Bhutan11 days
Yaksa Trek: Jomolhari Valley & High Passes — 11 Days
11-day high-altitude trek through Bhutan's remote Paro Valley, crossing four passes above 4,380 meters with views of Mount Jomolhari and encounters with yak herders.
The Yaksa Trek traverses Bhutan's northern wilderness, beginning with acclimatization hikes to Taktshang Monastery and Chele La Pass before ascending into the Paro Valley. From the settlement of Shana, the route climbs through pine and rhododendron forests to alpine meadows, following river valleys toward Mount Jomolhari. The trek crosses four high passes—Bhonte La (4,890 m), Takhung La (4,520 m), Thombu La (4,380 m), and the unnamed ridges between—passing yak herder camps and ruined fortresses. The return to lower elevations descends via the Gunitsawa helipad to Thimphu, where a final day allows time in the capital before departure.
Best time to go: Apr-June Sept - Nov.
Highlights
- Acclimatization hike to Taktshang Monastery overlooking the Paro Valley
- Trek through rhododendron and pine forest from Shana to Jomolhari base camp (3,680 m)
- High-altitude crossing of Bhonte La Pass (4,890 m) with views of Jichu Drake and unclaimed ridges
- Encounters with yak herders at 4,040 meters in the Paro Chhu river valley
- Crossing of Takhung La (4,520 m) and descent to Thombu Shong yak herder settlement
- Final descent from Thombu La (4,380 m) to Gunitsawa helipad (2,730 m)
Day by day
1Arrival in ParoParo International Airport
Arrive at Paro International Airport.
2Taktshang Monastery HikeTaktshang Monastery
Hike to Taktshang Monastery, perched on cliffs above Paro Valley. Early acclimatization for the trek ahead.
3Chele La Pass and Kila Gompa NunneryChele La Pass · Kila Gompa nunnery
A second acclimatization hike to Chele La Pass. The route also includes a visit to Kila Gompa nunnery, accessible from the pass.
4Shana to Jomolhari Base CampShana · Shana to Jomolhari Base Camp · Jomolhari Base Camp
An early morning drive of approximately two hours on farm roads leads to Shana, where the trek formally begins. The route ascends through river valley terrain, passing through pine and rhododendron forests. Sections of the forest show evidence of recent clearing for electricity infrastructure to Jangothang and Lingshi. The trail turns northward toward Mount Jomolhari, visible from higher elevations in the valley. Camp is established at 3,680 meters.
Trek distance: 19 km; Trek time: 8–9 hours.
5Paro Chhu Valley to Jomolhari BaseParo Chhu Valley · Paro Chhu river valley at 4,040 meters · Mount Jomolhari base camp
The trail continues alongside the river, passing a small military post as the valley begins to widen. High ridges and snow-capped peaks appear on all sides. At approximately 4,040 meters, yaks and yak herders become visible. The camp lies beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari.
Trek distance: 19 km; Trek time: 6 hours.
6Acclimatization Day at Jomolhari Base CampJomolhari base camp · sacred lakes at Tsophu · Mount Jomolhari · Jichu Drake
A rest day at Jomolhari base camp offers options to walk to the sacred lakes at Tsophu or wander in various directions—toward Mount Jomolhari itself, to Jichu Drake to the north, or toward unclaimed summits and ridges to the east.
7Tsophu Lakes and Bhonte La PassBhonte La · Paro Chhu · Tshophu lakes · Dhumzo Chhu river · Chora
The trail crosses the Paro Chhu on a wooden bridge, then climbs the hillside to Tshophu lakes at 4,380 meters. From there, the route continues high above the eastern edge of the second lake across a scree slope to a crest. After descending into a hidden valley, a steep climb leads to Bhonte La at 4,890 meters. From the pass, the trail switchbacks down to the Dhumzo Chhu river, then climbs briefly to camp in a meadow at Chora (3,800 m).
Trek distance: 16 km; Trek time: 6–7 hours.
8Chora to Thombu ShongThombu Shong · Takhung La
The trail climbs 100 meters over a ridge, then descends to another stream. After crossing, it ascends the hillside, dips into a small side valley, and emerges onto a ridge where the route turns south. The path continues past a few huts to Takhung La at 4,520 meters. A brief descent leads to Thombu Shong, a settlement of three yak herder huts where camp is established at 4,180 meters.
Trek distance: 12 km; Trek time: 5 hours.
9Thombu La Pass to GunitsawaThombu La · Gunitsawa · ridge to Gunitsawa
The trek climbs out of the valley to Thombu La at 4,380 meters, then descends gradually to approximately 4,000 meters. A steep descent with switchbacks down the ridge eventually reaches the helipad at Gunitsawa (2,730 m), where a driver provides transport to Thimphu.
Trek distance: 13 km; Trek time: 5 hours.
10Sightseeing in ThimphuThimphu · Bhutan's capital
Visit Bhutan's capital on foot. Overnight in Thimphu.
11Departure from Paro International AirportParo International Airport
Depart from Paro International Airport, carrying memories and new perspectives forward.
Where you go
- 1Paro International Airport
- 2Taktshang Monastery
- 3Chele La Pass
- 4Kila Gompa nunnery
- 5Shana
- 6Jomolhari Base Camp
- 7Thombu La
- 8Thimphu
- 9Paro International Airport