BHUTAN EXPEDITION

REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR 2023

Can also do private and custom trips. Contact us for more details.

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.  

**Covid-19 Guidelines: We will be following all the current guidelines for this trip (We will provide more exact detail on this as we get closer to the travel dates). Trail Run Adventures and the local government may also require proof of vaccine or negative Covid test as well as a health declaration form prior to arrival. Please be prepared to follow these guidelines. If you show symptoms of illness before the trip, you will not be allowed to join us. We highly recommend purchasing travelers insurance to cover your cost if you can not travel. We will not be able to offer refunds for those that have to cancel for any reason within 30 days of the trip. If you show symptoms during the trip, you will be quarantined from the rest of the group until we can determine the next course of action. Any additional charges for this will be your responsibility. Please let us know if you have any questions

THE BASICS:

DAYS TOTAL (IN BHUTAN): 15

DAYS/NIGHTS ON TRAIL: 8/7

DAYS/NIGHTS ENJOYING SHANGRI LA: 7/6

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: THREE-STAR LODGE (CLICKHERE).

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: $8895 USD.

  • Price is per person for twin share (Hotel room and tents will both be shared with another guest). Single Supplement available, email us for price and availability.

  • 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 June 1st 2023. Registrations after that date must be paid in full.

  • ***For the 2023 Trip: Due to concerns with Covid-19, we may be requiring proof of vaccination, negative covid tests, health declaration forms, etc, so please be prepared and willing to show this.

  • Plus flight from gateway to Paro - arranged and booked by us ***Not included in price

  • All tips included

THE INCLUSIONS:

  • OFF TRAIL ACCOMMODATION (6 NIGHTS, 3*)

  • 2x MASSAGE TREATMENTS

  • EXPEDITION TRAIL RUN (8 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.

  • RUN GUIDES FOR THIS ADVENTURE Braz, Chris Ord and Rinzin Dorji (Bhutanese mountain explorer)

  • 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

  • MANDATORY INSURANCE You will need to show proof of insurance that covers 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: US$650

  • Kathmandu/Paro/Kathmandu: US$460

  • Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok: US$900

  • Calcutta/Paro/Calcutta: US$420

  • 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

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27TH  

  • Fly in to Paro, Bhutan (2200m)

  • Check into accommodation

  • Lunch

  • Optional run/hike to Zuri Dzong

  • Welcome massage treatment

  • Dinner and welcome briefing

  • Hotel in Paro

DAY 2 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

DAY 3 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29TH    

  • Breakfast

  • Acclimatization hike/run: Chele La Pass 3700m to the nun monastery

  • Picinic Lunch

  • Dinner

  • Hotel in Paro

DAY 4 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30TH

  • Breakfast

  • Acclimatization hike/run: Jele Dzong

  • Packed lunch

  • Dinner

  • Hotel in Paro

DAY 5 - TRAIL RUN / 1

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST

UNITSAWA VILLAGE TO SHARNA ZAMPA TO THANGTHANGKHA

DISTANCE: 18KM 

TIME: ~5 HRS

START ELEVATION: 2850M

FINISH/CAMP ELEVATION:  3610M 

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 770M / 90M

After a short early morning drive from our accommodation, the run begins at Gunitsawa Village were you pass the army post. At the army check post permits will be checked and endorsed (our Blue Poppy Guides will manage). The trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path, which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari (7326m).

DAY 6 - TRAIL RUN / 2

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST

THANGTHANGKHA TO JANGOTHANG

DISTANCE: 12KM

TIME: ~3 HRS

START ELEVATION: 3610M 

FINISH/CAMP ELEVATION: 4080M

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 480M

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the run continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhar.i

DAY 7 - TRAIL DAY / 3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND

JANGOTHANG TO CHEBISA

DISTANCE: 28 KM

TIME: ~7.5 HRS

START ELEVATION: 4080M

FINISH/CAMP ALTITUDE: 3880M 

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 1120M / 1280M

This is one of the longest days of the expedition run.  A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4870m. While on the climb enjoy the surroundings. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all of them rising above 7000m. 

It's a gradual descent passing by some of the yak herder’s tents, made from yak wool. The herders use these tents while travelling to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, a beautiful U-shaped valley, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on clear days. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley.

Shortly you will reach a chorten below Lingshi Dzong (4220m), which sits right atop a high ridge.  This Dzong is under reconstruction from a 2011 earthquake, which damaged its central building.

After Lingshi Dzong you will be passing the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul, the stone houses are clustered together to form a small compact village that is unusual in Bhutan where settlements are usually scattered. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa you will have plenty of time to visit the village houses if you feel up to it. There is also a beautiful waterfall located behind the village that is worth visiting to salve tired muscles in the frigid but healing waters.

DAY 8 - TRAIL DAY / 4

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD          

CHEBISA TO SHOMUTHANG

DISTANCE 17KM

TIME: ~5 HRS

START ELEVATION: 3880M

FINISH/CAMP ALTITUDE  4220M

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 890M / 540M

The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La (pass). On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks. There is also a great chance to spot large herds of blue sheep above the trail. After crossing Gobu La (4410m), you descend into the valley, then climb again a little bit, before descending again to Shakshepasa (3980m), a large U-shaped valley. Climbing from here you will finally reach the campsite at Shomuthang, above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu river.

DAY 9 - TRAIL DAY / 5

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH      

SHOMUTHANG TO ROBLUTHANG

DISTANCE 18KM

TIME: ~3 HRS

START ELEVATION: 4220M

FINISH/CAMP ALTITUDE: 4160M  

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 700M / 760M

You begin by climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6526m) and some edelweiss. After the climb you will reach Jhari La (4750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6840 m, better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. If weather is clear, Tserim Kang and the top of Jomolhari will be visible. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. Herds of takin, the Bhutanese National Animal, migrate to this valley in summer and remain for about four months. The valley has been declared a takin sanctuary. Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

DAY 10 - TRAIL DAY/ 6

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

ROBLUTHANG TO LIMITHANG

DISTANCE: 19KM

TIME: ~4.5 HRS

START ELEVATION: 4160M

FINISH/CAMP ALTITUDE: 4140M

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 850M / 870M

The run starts out with an ascent eventually rising through a boulder field.  It is then a further steep ascent before reaching Sinche La (5,005m) – the final and highest pass on the route (the famous Snowman Route- reputedly one of the hardest treks in the world, and which follows the same route as we’ve been running until here) continues on past Laya.  As you descend the far side of the pass you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. You can see classic examples of lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up both sides of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Limithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s quite a distance away.

DAY 11 - TRAIL DAY / 7

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH

LIMITHANG TO BELOW TAKTSHI ARMY CAMP

DISTANCE APPROX. 20KM

TIME: ~5 HRS

START ELEVATION: 4140M

FINISH/CAMP ALTITUDE: UNKNOWN

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: UNKNOWN – APPROX. 300M / 900M.

Today, you run downhill all the way along a narrow, winding river valley. After a long time, the trail takes you through densely forested region. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the west of the village you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang. In the village centre is a community school and a basic health unit with a telephone connection. Running on through Laya (the usual stop for trekkers) we will make for another 9-10km and an Army Camp (Taktshi). The trail winds up and down along the river valley of Mo Chhu avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking views of the raging river, feeder streams and waterfalls.

DAY 12 - TRAIL DAY/ 8 (FINAL)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

BELOW TAKTSHI ARMY CAMP TO GASA / FINISH IN GAZA VILLAGE

DISTANCE APPROX. 21KM

TIME: ~4.5 HRS

START ELEVATION: UNKNOWN

FINISH/CAMP ALTITUDE: 2770M

TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: UNKNOWN - APPROX 630M / 2000M 

On the final day’s run, lots of ups and downs will lead you to Kohi Lapcha at 3300 m. The run then drops down to the large stream of Koina Chhu, where you will find the trekking campsite of Koina. Ahead remains the final climb of the run expedition. You will cross Bari La (3740m), after which the trail descends all the way until you reach Gasa village (2770m), where you will find the first restaurants since you started from Drukgyel Dzong. Check out Gasa Dzong, a distinctive and architecturally unique Dzong. We finish the trek here in the village with a few celebration beers. In the afternoon we drive to Punakha (5 hours) to recover, shower, relax and sleep in a bed in a hotel for the first time since the beginning. Then enjoy a celebratory dinner, maybe a beer, and tell as many amusing anecdotes as you can from the on trail days.

DAY 13 - LEISURE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH

  • Visit Punakha monastery

  • Drive via Thimphu to Paro

  • Stop for lunch in Thimphu and sightseeing

  • Dinner

  • Hotel in Paro

DAY 14 - LEISURE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH  

  • Massage Treatments

  • Archery, darts and hot stone baths

  • Culture Show

  • Final dinner at hotel

  • Hotel in Paro

DAY 15 - DEPARTURE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH

  • Fly out to gateway airport and home according to flights booked.