18 km, 6 to 7 hours walk.

 

Day 23 Um-tso – Maorothang – Nikachu

 

Today the trek is all the way downhill through the rhododendrons, silver far, ham lock cypress and bamboo and through the village of Seaphu camp near Nikachu bridge.

 

 

 

Day 24 Nikachu- Thimphu

 

Early in the morning drive to Thimphu with pack lunch, cross Pelela pass, descend down to Wangdi phordang, Punakha. After lunch drive to Thimphu across Douchu la pass alt 3080m over night in Hotel.

 

Day 25 Thimphu - Sightseeing

 

Full day sightseeing of Thimphu valley with the visit of the Zelukha Nunnery, Memorial Chorten, Painting school, Indigenous hospital and back to lunch. After lunch, visit handicrafts emporium wander in town, and do the necessary shopping.

 

Day 26 Thimphu-Paro

 

Early morning drive to Paro for your departure by Druk air.

 

 

Season  :  May-mid October

 

What to bring  :  Strong Comfortable trekking boots and trekking shoes, warm clothing, down jacket, lots of spare vests and socks, snow or sun-glass, headgear and raincoat.

 

Recommendation  :  The trek is difficult one and demand top physical form. A physical fitness checkup is a must. For those without previous trekking experience, 2-3-month preparation is advised.