Beginning in Paro, the hike initially leads to the Jumolhari base camp. Jumolhari is one of the most breathtaking, most renowned mountains in Bhutan. From there, the trail begins to parallel the Tibetan border as it climbs over the first of its passes, Nyele La. It then descends to a remote village called Lingshi, the administrative capital of the region. The village is home to the 500 year old Lingshi dzong and over a dozen monks. Heading northwest from Lingshi, the trail then crosses the Sinchey La pass, the highest point of the trek at 16,420 ft en-route to the village of Laya. Laya is one of the largest and most unique mountain villages in Bhutan. We will spend a day at Laya where the women wear unusual conical hats, and unique Yak hair clothes are customary to the area. From Laya the trails continues to descend to the town of Gasa, home to some of Bhutan’s best hot springs where we can soak away the rigors of our journey. The trek concludes at Damji (7,380 ft) where a vehicle will be waiting to take us to our hotel in Punakha.
Highlights
Beginning in Paro, the hike initially leads to the Jumolhari base camp. Jumolhari is one of the most breathtaking, most renowned mountains in Bhutan. From there, the trail begins to parallel the Tibetan border as it climbs over the first of its passes, Nyele La. It then descends to a remote village called Lingshi, the administrative capital of the region. The village is home to the 500 year old Lingshi dzong and over a dozen monks. Heading northwest from Lingshi, the trail then crosses the Sinchey La pass, the highest point of the trek at 16,420 ft en-route to the village of Laya. Laya is one of the largest and most unique mountain villages in Bhutan. We will spend a day at Laya where the women wear unusual conical hats, and unique Yak hair clothes are customary to the area. From Laya the trails continues to descend to the town of Gasa, home to some of Bhutan’s best hot springs where we can soak away the rigors of our journey. The trek concludes at Damji (7,380 ft) where a vehicle will be waiting to take us to our hotel in Punakha.