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Jomolhari Trek

Day 01: Arrive Paro

On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and then on the final approach to Paro Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang will come into view. Bhutan’s first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. You will be met by our office representative, and after completion of arrival formalities will be taken to your hotel.

Afternoon free for activities or at leisure. In the evening, take a stroll around Paro market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 02: Paro sightseeing

PARO (2,200m/7,218ft)

This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport, and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.

The sightseeing in the valley includes visit to the National Museum, Paro Rinpung Dzong, Kichu Temple, ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and the oldest temple Kichu Lhakhang.

Evening leisure in the Town.

Day 03: Taktshang Excursion

Excursion to Taksang Monastery (Tiger Nest). 20 minutes drive from your Hotel will take you to the road end point. It will be 2-3 hours hike to the View point. From this point one can enjoy the superb view if this famous Monastery (Visit inside the Monastery may not be possible as only Buddhist are allowed with special permission). But hike to the view point is very interesting

Taktsang Monastery: “Tiger’s Nest” monastery is spectacularly located on the side of a cliff 900m above the valley floor. The place is blessed by Guru Rinpochhe during his visit in 7th century. There have been shrines at this sacred place for many centuries. The principal lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. An excursion to Taktsang involves a steep climb up through pine forest and takes about five hours round trip. You can also extend the hike and visit Zangdopelri and Ugyen Tsemo.

Walk back to Paro and overnight at hotel.

Day 4-11 Jhomolhari Trek (Paro-Thimphu)

Duration : Eight days,

Max. Elevation: 4,930m

Highest Camp : 4,080m

Standard : Medium

Best Seasons : March – May & October to November

Start : Drukgyel Dzong (Paro)

Finish : Dodena (Thimphu)

This superb 8-day trek begins in Paro and leads us into northern Bhutan to a land of yak-herders and to the base of Mount Chomolhari (23,977 feet), which is the most holy mountain in Bhutan. From there our trek brings us to the remote Lingshi Dzong which once guarded the frontier with Tibet. This trek offers fabulous views of the mountains including Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsheringkhang beside stunning Himalayan scenery. We encounter many yak-herders and their camps but few villages along our route.

Day 4: Drukgyel Dzong – Sharna

Distance: 17km, Estimated Walking Time: 4-5hr, Ascent: 360m, Descent: 80m, Camp Altitude: 2850m.

Take short drive up to ruins of Drukgyel Dzong from where trek begins. With a gradual climb the trail follows the Paro Chhu passing beautiful meadows, paddy fields and impressive farm houses. After about four hours you will reach the army post at Gunitsawa village, where the trekking permit is checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa.

Day 5: Sharna - Thangthangkha

Distance: 22km, Estimated walking time: 7-8hr, Ascent: 770m, Descent: 10m, Camp altitude: 3,610m.

On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley, you enter the Jigme Dorji National Park. The valley gradually narrows to a mere path which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mount Jomolhari.

Day 6: Thangthangkha – Jangothang

Distance: 19km, estimated walking Time: 5-6hr, Ascent: 480m, Camp altitude: 4,080m.

The trail still continues following Paro river and slowly opens up into a spectacular vicinity encircled by high ridges and snowcapped peaks. Here you might encounter few settlements of yak herders and see the monoester yak. Camping at Jangothang would be one of the memorable nights of the trek with mighty Jhomolhari right in-front of you. Overnight in the tent.

Day 7: Rest Day in Jangothang

This rest day offers you with optional day hike which gives the great views of the surrounding mountains Jichu Drake, Tsheringang and again the mighty Jhomolhari. There are few settlements and lakes to be visited. You may also opt to stay at the camp, take in the views, visit a village, or rest for the challenging day ahead, or get some laundry or cleaning done this morning in a stream nearby. Both the mighty mountains are unclimbed. Overnight in the tent.

Day 8: Jangothang – Lingshi

Distance: 18km, Estimated walking time: 6-7hr, Ascent: 840m, Decent: 870m, Camp altitude: 4,010m.

After 15 min. from the camp the trail climbs rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascend to the Ngele La pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surrounding. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsheringang, all of them rising above 7,000m, unclimbed and untouched. On the way down to the camp you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tent, made from yak hair, where the herders take shelter while on the move to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong. Overnight in the tent.

Day 9: Lingshi – Shodu

Distance: 22km, Estimated walking time: 8-9 hr, Ascent: 940m Descent: 920m, Camp altitude: 4,080m.

Today is a long and hard day so prepare to start early. The climb rises steadily to reach an altitude of about 4450m. The last part of the climb incurs large boulders and several switchbacks. Finally after a climb of 4-4.5hr you reach Yale La pass, with views towards snowy mountains.

Now you descent to Jaradinthang stream, a tributary of Thimphu Chhu. You will come across a small chorten at 4150m from where the trail diverts to easterly direction following the stream. The camp site is reached after crossing a sandy slope. Overnight in the tent.

Day 10: Shodu – Domshisha

Distance: 18km, Estimated walking time: 6- 7hr, Ascent: 250m, Descent: 670m, Camp altitude: 3710m.

The trail follows the Thimphu Chhu through lime stone valley. The caves are used by the monks for mediation; it is also believed that the unifier of Bhutan Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel mediated here. There are beautiful waterfall and rockfaces seen around after crossing the bridge. Towards the end of the trek, the trails ascends to ruins of Barshong Dzong and the place compromises of dozen of households. Push further on for an hour or two to reach the campsite. Overnight in the tent.

Day 11: Domshisha – Dodena

Distance: 15km, Estimated walking time: 4-6hr, Ascent:290m , Descent:640m, Camp altitude 3,320m).

The trail descends down to the Thimphu Chhu river valley, through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos and then ascends to pasture lands. Make a short climb to the top of 3510m and make a gradual descent to the valley of Deodena. Your transport will be waiting here to transfer you to Thimphu.

Day 12: Thimphu Sites

Easy Walking.

Thimphu is a city ideally explored on foot, and our walk today takes us between its many interesting sights. Before the day is through, we may visit the newly built textile museum, the Thimphu Dzong (seat of the government and main monk body), the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, the Heritage Museum, and the Handicrafts Emporium, displaying the rich traditional crafts of the kingdom. Along the way we stop at a local restaurant for lunch before continuing our walk through the city.

Day 13: Transfer Thimphu – Paro

The morning is free to spend as you like before our afternoon return to Paro. There is time for walking, relaxing, or searching for the perfect traditional weaving in a Thimphu handicraft shop. Beautiful wool, silk, and cotton weaves, basketwork, silver jewelry, thangkas, and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various shops.

Tonight we share one last dinner as we celebrate our journey through this magical kingdom and the kind welcome that we have received from its generous people.

Day 14: Farwell to Bhutan

Depending upon your departure time you will be transferred to the airport to continue your journey to home or onward program.

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