Experience to Bhutan Tours and Trek

Trek

Soi Yaksa Trek

6 Days 5 Nights · Moderate

Duration6 Days 5 Nights
Tour TypeTrekking
DifficultyModerate
Total DistanceApprox. 97 km
Highest Campsite4,120 m, Thomphu
Highest Altitude4,890 m, Bongteyla
Temperature-5°C to 10°C
Best TimeMar – May & Sep – Nov

Overview

This trek is also known by different names such as Jomolhari Trek II, Yaksa Trek, Snow Leopard Trek or simply the Jomolhari Loop. The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from the base camp. If you simply have a desire to sight Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake without slogging up to Lingzhi and high altitude, Soi Yaksa Trek is right for you. However this trek still goes up to an elevation that could bring you altitude sickness with the highest altitude of 4902 meters /16,040Ft above sea level. 

Highlight of this trek will be seeing majestic view of Mount Jomolhari 7314m, Jichu Drake 6989m, and Tsherimgang 6789m.The highest altitude and pass we going to come across will be Bongtey la (4902 meters) above sea level and the highest campsite will be Thomphu (4180 m). Average walking distance in a day will be around 16 km and walking time will be minimum of 6 hours. The total distance for over all treks will be around 97km. 

Other attractions: snow clad mountains, twin lakes, nomadic yak herders, Himalayan marmots, blue sheep, himalayan rhubarb, griffon vultures, golden eagles and beautiful white mountain range of Kanchenjunga in Sikkim.

Route

Starting and ending point of trek: Before the Trek starts from Drugyl Dzong and ends at Gunitsawa in Paro but now because of access to road till shana we start our trekking from shana. The difficulty of this trek is moderate. 

Passes we have to cross are:  

  • Bongtey la (4902 m) that’s between Jangothang to Yaktsa. 
  • Takhung la (4520 m) that’s between Yaktsa to Thongphu.
  • Thombu la (4380 m) that’s between Thongphu to Gunitsawa.
Soe Yaksa Trek route map

Campsites

This trek is usually done with 5 nights 6 days.

Day 1: Shana (2850 m) to Thangthangkha (3750 m)
Ascend 900 m |  22 km | 7-8 hrs

Day 2: Thangthangkha (3750 m) to Jangothang base camp (4100 m)
Ascend 350 m | 19 km | 6-7 hrs

Day 3: Jangothang base camp (4100 m) to Yaktsa camp (3800 m)
Ascend 800 m till Bongtey la Pass | Descend 1100 m | 16 km | 6-7 hrs

Day 4: Yaktsa camp (3800m) to Thomphu (4180 m)
Ascend 750 m till Takhung la | Descend 340 m | 11 km | 5-6 hrs

Day 5: Thomphu (4180 m) to Gunitsawa (2730 m)
Ascend 200 m till Thombu la | Descend 1650 m | 13 km | 4-5 hrs

What the journey includes

Included

  • 3-star hotel accommodation
  • All meals (B/L/D)
  • Private transportation throughout
  • Licensed English-speaking guide
  • Experienced driver
  • Bhutan visa included
  • Government fees, taxes & SDF
  • All entrance fees & permits
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Trekking equipments

Not included

  • International airfare to/from Bhutan
  • Personal expenses
  • Beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips & gratuities

Gallery

More treks