Soi Yaksa Trek
11 Nights 12 Days
Tour Facts
Duration: 11 Nights 12 Days
Season: March-May in Spring & Sept-Nov in Fall
Tour Starts: Paro
Tour Ends: Paro
Group Size: 2 Pax (Min.)
Package Includes
Accommodation: Twin Sharing / 3 Stars Hotels
Meal Plan: All the meals
Transport: Very Comfortable Transport (SUV/Mini Bus/Coaster Bus)
Guide: Professional English Speaking
Visa / Permits: Bhutan Visa & All Permits
Sightseeing: Extensive Sightseeing & Touring
Entrance fees: All Historic Monuments
Tax: Government Royalties And Taxes
Package Excludes
Airfare
Laundry
Privates call
Beverages or Drinks
Insurance for travel and other contingencies.
Bank Charges
Single room supplement charges of US $ 40 per night halt per person will apply for any single room requirement.Festival Dates
This is a nine days trek, starting and ending the trek at the Drukgyel Dzong, Paro. It is one of the best treks for nature lovers, which offers stunning views of peaks and alpine pastureland. Many scattered settlements of Yak herders of Thongbu valley and you will be in the wilderness nature of habitat of Takins and blue sheep can be seen along the route.
Tour Highlights
- Max. Elevation4000m
- Highest Camp3800M
- ParoIn Paro valley, we see the castle-fortress at Rinpung, the ruins of the “Victory Fortress at Drugyel”, the National Museum, and the 7th century temple complex at Kurje. The highlight is the hike to Taktshang monastery (Tiger’s Lair), an edifice on a sheer cliff wall 800 meters above the valley floor, worshipped in the entire Himalayan Buddhist world.
- ThimphuIn Thimphu, we visit the magnificent castle-fortress at Tashi Chho Dzong, the seat of power which also houses the palace of the King. Then we go to other places of interest like the Memorial Stupa, traditional paper factory, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Academy, Handicraft Emporium, the site of the world’s biggest Buddha statue.
- Bhutanese CultureStroll around town and see Bhutanese culture by observing people, dress, language, customs, art and craft, etc.
Detail Itinerary
Days Description
- 1 Arrive at ParoAs the plane banks over the mountain slopes, the Paro Valley greet you with luminous paddies rippling in the breeze and tiny houses sprinkled on the bank of the meandering river. The air is crystal clear, light translucent and on horizon, snowcapped mountains frame the idyllic like painting. It does not matter how many times you land in Paro, the bucolic valley unfolds like a dream. If you are lucky, you will have a glorious view of the Snowcapped Himalayas. After visa formalities and collection of baggage, you will meet by our representative, who will drive through Paro valley for lunch. Afternoon we will drive to visit the Paro National Museum, which will shed further light to some of things that you will be seeing on your trip and visit Paro Dzong built in 1646, which houses the administrative center of the Paro district and religious institute for monks. You will walk down to the coach crossing over the traditional wooden covered bridge called “Nymezampa” which spans over the Paro River. Thereafter you will walk through Paro Then finally we will take a walk through Paro’s main street to interact with the local people and visit small shops occupying the ground levels that provides the basic necessities. Dinner and Overnight: Hotel
- 2 Paro - Taktsang (Tiger Nest Excursion)After breakfast we drive to the north of Paro valley to Ramthangkha, from where we start our hike to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). Visitors are permitted to hike up to the viewpoint from where they can see the monastery hanging on a cliff. We will obtain the special permit to visit the monastery. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche flew from Eastern Bhutan on a tigress, bringing Buddhist teachings and meditated here in this cliff. This is one of the most venerated and sacred of all Buddhist sights around the world. Lunch will be served at Taktsang cafeteria. Walk downhill to the road and enroute visit Drukgyel Dzong (now in ruins), which reveals the reminiscence of ancient architecture and followed by visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by Songtsen Gompo, which denotes the spread and emergence of Buddhism in the country. Dinner and Overnight at Hotel.
- 3 PARO – DRUKGYEL DZONG TO SHANNATrek Day 1
- Start Elevation: Drukgyel Dzong 2580m, 8282ft
- Elevation Gain: 1624’
- Ending Elevation: 9,482
- Elevation loss: 0
- Distance: 11.2 miles
- 4 SAHANA - SOITHNAGKHATrek Day 2: SAHANA - SOITHNAGKHA
- Starting elevation: 9,482ft
- Elevation loss: 0
- Ending Elevation: 11.745ft or 767m
- Distance: 14. 5 miles (23. 35kms)
- Elevation Gain: 2,559ft
- 5 SOI THANGKHA – JANGOTHNAG (CHOMOLHARI BASE CAMP)Trek Day 3: SOI THANGKHA – JANGOTHNAG (CHOMOLHARI BASE CAMP)
- Starting elevation: .11745ft
- Elevation loss: 0
- Ending Elevation: 13,480ft or 4040m
- Distance: 11. 9 miles (19kms)
- Elevation Gain: 9,674ft
- 6 JANGOTHNAG HALT (CHOMOLARI BASE CAMP)Trek Day 4 : JANGOTHNAG HALT (CHOMOLARI BASE CAMP) Ascending 1800m in 3 days is something that most people feel. Therefore, we keep a rest day at Chomolhari Base Camp to give your body to acclimatize. There are some really nice hikes, which are ideal to do during the rest day. The hike includes climbing up facing the Chomolhari in the front and hike towards the northeast to view Mt. Jitchu Drake. The other option is going in the valley facing Chomolhari in the front to view the glaciers at the base. For those feeling the altitude or just interested in relaxing at the camp, watching the shifting light on Chomolhari…not a bad way to spend the day! The summit of Chomolhari is considered to be abode of the goddess Jomo. It is the perfect mountain with ideal shape – more or less symmetrical – a real throne for a goddess. The other most exciting one is going in easterly direction up to two big lakes called Tshophu, which are full of trout fish. From the lakes you have a nice view back of Chomolhari, Jitchu Drake and Tsherim Gang. You will be passing through Tshophu (lakes) on your journey to Chorapang. Today is more or less a rest day. There are stupendous day hikes in 3 directions. Chomolhari and its subsidiary are directly west, Jichu Drake to the north, unclimbed summits and ridges to the east. It is possible to enjoy another day hike from Jangothang before heading to the lakes and the new campsite, which is about 10 minutes from the lakes. Those interested in fishing may wish to head up to the lakes earlier in the day.
- 7 JANGOTHANG TO CHORAPANGTrek DAY 5: JANGOTHANG TO CHORAPANG
- Starting elevation: 14,100’ at Jangothang
- Ending elevation: 12,300’ at Chorapang (Camp along river in Soi Yaksa valley)
- Elevation gain: 1,576’ to Bang Tue La
- Elevation loss: 3,215
- Approximate mileage: 8.57 miles
- 8 CHORAPANG/THONGBUTrek DAY 6: CHORAPANG/THONGBU
- Starting elevation: 12,300’ at Chorapan (camp along river in Soi Yaksa valley)
- Ending elevation: 13,123’ at Thongbu
- Elevation gain: 2,132 up to Takalung la
- Elevation loss: 1,312’ down from Takalung la
- Approximate mileage: 6.84 miles
- 9 THONGBU TO SHANATrek DAY 7: THONGBU TO SHANA
- Starting elevation: 13,200’ at Thongbu
- Ending elevation: 8,202’ at Drukyes Dzong
- Elevation gain: 722’ up to Thongbu la
- Elevation loss: 5,742 down from Thongbu la to Drukyel Dzong
- Approximate mileage: 15.54 miles
- 10 SHANA TO DRUGYEL DZONG TO THIMPHUTrek DAY 8: SHANA TO DRUGYEL DZONG TO THIMPHU For the remaining journey from Shana to Drukyel Dzong we will have riding ponies available for those who would like to ride. Anyone wishing to walk to the head may do so at their leisure. Upon arrival at Drukyel, the representatives from the office will meet us and vehicles for a post trek celebrations. We drive the distance to your Hotel in Thimphu for the night, where our luggage and hot shower awaits us!
- 11 Thimphu – SightseeingYou can do some sightseeing in Thimphu or one can have leisure day in Thimphu. This morning you will visit the following places of cultural interest. In the morning you will visit the National Memorial Chorten with its golden spines shining in the sun, its tinkling bells built in honour of third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very rare insights into Buddhist Philosophy in all its complexity of tantric Buddhism. This Chorten is centrally located and you will see an endless procession of elderly people circling around it. The Folk and Heritage Museum: lets you experience the Bhutanese rural way of living through an exhibitions of items and artifacts used in households. The principal exhibit is the museum building itself which is a resorted three storey traditional rammed mud and timber house. The Arts and Craft Institute: This is a vocational training institute, where traditional techniques of drawing, paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, weaving, wood carving and sculpturing are taught to students with the objective of preserving the rich and pristine heritage. The Indigenous Hospital: The hospital manufactures traditional medicines from various raw materials collected from varying altitudes within the country. Evening Visit Tashi Chodzong and their after drive to Buddha point for a bird view of Thimphu Valley Overnight leisure at Hotel
- 12 DepartureDrive to Paro Airport for your onward flight.
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