The 21-day Gangkar Puensum Trek is a remarkable high-altitude adventure that takes you into the remote wilderness surrounding Bhutan’s highest mountain. The journey combines the spectacular Laya–Gasa Trek, allowing you to experience remote villages, rugged trails, alpine landscapes, and pristine Himalayan wilderness. Along the way, you will traverse untouched mountainous terrain, cross high passes, and discover peaceful valleys while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum. As the trek unfolds, each day reveals a new perspective of this magnificent mountain landscape, making the experience unforgettable and deeply rewarding for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.
3,900 m
25 km
3,700 m
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be warmly received by a representative of Tour Bhutan. Afterward, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, begin your sightseeing tour of Paro. First, drive towards the airport viewpoint, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the beautiful Paro airstrip surrounded by mountains. Later, after lunch, continue your exploration with a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, Bhutan’s oldest monastry .Next, visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), built in 1646. Finally, visit Ta Dzong, National Museum of Bhutan in 1967. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Paro.
To begin with, drive towards Thimphu, the charming capital city of Bhutan. Upon arrival, begin your city tour with a visit to the 13th Arts and Crafts School, where you can witness Bhutan’s traditional art forms being preserved and practiced.
Thereafter, explore the Textile Museum to learn about Bhutan’s rich weaving traditions and cultural heritage. Finally, visit the magnificent Trashichho Dzong, an important landmark that houses the offices of the government and the central monastic body.
In the morning After breakfast, proceed towards Punakha through scenic mountain roads. En route, stop at Dochula Pass, which offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks on clear days. Here, take some time to enjoy the panoramic surroundings and capture beautiful photographs.
As you continue descending, the landscape gradually changes, and the warmer climate of Punakha welcomes you with lush valleys and fertile paddy fields. Upon arrival, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Fertility Temple. Finally, check in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Punakha.
Drive from Punakha to Damji (2,430m), enjoying scenic countryside, farmland, and subtropical forests. From Damji, trek through the valley with views of Gasa Dzong and snow-capped peaks before descending to the famous Gasa Hot Springs. Relax in the naturally heated pools and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
continue your trek towards Koina. Gradually, the trail leads through beautiful forests and untouched landscapes. After approximately 5 hours of walking, arrive at Koina, where you will set up camp and enjoy the peaceful mountain environment.
Today, continue your trek towards the remote village of Laya. Along the way, the trail winds up and down through the Mo Chhu River valley, offering breathtaking views of rushing rivers, waterfalls, and surrounding mountains.
Furthermore, several ascents and descents lead you to Kohi Lapcha at 3,300M. After crossing this section, descend towards Koina Chhu stream and continue until reaching the campsite near Laya.
Commence your journey towards laya enjoy a relaxing day exploring the unique village of Laya. During your stay, visit local homes and experience the warm hospitality of the Layap people. Traditionally, visitors are welcomed into homes without prior invitations, where they are offered tea or Chang (local beverage).
Moreover, discover their unique traditional dress, language, and ornaments, offering a fascinating insight into Bhutan’s rich cultural diversity
Begin your trek from Laya towards Rodophu. Initially, descend towards the army camp and continue along the river trail until reaching the turning point towards Rodophu.After lunch, continue the gradual climb through beautiful rhododendron forests. Finally, arrive at the campsite located at an altitude of approximately 4,350M, where you will rest after a rewarding day of trekking.
Start early at 5:00 AM for a challenging trek over Tsimola Pass (4,700m) and Gangla Karchula Pass (5,080m), enjoying panoramic views of Lunana, Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Masagang, Tsendegang, and Teri Gang before descending through Tarina Valley to the campsite at 3,980m.
Initially, the trek continues towards Woche. Compared to the previous days, today’s walk is relatively easier as the trail gradually follows the river downstream through beautiful landscapes. Along the way, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, mountain views, and natural beauty of the Lunana region. After reaching the lowest point at around 3,500m, we will stop for lunch. Later, the trail gradually climbs about 300 meters through scenic terrain before reaching Woche village, where we set up camp for the night at an altitude of 3,800m.
Starting your day with the trek begins through beautiful juniper and fir forests, followed by stretches of colorful rhododendron bushes. Gradually, we ascend towards Keche La Pass at an altitude of 4,480m. From the pass, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. Afterwards, the trail descends towards the river, passing through charming villages and offering spectacular views of Table Mountain and other snow-covered peaks. Finally, we follow the river, one of the main sources of Pho Chhu, until we reach Lhedi village for our overnight camp.
we continue our trek along the river valley, gradually ascending towards Choejong village. En route, we take a break for lunch and visit the historic Choejong Dzong, which offers insight into the local culture and heritage. Thereafter, we continue walking through the wide and beautiful valley, crossing a bridge before reaching Thanza camp, located at an altitude of 4,000m.
Today’s trek begins with a gradual climb towards a ridge, where you can enjoy magnificent views of Table Mountain and the Thanza Valley below. The trail continues to rise slowly, reaching around 4,650m near the footbridge. After lunch, we continue along the trail, surrounded by stunning views of snow-capped mountains. Crossing several ridges, we finally arrive at Tsorim campsite, located at an impressive altitude of 5,125m.
Trek towards the scenic Tshorim Lakes before ascending Gophula Pass (5,230m), the highest point of the journey. Descend towards Gangkar Puensum Base Camp, enjoying spectacular views of Gangkar Puensum, with an optional climb to Pyramid Peak. Overnight at Sha Chu Base Camp (4,970m).
After several challenging days of trekking, today Especially is reserved for rest and exploration around the base camp. Enjoy the magnificent views of Gangkar Puensum and the surrounding Himalayan landscape while allowing your body to acclimatize and recover.
we begin our descent from the beautiful mountain surroundings of Gangkar Puensum. The trail follows the Sha Chu River and gradually descends through peaceful valleys and remote landscapes. Although we leave the high mountains behind, Initially the journey continues through stunning scenery until we reach Geshe Woma, situated at an altitude of 4,200m, where we set up camp for the night.
Trek along the Sha Chu River before climbing Sakala Pass (4,800m). Descend past beautiful alpine lakes, then ascend Warathang Pass (4,590m) before reaching the campsite at around 4,000m, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery
with beautiful day after breakfast, we make a short climb of about half an hour to reach Juelela Pass at 4,400m. From the pass, the trail descends through dense forests of rhododendron, juniper, and conifer trees. After crossing the bridge, a final short climb takes us to Dur Tsachu Hot Spring, a sacred site believed to have been visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Enjoy the relaxing natural hot springs and camp nearby.
As we cross the final major section of the trek Overall The trail begins with a steady uphill climb towards Juelela Pass, offering magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and valleys of Lunana. After crossing the pass, we gradually descend through beautiful landscapes filled with alpine lakes, yak herder camps, and remote mountain scenery. Finally, we arrive at Tshochenchen campsite, located at an altitude of 3,100m.
This marks the final day of the Gangkar Puensum Trek Thus completing the Trek. Today, we gradually descend along the Chamkhar Chu River, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and beautiful landscapes. After completing the trek, we reach Dhur village, where our trekking crew and pack animals will conclude their journey. From here, we continue towards Bumthang by vehicle.
with beautiful day after breakfast, we make a short climb of about half an hour to reach Juelela Pass at 4,400m. From the pass, the trail descends through dense forests of rhododendron, juniper, and conifer trees. After crossing the bridge, a final short climb takes us to Dur Tsachu Hot Spring, a sacred site believed to have been visited by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. Enjoy the relaxing natural hot springs and camp nearby.
Enjoy your final moments in Bhutan before being transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Our team will assist you with the airport formalities and bid you farewell. With unforgettable memories of the magnificent Gangkar Puensum Trek, Bhutan’s landscapes, culture, and hospitality, your 23-day adventure comes to an end.
Gangkar Puensum Trek is one of Bhutan’s most remote and challenging high-altitude treks, taking trekkers close to Gangkar Puensum (7,570 m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The trek offers pristine Himalayan landscapes, alpine valleys, yak herder settlements, and untouched wilderness.
The trek is considered strenuous and suitable for experienced trekkers due to long walking days, high altitude, remote terrain, and mountain passes. Proper physical fitness and previous high-altitude trekking experience are recommended.
The best seasons are generally spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November) when the weather is more stable and mountain views are clearer.
The trek reaches high-altitude areas with maximum elevations around 5,100–5,400 metres, depending on the route and itinerary.
This trek offers a rare expedition experience through remote valleys, high mountain passes, ancient yak herder settlements, glacial landscapes, and close views of Bhutan’s sacred Himalayan peaks, making it one of Bhutan’s most exclusive trekking adventures.
