Day 4. TREK DAY 1. Paro to Shana. Drive to the end of the motor road at Drukgyel Dzong to begin the trek. Today’s trail follows the river uphill through a narrow agricultural valley as far as the border army camp at about 2800 m. (17 kms).
Day 5. TREK DAY 2. Shana to Soi Thangthangkha. The path from Shana ascends through the river valley with pine and rhododendron forests. On the way, there is a fantastic view of MountJomolhari. We will camp in a meadow with a stone shelter at an altitude of about 3860 m. (19 km, 6 to 7 hours).
Day 6. TREK DAY 3. Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang. The 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 MountJomolhari. (19 kms, 6 hours)
Day 7. TREK DAY 4. Rest day at Jangothang. It’s possible to walk to Tsophu and fish or hike in various directions: towards MountJomolhari and its subsidiary to the west, Jichu Drake to the north and unclaimed summits and ridges to the east.
Day 8. TREK DAY 5. Jangothang to Lingshi. The 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.
Day 9. TREK DAY 6. Rest day at Lingshi. 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 and Lingshi Dzong.
Day 10. TREK DAY 7. Lingshi to Shodu. The trail ascends to the Yali La Pass (4820 m), from where MountJomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masa Gang can be seen on a clear day. We descend to our campsite which is situated at about 3815 m. (6 to 7 hours)
Day 11. TREK DAY 8. Shodu to Barshong. The path follows the ThimphuChu(river) and through forests with rhododendrons and waterfalls, before climbing to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. The camp is a stone shelter just below the ruined fortress. (Altitude 3685 m, 13 km, 5 hours)
Day 12. TREK DAY 9. Barshong to Dolam Kencho. We continue to follow theThimphuChu through dense rhododendron forest before emerging into pastureland. We will set up camp in a mountain meadow at about 3428 m (11 kms, 4 hours)
Day 13. TREK DAY 10. Dolam Kencho to Thimphu. This is the last day of the trek, taking in a small pass. Wild animals may be seen along the way. A vehicle will be waiting to collect us at Dodena for the drive to Thimphu.
