Soi Yaksa Trek - 12 days

You will arrive at the land of Thunder Dragon through the Paro International Airport. As you watch over your window, the views of the majestic Himalayas and rolling hills will be visible at the first site nearing Paro. Our Bhutanese guide of Third Rock Adventures will greet you upon touching the airport. From there on you will be transferred to your hotel at Paro. After having some refreshment at your hotel, you can hop on your easy outfit and head out for an excursion.

Paro valley is home to some of the oldest Buddhist monasteries and temples. Visiting the Rinpung Dzong monastery in the afternoon will bring you a little closer to the ancient architecture. Rinpung was once a fortress to the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School, which has now been inducted into Bhutan’s Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. You can also visit the Kichu Lakhang, another famous sightseeing spot, a Buddhist temple in Lango Gewog. After visiting these beautiful architectural wonders, you will eventually go back to your hotel while strolling by the streets with age-old buildings and some new buildings matched perfectly along the sides.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Paro.

On this day, you will have breakfast and head for a lovely long drive through Chele La to reach Haa. You will be amazed to see your driver passing through Chele La since it is a pass at an altitude of 3,988m. It is the highest point where vehicles can cross the route. The road is narrow and steep and may be filled with snow in the winter season. Rest assured, your driver is experienced enough to take sharp turns and utter drops. As you reach the pass, you can instantly see the face of Mt. Jumolhari and the prayer flags fluttering with the wind in the nearby village.

Following the Bondey-Haa Highway, you will reach Haa valley. Situated on the west of the Bhutan border, Haa valley is known for its high rice production. Haa is also known as the Hidden Land Rice Valley. Haa is known for the Haa Dzong. There is a post office in Haa that you can visit. In the Haa valley, you will visit the Katsho village block to understand the Bhutanese people's traditional lifestyle. As there aren’t many hotels in the area due to low tourist inflow, we will head back to Paro for the night.

Overnight stay at your hotel in Paro.

Today is a special day as you get to visit one of the most popular landmarks in Bhutan. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery begins early in the morning after breakfast. On the hike to the monastery, you will find a forest of pine where you can hear the sounds of birds chirping and prayer flags fluttering. 

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known locally as Paro Taktsang or Taktsang Palphug, is a mystical place sitting on the edge of a high cliff surrounded by mist. As per the mythical belief, Guru Rimpoche/Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tigress and identified the caves of the monastery as a place of solitude. It is believed that he then meditated for three months in this monastery. Padmasambhava is known to be the mystical tantric that introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. The monastery was built in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro and has since become a place of worship for Buddhist pilgrims. After the one-of-a-kind experience, you will head back to your hotel at Paro for an overnight stay. 

Overnight stay at your hotel in Paro.

Today is the start of your trekking days. After having breakfast, you will head towards Drukgyal Dzong. It is a Buddhist monastery in the upper part of Paro, now an ancient ruin (Please delete this sentence). You will walk along the Pachu River then along the rice terrace and millet fields. Along the route, you will pass through small villages with traditional houses. After Mitsizamp, the farms eventually disappear into the trail that leads through high trees towards Zakhapang after a steady ascend. 

You continue to trek through blue pine forests, apple orchards and reach Gunitsawa village. You will pass through an army post along the way. Just beyond, you will check into your campsite at Shana. The campsite is a wide space nestled between pine forests. Near the campsite is a swiftly flowing river. 

Overnight stay at Camp in Shana.

After a heavy breakfast, you will follow the trail that leads to the river. Today is one of the days you will experience the Jumolhari trek difficulty as it is one of the longest days of your trek spanning a distance of around 21 km. The trek takes a gradual ascend through a lush forest of blue pine, oak, rhododendron trees, birch, and fir. Eventually, you will begin walking through the rocky and bumpy path and pass wooden bridges. 

You will reach Thombu zam, from where there are many other trails branched to other trekking destinations. After passing up a ridge with a chorten, you will reach your campsite. You can instantly spot the amazing Jumolhari Mountain from the end of the valley. Jumolhari is one of the world’s highest mountains at an altitude of 7,326m/24,035ft.

The spacious camp faces Jumolhari and is an ideal place to rest for the night after a long trek.

Overnight stay at Camp in Sio Thangthangkha.

Today you will begin your trek from Thangthagkha and head towards the base camp of Mt. Jumolhari; Jangothang. In the beginning, the trail takes an ascend through an alpine meadow until reaching the army camp. At the army post, you will have to register your permit. The Pachu river above the tree line is to be followed to reach the camp. Along the way, you will pass through a few villages of Sio, Takethang, and Dangochang.

 You will have to go through a tough trail, and however, at the end of the day, the trek is entirely worth it. Jangothang Base Camp at 4,050m/13,271ft gives a view of Mt. Jumolhari through the sunset. You will come across Jumolhari Temple on the south side of the mountain. Flora and fauna along the road add to the beauty of the base camp. Birds like Yellow-billed Chough, White-Throated Dipper, and Snow Patridge might have been seen along the way.

Jichu Drake and Jumolhari sit perfectly as you rest for the night at your camp.

Overnight stay at Camp in Jangothang.

This is a perfect day to acclimatize your body against the change in altitude. You will not just stay at your camp but head out for a short hike as well on this day. Your day starts by having a good breakfast and then heading out to Tso Phu Lake.

The views of Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake are seen at full sight from here. Mt. Jumolhari is sacred to the Tibetian Buddhist. As per the ancient belief, it is an abode of the protector goddess of Tibet and Bhutan. You will trek further up and check out the nearby ruins of the old fortress. The nearby areas are also equally beautiful and rich in livestock. On the short hiking trail, you will come across the national flower of Bhutan-Himalayan Blue Poppy. Also, on the way, Golden Eagles and Himalayan Rhubarb can be seen. After reaching the height, you will be tired and wanting to head back to your camp for an overnight stay.

Overnight stay at Camp in Jangothang.

The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu, crossing it on a wooden bridge. Passing the Tshophu Lake (4,380 meters), you will climb steeply to Bonte La pass at 4,890 meters, the highest point of this trek route.

After the pass, the trail descends, crisscrossing through yak trails down to the Dhumzo Chhu, and after walking downstream below few houses, you arrive in a camp at 3,800 meters.

Overnight stay at Camp in Soi Yaksa.

The trail climbs over 100m over a ridge and then drops to another stream. After crossing this stream, the trail heads up the hillside, dropping into a small valley before emerging onto a ridge. Here the route turns south, ascending past few huts to Takhung La (4,520 m). A short descend leads to Thombu Shong (4,180m) with a few yak herder’s huts.

Overnight stay at Camp in Thombu Shong.

Climb up from the valley to Thombu La at 4,380m, and then drop gradually to about 4,000m. The trail then makes a steep descent, switchbacking down the ridge, finally reaching the helipad at Gunitsawa (2,730m).

From Gunitsawa, you will be picked up by our crew and taken to Thimphu for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

Today you will wake up, have some breakfast, and prepare for the sightseeing trip around Thimphu. Perhaps the most famous sightseeing place for a tourist is the King’s Memorial Chorten. The Kings Memorial is located in Doeboom Lam and was built in 1974. Its golden spires above the front porch and huge prayer wheels have been marked as a prominent landmark. The giant Buddha Dordenma Statue is another marvel in Bhutan located at Kuenselphodrang, Thimphu. The large bronze statue is 54m/1,77ft tall and houses one hundred smaller bronze buddha statues. You can also add the Folk Heritage Museum to your list. It was opened in 2001 and displays articles, artifacts, equipment, and tools relevant to the Bhutanese culture and traditions.

Later in the afternoon, after having breakfast visit a nearby paper factory and the Tashichho Dzong near the banks of Wang Chu. Since 1968, it has been the seat of the Bhutanese government as it houses most of the government departments and, most importantly, the throne room and office of the king.

After having some exciting sightseeing tours around Thimphu, head back to the Hotel. On the way down the street, you can also buy some souvenirs to take back home.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

On this day, we will sadly have to say goodbye as it marks the final day of your stay at Thimphu. Our Bhutanese guide from Third Rock Adventures will drop you off at the Paro International Airport and bid Farwell. We hope that as you board the plane towards home, you remember all the wonderful memories you had crossing the high pass of Bonte La, gasping at the vistas of Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake and getting mesmerized by the serene Tsho Phu Lakes.

We hope that you had an amazing time with us in the Soi Yaksa Trek. If you wish, you might even extend your travel to the neighboring countries of Nepal and India for a similar escapade.