11 days
Daily Tour
Unlimited
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Duration: 11 Days
Maximum Elevation: 4,930 m (Bontela Pass)
Trek Grade: Medium to Strenuous
Best Seasons: April–May | September–November
Region: Paro & Thimphu, Western Bhutan
Trek Overview
The Soi Yaksha Trek, also known as the Jomolhari Loop, is Bhutan’s most celebrated and scenic high-altitude trek. This route offers breathtaking close-up views of Mt. Jomolhari (7,314 m), Jichu Drake (6,989 m), and Tsherim Gang (6,789 m), while traversing pristine alpine landscapes, glacial lakes, yak-grazing pastures, deep valleys, and dramatic mountain passes.
Compared to the classic Jomolhari trek, the Soi Yaksha route is shorter yet more diverse, crossing three high passes—Bontela (4,890 m), Takhung La (4,520 m), and Thombu La (4,380 m)—making it ideal for trekkers seeking both challenge and variety. The region is also known for rare wildlife sightings, including blue sheep, marmots, and with luck, even the elusive snow leopard.
This trek combines adventure, natural beauty, and Bhutanese culture, with proper acclimatization and gradual altitude gain.
Why Choose the Soi Yaksha Trek?
Arrive at Paro International Airport on Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air/Tashi Air, one of the world’s most spectacular mountain flights. On clear days, enjoy panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas. You will be welcomed by your Bhutanese guide and transferred to your hotel. After lunch, visit:
Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, hike to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, dramatically perched 800 m above the Paro Valley. The ascent takes about 2–2.5 hours, with rest stops along the way, including the famous viewpoint café.
Taktsang is Bhutan’s most sacred site, where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century after flying here on a tigress. This hike is an excellent acclimatization activity before the trek.
Return for lunch, then relax and prepare for the trek ahead.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 14 km | Walking Time: 4–5 hours
Drive to Drukgyel Dzong, where the trek begins or drive by car till the camp site. The trail follows the Paro Chhu through terraced fields and traditional villages. After passing the Gunitsawa Army Check Post, continue gently uphill to Shana campsite (2,850 m).
Overnight: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 20 km | Walking Time: 7–8 hours
A long but rewarding day through narrowing valleys, crossing streams and forested trails of oak, rhododendron, birch, and fir. The gradual ascent leads to Thangthangkha campsite (3,619 m) beneath towering mountain ridges.
Overnight: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 16 km | Walking Time: 5–6 hours
Continue along the Paro Chhu as the valley opens dramatically. Snow-capped peaks begin to dominate the skyline. Arrive at Jangothang (4,080 m), one of the most beautiful campsites in Bhutan, located below Mt. Jomolhari.
Overnight: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 16 km | Walking Time: 6–7 hours
A spectacular and challenging day. Cross the Paro Chhu and climb toward the twin glacial lakes of Tsho Phu, home to migratory birds. Ascend to Bontela Pass (4,890 m)—the highest point of the trek—before descending into the remote Soi Yaksha Valley.
Overnight: Camp (3,800 m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 11 km | Walking Time: 4–5 hours
Climb ridges and cross streams before ascending to Takhung La Pass (4,520 m). Descend into the open alpine pasture of Thombu Shong (4,180 m), used seasonally by yak herders.
Overnight: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: 13 km | Walking Time: 4–5 hours
Cross the final high pass, Thombu La (4,380 m), then descend steeply to Gunitsawa. Meet your vehicle and drive approximately 2 hours to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed day in Thimphu—time for rest, spa treatments, local walks, or optional cultural activities. Celebrate the successful completion of the trek with a comfortable hotel stay.
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Explore Thimphu’s cultural highlights:
After lunch, drive to Paro for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After early breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your accompanied guide & driver will assist you with your luggage, bid you farewell and wish you safe flight back home. TASHI DELEK !
Meals: Breakfast
There are 19 languages spoken in Bhutan, but the national language is Dzongkha. English is used throughout Bhutan’s education system, so it is widely used and understood.
Bhutan is a year-round destination. There are four seasons: summer (June to August), autumn (September to November), winter (December to February) and spring (March to May). But because of the range of altitudes in the country, and the influence of the north Indian monsoons, the climate is incredibly varied.
In the south, the humid, subtropical climate is fairly consistent year-round, with temperatures between 15oC and 30oC. Central Bhutan, with its temperate forests, has a more seasonal climate, with warm summers and cool, dry winters. The northern regions are much colder during winter. Because of the high altitude, mountain peaks are snowy year-round and the lower reaches remain cool in summer.
In summer, the Indian monsoon season runs from late June or July to late September, mostly affecting the southern regions. Most farming activities take place in the summer, when crops thrive in verdant landscapes.
Autumn, from late September or early October to late November, follows the rainy season. It is characterised by bright, sunny days and some early snowfall at higher elevations. It’s the season of feasts and festivals as farmers reap the fruits of their work.
From late November until March, the crisp, clear and sunny winter sets in, with frost throughout much of the country and snowfall common above elevations of 3,000 metres. The winter northeast monsoon brings gale-force winds at the highest altitudes through high mountain passes, giving Bhutan the name Drukyul, which means Land of the Thunder Dragon in Dzongkha (Bhutan’s national language).
Bhutan’s generally dry spring starts in early March and lasts until mid-April. It is a botanist’s delight, with nature in full bloom. Summer weather commences in mid-April with occasional showers and continues to late June.
Visitors of all nationalities, except those from India, require a visa before entering Bhutan. For all visitors, except those from Bangladesh and the Maldives, this visa must be applied for and approved in advance of travel. Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives also require a visa, but this can be applied for and approved either in advance of travel or upon arrival in Bhutan.
Visitors from India are able to apply for a permit but are required to hold an Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card. For Indian nationals under the age of 18, a passport or a birth certificate can be used to enter and they must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Nationals from Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic or government-official passports are eligible for a visa at their port of entry.
No, there are no restricted nationalities in Bhutan.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily levy paid by visitors to support Bhutan’s development. Since the kingdom first opened its doors in 1974, guests have played a critical role in our country’s growth.
The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds are allocated to various projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people, through free healthcare, education and training, upskilling the tourism and hospitality industry, improved infrastructure, environmental preservation and conservation, cultural preservation programmes and initiatives that support local businesses and economies. The SDF is also a vital means of maintaining the exceptional forest cover and carbon-neutrality for which our small nation is world-renowned and globally critical. The SDF also helps us to ensure that we can continue to offer guests tranquillity and an intimate experience.
The SDF is USD 100 per night for adults from all countries except for India. Children aged between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay USD 50 per night. Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF.
The SDF for Indian nationals (showing a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card) is Nu. 1,200 (or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees) per person, per night. Children aged between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay Nu./INR 600 per night. Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF.
You may bring cash equivalent to US$10,000 into the country.
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