Tergo-La Trek

Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. Go for a stroll around Paro town and visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum. This was previously housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. Unfortunately, an earthquake in September 2011 damaged the Ta Dzong and the contents of the museum were moved to a neighbouring building. You can still see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. The National Museum is due to reopen in the Ta Dzong in 2017. Overnight in Paro.

To help you acclimatise, take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. On the way back you may be interested to visit a manor house turned museum in a local village. The house dates from the 17th Century and the museum is designed to showcase the culture of medieval rural Bhutan. Or visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

Today you can do a second acclimatisation hike. First drive about 45 minutes from Paro to Kila Gompa, a nunnery inhabited by about 30 nuns, who live a life of contemplation and seclusion, with daily prayer and spiritual practice. The community is one of the oldest of seven nunneries in Bhutan and was initially established in the early 9th century as a meditation site. The main temple houses ancient statues of Chenrezig and Guru Rinpoche, among others. After visiting the nunnery we will start about 2.5 hours walk up hill towards to Gung Karpo La (4300m), through hemlock forest and rhododendron. Once you are above the tree line you will see even more breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains, including Mount Jomolhari and other further peaks such as Kanchenjunga from the top. From here walk down hill for one hour to Chele La pass at (3900m) where your vehicle will be waiting for you. Then continue your drive down one hour into Haa town. Haa has only recently opened to tourists and the town is still very small – as yet there are only one or two basic restaurants and local lodges so the area remains quite remote. A great opportunity to view this beautiful rural scene. If you have a time you can walk to Katso village and from there you can visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo.

This evening you can sort out your luggage for the trek. Anything you don’t need to carry with you will be driven safely to Thimphu to await your arrival. Overnight in Paro.

From Haa we will drive 2 hours to the road point where we start the trek either from Tergo La pass or from Mekochang. From here where we climb gradually through rhododendron and rocky paths to Leokarmo. After around 3 hours you will reach Leokarmo at 3900m offering panoramic views of Mount Kanchenjunga - the 3rd highest peak in the world (as well as Mount Jomolhari and Gangkhar Puensum on a clear day). From here we walk downhill for another couple of hours to reach our camp at Yajeythang, surrounded by Rheum Nobile – giant flowering rhubarb plants peculiar to the Himalayas. (10 km, 5-6 hours walk). Overnight in camp

After an early breakfast we start climbing uphill on a small trail with many ascents and descents for about 2.5 hours to Dutshathepa Pass at 3965m. Continue past small streams and high passes to a yak herders’ camp near a small lake where we will stop for our lunch. From here we gradually make our way towards Tshoijam where we divert from the main trail to reach our campsite for the night. (11 km, 6 hours walk). Overnight in camp.

After breakfast we make our way on a rocky path to Lake Gotsho at 3883m. From here we continue uphill for a couple of hours to Gonphutan pass at 4154m where if the weather is clear you will have great views of the snow-capped mountains. This is a challenging climb on a rough and rocky trail that has hardly been used until now. After reaching the pass we have a descent of around 40 mins to the lake at Tshelu Tshoka where we camp for tonight. Your team may decide to continue a little further to camp at a second campsite a little way upstream. (12 km, 5-6 hours walk). Overnight in camp.

Today is a challenging walk on a rocky trail with a steep climb. We will walk for around 1.5 hours to a small stream from where we climb for 3 hours to Shepayzhey Pass, at 4120m. Your reward from this tough climb will be a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the border of China. Below you can also see a lake where we will camp for the night. (11 km, 5-6 hours walk). Overnight in camp.

Today you can relax at the campsite or explore the surrounding area. If you wish you can also visit the nearby yak herders’ camp and learn how to churn yak milk. If you would like to go for a walk you can go around the lake, or walk up to the ridge of the mountain from where you can also see Mount Kanchenjunga and other nearby mountains. Overnight in camp.

Today we will cross some high passes starting with Tshajayla pass at 4112m and then Gangchula pass at 4018m. From here we make our way down to a stream, which we will cross, and after a 30 minute walk we reach our campsite at Womji, (11 km, 5-6 hours walk). Overnight in camp.

Our last day starts with a walk through rhododendron forest and then past Gongchula pass (3955m) and Talela pass (3750m). The next few hours we descend to Janadhinkha through juniper and rhododendron forest. If you are lucky you should also be able to see different kinds of birds. Your trek ends near the monastery in Janadhinkha where your driver will be waiting to take you back to Haa. (12 km, 5-6 hours walk). Overnight in camp.

This morning we drive around 4 hours to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, at 2320 metres. When you are ready to start your sightseeing you can visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten and then you may like to drive up to the Radio Tower (offering splendid views of the city from a hilltop festooned with prayer flags), visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin, and visit the nearby nunnery. Take a late afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. You may also like to visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps. You can also visit Tashicho Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room and offices of the King. Overnight in Thimphu.

We will visit Changangkha temple, perched on the hilltop overlooking the town. Devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple also contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold. Then you can visit the School of Traditional Arts, browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum or visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Tell your guide what takes your interest.

After lunch drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. You will notice the change of climate and vegetation as we approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. Take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Overnight in Punakha.

In the morning 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. On the way back visit 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. Afternoon we return to Paro, a drive of approximately 4 hours. Then you can visit a local farmhouse for tea or dinner allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life. Take the opportunity to try the restorative properties of a hot stone bath! Overnight in Paro.

Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).