Table of Contents
It is also called Yaktsa Trek or 7-days trek in Bhutan. It covers a total of 13 days including cultural sightseeing in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha. The total duration of the trek is 7 days.
This 7-day trek in Bhutan (Yaktsa Trek) route is very popular because of Jangothang and the base of Mount Jomolhari site. The Yaktsa 7-Day Trek Route passes through some of the beautiful high passes of Bhutan and you can see the best of Yak Herders’ camp. The Trekkers can see some of the most spectacular sceneries of the Higher Himalayas including the awesome Jitchu Drake. You will see Blue sheep and other wildlife.
It takes 7 days excluding the Bhutan cultural tour. The total duration will be 12 nights / 13 days. Accommodations are in twin-sharing tents and Hotels/Resorts. While you stay in hotels/resorts it is 3 stars rated. The main activity is walking, trekking, and cultural tour. The difficulty level of trekking is Strenuous. You should be fit. The minimum size of the group is 2 pax. The total distance covered is 96 Km. The highest elevation you will pass is 4930 m. The starting point and finishing point are in Paro near Drukgyel Dzong. The best months for the trek Yaktsa are March to May and September to the 2nd week of December.
Our representatives from Bhutan Himalayan Holidays will be there at Paro International Airport to receive you. You will be greeted with Tashi Khada the traditional way of receiving the guest from outside. Drive you the short distance to the hotel.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong. The dzong was built in 1656. It was renovated in 1968. It is an ancient watchtower, Now it is converted into the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rinpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), the center of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Dinner and overnight in Tashi Namgay Resort or a similar category
After an early breakfast, a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, the trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery.
After lunch visit the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jomolhari (7,314 m).
We then drive to Shana. Overnight at the camp Shana.
The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction en route, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. The camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Altitude: 3610 m; Distance: 22 Km; Time 7 – 8 hours. (770 meters ascent, 10 meters descent).
In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Dinner and overnight in Camp.
Altitude 4080 m; Distance 19 km; Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours. (480 meters ascent).
Rest day at Jangothang, and enjoy the superb view all around. For Day hikes, you have 3 options on this day at Jangothang. The first is the Hike to Jumolhari Glacier which is around 4 ½ hours (Back and forth). 2nd Option is a Hike to Jichu Drake Glacier which is around 3 hours (Back and Forth). The third option is to walk up the mountain between Jumolhari and Jichu Drake, The summit is at 5200 meters with a great view of both mountains. This is 8 hours (Back and forth).
Today we will cover a distance of 16 km and will take around 7 – 8 hours to reach the Dhumzo Campsite. On the way, you will see the view of Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drake, and the valley to the Jhomolhari campsite. You will also come across several yak herder’s tents, and Tsho Phu lakes, and normally see a flock of Himalayan blue sheep high up on the rocky slopes.
If you are lucky enough you may see the footprint of Snow Leopard at the Bonte La pass. Then the trail winds up to Bonte La (4900 m) which is also the highest pass of this trek. Take time to enjoy the scenery, have a snack, or put up some prayer flags. From here you can see several 5800-meter peaks. The trail drops through a steep, narrow gully with gravel and rocks till you reach Dhumjo. The Soi Yaksey Valley is a beautiful site with impressive rock cliffs, waterfalls, deep side valleys, and snow-covered peaks. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Highest Point: 4900 meters, Hiking Duration: 7 – 8 hours; Distance: 16 km.
You will have to climb from the camp through rhododendron, birch, and oak forest draped in moss brings you to a meadow with huge Juniper trees till you reach the shoulder of the ridge from where you walk straight into a beautiful valley with a couple of Yak Herders’ camp. You can also get a view of Jomolhari for a short while.
Little ahead of the Yak Herders’ campsite, we stop for lunch, and then there is a steep climb to the pass for about an hour. From the pass, you can see the campsite at Thombushong which is very pristine. If you are trekking during May and June, you can see Takins (Our National Animal). This place is the Migratory route of the Takins. Dinner and overnight in camp.
Highest Point: 4550 meters; Hiking Duration: 5-6 hours; Distance: 14 km.
From the campsite, you start your climb to Thombula which takes about half an hour and then you walk on the ridge which is very beautiful. You can see several mountain peaks view from the pass, the closest one being Jo Drake (5980 Meters). The best time to walk on the ridge is during the springtime when the whole mountains around are covered with beautiful rhododendrons of different colors. After a while, the path descends very steeply to the army camp which takes around three hours. The camp is another easy 1/1/2 hour from the army camp. Dinner and overnight in camp.
Highest Point: 4300 meters; Walking: Duration 7-8 hours; Distance: 18 km, Level of Difficulty: Moderate.
This is the place where you see off your Trekking staff and your horsemen. Then walk to the road end for 2 hours only. (End of Trek) and drive to Thimphu. After lunch, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling.
After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).
After lunch, we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the national government, and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in a 3-star Hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula Pass to view the Higher Himalayas. On the way, stop for a while to view Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15th century. He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”.
Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, that “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952. Overnight in Meri Puensum or similar.
After breakfast, hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery and drive to Thimphu. After lunch, Lungtse hike (2 hours):
This is one of the most rejuvenating and picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. It can be done as a loop starting from Dochula and finishing at Hongtsho village with Lungchutse Gomba and Trashigang Gomba visit. At Lungchutse one can enjoy a 360° view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will start your hike from the large Chorten in the middle of Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha at 3140 meters (10300 feet) above sea level.
From here the trail slowly climbs a ridge through a forest of hemlock, birch, and rhododendrons until it reaches an open meadow. Again, you will enter into the forest of moss-covered rhododendrons, gigantic hemlocks, junipers, and bamboo undergrowth. A small trail leads you the last 50 meters past a row of fluttering prayer flags up to Lungchutse temple.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Pedling.
After breakfast, drive to Paro International Airport for the outbound journey. Bid farewell.