SOE YAKSA TREK

General Information

• Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
• Price: US$ 4250
• Destination: Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Jumolhari Trek)
• Accommodation: Hotels in major cities and tented camps during the trek
• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D) included daily
• Guide & Transport: Provided by a local Bhutanese company, including an experienced guide, private vehicle with a driver, and support during the trek.

 

Trip Highlights

• Cultural Exploration: Visit significant religious and historical sites including dzongs, monasteries, and temples in Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro.
• Trekking Experience: Embark on the Jumolhari Soi Yaksa Trek, one of Bhutan's most scenic and rewarding treks, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks, remote valleys, and high mountain passes.
• Cycling: Enjoy a scenic bike ride from Thimphu to Paro, passing through picturesque villages and valleys.
• Local Experiences: Participate in traditional Bhutanese cultural activities, visit local markets, and stay in a rural setting during the trek.

 

What to Pack

• Clothing: Layered clothing suitable for varying temperatures, including warm clothing for mornings and evenings. Ensure you have suitable trekking gear.
• Footwear: Comfortable hiking boots for the trek and casual shoes for city exploration.
• Essentials: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, reusable water bottle, a small daypack, and trekking poles if needed.
• Documents: Passport, visa clearance letter, travel insurance details, and copies of important documents.

 

Cultural Etiquette

• Respect: Bhutan is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Always ask for permission before taking photographs of people or inside temples.
• Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering temples and religious sites.
• Language: English is widely spoken

 

Additional Tips

• Currency: The local currency is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN). Credit cards are accepted in some places, but it’s good to carry cash for smaller shops and markets.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though it may be slow in some areas. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for better connectivity during your stay.

Embark on this incredible journey through Bhutan’s pristine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and challenging mountain trails, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO, DRIVE TO THIMPHU (L/D) Please check-in the airport in before 2 hours of departure time. Keep passport and Visa Clearance letter (which will be emailed to you in advance) handy to be shown to the authorities on demand. Passport copy and visa clearance are must to board Druk Air flight to Paro. Keep your copy of the visa clearance letter handy. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival in Paro airport. Upon arrival in Paro, clear customs and immigration. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal building and transfer to Thimphu. Enroute, you will stop to visit Tamchog Lhakhang located at the other side of the river and connected by sacred suspension bridge dating back to 13^TH century Saint Thangthong Gyalpo.  Upon reaching Thimphu, If time permits stroll around the capital city. Overnight hotel, Thimphu.   Drive from Paro to Thimphu:  The distance of about 65kms from Paro town takes about little more than 1 hour. Drive south following Pachu river to the river confluence at Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, the drive takes about 1 hour, staying close to the Wangchu River in the valley floor, as you pass through villages and suburbs to the capital, Thimphu.  En-route, you can stop to view Tachogang temple and the nunnery at Sitsina.   Thimphu (2,300m): was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan's official national capital. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the royal and main government offices. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights with estimated population of 120,000 people.   DAY 02: THIMPHU (B/L/D) Full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit Memorial Chorten, Takin Sanctuary, Buddha Point, handmade paper factory and weekend market.  Towards end of the day visit Tashicho Dzong. Overnight at hotel, Thimphu.   Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.   Takin Sanctuary:  Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country’s history and mythology.  It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles like a cow from back and goat in the front and continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.   Buddha Point: This is a new monument and main highlight of Thimphu valley. It has 165 meter high Buddha Statue   Paper Factory:  Traditional papers were made from the daphne plant, using simple methods.   Weekend Market: The colorful weekend market of Thimphu is held from Friday-Sunday. Residents of Thimphu and country sides come to shop for food and clothes. There are some handicrafts and gifts shop as well, and provide a great photography scene. Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan's spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.   DAY 03: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (B/L/D) Drive to Punakha (3 hours drive). In the afternoon, easy hike to the Fertility Temple (Chimi Lhakhang) and visit historical Punakha Dzong – the sacred site of Royal Wedding. Overnight hotel, Punakha.   Drive from Thimphu  to Punakha/Wangdue: The drive from Thimphu (75kms) takes about 2 ½ hours. The road climbs from Thimphu to Dochula pass and descends through ever changing forests into the semi-tropical valley of Punakha and Wangdi at around 1200m. En-route stop at Dochula pass (3050m) where you can view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum (7,550m).   Fertility Temple (Chimi Lhakhang):  a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, on which a temple was later built in 15th century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags, sits atop a picturesque hill. It has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. This easy walk takes about ½ hour each way. Punakha Dzong: or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang "Palace of Great Happiness" popularly known as Punakha Dzong, located on the confluence of two rivers; Pho and Mochu was built in 1637 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal. It serves as winter residence for the Central Monastic body, which migrate from Thimphu to Punakha in the winter. It is also the venue for Punakha Festival held in February or March. Punakha and Wangdue: Punakha and Wangdue, although two separate districts, are located in one valley (20km/ ½ hr drive apart) and they are at the lower elevation of about 1,250m with pleasant winters. Cactuses, Oranges, bananas and sub-tropical plants are found here. Punakha was once the winter capital of Bhutan, the tradition that is still held by the Central Monastic body.   DAY 04: PUNAKHA – WANDUE - THIMPHU (B/L/D) After breakfast, drive to Wandue for 20 minutes to visit newly consecrated huge Wangduephodrang Dzong. Later, drive to Thimphu. Overnight hotel, Thimphu.   Drive from Wandue to Thimphu: The drive to Thimphu takes about 2 ½ hours covering distance of approx. 80 km. The road climbs towards Dochula pass (3,050m), where you have another opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Descend to Thimphu from Dochula takes about 40 minutes.   DAY 05: BIKE FROM THIMPHU – PARO (B/L/D) After breakfast, bike to Paro which is 65 km from Thimphu, along the western branch of lateral highway that runs close to the Wangchu river in the valley foor, through the suburbs and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, it is north-west for about ½ hour, following Pa Chu river upstream, passing Tachogang temple on the other side of the river, then through relatively straight road, into the villages and farm houses of Paro valley. Distance 65km.   In Paro, visit National Museum and Rinpung Dzong. Overnight hotel, Paro.   National Museum: Established in 1967, the museum is housed inside a circular Ta Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower. It holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, households stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan’s famous Stamps among others. (open 10-4pm – closed on Monday).     Rinpung Dzong: meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". Built in mid 17th century, it now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro district and residence for the 200 monks of Paro. It is also the venue for Paro festival held in the spring. Several years ago, the colourful movie Little Buddha was filmed here.     Paro: Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan’s only airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the most popular and important sites also found within Paro district. Paro town (2,280m) is still a small with one main street and less then one hundred small family-run shops. The weekend market in Paro is held on Saturdays   DAY 06: PARO – HIKE TO TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY & DRIVE TO SHANA (B/L/D) After breakfast, hike to famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery and drive to your trekking point at Shana for 2 hours. Overnight at camp, Shana.   Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery): Drive to north of Paro town for about ½ hr and embark on a trek to the famed Taktsang (Tiger’s lair) monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a 1,000m seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff, above Paro valley. The trail begins near the Satsam (2650m) and climbs steeply uphill to the Cafeteria (2,940m), an area of exposed ridge with panoramic view of Takstang. This takes little more than an hour. (Ponies are provided on request to ride up till this Cafeteria, but rest of way, including return downhill must be on foot.) You can get a good view from the Cafeteria or hike further uphill for another hour or so to the temple itself. There are several other temples and sites within the vicinity. Lunch can be eaten at the tea house. The return trek to the road head is quite steep downhill to the point where you will be met by the transport and driven to Paro. DRIVE TO SHANA: drive to Shana 2 hours following the river gently uphill through a narrowing valley of paddy fields. You will find plenty of traditional farm houses in a purely rural setting. The camp site is just beyond an army outpost. Alt. 2800m.   DAY 07: TREK SHANA – SOE THANGTHANGKHA (B/L/D) Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the drainage. Most of the trail actually is down hill after the initial climb. The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt. approx. 3400m, distance 22 km, walking time 7 hours with 780 m ascend. Overnights in Tents.   DAY 08: TREK SOE THANGTHANGKHA – JANGOTHANG (B/L/D) Walk up along the Pachu (Paro river), pass a small army outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can now clearly view the high ridges and the snow capped mountains all around and also see the yaks and the yak herders winter homes. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of the Chomolhari mountain. Alt. 4040m. , Distance 19 km and time 5-6 hours with 480 m ascend. Overnight in Tents.   DAY 09: JANGOTHANG HALT (B/L/D) Jangothang is one of the most spectacular camping places in the entire Himalayas. Chain of snow peaks form the eastern side of Paro river, which is clear little brook here, and there are Yak herders villages, and trout filled lakes to visit.  You may hike towards the glaciers of Chomolhari, or towards the Tshophu Lakes for manificient views or fishing or explore the nomad’s houses villages. Of course, you can also opt to stay at camp, take in the views, and rest for the challenging day ahead. Overnight in Tents.   DAY 10: TREK JANGOTHANG – SOI YAKSA (B/L/D) The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to Bhonte La pass at 4,890 m, the highest point of this trek route. Reaching the Dhumzo Chhu river, you trek downstream passing the few houses of Soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp soon after. Camp 3800 m; Distance 16 km; walking time 6-7 hours; Ascent 810 m, descent 1,090 m DAY 11: TREK SOI YAKSA - THOMBU SHONG (B/L/D) The trail climbs 100m over a ridge to drop to another stream then. After crossing the Takhung La pass (4,520m) you descent to Thombu Shong, three yak herder huts with your campsite next to them. Camp 4,180 m; Distance 11 km; walking time 4-5 hours; Ascent 720 m, descent 340 m DAY 12: TREK THOMBU SHONG – SHANA – PARO (B/L/D) Crossing Thombu La pass (4,380m), trail makes a steep descent, zigzagging down the ridge through wildflower bushes, mostly edelweiss, before reaching Gunitsawa and finally Shana Zampa (2580m), where you will meet your transport and drive to hotel in Paro for about 2 hours. Distance 13 km; walking time 4-5 hours; Ascent 200 m, descent 1650 m. Drive to Paro from Shana for about 2 hours. Overnight hotel, Paro. DAY 13: PARO -DEPART (B) After breakfast drive to the airport for your flight to onward destination with wonderful memories of Bhutan. Tashi Delek !