Most hardest and challenging trek in the world and it is an extension of the beautiful Laya-Gasa trek. Trek takes you through remote villages of Lunana, highest passes, ridges from where one can truly appreciate the rugged beauty of your surroundings and the mountain vegetation. The path winds through refreshing meadows adorned with wild flowers in spring season and snow carpet during winter in high passes casting problems to trekkers.
This spectacular adventure is an incredible experience for anyone who grapples the challenges. Trekkers need to cross six mountains over 7000 m and nine mountains below 4500 m that makes it as one of the highest altitude trek.
Hardest trek can be done on optional basis: that end in Sephu, Trongsa and other Dur in Bumthang, depending on which route you choose. Trekkers have to camp in altitudes above 5,320m more than once, and depending on the seasonal temperatures, the camps are sometimes on snow. The best month is September to November.
Outline Program
Overnight at Paro in Hotel
Day 02: Paro – Halt (Excursion to Tigers Nest)(B/L/D)
Overnight at Paro in Hotel
Day 03: Trek Start. Shana–Thongdozam (B/L/D)
Overnight in camp
Day 04: Thongdozam – Jangothang (B/L/D)
Camp at Jangothang (4,080m).
Day 05: Jangothang for exploration (B/L/D)
Overnight in camp
Day 06: Jangothang – Lingshi (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 07: Lingshi–Chebisa (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 08: Chebisa – Shomuthang (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 09: Shomuthang – Robluthang (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 10: Robluthang – Limithang (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 11: Limithang – Laya (B/L/D)
Overnight camp.
Day 12: Laya – Exploration of nomadic village.
Overnight in Camp
Day 13: Laya to Rodophu (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 14: Rodophu to Narethang (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 15: Narethang to Tarina (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 16: Tarina to Woche (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 17: Woche to Lhedi (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 18: Lhedi to Thanza (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 19: Thanza Halt (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 20: Thanza – Danji (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 21: Danji – Tshochena (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 22: Tshochena – Jichu Dramo (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 23: Jichu Dramo – Chukarpo (B/L/D)
Overnigt in Camp
Day 24: Chukarpo – Thampe Tsho (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 25: Thampe Tsho – Maurothang (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 26: Maurothang – Sephu (B/L/D)
Overnight in Camp
Day 27: Sephu-Gangtey (B/L/D)
Overnight in Hotel
Day 28: Gangtey – Punakha – Thimphu (B/L/D)
Overnight in Thimphu in Hotel
Day 29: Thimphu – Paro (B/L/D)
Overnight in Paro in Hotel
Day 30: Paro-Depart (B)
Detail Program
Day 01: Arrival – Paro (L/D)
Arrive in Paro, at the airport the representatives from the company will welcome you with white scarf drive to hotel. If time permits visit some sights such as visit to Paro Dzong, National Museum.
Overnight at Paro in Hotel
Day 02: Paro – Halt (Excursion to Tigers Nest)(B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer to the trail nearby and head to Takstang, and begin the trek to acclimatize for main trekking. Later in afternoon visit to Kychu lhakhang, Duntse Lhakhang and in evening stroll leisurely in the town and make a ready for trekking in next day.
Overnight at Paro in Hotel
Day 03: Trek Start. Shana–Thongdozam (B/L/D)
Approx.12km, 4 – 5 hours, 360m Ascent and 80m Descent
Early morning drive from your hotel to Shana village, about 2 hrs to the road end. First day is a moderate trek to start with, the trek leads into Jigme Dorji National Park through the valley of the Paro river, which gradually narrows as the trail leads higher, winding up and down through the thick forest of oak, pine and juniper. Camp at Thongdozam (3610m) amidst the woods.
Overnight in camp
Day 04: Thongdozam – Jangothang (B/L/D)
Approx, 15km, 5-6 hours, 480m ascent.
Continue along the Paro River and the valley begins to widen, opening to a spectacular area surrounded by high ridges and snowcapped peaks. Pass few yak herding houses that are clustered together. Today is bit longer day and because of the altitude the pace gets much slower.
Camp at Jangothang (4,080m).
Day 05: Jangothang for exploration (B/L/D)
Jangothang is one of the most spectacular camping places in the entire Himalayas with the perfect view of the Mt.Jumolhari and Jichu Drake right in the front. There are yak herders villages and trout filled lakes to visit. The sacred mountain remains unclimbed and off limit to mountaineers even from the Tibetan side. Depending on your interest you can walk towards the glaciers of Jumolhari, or up to the view point where you can get better view of the majestic mountains or visit the village and interact with the local community.
Overnight in camp
Day 06: Jangothang – Lingshi (B/L/D)
Approx,18 km, 6-7 hours, 840 ascent and 870m descent.
Day begins crossing the small bridge climb with the specular views of the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang seemingly nearby. After about 4 hours you reach the Nyelela pass (4,870 m). Then descend down along the side of the hill towards our campsite to Lingshi. Camp at Chha Shi Thang at an altitude of 4010m
Overnight in Camp
Day 07: Lingshi–Chebisa (B/L/D)
Approx,10 km, 5-6 hours, 280 ascent and 410m descent.
Relatively not so strenuous trek today as there are no high passes to be crossed. Trail passes via beautiful villages set in a very spectacular landscape-the Ghoyul Village at 3880m, set right below a 300m cliff by the stream. Our camp will be on a meadow opposite beautiful Chebisa village at 3880m, with the huge waterfall at the end. If you reach there early, explore another sister village known as Chobiso, which is located upstream.
Overnight in Camp
Day 08: Chebisa – Shomuthang (B/L/D)
Approx,17km, 6-7 hours, 890 ascent and 540m descent.
The route ascends the ridge leaving behind the Chebisa village through high pastures towards the Gogula pass (4,320 m). From the pass we descend into the side valley through the deep forest of dwarf rhododendron. The trail again climbs up through the cedar forest passing through yak herders huts and gradually head down to the camp near a riverbed at Shomuthang 4260m.
Overnight in Camp
Day 09: Shomuthang – Robluthang (B/L/D)
Approx,18km, 6-7 hours, 700 ascent and 760m descent.
A long and steady trek over the Jarela pass at 4,700 m offering a great views of the Himalayan mountains above us. The one visible to the south-east is Khang Bum (6526m) and one to the north is Gangchenta 6840m (Tiger Mountain) on the route to Laya. We drop steeply down a forest trail to the Tsari Jathang valley, declared as a Takin Sanctuary, the grazing place for the wild Takins during the summer. Trail climbs steeply and into a side valley to your campsite at Robluthang at 4160m.
Overnight in Camp
Day 10: Robluthang – Limithang (B/L/D)
Approx,19km, 7-8 hours, 850 ascent and 870m descent.
Considered as one of the long and hard day trek on this route, crossing the last and the highest pass of Shinchen La Pass,5000m. But the climb is rewarded by the spectacular views of the mountains from all sides, especially to the north. Camp at Limithang 4100m in a big meadow by the river with the Tiger Mountain towering over the camp.
Overnight in Camp
Day 11: Limithang – Laya (B/L/D)
Approx,10km, 4-5 hours, 60 ascent and 340m descent.
Today is not a long walk and more over no high passes to cross, The trail leads through the deep cedar forest crossing many little, muddy side streams and after a while the vegetation changes to fir trees.Passing through the heavily wooded forests and totally uninhabited, we reach the village of Laya located at an altitude of 3800m, one of the highest settlements.
Overnight camp.
Day 12: Laya – Exploration of nomadic village.
Laya is an isolated village situated at an altitude of 3800m and they depend their livelihood on Yak, a cow like animal. Today you can explore village and interact with Layaps.
Overnight in Camp
Day 13: Laya to Rodophu (B/L/D)
19km, 6-8 hours, 1030m ascent, 70m Descent.
The trek leads gradually downhill to the Lunana trail junction, then makes a gradual climb to the camp through a forest of conifers, maple and rhododendron. The trail improves and becomes wider as you climb out of the river valley. The campsite is in a pasture near a small stream at an altitude of 4160m.
Overnight in Camp
Day 14: Rodophu to Narethang (B/L/D)
17km, 5-6 hours, 720 Ascent
The trail leads uphill through dwarf rhododendron bushes and a barren area with ups and downs across great boulders to Tsomo La (4780m). Descend through more boulders to a camp at Narethang, a yak pasture used by Laya people. It’s at about 4500m on a small plateau beneath the 6395m peak of Gangla Karchung.
Overnight in Camp
Day 15: Narethang to Tarina (B/L/D)
18km, 5-6 hours, 270m Ascent, 1200m Descent
Climb to Karchung La (5120m), then down to glacial lakes that are the source of the Tang Chhu. Above the lakes tower the mighty peaks of Jejekangphu Gang (7300m) and Tsenda Kang (7100m). The trail descends through a rough moraine, then makes a further steep descent into rhododendrons on a notoriously dreadful trail with lots of rhododendron roots and slippery mud. Camp at Tarina, 4020m.
Overnight in Camp
Day 16: Tarina to Woche (B/L/D)
17km, 5 hours, 275 Ascent, 330 Descent
The walk leads down through conifer forest, following the upper reaches of the Pho Chhu. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche at 3940m, the first village since Gasa. The trek has now entered the Lunana region.
Overnight in Camp
Day 17: Woche to Lhedi (B/L/D)
17km, 5-6 hours, 980m Ascent, 950m Descent
Make a gradual climb towards Keche La (4580m), then downhill to Thega village. The walk continues to Lhedi village (3700m), where there is another wireless station.
Overnight in Camp
Day 18: Lhedi to Thanza (B/L/D)
17km, 5-6 hours, 400m Ascent
The trail climb gradually following the main source of the Pho Chhu to Chozo village. At the small Chozo Dzong there are some lay monks. Above Chozo the valley opens as you approach Thanza village, near the foot of 7100m Zongophu Gang, which is also known as Table Mountain. Camp at Thanza, 4090m, the main village of Lunana district.
Overnight in Camp
Day 19: Thanza Halt (B/L/D)
Today is another well-deserved rest day to explore the village and interact with the people of Thanza. Stunning views of Table Mountain and time to recuperate energy.
Overnight in Camp
Day 20: Thanza – Danji (B/L/D)
8km, 3-4 hrs, 80m ascent.
From Thoencha, the trail climbs up to a large boulder from where you will have an excellent view of Thanza, Toencha and Choso village and the surrounding mountains. After a few hours of relatively flat and easy walking, you will reach a yak meadow with some yak herders’ huts. An excellent campsite with a great feast.
Overnight in Camp
Day 21: Danji – Tshochena (B/L/D)
12km, 5-6 hours, 980m ascent, 240m descent
Having chosen the route to Sephu, the trek crosses the creek and after a long climb, you will reach Jaze La (5,150m) with spectacular panoramic mountain views . The path then descends between snow covered peaks and a couple of small lakes to the campsite near the shore of Tshochena lake.
Overnight in Camp
Day 22: Tshochena – Jichu Dramo (B/L/D)
14km, 5-6 hours, 230m ascent, 150m descent,
You follow the bank of the blue green lake before arriving at a ridge at 5,100m, where there is another spectacular view in all directions. After going up and down over small hills to reach a glacial lake, the route descends first before climbing again up the next pass, the Loju La (5,140m). Finally after crossing a small saddle (5,100m) you will enter a wide glacial valley from where the trail descends gradually to the campsite at Jichu Dramo.
Overnight in Camp
Day 23: Jichu Dramo – Chukarpo (B/L/D)
18km, 5-6 hours, 320m ascent, 730m descent,
Right after leaving the camp you will climb through a moraine to Rinchen Zoe La (5,320m). Spectacular mountain scenery with Gangkhar Puensum amongst the impressive mountains is the reward for climbing the highest pass on this trek route. Rinchen Zoe Peak (5,650) towers above the pass the west. Descending
Overnigt in Camp
Day 24: Chukarpo – Thampe Tsho (B/L/D)
18km, 5-6 hours, 400m ascent, 700m descent,
The descent continues along the river till you reach the yak herders huts at Gala Pang Chhu (4010m). From here the trail climbs steeply towards Thampe Tsho, a beautiful clear turquoise lake, with the campsite next to it.
Overnight in Camp
Day 25: Thampe Tsho – Maurothang (B/L/D)
14km, 5 hours, 330m ascent, 1020m descent,
From the lake you climb steeply to the last pass on your trek, the Thampe La (4,600m) with a good chance to spot some blue sheep on the way. Then the path descends to the sacred lake Om Thso. Passing a waterfall you will reach another, smaller lake 100m below to descend steeply to the Nikka Chhu.
Overnight in Camp
Day 26: Maurothang – Sephu (B/L/D)
18km, 5-6 hours, 990m Descent
On the last day of this extraordinary trek your porters will have to change from yaks to horses as the yaks will not able to go further down. The path follows the Nikka Chhu to reach a large grassy area overlooking the road and the village of Sephu. You finally reach the road at the Nikka Chhu bridge at Sephu where you will find several stores (mainly selling bamboo products) and
Overnight in Camp
Day 27: Sephu-Gangtey (B/L/D)
Drive to Gangtey for overnight stay. Visit to Gangtey Monastery and Black necked crane center.
Overnight in Hotel
Day 28: Gangtey – Punakha – Thimphu (B/L/D)
After breakfast drive to Punakha en-route Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang and later in afternoon drive to Thimphu. If time permits visit Thimphu Dzong.
Overnight in Thimphu in Hotel
Day 29: Thimphu – Paro (B/L/D)
Whole day Thimphu sightseeing including visit to memorial chorten; Heritage Museum; Textile Museum; Painting School; Traditional medicinal institute; Takin (national animal); handmade paper factory; etc. evening drive to Paro for overnight.
Overnight in Paro in Hotel
Day 30: Paro-Depart (B)
After early breakfast in the hotel drive to Paro international airport for onward journey.
