Haa Nub Tshona Pata Trek
Nub Tshona Pata Trek is one of the best natural treks in the country. Not many tourists have been on this trek and you may want to explore its uniqueness. You will visit Thimphu, Paro and Haa and will have the opportunity to experience the culture of the region and also see the environmental at its best. The treks start and ends in the Haa valley. The journey takes you through rich flora and fauna offering excellent views of the giant Himalayan mountain peaks. You will also encounter several high altitude glacier virgin lakes and rich Himalayan eco-system. Gorgeous landscapes, beautiful alpine lakes and the beautiful golden rays at the sunset are some of things that the nature here has to offer. This is a 7 days’ trek.
Brief Description of Cities covered in this tour
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
Haa - Haa valley is located 65 km from Paro Valley across Chelela Pass, the highest motorable road in the country - Opened to tourism only in 2002 and one of the less visited places in Bhutan - Smallest, beautiful and the Second least populated district in Bhutan - Haa is the ancestral home of the Queen Grandmother and the illustrious Dorji family.
- Cross the Chele La Mountain pass, the highest road pass in Bhutan, to get to Haa
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality and see the prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Village houses and rural life
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More
- Marvel at structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- Beautiful landscapes and spectacular Himalayan scenery.
Day 1. Arrive Paro:
Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Thereafter you are driven to your hotel and do your check in. Lunch would be provided at the hotel only. You can relax for the rest of the day. In the evening, explore the Paro Town and valley.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 2. Paro Sightseeing :
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic Lunch among the woods. After lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
In the evening take a walk around Paro Town and valley. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping district.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 3. Paro - Haa:
Driving Distance: 65 kms, Driving Time: 2 hrs – 3 hrs, Altitude of Haa Valley: 2700 m
After breakfast, drive to Haa via Chele la Pass. Stop at Chele la pass and enjoy the view of High mountains and the prayer flags. You can put up your own prayer flags here.
- Chele la (pass) is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. The ride passes through lush valleys, pine and rhododendron forest. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.
Drive further to Haa Valley. The valley was opened to foreign tourist only in the year 2002. The valley is also unparalleled in Bhutan in terms of the diversity of the folk culture, legends and shamanistic rituals. The shamanistic traditions are vividly practiced in almost all the communities, most notable of which is the annual ceremony to honor Ap Chundu, the Guardian Deity of the valley. The valley is also a paradise for nature lovers and travelling there is a very rewarding experience. Enroute stop for lunch. In Haa, you can visit,
- 7th century Lhakhang Karpo (White temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black temple) at the foothills of a venerated three brotherly mountains known as Meri Puensum. The grand annual Haa Tshechu is also performed here at Lhakhang Karpo on the 8th-10th day of the 8th Bhutanese month.
- Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong built in 1915 after the Dumchog Dzong was razed to the ground by fire.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Haa.
Day 4. Haa Kajena - Tshokam (Start of Trek):
Altitude 3,615 m, Distance: 4 Kms, Time 4 hrs - 5 hrs; Ascent 800 m
The day starts with a climb to Bjana Dingkha monastery, one of the four main monasteries of the Haa valley. Visit the monastery. After lunch continue the climb to Tshokam (3,500m). We will camp at Tshokam.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 5. Tshokam - Wangjithang:
Altitude 3,650 m, Distance: 6.5 Kms, Time 6 hrs - 7 hrs; Ascent 600 m; Descent 560 m
The trail leads towards Yulo (3,870 m) and gradually ascends to Tsabjola (4,100m) and then descends to Wangjithang, summer pasture land of Isu block. We will camp at Wangjithang.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 6. Wangjithang - Nub Tshona Pata:
Altitude 4,100 m, Distance: 9 Kms, Time 6 hrs - 8 hrs; Ascent 1,000 m; Descent 500 m
The day starts with a climb to Gangche (4,180 m) and then steeply descends towards Chhosholumpa (3,830 m) after which it again ascends via Ghoom Maru and finally crosses Tsejey la (4,340 m). On a clear day you can view Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain of Bhutan and the Table Mountain in the east and to the west you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga the third highest mountain in the world. In the same direction, one can view Mt. Chundu gang, considered the sacred mountain of the Haa valley. One can also view Mt. Jichu Drake, Tserim Gang and Gangche Tag. From the pass we will descend to Nub Tshona Pata (4,180 m).
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 7. Nub Tshona Pata: Day of Rest :
Explore around the Nub Tshona Pata lake and enjoy the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. One may also be able to spot blue sheep, marmots and many different species of birds.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 8. Nub Tshona Pata - Regona:
Altitude 4,045 m, Distance: 8 Kms, Time 5 hrs - 6 hrs; Ascent 540 m; Descent 620 m
Making a gradual climb to Dongkacheydola (4,030 m) one can enjoy the splendid view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and surrounding mountains. Then descend to Sephu through dwarf rhododendrons and a climb to the yak herders camp and finally again descend to Regona (3,940m). Camp at Regona.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 9. Regona - Yulo:
Altitude 4,070 m, Distance: 9 Kms, Time 6 hrs - 7 hrs; Ascent 630 m; Descent 620 m
Climb to Bjara la (4,050 m) and enjoy the views of Mt. Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, if the weather is clear and then gradually descend to Yulo camp.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 10. Yulo - Lukha - Haa:
While descending through silver fir and pine forest you may spot pheasants (monal). We continue descent to Lukha and reach the Haa valley or Haa town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel in Haa.
Day 11. Haa - Thimphu:
Driving Distance 115 Kms; Driving time: 3 hrs - 4 hrs, Altitude of Thimphu: 2320 m.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Lunch at Thimphu and complete check in formalities. After lunch is a time to refresh in the cool breeze of the Himalayas with the perfect views of the Thimphu valley. Visit the following:
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten.
- Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 12. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, complete the balance sightseeing of the city. You would visit:
- Zorig Chusom, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu built with an objective to preserve the “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.
- Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households
- Changangkha Monastery, popular fortress like temple perched on a ridge above Central Thimphu built in 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo.
- Textile Museum: This Textile Museum is operated by the National Commission for Cultural Affairs of Bhutan. The Museum was established in the year 2001 and has a good collection of exclusive and antique Bhutanese textile artifacts.
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
Lunch would be provided at the local restaurant. After the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel. After relaxing for sometime you are served with dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 13. Thimphu - Paro:
Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving hrs. 1.50 hrs – 2 hrs., Altitude of Paro: 2250 m.
After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way, visit
- Visit Tamchog Lhakhang, located along Paro-Thimphu highway on the base of a mountain across the Pa Chhu river built in the early 15th century by the great iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.
After arrival in Paro, check in to the Hotel. In the Afternoon post lunch, visit
- Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646
- Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
In the evening, explore the Paro Valley and town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 14. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you mist have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.