The Chorten Trail Trek

DAY 1

Arrive Paro. Transfer to Paro Hotel.

Arrive at Paro Airport. You’ll be met upon arrival and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the very small town of Paro. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to enjoy a short sightseeing tour of Paro.

Accommodation: Tenzinling Resort Hotel or similar, Paro
Meals: Dinner

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DAY 2

Trek to Jili Dzong

Your trek to Bhutan’s capital, Thimpu, begins from Paro Dzong by heading up through the forested hills As you gain height, pine trees give way to rhododendron. Where there are breaks in the foliage cover, there are great views of the Paro Valley now below you. Reaching Jili La (3490 m), you’ll soon be passing a prayer wall, from where you now descend gradually to the camp site (3450 m), just below Jili Dzong. Walking time is approximately 5 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Jili Dzong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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DAY 3

Trek to Jangchulhakha

Heading up to the Dzong, a walk of around 20–30 minutes reveals some great views of distant Chomolhari (7314m) and Jitchu Drake. Most of today's walking is undulating, contouring mountain sides and up through Rhododendron forests, sometimes above the tree line. There is some height to be gained overall to reach camp at 3780m in a clearing used by yak herders for winter pasture. Walking time is approximately 5–6 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Jangchulhakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

Over the Janghcu La to Jana Tsho

After breakfast at camp, you’ll now follow a path that heads up onto a ridge, following the ridge line and up to the Janchu La (3880 m), from where there are splendid views of distant mountains and the valleys below. Beneath you, you’ll also see the large lake of Jimilangtso and begin your descent to the valley floor, eventually walking past the lake. Heading up again along a cliffside path, there are some big drops below, ultimately leading to tonight's camp site by a smaller lake at 3955m. A longer walking day today of around 7 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Jana Tsho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Trek to Phadjoding

The literal high point of the trek is Simkota La (4210m). First, there’s a shortish ascent up to Simkota Lake, and above you’ll see the saddle of the pass that you now hike up to. Following a mountain trail, there’s a mix of ups and downs with a couple of other lesser passes to cross, and if it’s clear, you may be rewarded with distant views of Gangkar Puensum. The trail then begins to zigzag its way down to Phadjoding, and you should have time to explore the nearby golden-roofed temples. Camp altitude is around 3960 m, and walking time today is approx. 5–6 hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Phadjoding
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

Down to Thimpu

You’ll have seen Thimpu far below you on the latter parts of yesterday's trek. So, it’ll be no surprise that today is virtually downhill all the way. Around 1300m of descent. At times, it’s quite steep as you walk through forests of blue pine. Reaching the roadhead, you’ll then transfer by private vehicle for the short distance to Thimpu. In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a tour of Thimpu, or you can rest up if you prefer. Walking time is approximately 3 hours.

Accommodation: Galingkha Hotel or similar Thimpu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Morning tour of Thimpu & Hike to Bala Keba

In the morning, your guide will take you to visit the Tashish Dzong. Depending on how long you’re here, there may be time to pay a quick visit to the Heritage Museum. After lunch, you’ll be driven by private vehicle to Chumina for the start of this afternoon's walk of around 3 hours to Bala Keba (3245m). It’s predominantly uphill, but delightful as you walk up through atmospheric pine woods. As you gain height, more and more rhododendrons begin to appear. In a clearing amongst the forest is the camp location.

Accommodation: Camp, Bala Keba
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Sinchu La to Dopshing Pang

It’s a very straightforward walk up to the Sinchu La (3405m), which is marked by a chorten. Virtually all the way through the forest. It has a couple of steeper sections, and if it’s muddy, the path can be a little slippy at times too. Most people reach the pass in 30-45 minutes of climbing, and there are extensive views of the eastern Himalayas from here to enjoy. There’s then around 900m of descent spread out over 4 hours, though, so it’s a nice and steady walk down to camp (2450m). Walking time: approx. 5–6 hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Dopshing, Pa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Trek to Chorten Ningpo

A rather leisurely day as you head down to the river, and a noticeable change in vegetation too at these lower elevations. A few hours later, after following a nice and easy contouring trail, you arrive at the small village of Gabji and can camp by the Dzong of Chorten Ningpo (1860m). It’s all rather sub-tropical, with orchards of fruit and a bucolic, cultivated landscape dotted with farmsteads. As there’s no reason to hurry today, along the way, it's a good idea to explore the tiny settlement of Halo. Walking time is approximately 4 hours or less.

Accommodation: Camp, Chorten Ningpo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10

End of trek at Punakha

Again, there’s no need to rush today, so after taking a very leisurely breakfast, the final part of the trek is a steady downhill via Kabesa. A mere hour or so of walking brings you to a jeep road. Here, a private vehicle will take you the short distance to Punakha. In the afternoon, you can see what is perhaps the most impressive Dzong in all of Bhutan and enjoy a relaxed afternoon and evening.

Accommodation: Meri Phuensum Resort or similar, Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11

Return overland to Paro

Returning to Paro via the Dochu La, you can take a break at the pass and walk along the ridge to enjoy Himalayan views. Stopping off at Thimpu or the Dochu La for lunch, you should be back in Paro by late afternoon and be able to do some local exploration at your leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel Tenzinling or similar, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

Taktsang Monastery Trek

The Machhu Picchu of Bhutan is Takstang Monastery, and today you’ll visit it. It’s actually a stiff 2-hour walk up through woodland and a rather steep climb of around 350 m. Thankfully, there’s a teahouse at one of the classic Taktsang Monastery view points where you can rest and refresh before a further 30 minutes of climbing brings you to Takstang (3110m) itself. On the final climb, you pass what is probably the most famous view point, which looks directly across to the monastery. It’s usually possible to enter the monastery, but if there’s something going on at the monastery (religious or VIP visit), then it may not be possible. Heading steeply down, a descent of around 100m leads into a gorge before climbing back up to the main monastery gate, from which it’s down to the valley floor and your ride “home”. Walking time is around 4-5 hours, with around 750m of ascent and descent.

Accommodation: Hotel Tenzinling or similar, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13

Depart Paro

A private vehicle transfer to Paro Airport for your departing flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Of course, there's no reason to depart today, your Bhutan holiday can be readily tailored.