Begin your adventure with a 22 km trek that will take approximately 7-8 hours to complete. The trail will lead you through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses, following the river with lots of small ascents and a descent of 10m. As you ascend, the valley becomes narrower, wilder, and steeper, with the trail winding up and down along the drainage.

Along the way, you’ll pass a junction where another path leads over the Tremo La to Tibet, once a trading route for Bhutanese people. Admire the stunning views of the surrounding landscape as you trek, and cross several traditional wooden bridges before finally arriving at Thanthangka, a meadow with a stone shelter.

From this campsite, weather permitting, you’ll be able to catch your first glimpse of Mount Jomolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain. The campsite is located at an altitude of 3610 meters, where you can rest and relax in the peaceful surroundings before continuing your trek the following day.

Embark on a 19 km trek that will take approximately 5-6 hours to complete. You’ll be trekking along Paro Chhu and passing through quaint villages of Takethang, Dangochange, and Soe, where you can witness the traditional lifestyle of the locals.

The trail ascends 480 m, with the path initially leading uphill until you reach the army camp. From there, you’ll continue following the river above the treeline, treating your eyes to stunning views of the surrounding peaks.

Mid-day, we’ll stop for a hot lunch at a yak herder’s camp, where you can refuel and relax before continuing on the trail. A short walk from here into the valley will lead you to your campsite for the night at Jangothang, located at an altitude of 4,080m.

From the campsite, you’ll be greeted with breathtaking views of two of Bhutan’s most iconic peaks – Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake. Relax in the serene surroundings and enjoy a hearty dinner before retiring to your tent for the night.

Nestled in the picturesque valley of Jangothang, this is the perfect place to acclimatize to the altitude before embarking on the trek ahead. Breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains and serene lakes await you on a number of day hikes. Keep an eye out for the elusive blue sheep as you explore the upper slopes of the valley.

In addition to these hikes, there are plenty of other trekking and hiking options available in the area. The majestic Jomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks dominate the landscape to the west and north, while unclimbed peaks offer thrilling challenges to the east.

On your day in Jangothang, you have three incredible options for day hikes. Embark on a 4.5-hour round trip to Jomolhari Glacier, a 3-hour round trip to Jichu Drake Glacier, or tackle the 8-hour round trip to the mountain summit between Jomolhari and Jichu Drake for a stunning panoramic view of both mountains. Whichever you choose, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience in this pristine and awe-inspiring natural setting.

Embark on an 18km trek that will take you approximately 6-7 hours to complete, with an ascent of 840m and a descent of 870m. For those experiencing altitude issues, a return to Paro from Jangothang Base camp may be the best option.

As you leave the campsite, you’ll be greeted with a steep climb and breathtaking views of Jichu Drake, Jumolhari, and other neighboring peaks. As you venture further into the glacial valley, you’ll encounter numerous moraines and leave the trees far behind. Keep an eye out for the small gentians, grass, tundra, and small juniper bushes that dot the landscape. Blue sheep can be spotted on the hillside, and you may even see a few fat mountain marmots scurrying about.

After approximately 4 hours of trekking from Jangothang, you’ll arrive at Nyile La pass (15,970’/4870m). From this vantage point, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tserim Kang. As you descend along the scree slopes to a side valley at 14,596′, you’ll traverse a hillside before descending on switchbacks to another side valley filled with dwarf rhododendron and views of Jichu Darke and Tsherim Kang towering to the north. To the north lies the little fort of Lingshi, perched atop a ridge with commanding views of the valley and its scattered villages.

If time permits, take a moment to rest and explore Lingshi before tackling the following strenuous day. While here, consider taking an excursion to the lake near the base of Mt. Jichu Drake, where you’ll likely encounter blue sheep and musk deer. The day’s journey concludes at Chashi Thang, where a stone shelter awaits weary trekkers. This campsite is situated at an altitude of 4010m.

As you embark on your trek, the trail will lead you towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, before turning south towards the deep Mo Chu valley. Along the way, you’ll experience the breathtaking beauty of the largely treeless valley, as the trail climbs steadily above the Mo Chu. Crossing the river, you’ll then face a steep two-hour climb to Yeli-La (4820m), where on a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang.

The trail continues on a downward path alongside a stream, leading to a rock shelter in a cliff face, before eventually reaching Shodu (4100m). Here, you’ll spend the night camping in a picturesque meadow with a chorten, taking in the serene surroundings.

While this will be a long and difficult day, covering a distance of 22km with 940m ascent and 870m descent, the trail is well-marked as it’s the main route for people of Lingshi to reach Thimphu. As you cross the sandy slope and make your way towards the campsite in Shodu, the incredible beauty of the landscape around you will make it all worth it.

As you begin your journey, the trail gently descends through a dense forest of Rhododendron, Birch, and conifers, leading you towards the Thimphu Chu. The trail continues along the left bank of the river, taking you over ridges and through gullies where streams run down into the river. You’ll be met with breathtaking views of waterfalls before you finally climb to the ruins of Barshong dzong, where you’ll set up camp for the night. Tomorrow, you’ll make your way through a limestone valley with meditation caves and a deserted military camp before reaching Pastureland, where you’ll camp for the night at an altitude of 3600m. The journey is approximately 14 km and will take 4-5 hours, with a 130m ascent and a 360m descent.

The trail winds through a picturesque side valley above the Thimphu chu. You’ll make a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species, eventually reaching a pass at 3510m. The trail then descends steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (2600m). Here, transport will be waiting to drive you to Thimphu. After 7 days of adventure, you’ll enjoy a comfortable night in a hotel in Thimphu.