Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Destination: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
Nub Tshona Pata Trek is one of the finest natural treks in the country. The treks begins and ends in the enchanting Haa valley. Sheer mountain range with unsurpassed beauty the journey takes you through rich forest of flora and fauna offering breathtaking views of the giant Himalayan mountain peaks looping at the valley head. You will also encounter several high altitude glacier virgin lakes and rich Himalayan eco-system.The entire trail offers something for all trekkers, regardless of experience taking you teasingly close to the snowlines and letting you experience amazing natural landscape, breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks that provides a sense of awe and wonder.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Paro – Haa
On your arrival at Paro Airport, you will be greeted and welcomed by our local tour executive and then lead you for a short program in enchanting Paro valley. Blessed by nature with a long and beautiful valley dotted with beautiful traditional village. Your sightseeing in Paro begins with a visit to the awesome and impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong or “Fortress on the Heap of Jewels”. Historically the site was chosen by Lama Gelchog, who was a descendent of Lama Phajo Drukgom Zhipo in the 15th century as a small retreat by the river and later his descendent accepted the authority of Zhabdrung as a religious and political leader and handed over this small fort to him. Zhabdrung later constructed the impressive dzong 1645 and consecrated in 1646. Your next stop of the day is the National Museum, built as a watchtower and now converted into a national museum in 1968. It holds a precious artwork and costumes, armor and other handcrafted objects of daily life providing visitors an insight into the rich cultural traditions of the country. Return to Paro town for lunch.
After lunch, drive to the beautiful cool valley of Haa. Haa district is sublimely one of the smallest districts in the country and is marked as one of the highest district headquarter in the country. It is only 60km and can be negotiable within 2 hours. A 40km drive from Paro takes you to Chelela pass at a cool crisp 12,200ft/3720m taking you through spectacular lovely forest of pine, oak and rhododendron that are ablaze with blood red and pink blooms in April and May. The surrounding pass is marked by multitude of prayer flags and on clear day, you can get a breathtaking view of Jomolhari and other Himalayan peaks. From this, lofty pass the road descent downhill to the remote Haa valley for 20km.
Day 02: Haa Kajena – Tshbjothang (Trek Begins)
In the morning hour, drive to Kajena village where you will begin your adventurous Nub Tshona Pata Trek. It is a lovely and challenging seven-hour walk taking you through a rich natural forest and finally end at Tshbjothang, a small ground where you will camp for the night.
Day 03: Tshabjothang – Tshego Yakteykha (4060m)
Your trail begins with a gradual ascent toward Gangcheela pass at 4180m. The pass offers a lovely view of the surrounding valley including Shoku Namgyel region. The surrounding pass is commonly used a a grazing ground for yaks and cattles for Isu Gewog. Your trail continues through several ridge including Ram Zur and Yaku Zey offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and several lakes including Tsho Na Tsho, Yak Tsho, Bji Tsho, Shey Tsho and Kelp Tsho etc. En-route if you are lucky there is a great chance for your to spot blue sheep on the rocky slop.
Day 04: Tshego Yakteykha – Longlithang (3610m)
Today your trail begins with a downhill walk until Chhuthangna and gradually ascent slowly to Tshochhekha Tsho Lake. After enjoying the lake and its surrounding the trail gradually begins to descent downhill towards Longlithang meadow. The open meadow is home to the yaks and yak herders during the spring season. You will camp for the night in this area.
Day 05: Longlithang – Bjarawom (4050m)
Your trek is more or less a detour of the previous day but it follows a lower trail en-route Sama Nya and Drasai hang meadow. Crossing Chhuthangna Zam at 3550m and then gradually ascent uphill to Gedoteng and then to Tsiphuthang. A short way gradually leads you to your campsite at Bjara Wongma at 4050m.
Day 06: Bjarawom – Rigona Tsho (3800m)
Today you have a short trail and we suggest making a leisurely start after your morning breakfast. The trail gradually descent downhill towards Bjara Tsho Lake at 3950m and then ascent uphill to Naachong Zey at 4070m. Your campsite is located near the Rigona Tsho, which has a spiritual connection where Terton Sherab Mebar revealed a ceremonial cymbal. Your campsite is located near the beautiful lake.
Day 07: Rigona Tsho – Tshong (3940m)
Today you will climb to Naachong Zey and from here; the trail leads you to Shoku Pedey peak (4689m). The trail pass climbing Yato la pass at 4240m with a short walk to Ser Tsho Lake. From the lake the trail gradually an ascent to Ser Tsho La pass at 4270m, then gradually follows steep downhill to Nato Tsho and Nga Tsho Lake, and finally end at your campsite at Tshong./p>
Day 08: Tshong – Tshona Patta (3960m)
From the campsite the trail gradually ascent uphill to Gongchhe Shingko Tengla pass at 4000m. From the pass the trail descent to Chhosho Lumpa and then ascent via Ghoom Maru and finally cross the Tshejola pass at 4100m. If the weather is clear, the pass offers a clear view of Mt. Kanchenjunga peak of Sikkim at the southern end and other range of Dagala. The trail descent downhill to Gigona with a swampy lake called Tshew and then gradually ascent to Dangka Bjido ridge at 4080m. From the ridge the trail leads you all the way downhill to your campsite at Lura at 3960m.
Day 09: Tshona Patta Excursion
Today is a day of rest where you usually spent time at the campsite, acclimatizing and drinking in the magnificent natural surroundings. One can also make a short walk to Nub Tshona Patta in the morning or evening hour depending upon the time, that suits you. You can also take a day excursion tour along the Domang Bridge, where you can have a clear view of the landscape of Longlithang and Bahyuelna meadow.
Day 10: Nub Tshona Patta – Bachhey Dinkha (4050m)
Today you have a long ascent to Sheypai Zey pass at 4210m and can be negotiable within three hours, taking you through rich forest of fir and birch trees. From the pass, a short descent takes you to Sheychhu Lumpa and then gradually ascent with a steep climb through rocky slope. The trail passes through Ahir Teng which offers a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape. The trail gradually descent towards your campsite at Bachhey Dingkha.
Day 11: Bachhey Dinkha – Gonphu Tsho (3850m)
The trail begins with a steep downhill to Gonphu Lumpa and then gradually ascent to Go Tsho Lake at 3940m. Continue ascent uphill Ghongba Teng at 4125m and then descent to the popular Tsheylu Tshokha lake. The lake is home to the prodective deity Oakhe Gyemo, who is worshipped by people of Haa and Paro. From here the trail leads you uphill to Benjay Bja at 4050m and then gradually descent downhill to Thujimi Tsa after which it ascends again to Lungey and continues to Gonphu Tshothang where you will camp for the night.
Day 12: Gongphu Tsho – Laptsa Teng (3850m)
About half an hour walk takes you to Gonphu Tshothangla Pass at 3965m and then steeply leads you towards Dzarchum. From here the trail continues through below the ridge with several cattle shed and gradually takes you climb uphill to Jusum ridge at 3890m. The surrounding landscape is ablaze with rhododendron during the April and May months. From here you will climb the ridge of Laptsa Tengang at 4258m with superb view of the surrounding mountains including Tego La pass. A short descent from the pass leads you to your campsite at Laptsa Teng.
Day 13: Laptsa Teng – Dorikha (2980m) (Trek Ends)
Your trail descent towards Tego La and turns left from the pass with more descent following a small stream with several wooden bridges that one need to cross. Chhutha Lumpa wooden foot bridge is your last cross of Tego Rongchhu river and then in half an hour you will reach Dorikha. From here the downhill trail of about half an hour takes you to Longchhu, where you will be met by your car and crew members. Bid adieu to your helpful crewmember and proceed to Haa.
Day 14: Haa – Paro – Hike to Tiger’s Nest
Early hotel checkout drive to Paro and then hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest, built amazingly on a Cliffside. It is said according to the legend Guru Padmasambhava came to Taktsang in the eight century, flying from the east of the country on a back of a tigress (a form that one of his consorts is believed to have taken). He meditated for three months in the cave and then donning his terrifying form of Dorji Droloe subjugating the evil spirits. The site has been recognized as most sacred and visited by many prominent religious leaders including Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.
After the hike stroll around Paro town for your last day shopping, buying gifts for your friends and family back at home.
Day 15: Hotel – Airport
After your morning breakfast in the hotel, drive to Paro airport. Before completing your exit formalities here, you bid adieu to your helpful Bhutanese tour guide and driver.