“Trekking to the three spiritual brother mountains of Bhutan”

DAY ONE - BUMTHANG – KHAGTANG(TREK):
Drive to the north Kurjey valley (8800ft). Start the trek at the Tokto zampa (Bridge) and within 20 minutes you come to Thangbi Lhakhang, a 15th century Monastery founded by Shamar Rimpochey with the eight statues of bodhisattvas and two protector deities. Continue up the valley, following the feeder road till Shabjithang Community School. Then pass through Nasphey village to Khagtang. Overnight at Khagtang. The camp is at 9426ft and the trek distance about 6 hours.

DAY TWO - KHAGTANG – KUPHU (TREK):
Continue trek up the west of the Chamkhar Chu, through rolling terrain of bamboos and meadows. We will pass several wooden bridges (which we do not cross) and finally arrive at a suspension bridge which we will cross. The camp is at Kuphu at 10750ft and the trek distance is approximately 7 hours.

DAY THREE - KUPHU – JIUTHANGKA(TREK):
Continue trek by ascending the east bank of the Chamkhar Chu through high altitude bamboo and rhododendron grooves into spruce, fir, juniper, and birch forests to the last settlement in the valley with a small Royal Bhutan Army post at (Tsampa). By lunchtime you will be in proper Tsampa Gompa and cross the bridge where the trail leads to Jiuthangka. Camp at Jiuthangka at 12540ft. The trekking distance is about 7 hours.

DAY FOUR - JIUTHANGKA – BA MARPO(TREK)(Base of Gangkharpunsum):
From our camp at Jiuthangka if the weather is clear you will have the first magnificent view of Gangkhar Punsum, the three brother mountains. After breakfast start the trek with gradual walk, which finally ends at Ba Marpo, the base of Gangkhar Punsum. We camp at an altitude of 14800ft. The trekking distance is about 7 hours.

DAY FIVE - BA MARPO(GANGKHAR PUNSEUM):
Today you can either hike or explore the area around the base of Gangkhar Punsum.

DAY SIX - BA MARPO – TSAMPA GOMPA(TREK):
Today we return down the valley and cross the river over a wooden bridge just above the Tsampa Gompa for a secluded riverside camp. The camp is at 12175ft. The trekking distance is about 7 hours.

DAY SEVEN: - TSAMPA GOMPA – TOLEYTHANG(TREK):
Today the operative word is up but the reward is a glorious hanging valley with a chance to see blue sheep, blood pheasant, the extraordinary blue Himalayan monal and the largest bird in the Himalayas, the lammergeyer–all seen here on our reconnaissance. We will camp at 14,600ft. The trekking distance is about 6-7 hours.

DAY EIGHT - TOLEYTHANG – TA SHE SA(CHOCKOMEY):
We move easily along the valley floor for an hour, pass an alpine lake and then up through to the Toley Pass at 5685m. From the pass, going all the way down hill we reach the camp site. It is located at approximately 13625ft. The trekking distance is about 7 hours.

DAY NINE - TA SHESA (CHOCKOMEY)-GORSUM – JAKAR:
After early breakfast start the trek downwards where you will reach the tree line. From Gorsum, the trek is gradually down hill until we reach Menchungang where the vehicle will be waiting for our arrival. From Menchungang, we will drive to Jakar (Bumthang) for overnight.

This trek can be done in 15 days, including your round trip journey from Paro to Bumthang and some sightseeing along the journey. The actual trekking duration is just nine days only. Write to us for details, so that we can design the programe to suit your needs.

Tashi Delek and Bon Voyage

Important Note:
Season:Mid April – June, September & October.
Group condition: Minimum of three persons.
Climate: Days are normally warm but nights can be cold with temperatures falling below freezing level. Normally we have monsoon showers (heaviest in July & August) and sometimes even in spring and autumn.
What to bring:Strong, comfortable trekking boots, sun-glasses, lots of spare vests and socks/stockings, headgear and a raincoat. Warm clothing will be required for the evenings and a down jacket is a must. A good quality sleeping bag that will keep you warm below zero degree is a must. It is advisable that the sleeping bag quality is from medium to heavy duty. (Note: personal baggage for trekking is limited to 25kgs per person.)
Recommendation: This trek is a fairly difficult one and demand's good physical form. A physical fitness checkup is a must. For those without previous trekking experience, 1-2 month preparation is advised.