Walk the Ancient Trails

9 days of classic high-altitude lake trekking through pine forests, rhododendron blooms and crystal-clear mountain lakes.

Route: Paro → Jele Dzong → Jangchulakha → Jimilangtsho → Simkota → Phajoding → Thimphu

1. 

   Day 1

   Arrival · Paro International Airport

   Arrive at Paro International Airport. Meet your guide and driver. Check in to hotel in Paro, trek briefing & gear check, welcome dinner.

2. 

   Day 2

   Hike · Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest, 3,120m)

   Hike to Bhutan's most iconic landmark. 4–5 hours round trip through pine forests. Monastery clings to a cliff at 3,120m above Paro Valley. Return to Paro hotel.

3. 

   Day 3

   Hike · Chelela Pass & Kila Goemba

   Drive to Chelela Pass (3,988m) – Bhutan's highest drivable road. Panoramic views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. Hike to Kila Goemba – one of Bhutan's oldest nunneries. Return to Paro.

4. 

   Day 4

   Commence · Paro → Jele Dzong (3,480m)

   Drive to trek start point (2,487m). Hike through apple orchards, pine forests. Visit Jele Dzong – a ruined fortress with a Buddha statue. Views of Paro and Jomolhari.

5. 

   Day 5

   Trek · Jele Dzong → Jangchulakha (3,780m)

   Gentle ascent then ridge descent through dense alpine forest and rhododendrons. Possible sightings of Himalayan monal. Arrive at Jangchulakha – herder's pasture with spectacular Himalayan views.

6. 

   Day 6

   Trek · Jangchulakha → Jimilangtsho Lake (3,880m)

   Ridge walk through juniper and dwarf rhododendrons. Excellent views of Thimphu and Paro valleys. Descend to Jimilangtsho Lake – known for giant alpine trout.

7. 

   Day 7

   Trek · Jimilangtsho → Simkota (4,110m)

   Through fir forests and alpine willows, passing Janetso Lake. Traverse deep valleys with spectacular Himalayan views. Camp in pastureland near Simkota Tsho Lake.

8. 

   Day 8

   End · Simkota → Phajoding → Thimphu

   Climb to a 4,150m pass – views of Gangkar Puensum. Ascent to Phumela Pass (4,235m) – the highest point. Descend through juniper forests to Phajoding monastery. Continue to Thimphu. Check in to hotel.

9. 

   Day 9

   Departure · Thimphu → Paro Airport

   Leisurely morning in Thimphu. Transfer to Paro International Airport – end of trek.

9 days trekking through pristine alpine waters, yak herder camps, and panoramic views of the Himalayan range.

Route: Thimphu → Genekha → Gur → Labatama → Panka → Talaka / Chamgang → Thimphu

1. 

   Day 1

   Arrival · Paro International Airport

   Arrive at Paro International Airport. Meet your guide and driver. Check in to hotel in Paro, trek briefing & gear check, welcome dinner.

2. 

   Day 2

   Hike · Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest, 3,120m)

   Hike to Bhutan's most iconic landmark. 4–5 hours round trip. Monastery perched at 3,120m. Return to Paro hotel.

3. 

   Day 3

   Hike · Chelela Pass & Kila Goemba

   Drive to Chelela Pass (3,988m). Panoramic views of Jomolhari. Hike to Kila Goemba. Return to Paro.

4. 

   Day 4

   Commence · Thimphu → Genekha → Gur (3,290m)

   Drive 45km from Thimphu to Genekha village. Hike through terraced fields and coniferous forests. Short descent to a river then climb to a rocky plateau. Arrive at Gur – yak herder's pasture.

5. 

   Day 5

   Trek · Gur → Utsho Lake / Labatama (4,300m)

   Ridge walk through flower-filled meadows. Through birch and rhododendron forests, ascend to Pagalbasa Pass (4,250m). Panoramic views of Kanchenjunga and Himalayan peaks. Descend to Labatama Valley, ascend to Utsho Lake.

6. 

   Day 6

   Lake Day · Labatama Rest Day – Setsho & Jagetsho Lakes

   Day excursion to pristine Setsho and Jagetsho Lakes. Hike uphill to Setsho Lake. Cross a small ridge and descend to Jagetsho Lake. Return to Labatama camp.

7. 

   Day 7

   Trek · Labatama → Panka (4,000m) via Labagwae Pass

   Climb to the pass at 4,520m. Stunning panoramic views of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, and more. Cross Labagwae Pass (4,510m) – the highest point. Descend to Panka.

8. 

   Day 8

   End · Panka → Talaka / Chamgang → Thimphu

   Cross several passes including Tsarila (4,150m) and Talala (4,180m). Look for rare blue poppies. Long descent to Talaka Monastery. Trek ends at Talaka or Chamgang road end. Transfer to Thimphu hotel.

9. 

   Day 9

   Departure · Thimphu → Paro Airport

   Leisurely morning in Thimphu. Transfer to Paro International Airport – end of trek.

12 days of epic expedition to the base of Jomolhari (7,326m) – Bhutan's most sacred mountain.

Route: Paro → Thangthangkha → Jangothang → Tsarithang → Shodu → Barshong → Dodena → Thimphu

1. 

   Day 1

   Arrival · Paro International Airport

   Arrive at Paro International Airport. Meet your guide and driver. Check in to hotel in Paro, trek briefing & gear check, welcome dinner.

2. 

   Day 2

   Hike · Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest, 3,120m)

   Hike to Bhutan's most iconic landmark. 4–5 hours round trip. Monastery perched at 3,120m. Return to Paro hotel.

3. 

   Day 3

   Hike · Chelela Pass & Kila Goemba

   Drive to Chelela Pass (3,988m). Panoramic views of Jomolhari. Hike to Kila Goemba. Return to Paro.

4. 

   Day 4

   Commence · Shana → Thangthangkha (3,550m)

   Drive to trek start point near Drugyel Dzong. A long day with gentle undulations along the Paro Chu River. Enter Jigme Dorji National Park. Arrive at Thangthangkha's meadow campsite. First views of Jomolhari.

5. 

   Day 5

   Trek · Thangthangkha → Jangothang (4,100m)

   Morning views of Jomolhari. Hike upstream along the Paro Chu River. Pass traditional settlements. Arrive at Jangothang – one of the most spectacular campsites in the Himalayas, with outstanding views of Jomolhari.

6. 

   Day 6

   Rest · Jangothang Acclimatization Day

   Rest day at Jangothang Base Camp (4,100m). Optional: Hike to Tshophu Lakes (4,380m). Optional: Hike towards Jomolhari's base for closer views. Explore Jangothang's ruined fortress.

7. 

   Day 7

   Cross · Jangothang → Tsarithang (3,950m) via Nyelela Pass

   Quick ascent then steady climb to Nyelela Pass (4,877m). Possible sightings of blue sheep. Panoramic views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tserim Kang. Descend to Tsarithang.

8. 

   Day 8

   Explore · Tsarithang Rest Day

   Visit Gonjoor – the ancient 'Vulture Egg Village'. Explore Jagay Dzong (Vulture Fortress). Explore Lingshi Dzong – a remote fortress overlooking the valley. Rest and acclimatize.

9. 

   Day 9

   Cross · Tsarithang → Shodu via Yaklela Pass (4,942m)

   Ascent to Yaklela Pass (4,942m) – the highest point of the trek. Spectacular views of Jomolhari, Tserim Kang, and Jichu Drake. Steep descent to Shodu camp.

10. 

    Day 10

    Trek · Shodu → Barshong (3,710m)

    Follow the Thimphu River through colourful rhododendron forests. Beautiful waterfalls along the way. Arrive at Barshong – camp near the ruins of ancient Barshong Dzong.

11. 

    Day 11

    End · Barshong → Dodena → Thimphu

    Descend through lush forests of rhododendron, birch, and bamboo. Possible sightings of golden langur monkeys. Exit Jigme Dorji National Park at Dodena. Transfer to Thimphu hotel.

12. 

    Day 12

    Departure · Thimphu → Paro Airport

    Leisurely morning in Thimphu. Transfer to Paro International Airport – end of trek.