3 Day Chelela Hike

About this tour

DAY 1 – Haa valley to Sagala

6 KM | 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 (3150m)

DAY 2 – Sagala to Ningula

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, 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.

DAY 3 – Ningula via Kungkarpo pass to Paro

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 4350m. 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 Paro.