Soi Yaksa Trek - 11 Days

Upon arrival at the Paro International Airport, our Bhutanese representative will greet you and escort you to the designated hotel. 

During the flight, you will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other famous Himalayan peaks.

Overnight.

After a warm and nice breakfast served at the hotel, we will hike up the 4200 steps to the Tiger's Nest, locally known as the Taktsang Monastery hanging on a high cliff at 3120 meters. This monastery has been the identification of Bhutan for a long time because of its religious significance and also because of its location. The Mahayana Buddhist believes that the first Dalai Lama, Padmasambhava flew on a back of a tigress to her for Meditation.

While coming down we will have lunch halfway down the hill and continue to Paro.

Overnight. 

After breakfast, we take a short drive of 17 km to Drugyal Dzong then start trekking to Shana.

The trail gradually goes up through the lush green forest, apple farms, small settlements, and a nice view of the meadows and surrounding hills. After walking for almost 3 hours we reach Gunitsawa which is bordering town with Tibet.

Further walking up for another couple of hours we reach Shana, for overnight.

With a good breakfast, we will follow the trail of the Paro river and cross pine and oak forest. With a good walk for a couple of hours, we will reach Sojourn for our delicious lunch.

We then cross the bridge and ascend the forest of rhododendron to reach our campsite at Soi Thangthangkha for an overnight stay.   

After starting the trip, we walk for an hour and cross the army camp which is followed by a climb of about 30 minutes taking us to the hilltop with a nice view of snow-capped mountains on the northern side.

Another 3 hours ups and down and we reach the Yak Herds camp, where the lunch will be served. Further walking a couple of hours from where we reach our camping site, Jangothang from where the famous Mt. Jumolhari, as well as the Jichu Drake peak, are seen from a nearby distance.

As it is a day to acclimatize, you can explore around and take a good rest.

We will take a 3 and a half hours to walk to a place with the view of Jichu Drake Peak. We will have lunch there and come back to our camp.

Today we will be at the highest point of the trek. After enjoying delicious breakfast, we move towards north leading the last settlement in the valley, and descend to Tshopu Lake (4380 m). After observing some duck playing on the lake, we will climb a slope and move forward to the Bonte La pass (4890 m).  

After crossing Bonte La pass, the highest point of the trek, we descend following the trail to Soi Yaksa Valley (3,800 m). 

Overnight. 

We have a short walk compared to earlier days. Walking past the halfway we reach the Tak-hung La pass (4520m). After few hours of uphill and downhill we reach Thombu Shong (4180 m).

There we can see some summer huts of the Yak herders. 

Overnight stay at Thombu Shong.

We start the day after breakfast and approach the base of the Thombu La Pass (4380m). After crossing the pass, we descend on the other side and continue our trek on the flat land for a while and then continuously descend to reach Gunitsawa.

We will stay around by searching good area to build our camp at Shana (2870 m) for overnight stay.

As it is the final day of our trek, we can start our trek a bit later.

After crossing the blue pine forest along the Paro river, and farmhouses, we will reach Drugyel Dzong where our vehicle will be waiting for us to transfer us to the hotel.

Free time on your own. In the evening, farewell dinner will be offered from the Himalayan Trekkers. 

Overnight.

(Note: As you will have a good time during the return from Shana to Drugyel Dzong, you can go for Thimpu sightseeing too.) 

A representative of Himalayan trekkers will assist and transfer you to the airport for connecting flights back to your home town.

Hope you enjoyed this trip with us and please do remember us for other exciting and amazing trips in the Himalayas.

Have a safe journey!