Bumthang Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 01
Days: 3
Altitude: 3,360m.
Season: March to May & Sept. to Nov.

This trek is ideal for average walkers, as the altitude does not go over 3360meters. There are no views over the high peaks, but the trek crosses several villages and winds through the Bumthang countryside, giving an exceptional opportunity to be in contact with the rural life.

This trek is named because the opportunities to visit villages and Lhakhangs are greater than on most other treks in Bhutan. Though it is a short trek, the Bumthang trek is strenuous because it involves a 500-meter climb to Phephe La, 3360meters.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Toktu Zampa to Ngang Lhakhang 3,360m
Day 02: Ngang Lhakhang to Tahung 2,790m
Day 03: Tahung to Mesithang 2,640m

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 02
Days: 6
Altitude: 4,240m
Season: April to Oct.

This is a short trek, near Thimphu, to a large number of lovely high altitude lakes. You pass through terraced paddy fields and through coniferous forests, to the settlements of Geynikha, 2,500meters. The trail leads up the ridge and across meadows to a pass at 4,240 meters with a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range. You will pass through several yak herders camps en-route the broad Labatama valley at 4,050meters. The lakes are flourished with brown trout. Near the lakes is a mass of wild alpine which flowers in September. The routes are not well marked; it is more of a cross-country traverse. The trail descends steeply through mixed forest of rhododendron.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Khoma to Geynekha 2,950m
Day 02: Geynekha to Gur 3,350m
Day 03: Gur to Labatamba 4,300m
Day 04: Labatamba to Panka 4,000m
Day 05: Panka to Talakha 3,080m
Day 06: Talakha to Simtokha and drive to Thimphu

Druk Path Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 03
Days: 6
Altitude: 4,040m
Season: Feb. to June & Sept. to Dec.

This is a short trek, which leads from Paro to Thimphu, or vice-versa, crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although there are very few houses to see, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish at 4000 meters (13,000 feet) and spectacular rhododendron forest that bloom in the month of May. In winter and in clear weather, there is a magnificent view over the high Himalayas. A climb through thick alpine forest and rhododendron to a saddle at 3590 meters, following in north to yak herder camps. You pass through Jimilang Tsho Lake (Sand Ox Lake) named for a bull that emerged from the lake and joined the cattle of a family that uses the area as a summer grazing ground. The lake is also known for its giant trout. Depending on the weather, good views of the Mt. Jichu Drake 6,989 meters can be seen, the peak that represents the protective deity of Paro to the west. The route passes Tsalu Ney, a 14th century Lhakhang (temple) on the site of a cave. You also pass through another lake, Simkota which is also a fishing spot. The route passes through a pilgrimage site, Phajoding Monastery and Thujidrag Goemba (monastery), a meditation center that hangs on the side of a precipitous rock face.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Dhopushare to Jili Dzong 3,450m
Day 02: Jili Dzong to Jangchu Lakha 3,780m
Day 03: Jangchu Lakha to Jimmelang Tsho 3,880m
Day 04: Jimilang Tsho to Simkota Tsho 4,040m
Day 05: Simikota Tsho to Phajoding 3,870m
Day 06: Phajoding to Thimphu 2,320m

Duer Hot Spring

Trek Code: BMTK 04
Days: 8
Altitude: 3,780m
Season: March to Apr. & Sept. to Nov.

This trek is the old expedition route to Gangkar Phuensum and, with special permission; it might be possible to extend the trek to the base of the mountain itself, though this is rough, difficult route. The route is through a forest of Cyprus, juniper, spruce, hemlock and maple. Along this part of the trail between Tsochrnchen to Duer Tsa chhu, it may be possible to see musk deer, Himalayan bear, and herds of blue sheep.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Duer to Gorsum 3,120m
Day 02: Gorsum to Lungsum 3,160m
Day 03: Lungshum to Tsochenchen 3,780m
Day 04: Tsochenchen to Duer Cha Chu 3,590m
Day 05: Enjoy hot spring at Tsachhu 3,590m
Day 06: Duer Tsachhu to Tsochenchen 3,780m
Day 07: Tsochenchen to Gorsum 3,160m
Day 08: Gorsum to Duer 3,120m

Gangtey Gompa Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 05
Days: 3
Altitude: 3,100m
Season: March to May & Sept. to Nov.

This trek is for average walkers and gives you an opportunity to visit the isolated valleys of Gangtey Gompa/Phobjikha, Gogona and Kothoka. The trek leaves the valley of Gangtey at 2,830 meters and leads south, then west through the meadows and fields. It then climbs through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, rhododendron, magnolia, firs, oaks, spruce, dwarf rhododendrons, miniature azaleas, cypress and juniper. The trail is rough, rocky and weaves through trees where pack animals have created deep muddy furrows.

Gogona is a beautiful hilltop site overlooking a long valley. A 30-minute walk beyond Gogona is a hamlet where you may find homemade ara [local drink]. The women here weave blankets and speak a different dialect called Bjop-kha [language of the nomads].

ITINERARY

Day 01: Gangtey to Gogona 3,100m
Day 02: Gogona to Khothangka 2,790m
Day 03: Khothangkha to Tikke Zampa 1,500m

Gasa Hot Spring Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 06
Days: 5
Altitude: 2,430m
Season: Feb. to March and Oct. to Dec.

This trek is the last part of the Laya Gasa trek in reverse. The hot springs are fun but there is a lot of up climbing to do. The Jigme Dorji National park administers the hot spring complex. There are five cement pools and a shower room, with more under construction. The water temperature is 40°C, which is comfortably warm, but not scalding.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Tashithang to Damji 2,430m
Day 02: Damji to Gasa Hot Spring
Day 03: Day at Gasa Hot Spring ENJOY Hotspring!!
Day 04: Gasa Hotspring to Damji 2,430m
Day 05: Damji to Tashithang

Jhomolhari Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 07
Days: 9
Altitude: 4,090m
Season: Apr. to Aug. and Oct. to Nov.

This is a superb trek for strong walkers. It goes into northern Bhutan to the land of yak herders and to the base of Mt. Jhomolhari, at 7,316 meters (24,000 feet) and on to remote Lingshi Dzong. There are fabulous views of the mountains and exceptional flora. You will encounter many yak-herders but few villages. The maximum latitude is that you pas through is 4,900 meters (16,000 feet). A pass through the army post of Gunyitsawa at 2810 meters, which is the last stop before you enter into Tibet. The route enters Jigme Dorji National Park crossing through rocky trails through Oaks, rhododendron and ferns, crossing several small streams. There are numerous short climbs and descents. You will pass through several villages: Soe, Takethang, Dangochang, each of its own kind. A day in Jangothang is the highlight of the trek, views do not get any better than here. There are lots of hikes and that you can make and a day here is spent very well. Lingzi is one of the old trade routes between Punakha and Gyantse and was used by the Tibetan armies during various attacks on Bhutan. This region has a wide variety of herbs, many of which have medicinal value. The trail traverses under big rocks and glacial valleys with numerous moraines. There are 02 versions of this trek; the shorter and easier version is a three-day trek from Paro to Jhomolhari Base camp at Jangothang, returning to Paro via the same route or by an alternative trail. The longer version crosses two high passes from Jangothang and makes it's way to Thimphu.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Drugyel Dzong to Sarna Zampa 2870m
Day 02: Sarna Zampa to Thangthangka 3630m
Day 03: Thangthangka to Jangothang 4090m
Day 04: Acclimatize! Explore Jangothang 4090m
Day 05: Jangothang to Lingzhi 4010m
Day 06: Lingzhi to Shodu 4110m
Day 07: Shodu to Barshong 3680m
Day 08: Barshong to Dolma Khencho 2320m
Day 09: Dolma Khencho to Thimphu

OPTIONAL

Day 01: Drugyel Dzong to Sarna Zampa 2870m
Day 02: Sarna Zampa to Thangthangka 3630m
Day 03: Thangthangka to Jangothang 4090m
Day 04: Acclimatize! Explore Jangothang 4090m
Day 05: Jangothang to Dhumzo 3800m
Day 06: Dhumzho to Thombu Shong 4180m
Day 07: Thombu Shong to Sarna Zampa 2870m
Day 08: S. Zampa to Drugyel Dzong. Drive to Thimphu

Laya Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 08
Days: 14
Altitude: 4,220m
Season: March to Apr. & Sept. to Nov.

This trek is an extension of Jhomolhari trek and offers diverse flora and fauna, including a good opportunity to spot blue sheep. The trek starts from Drugyel Dzong to the isolated valleys of Lingzhi, up to the Laya region at 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet), where yak-herders live at the foot of Mt. Masagang, at 7,200 meters (23,620 feet) and the sub-tropical Punakha valley at 1,300 meters (4,265 feet). Lingzhi played an important role in controlling travel over Lingzhi la between Bhutan and Tibet. Goyak is another pleasant settlement; a compact village of stone houses clustered together which is very unusual in Bhutan. Also, watch for bearded vultures and Himalayan Griffons flying overhead. There are several large herds of blue sheep livind in the rocks and you are sure to spot one on this trail. Tsheri Jathang, a Takin Sanctuary where herds of Takin [Bhutan's National animal] migrate during summer and remain for about 04 months. You can see classic examples of lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up on both sides. Views of different peaks and mountains are just fabulous and probably the best that you can see from any other part of the country. It also introduces you to the unusual culture of Layap people and offers a stop at a natural hot spring in Gasa. The Laya women wear black yak-hair costumes and conical bamboo hats, a very distinct traditional costume worn nowhere else except Laya. Laya route passes by hot springs and Gasa Dzong, and through different levels of vegetation. This trek combines a variety of landscapes, villages, and majestic views of peaks.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Drugyel Dzong to Sharna Zampa 2,870m
Day 02: Sharna Zampa to Thangthankga 3,630m
Day 03: Thangthangka to Jangothang 3,630m
Day 04: Rest and Acclimatize at Jangothang
Day 05: Jangothang to Lingzhi 4,010m
Day 06: Lingzhi to Chebisa 3,880m
Day 07: Chebisa to Shomuthang 4,220m
Day 08: Shomuthang to Robluthang 4,160m
Day 09: Robluthang to Limithang 4,040m
Day 10: Limithang to Laya 3,840m
Day 11: Laya to Koina 3,050m
Day 12: Koina to Gasa 2,810m
Day 13: Gasa to Damji 2,430m
Day 14: Damjo to Tashithang and to Thimphu

Lunana Snowman Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 09
Days: 23
Altitude: 4,950m
Season: Mid June to Mid October.

This is the longest and the most difficult trek and requires not only excellent health but also a high spirit of adventure. The combination of distance, altitude, weather and remoteness makes this a tough journey. It starts of taking the same route as Laya trek. After reaching laya, it turns eastward and crosses the Ganglakarchung pass, at 5,100 meters (16,700 feet), into the Lunana region where habitation is concentrated in the villages of Thega and Chezo. It is the most difficult region of Bhutan to reach, lying at 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) at the foot of the peaks that soar up to 7,000 meters (23,000 feet). The inhabitants are farmers, herders who are famous for their difficult character. The trek heads south, and after crossing the Rinchenzoe pass, at 5,220 meters (17,125 feet), it hits the tarmac road at Nikkarchu Bridge.

The Lunana trek is considered one of the most difficult in the world. It covers a distance of 356 kilometers (221 miles), crosses eight passes, three of which are well over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), and stays at an average altitude of 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet).

ITINERARY

Day 01: Drugyel Dzong to Sarna Zampa 2,870m
Day 02: Sharna Zampa to Thangthangka 3,630m
Day 03: Thangthangka to Jangothang 4,090m
Day 04: Rest day and acclimatize at Jangothang
Day 05: Jangothang to Lingzi 4,010m
Day 06: Lingzi to Chebisa 3,880m
Day 07: Chebisa to Shomuthang 4,220m
Day 08: Shomuthang to Robluthang 4,160m
Day 09: Robluthang to Limithang 4,140m
Day 10: Limithang to Laya 3,840m
Day 11: Rest day at Laya
Day 12: Laya to Rodophu 4,160m
Day 13: Rodophu to Narethang 2,430m
Day 14: Narethang to Tarina 4,020m
Day 15: Tarina to Woche 3,940m
Day 16: Woche to Ledhi 3,700m
Day 17: Lhedi to Thanza 4,090m
Day 18: Thanja to Tshochena 4,900m
Day 19: Tshochena to Jichu Dramo 4,880m
Day 20: Jichu Dromo to Chukarpo 4,950m
Day 21: Chukarpo to Thampecho 4,230m
Day 22: Thampecho to Maurothang 4,000m
Day 23: Maurothang to Sephu 2,500m

Punakha and Samtengang

Trek Code: BMTK 10
Days: 04
Start: Punakha.
End: Wangdiphodrang.
Maximun Elevation: 1,500m
Altitude: 1,500m
Season: All year round

This is a low altitute trek north of Punakha. The trek is with the gradual climb through a forest of chi pine, oak and rhododendron and gives trekkers an opportunity to visit the village of Sha. Since it is a low elevation trek, this trek is possible throughout the winter.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Punakha to Limgmukha - 12 kms, 4 hrs, 880m ascent
Day 02: Limgmukha to Chungsakha - 14 kms, 5 hrs, 430m decent
Day 03: Chungsakha to Samtengang - 13 kms, 5 hrs, 650m ascent
Day 04: Samtengang to Chuzomsa - 15 kms, 5-6 hrs, 730m decent

Rodhungla Trek

Trek Code: BMTK 11
Days: 10
Altitude: 3,680m
Season: October & early November.

The trek across the top of eastern Bhutan is tough and involves a tremendously long, steep descent. Though it was an important trader route before the national highway was built, few people travel this way. The trek crosses the road near Lhuntse, which breaks up the continuity of the experience, but offers a chance to visit the remote Dzong. Part of the route between Phopkey and Pemi is along a vertical face and the trail is on wooden galaries that are fastened to the side of the cliff. There are a few small meadows as the trail winds its way down on a complex route through a region where sightings of ghosts and yetis have been reported. This was the former trade route between eastern and western Bhutan.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Toktu Zampa to Ngang Lhakhang 2,800m
Day 02: Ngang Lhakhang to Tahung 2,790m
Day 03: Tahung to Phokpey 3,680m
Day 04: Phokpey to Pemi 3,000m
Day 05: Pemi to Khaine Lhakhang 2,010m
Day 06: Khaine Lhakhang to Tangmachu 1,760m
Day 07: Tangmachu to Menji 1,830m
Day 08: Menji to Pemi 2,450m
Day 09: Pemi to Taupang 2,450m
Day 10: Taupang to Trashi Yangtse