The three-day Saga La Trek is a popular excursion because it starts in the isolated Haa district and concludes not far from the Drukgyel Dzong ruin at the northernmost tip of the picturesque Paro valley. As you travel through heavily forested forests, mountain passes with expansive vistas, and through fields of green, yellow, and brown that cover the valley level, this nature journey offers the chance to be surrounded by wilderness. It genuinely has something to offer every kind of traveler who chooses a trek.
A Complete Itinerary
Day 1 : Getting to Paro
Your local Bhutanese tour guide will meet you when you arrive in Paro and take you to your accommodation. The valley is not just lovely; it is also breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating historically. The lone airport in Bhutan and several of the country's ancient temples are found in this lovely terraced valley. After a quick break in the hotel, proceed to the majestic Paro Dzong, which is located ahead of the town of Paro and overlooks the valley below. This dzong is an outstanding and impressive introduction to the world of dzongs. On the site of the former Hungrel Dzong, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel constructed this huge fortification in 1646 to worship Humrel Gompo, the protector deity of Paro. Drive a little further uphill after the dzong to the National Museum, a collection of artwork, clothing, armor, and other handcrafted utensils of daily life. Since 1967, it has officially served as the watch tower. From here, the dive descends a hill; while traveling there, stop at the Jangsa Dumtse Lhakhang, which is located close to the town. This old temple, which is shaped like a chorten, is physically tied to the ground because locals think that if it isn't, it will soar to heaven. Tibetan saint Thong Tong Gyelpo constructed this temple in 1421 after traveling to Bhutan in search of iron ore. Travel by car to Paro, a little town. Visit the Druk Choding Temple, which was constructed in 1525 by Lam Ngawang Chogyel, a prince-abbot of Ralung in Tibet and an ancestor of Zhabdring Ngawang Namgyel, while you stroll around the town. Drive to your hotel for some downtime after having a great time in Paro's central business district.
Day 2 : Haa - Paro
Your dive today will take you across Chele La Pass, one of Bhutan's highest vehicle passes, to the isolated Haa valley. The drive uphill from the Bondey valley brings you through a breathtakingly beautiful forest of oak, pine, and rhododendron, which are in flower in the months of April and May. The pass is located at a chilly, crisp 3988 meters. The top of the pass also provides a panoramic view of the distant, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Jomolhari, which rises to a height of 24000 feet (7314 meters), as well as the valley below. Your drive from here will take you on a pleasant excursion through the Haa valley. Visit a few of the intriguing historical sites and temples after arriving to the lovely Haa valley. We advise visiting the well-known Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple), which is home to the Haa district monastic organization. According to legend, the white ray of light once came from the body of King Songtsen Gampo, and the Lhakhang Karpo was erected on the spot where it had landed.
Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), was built where the black ray of the light had fallen. After visiting this two important historical temple drive to visit the small town of Haa.
The Saga La Trek Begins
Day 3 : Khadey Gom - Yangtong (Distance: 08 Km, Time: 04 Hour)
After breakfast this morning, continue driving north until you reach Yangton (2735m), where your trekking team will be waiting to meet you. The trail leads you steeply uphill to the Yangtong Goempa (temple) and its surrounding community as you prepare for your subsequent hiking journey. The Guru Rinpoche and his eight manifestations are the focus of the temple. The trail leads you through a blue pine forest below Saga La Pass after a brief visit to the temple. The trail passes through the Talung settlement, which consists of three villages and eighty households, and the Makhang Chhu, which runs through it. The path travels past terraces of farmland before ascending to the wooden bridge known as Iron Bridge, which was allegedly constructed in the 15th century by an iron chain bridge builder. After passing through a woodland and meadow, you arrive at an intriguing location where a rock with double eyes and a deformed mouth can be found. The trail is said to have been used without fear of the demon ever since Lama Thong Tong Gyelpo is said to have tamed the demons by slicing the devils mouth on the rock with his potent magical sward of ignorance. You eventually arrive at your campsite at Khadey Gom, which is located at a height of 3235m, after a brief hike.
Day 4 : Dongney Tsho - Khadey Gom (Distance: 8 Km, Time: 05 Hour)
A steep ascent through meadows and a conifer forest leads to the Saga La Pass, which is located at an elevation of 12200 feet (3720 meters). You eventually reach the top of the pass, which is indicated by a small chorten (stupa) encircled by vibrant prayer flags, as you continue to trek higher. If the skies are clear, the pass provides a breathtaking perspective of the valley, including some permanently snow-capped peaks like Mt. Jomolhari, which rises to a height of 24000 feet/7314 meters. The Tiger's Nest Monastery, positioned on the cliffside on the rock face at an elevation of 9700ft (2950m), is also visible from the pass. The trail leads you downhill from the pass through a mixed forest of conifers and rhododendrons before arriving at the campsite at Dongney Tsho, which is encircled by a sizable fig forest.
A 3200m elevation marks the location of your campground.
Day 5 : Drukgyel Dzong - Dongney Tsho (Distance: 7 Km, Time: 03 Hour)
Your journey today starts out flat and descends till it reaches Genchu Zam Bridge. The track passes through a lot of vegetation and gives you an opportunity to see some of the local birds, like the magpie, laughing thrushes, nutcrackers, and pheasants. After passing through another little village with a tiny temple, you continue on your path until you reach Balahka Chhu, which marks the conclusion of the historic Haa trail. Finally, a car will pick you up and drive you to your accommodation.
Day 6 : Trek To The Well-Known Tiger's Nest
We advise getting started on your relatively challenging trip of the day very early. Your walk ascends uphill from the parking area to the most breathtakingly situated goemba in Bhutan. It is 3000 feet/915 meters above the valley below. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to do the assignment at an average speed, and it is somewhat hilly. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche visited this gorgeously situated Goemba and meditated there while riding on the back of a tigress, hence the name "Tiger's Nest." Numerous religious authorities have acknowledged this location, and even Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel paid a visit in 1646. The real monastery, which was established in 1692, was entirely destroyed by fire in 1998. The following year, it was restored, and in 2005, it was officially dedicated. After driving to the abandoned Drukgyel Dzong, which was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to mark his triumph over Tibetan invasion, you can return by using the same trail back to the parking area. The dzong was destroyed by a fire that started in 1951. As you make your way back, stop at the historically significant Kichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples that Tibetan king Songtsen Gyelpo built in the seventh century to fend against the enormous ogres that lay beneath the entire Himalaya. Take the path that leads to Paro.