Haa Valley-Saga La-Drugyal Trek
Day 1: Arrival Paro and sightseeing
Day 2: Hike to Tiger’s Nest for acclimatization
Day 3: Drive to Haa en route Chelela pass and halt in Haa
Day 4: Trek commences from Yangtong to Khaday Gom
Day 5: Khaday Gom to Dongney Tsho
Day 6: Dongney Tsho Drugyal Dzong
Day 7: Exit to Bangkok
Grade easy-moderate
Time: 3 days
Distance: 14.3 miles/23 km
Altitude gain: 3306ft/1008 meter
Altitude loss: 3739ft/1140m
Status: Double check if open
Day 1: Traditional welcome by Bhutan Abbot Representative on arrival at Paro international airport and straight drive to hotel for the arrival refreshment. After a brief fresh up in the hotel begins the orientation tour in Paro which includes visit to Paro Ringpung Dzong, Drugyal Dzong and Kichu Monastery. Evening leisure hour in the main town of Paro. Over night at hotel.
Day 2: Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the north of Paro to hike to the Tiger’s nest. Today’s hike to Paro Taktshang will measure the strength to do the Haa trek. The hike is four hikes and one will experience the bliss of Himalayan trek and hike. Visit to the Tiger’s nest will bring peace, happiness and success in ones life. The place had been blessed by a great Indian saint who introduces Buddhism in Bhutan in eight century. Lunch will be served in the Taktshang cafeteria and leisure hour in the Paro town in the evening. Over night at hotel in Paro
Day 3: early break fast in the hotel and drive to Haa en route Chele la pass from where one can see the breathtaking view of Mount Jhomolhari (7315m). On the way hike to Kila Nunnery centre which will strengthen one’s physical fitness to trek next day. While in Haa explore the small and beautiful town of Haa and over night at campsite in Yathong.
Day 4: Yangtong (2735m): Trek to Khadey Gom (3235m)
If you prefer to make this a three night outing ynagtong could be the first campsite if a hotel stay is not planned. Yangtong camp is located in a meadow next to the Haa chhu (river stream) there is a chorten with a flag hoisted in honor of the local protecting deity, “the powerful Chhunduâ€Â
From Yangtong a steep climb (150m) leads to Yangtong Gompa village, set on a hilltop right above camp. The big temple, surrounded by a few houses is about 300 year old and dedicated to Guru Rinpochhe and his eight manifestations.
A more or less level trail through pines brings you back to the main trail to the valley below saga la. Here the Makhang Chhu flows through the area called Talung. Talung has three beautiful villages chenka Gom, Tsenka Wom and Langlo-above 80 households in all.
The trail winds around farmlands fenced with piles of stones to protect the fields from deer and wild boar. Climb to a wooden bridge, chagdo zam is so named because locals claim that the 14th century saint Thangthong Gyelpo constructed the original one. Cross more meadows and some forest until you reach a rock with twin eyes and a distorted mouth. This is the Neyla Doem or Nyela Demon who was subdued by the saint Thangthong Gyelpo using the sword of Ignorance to slash the demon’s moth and turn it into a rock. Ever since then travelers using this ancient trail have walked in peace without fearing this ferocious demon. This holy rock is located in the Khadey Gom meadow where tonight’s camp is situated.
Day 5: Khadey Gom(3235m) to Dongney Tsho(3235m) to Dongney Tsho(3200m) viz Saga La(3720m)
Time 5hr
Distance: 8km
Altitude gain: 485m
Altitude loss: 520m
Today the climb to saga la is on the programme. A gradual hike for about one hour through meadows and coniferous is followed by two hour climb to the pass. On a clear day there is fantastic view on both sides of the pass. The view towards paro includes sacred mount Jhomolhari(7315m), Chaterake(5570m) and below is the valley the Drugyal Dzong and the sacred Taktsang Monastery.
From the pass it is all downhill and good two hours downhill hike through mixed conifer forest and rhododendrons will bring you to the camp in an open meadow at Dongney Tsho, surrounded with tall firs.
Day 6: Dongney Tsho (3200m) to Drugyal Dzong (2580m)
Time 3hr
Distance: 7km
Altitude gain: 0m
Altitude loss: 620m
The first part of today’s hike is steeply downhill for about one and half hour until you reach the Genchu, the Genchu Zam(bridge). The hike is through thick vegetation, and laughing thrushes, magpies, nutcrackers and pheasants are often seen. There is a small beautiful small village on the left side of the trail and from the village another one hour will reach you to Balakha Chhu where the ancient Haa Planter’s Trail ends.
Up on your arrival at the Balakha chhu(river) your driver will be waiting you to pick you up and drop in the hotel.
Day 7: Early break fast in the hotel and drive to Paro international airport to board your flight for your onward voyage to Bangkok.
