Photo Credit - DoT Bhutan
18 Night Sample Itinerary
12 Days on Trek
PUNAKHA
THIMPHU
PARO
TAKTSHANG
MONASTERY 
CHELE LA
PASS
KILA GOMPA
NUNNERY
SHANA
SOI
THANGTHANGKHA
JANGOTHANG
LINGSHI
CHEBISA
SHOMUTHANG
ROBLUTHANG
LIMITHANG
LAYA
TONGCHU JA
GASA
PUNAKHA
THIMPHU
PARO
TAKTSHANG
MONASTERY
CHELE LA
PASS
KILA GOMPA
NUNNERY
SHANA
SOI
THANGTHANGKHA
JANGOTHANG
LINGSHI
CHEBISA
SHOMUTHANG
ROBLUTHANG
LIMITHANG
LAYA
TONGCHU JA
GASA
Trek Path
Forward Journey
Return Journey
Overnight in Paro
ike to Taktshang Monastery as good
acclimatisation for the trek.
Paro Taktshang Monastery, Photo
Credit - © Marcus Westberg, DoT Bhutan
Overnight in Paro
CHELE
LA
PASS
KILA
GOMPA
NUNNERY
oday we will do another
acclimatisation hike at Chele La Pass. We can also
visit Kila Gompa nunnery.
Chele La Pass, Photo Credit -
© CD
Overnight in Paro
Trek Day 1:
Shana to Soi Thangthangkha
SOI
THANGTHANGKHA
3680 m
arly in the morning, drive about 2
hours through farm road to Shana, where you
will start your trek.
We ascend through the river valley and
beautiful pine and rhododendron forests.
Sadly much of the forest has been cut to make way for electricity to be run to Jangothang and Lingshi –
the sight of fallen trees is a reminder of the cost of progress. We turn north towards Mount Jomolhari,
which can be seen from the top of the valley. Our camp will be at 3680 metres.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 8 - 9 hours,
19 km
Photo Credit - © Marcus Westberg,
DoT Bhutan
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 2 & 3:
Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang
and rest day at Jangothang
MT. JOMOLHARI
JANGOTHANG
4040 m
he trail continues to follow the
river and passes a small army post where the
valley begins to widen again.
Views of high ridges and snow-capped
peaks can be seen on all sides. At this
altitude (about 4040 m) it is possible to see yaks and yak herders. Camp is beneath a ruined fortress at
the base of Mount Jomolhari. Take a rest day at Jangothang where you can explore the glacier or visit
nearby Tshophu lake.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 5 - 6 hours, 19
km
Photo Credit - © Marcus Westberg,
DoT Bhutan
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 4 & 5:
Jangothang to Lingshi
and rest day at Lingshi
LINGSHI
DZONG
NYILI LA PASS
4680
m
CAMP
3915
m
LINGSHI
DZONG
TSEKHA
4500
m
LINGSHI VILLAGE
CAMP
3985
m
he trail climbs gradually to Nyili La
Pass (4680 m).
Broad yak pastures can be seen along
the length of the route. If the weather is
clear, there is an excellent view of Lingshi Dzong as we descend into the Lingshi basin. Tserim Kang and
its descending glaciers can be seen at the north end of the valley. We camp in a stone shelter at 3915 m.
On your rest day you can take a day’s excursion to Tsekha (Lahe), the base camp of Jichu Drake mountain
where it is possible to see blue sheep and musk deer. (Altitude about 4500 m) If you prefer, you can relax
today, explore the village and visit the school. Sadly Lingshi Dzong was badly damaged in a recent
earthquake and it will only be possible to visit if renovation works are complete.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 7 - 8 hours,
19 km
Pony Photo Credit- © CD
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 6:
Lingshi to Chebisa
CHEBISA
3910 m
his is the shortest trekking day.
Once we have reached our camp at
Chebisa (3910 m) it is possible to visit some
village houses and a waterfall just behind the village.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 5 hours, 10 km
Yaks at Chebisa, Photo Credit-
© CD
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 7:
Chebisa to Shomuthang
GOBU LA PASS
4350 m
CAMP
3985
m
he trail goes through wild pastures
where yaks graze.
We cross the Gobu La Pass (4350 m)
before reaching Shomuthang. The camp (at 3985
m) is near a tributary to the Mo Chhu which emerges below the Gasa Tsachu (Hot Spring). From here you can
see the helipad which is sometimes used if the passes get snowed in.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 6 - 7 hours, 17
km
Photo Credit - © DoT Bhutan
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 8:
Shomuthang to Robluthang
JHARI LA
4600 m
CAMP
4160 m
e start with a climb to Jhari La
(4600 m) where we are rewarded with quite stunning views.
Then descend again through forest to
Tsharithang, the valley where herds of takin can normally be seen. Today’s scenery is absolutely
breathtaking. Cross the river and clamber up the hillside for an hour or so to camp at Robluthang (4160
m).
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 7 - 8 hours,
18 km
Photo Credit - © DoT Bhutan
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 9:
Robluthang to Limithang
SHINGE
LA
PASS
4600 m
LIMITHANG
CAMP
4090 m
fter reaching the Shinge La Pass
(4870 m), the path descends and goes through the valley.
Limithang is in the Laya district
where the locals will be seen wearing unique regional dress. Our camp is at Kang Che Da beneath Gang Chen
Ta, the Great Tiger Mountain, at an altitude of 4090 m.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 7 - 8 hours, 19 km
Children in traditional Laya
clothing, Photo Credit - © DoT Bhutan
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 10 & 11:
Limithang to Laya and rest day at Laya
LAYA
VILLAGE
he path goes downhill through a
winding river valley and enters the eastern end of Laya village (Altitude 3820 m).
Next day explore the village and meet
local people. You may even get the opportunity to make a phone call or check email from here, as the
village is well linked up with telecommunications!
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 4 - 5 Hours, 10
km
Laya village, Photo Credit - © DoT
Bhutan
Overnight in camp
Trek Day 12:
Laya to Tongchu Ja
he trail follows the river valley and
there is a breathtaking view of vibrant rivers, feeder streams and waterfalls. At Tongchu Ja there is an
open space nearby the river where you will camp for the night.
Please note that the farm road is
newly built and is still under construction, so we don't know exactly how far it will have reached by the
time you arrive from your trek. If there is time you can go as far as Gasa springs to camp tonight. Your
car will come as far as possible to pick you up and you can then drive to Gasa (2900m). If you have time
you can visit Gasa Dzong and the small town and then continue about 15 minutes’ drive to Gasa hot spring
or tsachu for the night. The spring is believed to be effective in curing various ailments including
aching joints, and many Bhutanese families visit every winter. There are eight pools, with temperatures
ranging from warm to hot.
TREK TIME & DISTANCE : 7 - 8 hours,
19 km
Photo Credit - © DoT Bhutan
Overnight in camp
fter breakfast if you wish you can
have a bath again at the hot spring.
Drive past rolling hillsides with
vistas of fields, villages and oak and pine
forests to reach the old capital, Punakha, at 1250 metres. On the way you might like to hike an hour or so
up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, high on the hill across the other side of the valley. The temple is
30 metres tall and is dedicated to the fifth King. From the top you will see a beautiful view of the
valley and surrounding villages. Overnight in Punakha.
isit the imposing Punakha Dzong,
“Palace of Great Happiness.”
Built in 1637, it is strategically
placed at the confluence of two rivers, the
Po Chu and the Mo Chu. Then return to Thimphu over the Dochu La pass at 3050 metres where you can catch a
great view of the Himalayan range that you have just seen at close hand. Overnight in Thimphu.
himphu sightseeing. Overnight in
Thimphu.
epart from Paro International Airport
with a full heart.
PRICING
The rules for visiting Bhutan changed dramatically in June 2022 and the old system that had applied since
tourism first started in the 1970s was withdrawn. Under the new system visitors to Bhutan have to pay a
sustainable development fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per night to the Bhutan
government in order to be issued a visa. The SDF is intended to be used to promote carbon-neutral tourism, to
support the building of a more sustainable tourism sector and to support the education and health of local
citizens.
The price for the tour will be paid on top of the SDF and covers the cost of all the services Blue Poppy will
provide for you including guide, driver, transport, standard (3 star) accommodation, food, sightseeing and
festival visits. Additional supplements are payable for treks and some other activities and for accommodation
upgrades. Our pricing is based on a “daily rate” which varies depending on how many in the group. Please contact us for a personalised quote.
To that end, we take great care to hand-pick our guides and drivers for your trip
and also support a variety of local organisations and charities in Bhutan.
We are working towards a sustainability certification. Our aim is to create long-lasting
happy memories for our guests, facilitate cultural understanding and support the livelihood of the local
population.
