Itinerary Details
MT Sobek: Bhutan Chomolhari Trekking
Day 1 Arrive in Bangkok
Welcome to Bangkok! Transfer to the hotel via a free 24-hour shuttle bus. Note that most airlines arrive late at night into Bangkok, and your MT Sobek flight from Bangkok to Paro departs very early the next morning. If your flight into Bangkok is delayed by even just a few hours, you may miss the group departure flight to Paro. Therefore we encourage you to arrive a day or two early in Bangkok to explore this fascinating city, or to help overcome jet lag before the tour actually starts.
Accommodation: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Day 2 Enter the Kingdom of Bhutan
4-hour flight & 45-minute private van transfer
Our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby this morning to help you transfer back to the airport and check in for your early morning flight to Paro, Bhutan. Vie for a seat on the left side of the plane. Weather permitting, you'll have spectacular views of the eastern Himalaya, including Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga — five of the highest peaks in the world! Also see peaks in Bhutan such as Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tsering Kang. After clearing customs, drive into Paro for lunch, then on to Thimphu (7,725'), the capital of Bhutan, set in the Wang Chu Valley. The remainder of the day is free to rest and relax.
Accommodation: Druk Hotel
(L, D)
Day 3 Hike to Cheri Monastery
1-hour private van transfer
3-4 hours/4 miles hiking
After breakfast, drive to the trailhead where you set out on our hike: a steep, hour-long climb to Cheri Goemba, constructed in the 17th century. The monastery houses the relic stupas (ashes of the father of Shabdrung, the founder of Bhutan) and is also considered one of the earliest monasteries of Bhutan. Have lunch, then drive back to Thimphu and up to Wangdi Tse for a peaceful one hour loop hike where you can enjoy wonderful views of Thimphu, but see few others on the trail. Return to Thimphu for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Druk Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Explore Thimphu & Paro
1.5-hour private van transfer
Begin the day at the School of Arts and Crafts (or "painting school"), where Bhutanese children follow a six-year program in traditional arts, such as drawing, painting, woodcarving, and sculpture. Also visit the Textile Museum, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, and Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon, drive back to Paro and visit the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above the Paro Dzong. The museum's collections include spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, and Bhutan's beautiful stamps. Time permitting, also visit the Paro Dzong itself, built in 1644.
Accommodation: Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Hike to Taktsang Monastery
5 hours/2.5 miles hiking with 1,707’ elevation gain & loss
Today it's a steep hike to a traditional teahouse for a great view of Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliff 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley floor. Taktsang, meaning "tiger's nest," is Bhutan's most spiritual place and a major pilgrimage spot. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, Taktsang has been completely rebuilt. After a tea break, you can sit outside and admire the monastery and its beautiful surroundings or, if you feel energetic, continue another hour to a closer viewpoint. Enjoy free afternoon time to explore Paro on your own.
Accommodation: Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Begin Trek at Shana
1-hour vehicle transfer
3.5–4 hours/5 miles hiking with 800’ elevation gain
Your epic Chomolhari trek begins today with a drive past Drukgyel Dzong (8,500'), built in 1649 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over the Tibetan armies and to guard the Paro Valley against further aggressions. In 1951 the dzong caught fire; the only repair was the shingled roof erected in 1985. Today it's an empty shell — a place to meditate on the past. Continue just past Shana Zampa (bridge), where pack ponies are loaded up with trekking gear. And you're off! After a few hours, arrive at your first campsite by the river.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp—Chomolhari Trek
(B, L, D)
Day 7 Behold Chomolhari
7–8 hours/10 miles hiking with 2,540 elevation gain
This is a long, hard day with lots of ups, downs, and rock-hopping; it can be very muddy. But it's worth it! Continue up through the Paro River valley, which gradually narrows as the trail leads higher, winding up and down through thick, lush forest of oak, pine, and juniper. The trail becomes rocky, muddy, and strenuous, climbing up and down while slowly gaining altitude. As you approach your camp at Soi Thangthangkha (11,840'), weather permitting you begin to see the snowcapped summit of Chomolhari (24,035') — a mountain sacred to the Bhutanese.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp—Chomolhari Trek
(B, L, D)
Day 8 Ascend to Jangothang
5.5–6 hours/11.5 miles hiking with 1,542 elevation gain
Continue following the Paro River on a demanding, rocky trail until the valley widens again, opening to a spectacular area surrounded by high, snowcapped ridges. A few yak-herding families are based in this area, and you may be lucky enough to pay them a visit and try some of their dried yak cheese. Tonight you camp at Jangothang (13,382') below a ruined fortress near the base of Chomolhari.
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Rest and Explore at Camp
Today is a free day to rest and explore the area. You can hike to an open area and simply sit and watch the grazing blue sheep (known locally as bharal), or you can walk to a nearby glacier at the foot of Chomolhari. Of course, you can also opt to stay at camp, take in the views, and rest for the challenging day ahead.
(B, L, D)
Day 10 Cross Bhonte La
8–9 hours/10–12 miles hiking with 2,618’ elevation gain & 3,550’ elevation loss.
Start out with a short, steep hike to Tshopu (14,300'), one of two trout-filled glacial lakes you'll pass en route to Bhonte La (Bhonte Pass, 16,000'). See blue sheep, fat marmots, and migrating Himalayan birds, plus incredible views of Jichu Drake (21,857'). After lunch cross Bhonte La and make a long, steep descent to the yak-herding valley of Soi Yaksa (12,450'). The few families who live in this area produce some of the best yak-wool cloth around. Yak herders may come to camp selling cloth, yak tassels and ropes, and jewelry.
(B, L, D)
Day 11 Pass Over Thombu La
5–6 hours/7–8 miles hiking with 2,350’ elevation gain & 1,100’ elevation loss
Ease into today with a very gentle uphill hike to the top of the Soi Yaksa valley's eastern ridge. From here, enjoy an incredible view of the mountainous amphitheater to the north. Slowly the very top of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake reappear on the horizon. After lunch, cross Thombu La (14,800'), enjoy panoramic views of the eastern Himalaya (if it's clear, you can even see Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain!), then descend to camp (13,700'). This area is yak pastureland, and you'll probably see nomadic yak herders camping in traditional woolen tents.
(B, L, D)
Day 12 End Trek in Shana
1-hour private van transfer
5–6 hours/6–7 miles hiking with 4,500 elevation loss
After a short, steep climb out of camp, leave the remote mountain area by following a ridge. From this vantage point you get a glimpse of the Paro Valley to the south before you start the steep descent (4,500' of elevation drop) for most of the afternoon and return to the area where you camped on the first night of the trek. Here, bid farewell to the staff and ponies before taking the van back to Paro. After check-in at the hotel, enjoy some free time to shop or relax before a festive farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel
(B, L, D)
Day 13 Return to Bangkok
4-hour flight
Bid a fond farewell to the "happiest country in the world" as you take an early morning transfer to the Paro airport for departure to Bangkok. Upon arrival, take the shuttle to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to shop, sightsee, and enjoy lunch and dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
(B)
Day 14 Depart for Home
Take the hotel shuttle to the international terminal and depart on your homeward-bound flight. Or if you'd prefer to spend a bit more time in Asia, join one of our exciting extensions in India, Vietnam, or Cambodia. Ask our Regional Specialist for details!
Accommodation: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
