Tour Overview
Grade: Moderate
Time: 5 days
Distance: 23 miles/37km (Dagana distance not available)
Altitude Gain: 7810ft/2381m (7347ft/2240m)
Altitude Loss: 9450ft/2881m (11,283ft/3440m)
In the area, there are tales of either 105 or 108 lakes, with some stories suggesting there were once over 1000. Trekking routes include:
- Geynikha to Simtokha: 4-5 days with a recommended rest day to explore.
- Geynikha to Daga: 6 days with a rest day recommended; add 1 day for driving from Daga to Thimphu, totaling 8 days.
These routes, though seldom traveled now, were historically significant for cattle migration and trade.
Day 1: Thimphu to Geynikha
Day 2: Geynizampa to Gur or on to Gibze Kebze (Gebse Kebze)
Day 3: Gur or Gibze Kebze to near U(m)tsho Tsho (or Labatamba or Dolungo) via Pagalabtsa La
Day 4: Near Utsho Tsho to Kiwi Chowa (Kare Kawe) via Labajong La (low route: 14,430ft/4400m) or Jomo (Dagala) Peak (high route: 14,825ft/4520m or 15,469ft/4716m)
Day 5: Kiwi Chowa to Thimphu via Tale La and Talakha Gompa
Day 1: Thimphu to Geynikha
Explore a prosperous valley filled with large houses and religious sites like gompas and lhakhangs, credited to a monk’s 10th-century blessing. Transition from historic mining to mushroom, potato, and apple cultivation. Begin by passing Geynikha primary school to reach the picturesque Geynikha village. Enjoy stunning views and charming house paintings before trekking to Gepailo ruin and descending to Geynitsang Chhu, passing a waterfall. Settle at Geynizampa campsite near a busy road, with opportunities to explore nearby villages like Zamto and Chhochhekha.
Day 2: Geynizampa to Gur or on to Gibze Kebze (Gebse Kebze)
Sun reaches camp at 08.00hr in autumn. Cross the suspension bridge and climb steeply through an oak forest adorned with lichen. The trail, marked by old stone steps and resting places, leads to Dophu Jasey Dokha at 10,495ft/3200m, offering valley and mountain views. Traverse a birch forest transitioning into bamboo. Near the ridge’s top at 10,990ft/3350m, a side trail leads to a potential campsite, Gur, reachable in 2 hours from Geynizampa. Ascend to Gibze Kebze at 11,280ft/3440m, encountering ferns and flowers like edelweiss, with basic herder huts for camping.
Day 3: Gur or Gibze Kebze to near U(m)tsho Tsho (or Labatamba or Dolungo) via Pagalabtsa La
From Gibze Kebze camp, return to the main trail crossing creeks and spotting wild asparagus. Ascend to Pagalabtsa La at 13,657ft/4170m for stunning views. Turn east towards Wataching for a lunch stop. Traverse to Labatama valley, passing yak herders’ huts. Camp near Utsho Tsho lake at 14,040ft/4280m, despite potential windiness.
Day 4: Near Utsho Tsho to Kiwi Chowa (Kare Kawe) via Labajong La (low route: 14,430ft/4400m) or Jomo (Dagala) Peak (high route: 14,825ft/4520m or 15,469ft/4716m)
Start early as the sun reaches camp. Begin climbing the grassy ridge towards the trail leading to Jomo Peak, heading east between rockfaces. Two route options are available:
- Lower Route: Cross a pass at 14,105ft/4300m, easier for pack animals. Climb over a ridge behind camp to Labajong La at 14,430ft/4400m, offering views of Dongkha Lhakhang monastery. Descend steeply to Dochha Chhu stream and continue trekking high above the valley, where the haute route merges with the lower track.
- Higher Route: Climb to altitudes of 4520m or higher to reach Jomo Peak. Pass Serbho Tsho/Dajatsho lake, cross a saddle at 14,760ft/4500m, and descend steeply to Dochha Chhu stream, rejoining the lower route. Camp near Kiwi Chowa at 13,220ft/4030m, with sunlight until 17:30 hr in autumn.
Day 5: Kiwi Chowa to Thimphu via Tale La and Talakha Gompa
In autumn, start the day by ascending to a pass at 12,990ft/3960m, where four trails converge. Enjoy views from Jili La/Tale La pass before descending to Talakha Gompa at 10,200ft/3110m, surrounded by scenic beauty. Arrange transport from the gompa or camp nearby for a forest hike the next day to meet your transport at Simtokha Dzong.
What should I bring with me?
· Good walking shoes
· Sunglasses
· Sunscreen (highest possible)
· Woolen cap
· Prescription medications/ first aid (only basic first aid is/ can be provided)
· Sturdy and ‘broken-in’ trekking boots
· Rain gear
· Torch (flashlight)
· Insect Repellent
· Gaiters
· Gloves
· T-shirts
· Comfortable walking pants
· Down jacket
· Day bag (to carry your requirements while walking)
· Energy chocolate bars
· Water bottle
· Memory card and batteries for camera and flashlight
· Toiletries
Maximum recommended load for trekking is 25kgs (55 lbs), or 1/5th of body weight.
What will be the weather like in Bhutan?
Days are normally warm, nights can be quite chilly. In winter, the temperature is below freezing point. Monsoon shower in summer can be expected with heavy rains in July and August.
Preventing Altitude Sickness
· Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or other narcotics, they may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
· Drink plenty of fluids.
· Avoid heavy exercise at high altitudes. Mild exercise is okay.
· Diamox (acetazolamide) 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it originally was released as a diuretic (water pill), it also helps you breath deeper and faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful with the sleeping problems and other symptoms of A.M.S.
· Home oxygen will relieve symptoms. Home oxygen is safe, cheap and easy to use. It can be used at night when symptoms are worse and off and on during the day as symptoms dictate.
· If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going down to lower altitudes will always help relieve the symptoms of AMS, it is also one of the best ways to overcome the sickness.
Acute mountain sickness is caused by lack of Oxygen when traveling to higher elevations. This usually occurs in individuals exposed to an altitude of over 7000 ft (2100 m) who have not had a chance to acclimate to the altitude before engaging in physical activities. Mountaineers, trekkers, skiers and mountain travelers are at the greatest risk. While individual tolerance varies, symptoms usually appear within several hours, with those in weaker physical conditions being more susceptible. Headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath and poor appetite are the initial symptoms. Inability to sleep is also frequently reported. In more severe cases, thinking and judgment may become impaired. An uncommon but potentially fatal complication called high altitude pulmonary edema, caused by fluid build-up in the lungs can also occur in rare cases.
The symptoms of acute mountain sickness can be prevented or minimized by gradually ascending (less than 500 meters/day) over several days to give your body a chance to acclimate to the higher altitude. Taking the prescription medication Diamox (acetazolamide) 250 mg three times a day has been shown to speed up the acclimatization process and can be taken shortly before and during the ascent. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. This medication is a mild diuretic and may work by changing the body’s acid-base balance and stimulating breathing. Dexamethasone 8 mg once a day has also been shown to be effective. However, this steroid medication may have more adverse effects. Once symptoms occur, they usually improve over several days without treatment. However, if they become severe, they can be relieved with the administration of oxygen or descent to a lower altitude.
Packing
A soft but strong duffel bag luggage is best suited on treks as it will be loaded on horse backs. A small back pack (day bag) to carry your essential things on the way like rain gear, wind stopper, camera, batteries, water bottle, candies etc.