Chele La Trek
ITINERARY DAYS
9
TREK DAYS
3
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate - hard
GROUP SIZE
2 or more
FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED
or call us at +975 77845366
About the Trek
HIGHEST
ALTITUDE
- 4350 m
AVG. WALKING DISTANCE
- 9 km
AVG. WALKING
TIME PER DAY
- 5 hours
MEALS ON
TREK
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks
Chele La Trek rated as moderate to hard adventure is suitable for those who wish to experience high Himalayas within a short span of time.
This trek can be tricky, as many hikers mistakenly follow the old trail once used by the people of Paro and Haa in ancient times. Instead, we take the path that climbs toward the highest ridge, Kungkarpo (4,200m)—the true highlight of this journey.
We begin at Chungdu Pang (2,690m), a grassy meadow north of Haa Valley that until a few years ago was used for yak sacrifices, a practice now discontinued. From here, the trail leads north through countryside terrain, following the stream and passing summer yak-grazing areas. After one final steep ascent of about an hour, we reach our campsite at Sagala (3,550m).
The last two days follow high ridgelines offering sweeping views of both Paro and Haa Valleys below. Along the way, you’ll enjoy enchanting panoramas of Mount Jumolhari (7,315m), Jichu Drake (6,662m), and Tshering Gang (6,789m).
The final push is a steep climb to Kung Karpo (4,200m), a site known for its sky-burial tradition, marked by stone cairns and an old meditation hut. From this ridge, you can see a Himalayan range, including a distant view of Mount Kanchenjunga in Sikkim. A gradual descent across five successive ridges brings you to Chele La Pass, where your vehicle will be waiting to drive you to your hotel or onward to Thimphu to continue your trip. Besides the 3-day trek, you will also explore the valleys of Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro for a rich cultural and heritage experience.
Includes & Excludes
- Sustainable Development Fee & visa fee
- Transport by private vehicle
- Government approved 3-star hotels
- English speaking guide
- Bottled water in vehicle
- Permits, entrance fees, & sightseeing
- Sleeping tents, sleeping mats & pillows
- Dinning tents, kitchen tent & toilet tent
- Tables, chairs, utensils, hot water bags
- Trekking chef & assistants
- Horses to carry trek equipments
- Food supplies
- Airfare
- Insurance
- Laundry
- Drinks & beverages
- Phone/internet bills
- Tips
- Wire transfer charge/card fee
- Sleeping bag
- Other bills of personal nature
Trek Route
Your journey begins with a spectacular flight into Paro—especially stunning when flying from Delhi or Kathmandu as the aircraft glides past the Himalayan peaks and descends into Bhutan’s narrow valley. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by your Trekking In Bhutan guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit Rinpung Dzong, the imposing fortress overlooking the Pa Chhu River, followed by the National Museum housed in the old Ta Dzong watchtower. You can also explore Dungtse Lhakhang, an unusually shaped ancient temple renowned for its historic murals and spiritual significance. Towards evening, enjoy a leisurely walk through Paro town before settling in for the night. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Begin early this morning with a hike to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliff at 3,100 meters. The hike offers a rewarding blend of forest trails, sacred sites, and inspiring mountain scenery. After descending, drive westward across the scenic Chele La Pass at 3,990 meters, enjoying panoramic views of the Himalayan range and the valleys below. Continue down into the tranquil Haa Valley and settle into your hotel for the night. Overnight at a hotel in Haa.
6KM | 3 HOURS | 450M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3150M
Your trek begins in the Haa Valley (2670m) through an unpaved motor road for less than hour keeping yourself on the left side of the villages. Taking the trail on the right side of the village, you will climb up gradually through yak herders camp till you will be met by two different trails. (The trail towards the left that goes to the summer yak herding camp and to the border of China is to be avoided). We take the right trail to make your final climb towards your camp at Sagala (3,550m).
9KM | 6 HOURS | 700M ASCENT | 250M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3850M
Begin climbing up for 30 minutes to Sagala pass, which on clear weather, you will have superb views of Mount Jumolhari (7314m) and Jichu Drake (6989m). From the pass, you will not cross over the old trail leading to Paro but we walk on the right side of the trail. After making several ascents and descents, walking through the trails of rhododendrons and meadows, you will finally be on the top of the ridge at 4435m, which offers great views of Haa Valley below. Making occasional ascents and descents through forests of hemlock and juniper, you will reach at your camp at 3850m.
11KM | 6 HOURS | 500M ASCENT | 360M DESCENT
Descending for few minutes and following the ridge through meadows and yak herder’s camp, we climb uphill through the forest of tall rhododendrons toward Kung Karpo Sky Burial at 4,200m. The view of Haa valley is spectacular as you climb up through these stone cairns to Kung Karpo. From the sky burial, you will be walking up and down with panoramic view of Paro valley on left and Haa Valley on right. The view of Kila Goenpa Nunnery below is also spectacular. Walk further downhill until you reach Chelela pass (3990m), which is one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. Your vehicle will be waiting here to transfer you to Thimphu.
Begin the morning with a visit to the Memorial Chorten, an important spiritual landmark where locals gather for daily prayers, followed by a stop at Buddha Point to see the Giant Buddha Dordhenma and wide views over Thimphu Valley. Continue to the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal and learn about its unique origins. After lunch, explore the vibrant Weekend Market, a lively place where farmers and artisans from across the country gather to sell their produce and crafts. Later, visit the Bhutan Post Office to create your own personalized stamps before spending the evening strolling through Thimphu town at your leisure.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha over the scenic Dochula Pass, where, on clear days, the Himalayan panorama unfolds above the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. Descend through lush forests into the warmer Punakha Valley and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple associated with the Divine Madman. Continue to Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and historically significant fortresses, set dramatically between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
In the morning, visit the long suspension bridge over the Pho Chhu River, walking through the cremation ground to reach it. Continue to Nalanda and the nearby nunnery before beginning your drive toward Paro. Stop in Thimphu for lunch and use the remaining time to visit any sites you may have missed previously. Later, continue the drive to Paro and check into your hotel for the night.
Drive to the airport for departure. Our guide will bid you farewell.
Mid-April to June and September to November are generally considered the best months for trekking in Bhutan. April to June offers warm spring weather with blooming flowers, while September to November, though colder, provides mostly clear skies and excellent mountain views.
You’ll spend five nights in three-star hotels during the cultural sightseeing portion of your trip, with the option to upgrade to a higher-rated hotel. During the trek itself, you’ll stay in tented camps.
Bhutan offers a range of meal choices — from Indian, Bhutanese, and Chinese to continental. While on the trek, you will be provided with the same variety. Breakfast will consist of bread, eggs, butter, jam, honey, biscuits, tea, coffee, juices, hot chocolate, oats, cereal, ham, and sausages. Lunch will be a hot packed meal. Lunch and dinner menus will include rice, soup, noodles, vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, fish, lentils, and fruits.
Your trek chef may also include other interesting dishes to complement your regular meals. Our trekkers consistently praise our cooks, and past trekkers have often mentioned them in their reviews. We take real pride in the quality and care that goes into every meal on the trail.
Your trekking crew will consist of a guide, a trek chef, assistants, and horsemen with horses, and the size of the team will grow based on your group size. For instance, a group of two people will have a crew of around five — a guide, a trek chef, an assistant, and two horsemen with six horses. The team grows accordingly: for a group of four, your crew will consist of a guide, a trek chef, two assistants, two to three horsemen, and 16 horses.
Your luggage will be carried by horses along the trail, with a limit of 15 kg per person. Two trekkers’ bags are combined onto a single horse (30 kg total), in line with our Horse Welfare Scheme — the first of its kind in the Himalayan region — which caps loads to prevent overburdening and injury. Horses are also given daily supplemental feed and full rest at each campsite, at no extra cost to you. A day before the trek, you will separate the clothes required for trekking, while other items will be left behind under the care of the Company. They will be returned to you at the end of your trek.
This trip is join-in at Paro. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines operate flights to and from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Singapore, and Dubai. We encourage you to book well in advance since Bhutan has limited flights and hotel availability, so we recommend securing your place at least six months before your trek departure date.
Pack differently for each part of your trip. Trekking days call for proper hiking gear — moisture-wicking layers, sturdy waterproof boots, and warm insulation for high-altitude camps. For city sightseeing days in Thimphu and Paro, casual, comfortable clothing works well, though modest attire is appreciated when visiting temples and monasteries. Email us for a full packing list.
Dates & itinerary don't fit?
We can create a custom itinerary for you—choose your dates, destinations, and the sights you’d like to see. Get in touch to start building your perfect Bhutan trekking journey.
or call us at +975 77845366
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