Wilderness Yaksa Trek

Day 01: Arrival
Flying in to the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression.
Upon arrival at the Paro airport, your guide from Bhutan Wilderness Travel welcomes you and transfer you to the hotel. In the evening, you can stroll along Paro downtown for acclimatization and orientation.
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 02: Day Hike to Tiger’s Nest
This morning, we will take a short drive to the trail head to start our hike to Taktsang Monastery. This is one of the Buddhist world’s most venerated pilgrimage sites and is known as the Tiger’s Lair. It is said that the Indian saint Guru Rinpoche came to Taktsang on the back of a tigress and, whilst meditating in a cave, converted the Paro valley to Buddhism. A number of temples have been built on the site in 16th hundred and these occupy precarious positions, clinging to a black cliff high above the Paro valley. The visit involves a two-hour climb on a steep footpath through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 03: Drukgyel Dzong / Shana (05-06 hours)
Drive up to Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) where the road ends and the trek begin. With a gradual climb the trail follows the Pachhu (Paro River) passing beautiful meadows, paddy fields and impressive farm houses. After about four hours you will reach the army post at Gunitsawa village. At the army check point your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. Today’s campsite is by the small outpost for park warden.
Camp: Shana (2950m)

Day 04: Shana/Thangthangkha (07-08 hours)
Due to long distance to cover today we will start bit early. Most of the campsite is designated by government depending on area and access to water. Mainly to protect from deforestation and disturbance to wild animals. The short walk from the camp takes us to the Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest protected area in the country. The park is home to several endangered species including the takin, snow leopard, blue sheep, tiger, red panda, and the Himalayan black bear. More than 300 species of birds have been cataloged within the park. After about 02 hours, you will get to a fork where the path that we are not supposed to follow or the ancient trade route to Tibet is much wider and definitely more inviting. Turn right and follow the smaller trail through oak, spruce, birch, alpine yellows trees. After lunch the trail become bit tricky with wet and loose rock for some section. After an hour hike you will come across a bridge and chorten (Stupa) not to turn toward chorten. Keep left!
Camp: Thangthangkha (3645m)

Day 05: Thangthangka/ Base Camp (04-05 hours)
The trail continues with gentle climb along Pa chu to another army post. The valley finally widen up gradually to a mere path which ascends to a meadow where same yak herders have their winter home. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful stroll. When you approach the campsite you will see Mt. Chomolhari and its neibouring snow capped peaks.
Camp: Jangothang (4180m)

Day 06: Day at Jangothang
Jangothang is a perfect environment for the acclimatization before we go over the high passes. Relax or hike in the spectacular surroundings. From here you can see a line of great peaks on the horizon; Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tsering Kang and many more. There are herds of blue sheep in the area. In the summer, the ethereal Himalayan blue poppy can be seen in this area. Today you can rest in camp or go for a day hike in this beautiful place. If yak herders are in the vicinity, perhaps you can visit inside one of the big black smoky yak-hair tents. Chomolhari is a mountain sacred to a female deity (Jomo); lhari means snow peak. An Indo-Bhutanese team reached the summit in 1970, but now the high peaks may no longer be climbed.
Camp: Jangothang (4180m)

Day 07: Jangothang/Yaksa (06-07 hours)
After a short walk from the camp the trail climbs rapidly for some time and then becomes a gradual ascent to the camp in yak pasture. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains and if the weather permits you will see Mt.Chomolhari, Jichu drake and Tsherim kang. Higher the better opportunity for snap shots. Then the path becomes much broader and gradual. We continue our hike passing the beautiful lake (Tsho Phu).The government has stocked brown trout in many alpine lakes in 1980′s. Now the climb to Bongtoe La at an elevation of 4890m begins. Roughly take about an hour to reach the meadow before the summit and another 45 minutes to top. From here it’s all downhill to the basemen of Yaksa village. The villager often comes with their local product to sell like, textile, yak cheese etc.
Camp: Chorapang (3830m)

Day 08: Yaksa/Thongbu (06-07 hours)
A gradual climb above treeline, past hillsides covered with rhododendron and azalea. We will come across some yak herder’s camp. After crossing small stream the trail continues with climb about an hour over the Takalung La (windhorse pass) at 4540m. Descend to grassy meadows where herds of yak graze during the summer months. It is a very large meadow.
Camp: Thongbu Shong (4120m)

Day 09: Thongbu/Shana (05-06hours)
A steep climb above the valley to Thongbu La (4160m) traverse an incredibly beautiful garden of wildflowers, then begin long and steep descent to Shana and the last campsite, as the trail leaves the forest at a hillside above the river valley where the trek will end tomorrow.
Camp: Shana (2950m)

Day 10: Shana/Paro/ Thimphu(06-07hours)
Today, it is a relatively easy half day’s walk through fields and rice terraces to the end of the trail at Drukgyel Dzong, where we end our trek. After refreshment we drive to Thimphu the capital city. It is a pleasurable ride, with many optional stops along the road. The capital, rests on a wooded hillside by the Wang Chhu. The center of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a bustling town where traditional ways mingle with modern introductions.The drive takes about two hours.
Overnight: Jomulhari Hotel

Day 11: Thimphu sightseeing.
Sights include the following, time and local conditions permitting:
National Memorial Chorten: Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk had wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity, but he died before his plan came to fruition. The royal Queen Mother resolved to fulfill his wishes and erected a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to peace.
BBS Tower Viewpoint and Takin Compound:One the way to the Viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose. The Bhutanese have their own story to narrate about how the takin was created by the Master Drukpa Kunley (the divine madman).
View of Tashi Choe Dzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion” was initially constructed in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s. Tashi Choe Dzong houses His Majesty’s secretariat, ministers offices, and the Central Monk Body. Entrance may be granted to guests only after 5 pm.
National Institute of Traditional Medicine: The Institute still dispenses traditional herbal and other medicines made from plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. A tour of its working facility for research and treatment of local people is fascinating (open Monday – Friday.)
Folk Heritage Museum: This is a very old house in the capital owned by a reputed family for the last three hundred years. In 2002, H.M. Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk converted it to a museum, in order to preserve its traditional value. (Open Monday – Friday)
Farewell dinner with Bhutanese guest.
Overnight: Hotel Jomulhari

Day 12: Departure
This morning we leave early morning to Paro airport. Your guide will bid you farewell, and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.