Bhutan Treks

Wild East Rodungla Trek

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport

Day 2 Paro - Sightseeing
Morning: Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 klms away from Paro town). The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means "The Victorious Bhutanese." This spot unfolds a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (Alt. 7329 mtrs). Visit a typical Bhutanese farm house on the way back. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 Paro - Shana
Distance 17 kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Shana - 2,800 mtrs. Drive upto to road end at Drugyel Dzong where the trek begins. The trail follows the river gently uphill through narrowing valley and agricultural fields. The night's camp is just beyond an army outpost.

Day 4 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha
The trail continues uphill through the river valley. The valley becomes so narrow that the path takes to the slopes. There is quite a lot of descent along this stretch. Camp in a meadow.

Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang
Distance - 19 kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Jangothang 4040 mtrs. The trek starts up the Pa Chu. An army outpost is crossed along the way. The valley begins to widen again. All around high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks come into view. Yaks and yak herders' winter homes become a regular feature of the landscape. The night camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari.

Day 6 Jangothang – Lingshi
Distance - 19 kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Lingshi - 4150 mtrs. Trek through wide yak pastures and passes. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut or the tent.

Day 7 Lingshi - Chebisa
Distance - 12 kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Chebisa - 3850 mtrs. This stretch is the short walk and can be taken at a leisurely pace. On reaching camp at Chebisa, you can visit the village houses and meet the local people.

Day 8 Chebisa - Shomuthang
Distance - 17 kms. About 6 hours journey. Altitude of Shomuthang - 4260 mtrs. The trek is through wild high pastures. The area is sparsely inhabited. The trail leads across the Gobula, a pass at an altitude of 4350 mtrs. Camp is on a ledge of flat land overlooking a tributary to the Mo Chu.

Day 9 Shomuthang - Robluthang
Distance - 15 kms. About 5 hours journey. Altitude of Robluthang - 14,400 ft. An early start is advisable as you have to cross the Jerela pass at an altitude of 4600 mtrs. After crossing Jerela, the trail descends to Tsharijathang, the valley where herds of Takin are usually seen. Overnight in camp.

Day 10 Robluthang - Laya
Distance - 29 kms. About 7 - 8 hours journey. Altitude of Laya - 12,680 ft. After crossing Shingela Pass at an altitude of 4900 mtrs , the trail descends to the valley beyond. On reaching Lemithang, the trail splits, with one leading to the army camp and the other following the higher ground to the west side of the Laya village. Camp site is on a flat piece of land overlooking the east end of the Laya village.

Day 11 Laya - Halt
Visit the village houses and take short hikes around the area.

Day 12 Laya- Roduphu
Distance - 19 kms. About 6-7 hours journey. Altitude of Roduphu - 4160 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day 13 Roduphu - Narithang
Distance - 17 kms. About 5-6 hours journey. Altitude of Narithang - 4220 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day 14 Narithang - Tarina
Distance - 18 kms. About 6 - 7 hours journey. The trek crosses Ganglakarchungla at an altitude of 5 100 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day 15 Tarina - Woche
Distance - 15 kms. About 5 hours. On arrival at camp, visit a village house.From this point, the Lunana area begins. Overnight at camp.

Day 16 Woche - Lhedi
Distance - 19 kms. About 6-7 hours journey. The trail crosses the Kechela at an altitude of 4550 mtrs. Stop at Thega village en route. Overnight at camp.

Day 17 Lhedi - Thanza
Distance - 19 kms. About 5-6 hours journey. Altitude of Thanza ~ 4050 mtrs.En route visit Chezo Dzong. Overnight at camp.

Day 18 Thanza - Halt
Spend the day visiting village houses and meeting the local people. Short hikes can be taken around the camp area. Overnight at camp.

Day 19 Thanza - Tsochena
Distance - 18 kms. About 6-7 hours journey. Altitude of Tsochena - 4500 mtrs.The trail crosses Jezela Pass at an altitude of 5050 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day 20 Tsochena - Jitchu Dramo
Distance - 14 kms. About 4-5 hours journey. Altitude of Jitchu Dramo - 4880 mtrs. The trail crosses Lojula Pass at an altitude of 4940 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day 21 Jitchu Dramo - Chukarpo
Distance - 15 kms. About 4-5 hours. Altitude of Chukarpo 14,731 ft. The trail crosses Rinchenzoe Pass at an altitude of 5140 mtrs. Overnight halt at camp.

Day 22 Chukarpo - Tampetso
Distance - 20 kms. About 7-8 hours journey. Altitude of Tampetso - 13,895 ft.The trail crosses Tampela Pass at an altitude of 4550 mtrs. and the Urntso Lake which is famous for the religious treasures that Terton Pemalingpa found there. Overnight halt at camp.

Day 23 Tampetso - Maorothang
Distance - 14 kms. About 5 hours journey. Altitude of Maorothang - i 1,844 ft. The trek is downhill all the way through stunted Rhododendron trees. The camp is situated near the Nika Chu river.Overnight halt at camp.

Day 24 Maorothang - Nika Chu Chazam
Distance 23 kms. About 6-7 hours journey. Altitude of Nika Chu Chazam - 2650 mtrs. This is the last day of walking. The trail passes through the agricultural fields and the village of Sephu.
Overnight halt at camp.

Day 25 Nika Chu Chazarn - Thimphu
Early morning drive to Thimphu. Halt for lunch at Wangdi Overnight halt in Hotel at Thimphu.

Day 26 Thimphu - Sightseeing
Visit Tashichho Dzong - the main Secretariat Building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer.
Wander through the town, visit shops and the Handicrafts Emporium, where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are available, Visit the workshop where the handicrafts are made.
Visit the painting and wooderafts schools where traditional painting and other arts are kept alive.
Visit the National Library and see the ancient manuscripts preserved there.
Visit the Sirntokha Dzong (6 kms. from Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 A.D. The Simtokha Dzong houses t'ne largest monastic school in the country.
Evening :

Day 27 Thimphu - Paro International Airport
Drive to Paro International Airport where our representative will bid you Bon Voyage.