We will follow the trail used in ancient times by people of Haa valley to visit Paro. It is believed that these trails are mostly used during rice cultivation as farmers from Haa travels to Paro as laborers and in return they are paid with rice. Located on higher altitude and being colder region, rice does not grow in Haa.
There are few variants on this trek. Following the ancient trail used by farmers, it can be completed within two days and Drugyal Dzong being the end point but we will follow the Chelela trail which will take one extra day and Chelela pass being the end point.
Duration: 5 days (3D 2N trek)
Maximum elevation: 4350 m
Season: March – May and September – November
Start: Haa
Finish: Chelela Pass (Paro)
Access Town: Paro & Haa
Upon arrival at the Paro international airport, you will be received by a representative (guide and driver) of our company and escort to a local restaurant for the lunch. After lunch, we will drive towards Haa via Chelela pass for about hour and half. Only in the year 2002, Haa valley was opened to the foreign tourist for the first time. There are lots of famous sites like Lhakhang karpo (white Temple), Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) and Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong. If time permits we will visit few of those ancient sites.
5 km/ 3 hours/ 480 m ascent
We begin our trek through an unpaved motor road for about an hour before finally climbing up the footpath trail and amidst the yak herder’s camp. At the end of herders camp is a junction where we will take the left. Right trail will lead towards the border of China. After ascending for a while from this juncture is our campsite for the night, located just below Sagala (3150 m). Enjoy a hot cup of tea prepared by your crew members and embrace yourself with a stunning view of Himalayan landscape.
12 km/ 5 hours/ 950 m ascent/ 250 m descent
In the morning we begin our journey upward towards Sagala pass (3550 m) for about half an hour. On a day with clear weather, one can have a stunning view of Mt. Jumolhari (7315 m) and Jitchu Drake (6989 m).
After crossing the pass, we will trek along the right side of the ridge, through rhododendron and meadows, finally reaching on top of a ridge at 4100 meters. The entire Haa valley can be seen from this point. The rest of the journey again involves occasional ascents and descents through forests of Hemlock and Juniper until we reach Nyingula, our campsite for the night at an elevation of 3850 meters.
13 km/ 7 hours/ 500 m ascent/ 360 m descent
As you trek after breakfast, you will start descending for a few minutes, before following the ridge which traverses through meadows of yak herder’s camp. At the end of the meadow, the ascend towards Kung Karpo begins through tall rhododendron trees and meadows with stone cairns. It would take about 2 hours. A spectacular view of Haa valley is sighted as you climb up through these stone cairns and reach a pass before Kung Karpo. The next highlight is Kung Karpo (Sky Burial at 4350 meters). At Kung Karpo, one can scale and reach the top of the mountain to see the Sky Burial. From Kung Karpo begins a trail that ascends and descends. All along the route, you will see Paro valley on the left and Haa valley on the right. You can also feast on a view of Kila Goenpa Nunnery. Once you reach the final ridge, your trek is downhill until you reach Chelela pass (3980 meters). It takes about 90 minutes to reach Chelela pass from Kung Karpo. From Chelela pass, you will be driven to Paro.
Your short and memorable tour to Bhutan comes to an end today. After breakfast, your guide and river will see you off at Paro international airport for your onward journey.
See you in future.
With the likes of trail that takes you right at the foot of worlds’ tallest unconquered mountain (Gangkar Puensum 7550m), trekking in Bhutan will give you a new experience never like before. With more than 70 percent of the country covered by undisturbed wilderness, trekking in Bhutan will take you ever closer to the nature. These trekking trails once used by famous Buddhist saints like Guru Rinpoche (who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan) in 746 AD while visiting Bhutan from Nepal and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the unifier of modern Bhutan) in 1616 while fleeing Tibet for a political dispute, this routes are the genuine routes where Bhutanese people still use it today. What makes trekking in Bhutan unique is its calmness and natural feeling; credit to less numbers of trekkers visiting Bhutan and its natural unpaved trails unlike other countries around the world. With more than 20 trekking trials to choose from, Bhutan offers trekking services to both beginners and pros.
No specific trekking permits are required to trek in Bhutan. You can trek in Bhutan with normal tourist visa for international tourist and normal entry permit for regional tourist (Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivians).
The best season to trek in Bhutan depends on which trekking trail you choose to but in general, March, April, May, September, October and November are the best months to trek in Bhutan. In the month of June, July and August Bhutan receives heavy rainfall and in December, January and February, the high mountain passes along the trekking trails are covered with snow, making it difficult for trekkers.
The details regarding the best season to trek on different trails in Bhutan are mentioned below:Trekking in Bhutan can be of 2 days or a month long. Depending on the number of days taken to trek, gain in altitude and nature of terrains, trekking routes in Bhutan can be graded into four categories; easy, moderate, difficult and very difficult.
At 10,760 feet above sea level, Bhutan is ranked highest country in the world, in terms of average land elevations. As a result most of its trekking trails are located on higher altitude, averaging over 12,000 feet above sea level, requiring certain level of physical fitness and trekking experience.
However with varieties of trails to choose from, both beginners and pro can enjoy trekking in Bhutan. Be it 2 days or grueling 25 days trekking, Bhutan has it all for you to choose from.
For those who are attempting to go for Snowmen trek (25 days trek), it will be asset if you have certain level of trekking experience and physically fit enough, since snowmen trek is referred to as amongst the world’s most toughest trekking route involving climbs over 5000 m.
Do not ignore any kind of symptoms related to altitude sickness; difficulty in breathing, headache, giddiness and numbness in limbs. If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, inform your guide immediately.
Though portable oxygen supplies and first aid kits are always carried along with by the crew members but if possible carry some diamox (acetazolamide) pills, which can be bought from pharmacies across Bhutan.
The best tactics, if you suffer from altitude sickness is to stop ascending and if the symptoms do not go away or get worse, then descend down. It is advisable that you drink large amount of water every day while you are trekking.
Meals while trekking in Bhutan are prepared every day by cooking crews and no left over foods are served. Lunch are prepared in the morning along with breakfast and carried as a packed lunch. Dinners are prepared at campsite at the end of every trekking day. Hence chances of getting food contaminated while trekking in Bhutan are very slim.
Bottled water is carried by trekking crew members but however it is not sufficient for longer duration treks and hence the crew member boils water in the morning for you to carry for the day.
It is advisable that you bring your own water bottle and if possible carry some water purifier solutions as well. Refrain yourself from drinking directly from the streams nearby.
No trekking trails in Bhutan will meet you with any kind of criminal activities. In fact if you are in need, everyone you encounter will be very much happy to help you whatever way they can.
Consult with your guide in regards to dos and don’ts and stick together with your group (if trekking on group). Carry essential items such as head torch, portable cell phone chargers and your mobile phone along with you.
With no hotels or home stays along the trekking trails, all the trekkers must spend their nights in the tent (camping). Camping crew member arranges your tents. They travel ahead of you and put everything on place before you reach your campsite.
All the meals are prepared by trekking cooks who will trek alongside you throughout the entire tour. Lunch are prepared in the morning and carried by trekking staffs. Breakfast and dinners are prepared and served at the campsite.
Since there are no grocery stores or shops along the trekking trails, all the food items are bought and carried along by the crew members, their horses and yaks. As and when available, our crew members will try to buy fresh vegetables from local communities and include in your menu.
Since trekking in Bhutan is a guided tour by the law of country, lone trekkers should not worry because he or she will be followed by trekking guide and crew members for the entire trekking tour.
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We organize Cultural sightseeing tour, Trekking, Mountain biking tour, Festival tour, Luxury tour and White water rafting tour within Bhutan.
| All three meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) | |||||||||||||||||
| Accommodations in 3 star rated hotels in twin sharing basis. (4 Stars and 5 Star available on paying extra premium) | |||||||||||||||||
| Licensed English speaking guide | |||||||||||||||||
| Transportation in a comfortable SUV cars, Mini Bus and Medium size Buses depending on the number of travelers | |||||||||||||||||
| Experienced driver. | |||||||||||||||||
| Sustainable Development Fee of $65 per person, per night stay in Bhutan, which goes for infrastructure development, free education, free medical services and reducing poverty | |||||||||||||||||
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| Bhutan visa fee | |||||||||||||||||
| Entry fee to all the tourist visiting sites and museums | |||||||||||||||||
| Tea and snacks throughout entire tour | |||||||||||||||||
| Bottled water during the day | |||||||||||||||||
Trekking Equipments as follows:
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| Flight tickets (both international & domestic) | |
| Beverages & personal shopping | |
| Travel insurances | |
| Laundry | |
| Tips and gratuity for guide and driver |
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