Soi Yaksa Trek 11 Nights - 12 Days Tour

Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days

Destination Covered : Thimphu, Paro, Punakha

Tour Activities : Trekking

Tour Themes : Adventure Tours, Hill Stations & Valleys, Religious & Pilgrimage, Culture & Heritage

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Thimphu, Paro and Punakha Tour Overview

Soi Yaksa trek known by different names such as Jumolhari Trek II, Yaksa Trek or simply the Jumolhari Loop is a breathtaking mountain journey that you will cherish forever. Yaksa litterly means the land of yaks and a highlander village that you will come across on the trek is known as Soi. If you desire to stand infront of a massive snow peak mountain of grater Himalaya such as Jomolhari and jechu darke without actually having to venture into high passes trap, Yaksa Trek is indeed right for you.

Trip Facts

Duration: 12 Days
Group Size: 2 & above
Trek grade: Medium to Hard
Accommodation: Hotels/Camping
Avg. Walking Dist.: 16 Km
Best season: May, Sep & Oct
Avg. Walking Time: 7 Hours
Max. Elevation: 4890m

Tour highlights

Moderately High-Altitude trek.
Great views of Jomolhari and Jyichu Drakye peaks
Two nights in gorgeous Jangothang campsite at the base of Jomolhari. 4,890 meters high Bonte-la pass.
Twin Tshophu lake visit.
Paro and Thimphu sightseeings.

Thimphu, Paro and Punakha Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Paro

Fly into Paro Valley on our national airlines, Drukair or the Bhutan Airlines. In clear weather, you can witness magnificent views of the world’s highest peak. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane – a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. Our guide and driver will receive you with warm well come and lead you around on your Bhutan tour. Relax and enjoy the beauty of Bhutan as you proceed away from the airport for some sightseeing in Paro. Explore Paro town and getting yourself introduced to the first Bhutanese town. Drive to Tadzong and visit the National Museum. later walk down to visit Paro Rinpong Dzong. If time permits visit one of the holiest temples in Bhutan, Dungtse Lhakhang, built in 1421 by the famous Tibetan Lama, Thangton Gyelpo and Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659 AD.

Day 2

Acclimatization hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Distance: 6.5 km (Round trip)
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Altitude: 3100m

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m gives you acclimatization for the next day’s trek. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Explore the Monastery and hike back to Paro. On the way, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

Day 3

Paro to Sharna Zampa - Trek Starts

Distance: 15km
Time: 5-6 hours
Ascent: 300M
Descent: 0m
Camp Alt: 2870M

You will drive 12km north of Paro valley from your hotel to the trek start point at the historic Drugyel Dzong (Rebuilt) (2580m). Your trekking crew will be waiting here for you. After a brief meeting, you will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Pachhu (river), which then climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Soon the valley widens and the route enters an area of apple orchards, traditional farmhouses and the tiny settlements of Mitshi Zampa and Sangatan. You reach the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810 after walking for a while through blue pine forest. Here your trekking permit will be checked and stamped. You will then cross Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa at 2,870m. Just beyond Sharna Zampa, there are several meadows surrounded by trees where you will camp for tonight.

Day 4

Shana to Soi Thangthanka

Distance: 22km
Time: 6-8hr
Ascent: 900m
Descent: 0m
Camp Alt: 3750M

This is a hard day as the altitude gain is above the limit. You will come across the first bridge en route from Tibet to Bhutan that was used by the travellers once upon a time. The trail climbs steadily through beautiful thick forest consisting mainly of, Oak, Rhododendron, Bamboo, Fern, Birch, Fir, Larch, Maple and Blue Pine. The route has lots of small rises and drops with a vision of amazing snow-capped Jhomolhari on the north. The hard day of walking comes to an end at Soi Thangthanka camp, which is in a big meadow.

Day 5

Soi Thangthanka to Jangothang

Distance: 15km
Time: 4-6hr
Ascent: 469m
Descent: 0m
Camp Alt. 4040m

The view of Jhomolhari fades away as you leave the camp inflowing forest on the way towards the Army camp. Late in spring, Blue Poppy (Bhutan’s national flower) has been spotted. The Military camp has Bhutanese and Indian army personnel guarding another pass to Tibet. The trail takes you through some remote villages and you might be invited into one of the houses for a cup of famous butter tea. After crossing the settlements, the summits of spiky peak Jitchu Drakey, Tshering Kang and Jhomolhari appear to get closer. Cross a bridge and suddenly the irresistible snow-and-ice- covered east face of Jhomolhari appears, with its massive 3200m- high wall of granite, marble, and quartzite. You have reached Jhomolhari camp.

Day 6

Rest Day at Jhomolhari camp

Rest day at Jhomolhari camp will help with acclimatisation as most people will feel the effects of ascending 1800m in three days. There are some good day hikes from the camp, and it is important to hike so that you will acclimatise. Follow the standard trek rule: trek high, sleep low.

Day 7

Jangothang to Soi Yaksa

Distance:16km
Time: 6-7 hours
Ascent: 810m
Descent:1090m
Camp Alt: 3800m

The trail leads north crossing the Paro Chhu (river) on a wooden bridge. Climb the hillside to the lakes of Tshophu (4380m) and continue high above the eastern side of the second lake across a scree slope to a crest. Towards north one can see Chazhi thang valley spread out towards Nachung la. Early summer yak herders gather here and starts looking for cordyceps plants, a fungus with high medicinal value. Descend into a hidden valley and climb steeply to Bhonte La at 4890m. Superb view of Mount. Jomolhari and Mount. Jechudarkey remain stunning all through. From the pass the trail eventually switchbacks down to the Dhumzo Chhu and after you cross the river there is a short climb to your camp site in a meadow at Chora at 3800m.

Day 8

Soe Yaksa to Thongbu Shong

Distance: 11km
Time: 4-5 hours
Ascent: 720m
Descent: 340m
Camp Alt.: 4180m

The trail climbs over 100m over a ridge, and then drops to another stream. Crossing that stream, the trail heads up the hillside, dropping into a small side valley before emerging onto a ridge. Here the route turns south, ascending past few huts to Takhung La (4520 m). A short descend leads to wide and grassy Thombu Shong (4180m) with few yak herder’s huts.

Day 9

Thongbu shong to Thimphu

Distance: 13km
Time: 4-5 hours
Ascent: 200m
Descent:1650m
Camp Alt.: 2730m

Climb out of the valley through rhododendron forests to Thombu La at 4380m. On clear weather, great views of Mount Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, Teri Kang and even Kanchenjunga from the pass is rewarding and a treat for the hectic minds. Trail then drops gradually to about 4000m, switching back down the ridge, you finally reach the helipad at Gunitsawa (2730m). Your vehicle will be waiting here to pick you up. Drive to Thimphu where you can celebrate your return to civilization with a refreshing shower in the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 10

Thimphu to Punakha

Driving Distance: 76Km,
Time: 2hour drive
Punakha Alt.: 1500m,

In the morning, we will explore Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu through Takin Sanctuary, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts and Crafts, Biggest Buddha statute and Trashichho Dzong. After sightseeing in Thimphu (2360m), we will drive to Punakha (76km, about 2.5h) via Dochula Pass. Later at Lobesa walk through rice fields and pass through clusters of farm house to reach the fertility Temple founded by Divine Mad man.

Day 11

Punakha to Paro

Driving Distance: 130 km
Time: 3hours
Paro Alt.: 2344m

In the morning hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten and visit Punakha Dzong. Cool breeze walking on the country’s longest suspension bridge over Phochu about few minutes away from the Dzong is not to be missed. Later stroll in Kuruthang town for some time and have lunch there.

In the afternoon drive back to Paro. (115km, about 3hrs).

Day 12