ADVENTURE

Chele la trek

About this trek

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Duration

3Days/2Nights

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Best Time

Mar-June & Sept-Nov

Mar-June & Sept-Nov

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Highest Altitude

4350 m

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Difficulty Level

Moderate - Hard

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Highest Walking dist

9 km

Mar-June & Sept-Nov

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Highest Walking Time

5 hrs

Trip highlight

Chele La Trek is a nature trek rated as moderate to hard, and an adventure suitable for those who wish to experience the high Himalayas within a short span of time. Commencing from the Haa Valley, it passes through the high mountain pass to Paro with amazing views of snow-capped mountains and spectacular views of valleys beneath.

The Saga la pass at 3550m is the vantage point into the spectacular sight of the stunning Mount Jumolhari (7314m) and Jichu Drake (6898m) on clear weather. The highlight of the trek is the highest Kungkarpo at an altitude of 4350m, once used to be a famous sky burial marked by stone cairns.

Includes

Itinerary

6 KM | 3 HOURS | 450M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3150M

Your trek begins in Haa Valley at 2670m, through an unpaved motor road for less than hour keeping yourself on the left side of the villages. Then take the trail on the right side of the village, climb up gradually through yak herders camp where 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 that is to be avoided. We take the right trail to make your final climb towards your camp at Sagala at 3150m.

9KM | 6 HOURS | 700M ASCENT | 250M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3850M

Begin ascend for 30 minutes to Sagala pass at an altitude of 3550m, where on clear weather, you will have superb views of Mount Jumolhari (7,314m) and Jichu Drake peaks (6,989m). From the pass, walk on the right side of the trail. After making several ascents and descents, walking through the trails of rhododendrons and through meadows, you will finally be on the top of the ridge at 4100m, 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 Kungkarpo sky burial at 4350m. The view of Haa valley is spectacular as you ascend through these stone cairns to Kungkarpo. 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 till 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 Paro.

SDF

US $200

per day

**Have a question or need some travel advice? Get in touch – our team of experts are ready to help.

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Customer reviews

Ahendradi
5/5

We took 3 days cultural visit in Paro-Haa Valley, 3 days Chelela Pass trek and 3 days cultural visit Thimpu-Punakha. This rhythm gave us excellent combinations of altitude preparations, just-right physical challenges and plenty of relaxation. The team chosen by Bhutan Travelers to accompany us during our trek are true gems of people: the cook, the assistant cook, the horseman. The cook baked us a surprise cake during our last night in our camp. It was the most luxurious camping experience we have ever had. 

Christie Burke
5/5

The tour included site seeing in Thimphu, crossing the suspension bridge in Punakha, 3 day trek in Haa Valley towards Sagala and Nongula.  Our tour guide, Karma, and his team are what truly made the experience one of a kind. Karma took us to the best local restaurants in town, provided us extensive knowledge of the history and culture of Bhutan, helped me when I had to adjust to higher levels of altitude (this is where I learned to go ‘poly poly’, meaning slowly slowly), and also brought a great sense of humor to the table. I highly recommend them!

Joaquin R
5/5

We had an unforgettable trip in Bhutan, did three days of Chele la trekking  experience (with the most amazing food we’ve ever had while trekking since we had a chef and an assistant chef somehow) a local festival, had some great local food and of course when to many of the dzongs and temples including Tiger’s nest. We have traveled to over 75 countries all over the world and couldn’t recommend them more. Thank you for our unique experience.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

5/5

5/5