Nub Tshona-Pata 14Days/13Nights (Haa Trek)
Example trek from Haa
Day 1. NUB TSHONA – PATA 14DAYS/13NIGHTS
Day 01: Haa Kajena-Bjana Dingkha-Tshobjo thang (3950 m)
The walk starts from road head of Kajena to Tsabjethang through the forest. An experience to remain, this route is challenging for the lovers of nature. Paving its way through the forest the route ultimately end at Tsabiethang, a small camping ground where one could enjoy the sceneries of Kajena valley below on a clear day. The walk is approximately -7 hours.
Day 02: Tshabjo Thang-Tshego yakteykha (4060 m)
On the second day, the trial leads towards Ghang chhe la pass (4180 m) from where one will see the shoku Nangma region. This area is the Summer Grazing pasture for cattle/yaks of Isu gewog. Splendid views of neighboring mountains and meadows are visible from various angles as the trail leads along the ridges of Ram zur and Yaku zey. The Tsho na Tsho (Lake) lies at an elevation of 3990 m. It is also called as Zor (sickle) Tsho as called after its shape. One must maintain complete silence around the lake site; otherwise there are chances of rain and storm. It is here that the saying says Yaku and Tsho Tsho are stores of rainfall. Yuelo and Tshabjo are stores of girls and Pamling and Labo are stores of sunshine. All of these places fall on the same range but with diverse climate. Some Northern villages of Haa valley can be seen from Yaku Zey and Bjara Rika pass. After a pack lunch break at Bjara or Gedoteng, there are two possibilities of reaching Tshego Yakteykha. The upper trail is shorter and easier but the packhorses need to use the lower route. At Tshjego there are four lakes, Yak Tsho, Bji Tsho, shey Tsho and Kelp Tsho. There are chances of seeing blue sheep along the Rocky Mountains every now and then.
Day 03: Tshego ‘Yakteykha-Longli Thang (3610 m)
The trail leads downhill first but after Chhuthangna it climbs up to Tshochhekha Tsho. It is important that one must not ascend hereafter anymore as it falls under restricted area. The whole ridge of Tshochhe la, Kampo la, Chizhi la and Bjichi la and Tamji are restricted as it interferes with military operations and are within close views of the Tibetan mountains. Therefore the trail will gradually descend towards the valley of Longlithang (3610). This meadow is the home for the yak herders of Bje and Katsho Gewog during spring and the fall.
Day 04: Longlithang-Bjara wom (4050 m)
Today’s trek is more or less a detour of the previous day but it follows a lower trail en-route Sama Nyay and Drasai Thang meadows. It finally crosses the Chhuthangna Zam at 3550 m and the uphill climb carries on past Gedoteng, until Tsiphuthang (3940) and a gradual shortcut trail leads to bjara wogma campsite (4040 m).
Day 05: Bjara wom-Rigona Tsho (3800 m)
The trail leads downhill and reaches a bottom of a narrow valley near Bjara Dhom Tsho lake (3950 m). It then climbs uphill on to Naachong Zey at 4070 m. Since today’s trek is quite short and easy, one can climb along the naachong Zey to view the trails of the previous days and also the campsite at Rigona roel Tsho at (3840 m). The Campsite is located near the Roel Tsho from where Terton Sherab Mebar had revealed a ceremonial cymbal, which can be still seen only once a year during Paro Tshechu.
Day 06: Rigona Tsho-Tsong (3940 m)
It is a detour again until Naachong zey. From here the trail leads towards Shoku Pedey peak (4689 m). It is believed that one can climb from the South-Eastern slope and view the rest of neighboring mountains. After climbing across the Yato la Pass at 4240 m (Adjacent to Shoku Pedey) Ser Tsho Lake is visible towards the right hand side and a short walk near the ser Tsho will make Yu Tsho visible too about 50 meters lower then Ser Tsho. The trail again ascends towards the Ser Tsho la (4270 m) and then descends steeply until Neto Tsho and Nga Tsho at Tsong campsite (3940 m). The views from here towards the Eastern ridges are the trails that you have covered during the second day.
Day 07: Tshong-Tshona Patta (3960 m)
The trail gradually ascends towards the Gongchhe Shingko Teng la (4000 m) and descends towards Chhosho Lumpa (3830 m) afterwhich it ascends via Ghoom Maru and finally crosses Tshejola at 4100 m. On a clear day, one can view Mount Kanchan Jonga, the Southern valley of Haa and parts of Daga la from here. The trail again descends until the junction of short cut route to Gigona at a swampy lake called Tshew (3960 m). It then ascends until Dangka Bjido ridge (4080 m) and finally descends to Lura Campsite of Nub Tshona Patta (3960 m)
Day 08: Day excursion around Tshona
This campsite is very close to the habitat of the Marmots. There are as many as five to ten marmots wondering out for grasses and storing them for the harsh winters. Some people can spend hours just watching them. The visit to the lake Nub Tshona patta can be done in the moprning or evening as the campsite is quite close by. It would be nice to take an excursion tour along the Domang bridge, from where one can view the landscape of Longli Thang and Bahyuelna meadows (The Winter grazing ground for yaks of Bji and Isu gewog)
Day 09: Tshona Patta-Bachhey Dingkha (4050 m)
The gradual uphill climb takes you along the Tshona Doga meadow and takes about an hour and half to reach Sheypai Zey (4210 m). The trail then descends very steeply until Sheychhu Lumpa (3905 m) from where another steep uphill climb stars over the steep rocky slope right opposite of Tshona Patta Ridges. In about an hour the trail passes through Ahri Teng (4130 m). This is a beautiful spot from where the views of the Shoku Nangma and the rocky cliffs adorned with long white leaf stalks of rhuarb plants are spectacular. It also serves as an ideal pack lunch spot and hereafter the hike becomes gradual and takes about another three hours to reach Bahchhe Dingkha campsite (4050 m).
Day 10: Bahchhey Dingkha-Gongphu Tsho Thang (3850 m)
It starts with a steep down hill trail until Gong chong Lumpa (3820 m). Then it ascends towards Go Tsho (3940). The trail keeps ascending until Ghongba Teng (4125 m) and finally descends to Tsheylu Tshokha (4050 m). This lake is supposed to be the home of the protective diety “Akhoe Gyem”who is worshipped by majority of people from Haa and Paro. The legend of Lungey Tshering Dorji and Akhoe Gyem can be heard from the guides. It would be best if the trek could coincide with the day on which locals make offering to Akhoe Gyem with the help of a Boenpo (Pawo) performing his Shaman dance. Otherwise this spot may also serve as a perfect place for pack lunch.
The trail continues on gradual slop until Benjay Bja (4050 m) and then descends steeply to Thujimi Tsa (3770 m) after which it ascends again to Lungey la and continues to the Gongphu Tsho Thang campsite (3945 m). Another spectacuylar view of Sombeykha and Mochu villages in the south can be seen from the ridges near Benjay Bja. A short cut but tough trail along the ridge can be used to reach at Lungey la.
Day 11: A day excursion to Marbjori (4360 m)
The trail ascends towards the Marbjori Ridge and after sometime the trail continues along the ridge and finally reaches Marbjori Mountain top (4360 m). There are possibilities of seeing blue sheep along the trail and the presence of the monal pheasants are in abundance. The views of the northern, Southern and Eastern Mountains of Bhutan are spectacular from here.
Day 12: Gongphu Tsho Thangna-Laptsa Teng (3850 m)
It is about half an hours ascend until the Gongphu Tsho Thang la (3965 m) and then descends steeply towards Dzarchum at 3750 m. The trail then stays below the ridge and passes a cattle shed at Yajey Thang (3735 m) and continues with gradual ascends and climbs over Jisuma ridge at 3890 m. The picnic lunch may be had here with the views of Marbjori and its valley filled with rhododendron bushes. Since the next camp is not so far away, the trekkers may take the trail along the ridge of Laptsa Teng Gang (4258 m) for the best views of Tego la. The next campsite is just below the ridge at 3850 m.
Day 13: Laptsa Teng-Dorikha (Haa) (2980 m)
There are three possible routes to get to Dorikha from here. The first one continues towards the North-East and passes through the Chepdo Cattle shed and stays along the ridge of Zeycho and Codho meadows and finally comes out from the western slopes of Dorikha.
The second option route descends towards Tego la and turns left with more descends following the Tego Rongchhu or chhuta lUm chhu. There are seven little wooden foot-bridges that you have to criss-cross before reaching Chhuta Lumpa (2810 m). Then it is half an hour to forty-five minutes hike to reach Drikha. This trail has a lot of impressions on stones signifying the visit of Guru Rinpochhe in the eight century. The third route follows the Tegola ridge along the Ola zey (3900 m). Then the trek is all down hill through the forest until Bjangcha Chhu and it takes about half an hour to reach Dorikha with little ascends.
Day 14: Dorikha-Haa/Paro/Thimphu
It is only about an hours hike down hill to reach ‘Long chhu, where you will meet your car to take you to Haa/Paro/Thimphu. ‘Longchhu is the confluence of Haa Chhu and ‘Long chhu’.