BHUTAN EXPEDITION
November 4th-16th, 2026
THE EXPERIENCE:
Welcome to Bhutan – the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. Perched among the peaks of the mighty Himalaya, the tiny kingdom of Bhutan has been described as the last Shangri-La, shrouded in centuries of mystery. Bhutan offers a fascinating insight into a Buddhist culture where time has stood still and the chance to experience Himalayan landscapes of astounding, untouched beauty. It's also a mind-blowing place to run. It happens that there is a trail perfect for a running adventure like no other, one based on the first half of the renowned Snowman Trek, one of the hardest in the world. While there are other adventures of trail running in Bhutan to be had, this is the only trip that takes you deep and high into the Himalayas! In partnership with Tour de Trails and Blue Poppy Tours we offer a run adventure as remote as you can imagine on this planet. This is the high Himalaya. The amazing Snowman Trek has been noted by Lonely Planet as “one of the most difficult treks in the world”.
Unlike most rough and ready expeditions, we're softening the edges. The Bhutan trail running will remain tough given the steep terrain, the altitude, and the lack of facilities - on trail it will be as any other trail run, a true experience of Bhutan's raw and pristine wilderness. But each afternoon you'll run into a pre-set camp, sip some tea with biscuits, have dinner served up and we will even sneak up a bottle of wine. At each end of the trail, our Explorer guests will enjoy relative comfort of Bhutan's accommodation the likes of renowned Tigers Nest Resort, and of course a massage to stretch out the muscles. Some runs will be slow moving, power hiking, steep, and technical so prepare accordingly. All runs will be measured in time rather than distance due to the vertical +/- and technical aspects of the trails.
Bhutan is considered a once in a lifetime destination, and thus we'll make the most of your visit to this magical place. The Jomolhari-Laya-Gasa Trek itself, which forms our route, is considered one of the most scenic in Bhutan, offering amazing views of some of the most pristine and unspoiled landscapes in the Himalaya. It is more often taken by the few lucky ones to have experienced it as a 14+ day walking journey that begins at Drukgyel in Paro and takes you through gorgeous alpine meadows, high mountain passes and dense sub-tropical jungles before finishing in Damji in Tashithang. Along the trail you’ll be able to spot indigenous animals such as blue sheep and Takins, the national animal of Bhutan.
THE BASICS:
THE TRAIL: JOMOLHARI-LAYA-GASA TREK
TYPE: POINT TO POINT EXPEDITION
DISTANCE: 160KM
AVERAGE DAILY DISTANCE: 10-30KM
HIGHEST POINT: 5005 METRES (SINCHE LA)
AVERAGE RUN ELEVATION: >4000M
ACCOMMODATION ON TRAIL: CAMPS
ACCOMMODATION OFF TRAIL: 4-5 STAR LODGE
SUPPORT: 1 X RUN GUIDES, 2 X LOCAL GUIDES, CAMP/COOK CREW, MULES
RUN GROUP NUMBERS: LIMITED TO 16 RUNNERS PLUS GUIDES.
THE COST:
PRICE: $8795 USD
Price is per person for twin share (Hotel room and tents will both be shared with another guest).
Single Supplement $1100 (Includes single room and tent for the entire trip)
Deposit of $1500 USD is required to hold your spot on the trip. Deposits are non-refundable, however they can be transferred to another Trail Run Adventures trip
Remaining balance due by July 1st, 2026. Registrations after that date must be paid in full.
Plus flight from gateway airport to Paro - arranged and booked by us ***Not included in price
THE INCLUSIONS:
ALL ACCOMMODATIONS (MIX OF TENTS, GUESTHOUSES AND 4/5 STAR HOTELS)
EXPEDITION TRAIL RUN (7 DAYS) All facilities and staff required on trail run including horse teams, 1 chief guide and 2 assistant guides, cooks, camp helpers and horses to carry luggage and tents; spare horses as needed in case of emergency; extra teams of staff to travel ahead to prepare shelter and carry lunch and refreshments.
TENTS provided. Include sleeping, dining, cook tents and toilet tent. Note sleeping bags are not provided.
TRAIL RUN ADVENTURES GUIDE
TRAINING PLAN For those who wish, Anna Frost will prepare a training plan specifically for this trip. Includes an initial Skype session with Anna to discuss where you are at with your running in order that she can plan appropriate to your level. For each guest, we will encourage you to contact Anna via Skype at anytime with questions or concerns.
LOCAL GUIDES AND EXPERTS Throughout the tour from arrival to departure and extra guides while on trail. In country logistics and hosting is being arranged by renowned operator, Blue Poppy Tours, who is a full production partner in this first ever expedition run of the Jomolhari Laya Gasa trail. Without Blue Poppy Tours, this expedition would not be possible and we give huge kudos and thanks to Choki and the team in Bhutan!
SIGHTSEEING All sightseeing and entrance fees including Tigers Nest (Paro Taktsang), Punakha Dzong and more.
TRANSPORT Meet on arrival, airport transfers on arrival and departure and all overland transport within Bhutan
VISAS All required royalties, visas and permits inclusive - arranged and submitted by us
FOOD Full board throughout the trip, mineral water in the bus and boiled water on the trail
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International flights from home country to gateway airport city (see list below. You must arrange yourself)
International flights from gateway city to Paro return - we will arrange the booking and payment of these flights in and out, using the expertise of in-country partner, Blue Poppy Tours
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, alcohol, personal preference trail hydration and nutrition products, laundry and tips
Massages (Can be arranged at hotels)
MANDATORY INSURANCE You will need to show proof of insurance that covers overseas medical and helicopter extraction at high altitude. We recommend: Global Rescue
BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS:
Flights to one of the gateway cities (Delhi (India), Kathmandu (Nepal), Bangkok (Thailand), Calcutta (India) or Singapore (Singapore), must be booked and paid for by the guest/s on their own arrangement. You must book your flights (and be responsible for any extra accommodation etc at gateway city), to ensure you are able to make the connecting flight to Paro. See following point.
Flights from your nominated gateway city to Paro, Bhutan, will be booked directly via us, using the services of Blue Poppy Tours. We will in partnership with Blue Poppy, collect your requests re: gateway city prior to paying your tour deposit, and then advise which flight you need to catch, time and cost. This will happen prior to you paying your tour deposit. The cost of your confirmed gateway-Paro-gateway flight will be invoiced at the same time as your tour deposit is due.
From the gateway, we will determine which Druk Air/Tashi Air flights will best suit you. We will then add the price of those tickets to your Tour Deposit. Rates for the gateway-Paro-gateway flights fluctuate and are subject to confirmation on issue of tickets. Current prices in economy class are:
Delhi/Paro/Delhi: $800
Kathmandu/Paro/Kathmandu: US$760
Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok: US$900
Calcutta/Paro/Calcutta: US$800
Singapore/Paro/Singapore: US$1050
Business Class is also available on request.
*Prices for flights subject to change
MANDATORY VISAS FOR BHUTAN
All visitors will need to have valid Visas. Via our partner in this expedition, Blue Poppy Tours, will organise visas for Bhutan, which is inclusive in the tour price. We will require scanned copies of your passports. As we can apply for the visas only after funds for the trip have arrived in Bhutan, we request that the financials for the trip be organised as a priority so we can secure the required permits and visas ahead of time. As you may be aware, travel in Bhutan is controlled by numbers and thus we are required to be very organised and prompt in our payments and applications.
ADVENTURE ITINERARY:
DAY 1 - ARRIVE - ACCLIMATISATION
Wednesday, November 4th
Arrive at Paro International Airport from Bangkok or Delhi. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Check into accommodation
Lunch at hotel and welcome briefing
Sightseeing today depends on flight timing
Afternoon at leisure, wander in town and visit handicraft shops (optional)
Short hike or run to Zuri Dzong (optional)
Massage can be added today (Not included in price)
Dinner and briefing
Overnight at Amba Paro Hotel
DAY 2 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION
Thursday, November 5th
Breakfast at Hotel
To acclimatise for the trek we will take a run up to the ‘Tiger’s Nest,’ the sacred Taktshang Monastery, which clings to the rock face 900 meters above the valley floor
Tiger’s Nest is one of the most sacred places for Bhutanese people and is a highlight for many visitors. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress, and he subsequently meditated there for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites, attracting pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. Once at the monastery, those who want to can climb higher to various points above – the guide will discuss with the group how far they want to go higher and those who don’t wish to can descend
Lunch at restaurant
Dinner at Hotel
Hike distance (up to the monastery): (6.5 km, 5 to 6 hours)
Starting elevation – 2610 metres
Highest elevation – 3155 metres
Ending elevation – 2610 metres
Massages can be organized
Overnight at Amba Paro Hotel
DAY 3 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION
Friday, November 6th
Breakfast at Hotel
Today you can do a second acclimatisation hike. First drive about an hour and a half to Chele La pass at about 3800 metres where you will have a splendid view of the Himalaya range, weather permitting. From the road you can walk up the incline around 2 hours towards Gung Karpo La (4100m), continuing above the tree line along the ridge that divides Paro and Haa valleys. Here if the day is clear you will see even more breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains, including Mount Jomolhari and other further peaks such as Kanchenjunga. Walk down the hill through rhododendron and hemlock forest towards Kila Gompa, a nunnery inhabited by about 30 nuns who live a life of contemplation and seclusion, with daily prayer and spiritual practice. The community is one of the oldest of seven nunneries in Bhutan and was initially established in the early 9th century as a meditation site. The main temple houses ancient statues of Chenrezig and Guru Rinpoche, among others. After visiting the nunnery you can return to the car, and drive back to Paro which takes about 1 hour.
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (6 km, 3-4 hours)
Starting elevation – 2800 metres
Highest elevation – 4100 metres
Ending elevation – 3630 metres
This evening you can sort out your luggage for the trek. Anything you don’t need to carry with you will be driven safely to Gasa to await your arrival.
Overnight at Amba Paro Hotel
Picinic Lunch
Dinner at Hotel
DAY 4 - BEGIN THE EXPEDITION - TRAIL RUN DAY 1
Saturday, November 7th
Breakfast at hotel
Early in the morning we will drive about 2 hours through farm road to Shana, where you will start your trek. We ascend through the river valley and beautiful pine and
rhododendron forests.
We stop for lunch by the first bridge over the river and then continue to follow the right bank for a couple of hours until we reach a junction of two valleys, marked by a stupa. Here we turn north towards Mount Jomolhari, which can be seen from the top of the valley. Our first camp will be at 3620 metres.
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (21 km, 7 to 8 hours)
Starting elevation – 2880 metres
Highest elevation – 3620 metres
Ending elevation – 3620 metres
Packed lunch
Dinner at camp site
Accommodations: Tent camping *Your tents will be set up for you when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you
DAY 5 - Sunday, November 8th - TRAIL RUN DAY 2
Wake up to coffee/tea in the tent and then enjoy a breakfast before starting our run
Today we run from Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang. The path passes a small, border army post where the valley begins to widen again and we leave the forest behind. Enjoy views of snow-capped peaks, high mountain ridges and yaks and yak herders. We will stop for lunch in a small hamlet where the family will welcome us. You can also stop to visit a small local school at Soe, before reaching Jangothang. From here it is not far to reach camp, which is in a beautiful grassy meadow beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari (4100 m).
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (16 km, 5 to 6 hours)
Starting elevation – 3620 metres
Highest elevation – 4100 metres
Ending elevation – 4100 metres
Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)
Dinner at camp site after the run
Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you
DAY 6 - Monday, November 9th - TRAIL RUN DAY 3
Coffee/Tea delivered to the tent. Breakfast before the run
Today we run from Jangothang to Chebisa. The trail climbs gradually and then more steeply to Nyeli La (4870 m). On the way you will be rewarded when you stop for breath with tremendous views toward Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. If the weather is clear, Lingshi Dzong can be clearly seen as we descend into the Lingshi basin, and Tserim Kang with its glaciers can be seen to the north. Follow the ridge for a long way until you drop through the forests till you reach Lingshi village at 4000 metres. Then continue on the path along the hillside with views across the valley. After a few hours you will catch a splendid view of Tserim Kang, before descending to Gang Yul (‘village at the pass’), a picturesque village of about 150 people. From here it is only an hour or so on a path which runs along the hillside until we reach our camp at Chebisa (3860m), where it is possible to visit some village houses and a waterfall just behind the village.
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (27 km, 8 to 9 hours)
Starting elevation – 4100 metres
Highest elevation – 4800 metres
Ending elevation – 3860 metres
Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)
Dinner at camp site after run
Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you
DAY 7 - Tuesday, November 10th - TRAIL RUN DAY 4
Coffee/tea delivered to the tent, followed by breakfast.
Today we will run from Chebisa to Shomuthang. The trail climbs gradually at first, getting steeper and steeper through wild pastures where yaks graze. You may also catch sight of blue sheep and eagles. Eventually we cross Gobu La (4400 m). From here it is a short run down through rhododendron forest to the stream where we will stop for lunch. The afternoon’s run is through a pine and rhododendron forest, with a gradual ascent for about 30 minutes, followed by a gradual descent towards Zhache Pasang, where you will cross the river. From there, the path traverses the hillside before climbing steeply once more to Shomuthang (3970 m). The camp is near a tributary to the Mo Chu, which emerges below the Gasa Tsachu (Hot Spring). From here you can see the helipad, sometimes used if the passes get snowed in.
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (17 km, 6 to 7 hours)
Starting elevation – 3860 metres
Highest elevation – 4420 metres
Ending elevation – 4220 metres
Lunch (packed lunch to take on the trail)
Dinner at camp site after run
Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you
DAY 8 - Wednesday, November 11th - TRAIL RUN DAY 5
Coffee/tea delivered to the tent, followed by breakfast
Today we run from Shomuthang to Robluthang. We start with a climb to Jhari La (4720 m) where we are rewarded with quite stunning views, then descend again through forest to Tsharijathang, the valley where herds of takin can normally be seen. Today’s scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Cross the river and clamber up the hillside for an hour or so to camp at Robluthang (4150 m).
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (15 km, 5 to 6 hours)
Starting elevation – 4220 metres
Highest elevation – 4720 metres
Ending elevation – 4150 metres
Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)
Dinner at camp site after run
Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you
DAY 9 - Thursday, November 12th - TRAIL RUN DAY 6
Coffee/Tea delivered to your tent, followed by breakfast
Today we run from Robluthang to Limithang. Above camp the yak trail which is our path today can be seen, taking us through a hanging valley and past a yak herder’s hut after about one or two hours on the trail. From here we take the left side of the valley and soon the Sinche La comes into view. It is a tough climb to the pass, which marks the boundary of the Laya district (5010 m). From here the path descends rapidly through the valley to a huge bank of moraine on the edge of a lake, and behind the Gang Che Ta (‘Great Tiger Mountain’) can be seen. We camp here in a meadow by the river at Limithang in the Laya district, where the locals will be seen wearing unique regional dress (4090 m).
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (19 km, 7 to 8 hours)
Starting elevation – 4150 metres
Highest elevation – 5010 metres
Ending elevation – 4130 metres
Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)
Dinner at camp site after run
Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and your larger bags will be waiting for you
DAY 10 - Friday, November 13th - TRAIL RUN DAY 7
Coffee/tea delivered to your tent, followed by breakfast
Today we run from Limithang to Tongchu Ja via Laya. Today is one of the shortest days, where fast runners can reach Laya village in about 3 hours; however, some runners may take longer. The path goes downhill at first through a winding river valley with forest of spruce and juniper. We climb gradually from the river until we enter the eastern end of Laya village (3810 m). Here you may like to walk around the village for a few minutes before continuing for about 1.5 hours to Taktshe Makha (army camp). It is possible that the farm road from Gasa may reach all the way to the army camp. If not, then you would have to continue for about one more hour to Tongchu Ja.
Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (15 km, 5 to 6 hours)
Starting elevation – 4130 metres
Highest elevation – 4130 metres
Ending elevation – 3810 metres
Here you will be picked up by an Indian Mahindra Bolero Pick-Up truck for the drive to Gasa which will take around 2.5 hours.
Lunch (Packed lunch to take on trail)
Dinner at guest house
Accommodations: Basic guest house in Gasa
DAY 11 - Saturday, November 14th
Breakfast at guest house
This morning your bus will be available to take you down to the Gasa Hot Springs where you can have a bath. The spring is believed to be effective in curing various ailments including aching joints, and many Bhutanese families visit every winter. There are eight pools, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot.
After the hot springs, we will drive 3 hours past rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and oak and pine forests to reach the old capital, Punakha, at 1250
metres.
Option to go white water rafting in the afternoon (*Not included in price)
Visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu.
Lunch at restaurant
Dinner at hotel
Accommodations: Dhensa Hotel Punakha
DAY 12 - Sunday, November 15th
Breakfast at hotel
Today we return to Paro which will take around 4 hours.
Afternoon at leisure. You may like to enjoy some spa treatments or try your hand at archery. (Spa treatments not included in price)
This evening you could visit Namgay Artisanal Brewery for dinner and try some locally brewed beer (drinks not included in price).
Lunch at restaurant
Dinner at Hotel and celebrate the amazing 2 weeks we have had!
Accommodations: Zhiwaling Hotel Paro
DAY 13 - Monday, November 16th - Depart
Breakfast at hotel
Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).
