Jomolhari Trek I - Our guest in Jangothang camp site

Jomolhari Trek is longer than the Jomolhari Loop - the most popular trekking routes in Bhutan. This trek is the most popular trekking routes in Bhutan. With altitude differences of 2,500m and nearly 5,000m it offers a wide range of landscapes, fauna and flora. 

The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Base camp.

Total trip 13 nights, 3 nights in hotels/lodges, 9 nights in camping, This trek passes through scattered hamlets and farmland into a deep and richly forested valley, which leads to a high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals. The trek offers a taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscape.

Duration: 13 days/ 12 nights, Max.

Highest Camp: 3,550m

Standard: Hard

Best Seasons: Mid June to Mid October

Start: Gunitsawa Village, Paro Valley

Finish: Cherri Monestary (THimphu)

Detailed Itinerary [We can also customize as per your requirement]

 DAY 1: PARO ARRIVAL

Arrive Paro by Drukair, the national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On your arrival after visa formalities are complete, you will be received by our representative who will escort you to your hotel in Paro.

Check in hotel. Visit the National Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Spend the rest of the day walking the street of Paro.

Overnight: Hotel, Paro

DAY 2: PARO INSIGHT - Acclimatization                

Morning, hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The climb up to the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684.Hike further up to the monastery.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang and Dungtse Lhakhang

Overnight: Hotel, Paro

DAY 3: GUNITSAWA – SHARNA ZAMPA (Paro)        

40mins, 80 m descent, camp altitude 2,850 m.

This trek begins at Gunitsawa Village were you pass the army post. At the army checkpost your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa. 

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 4: SHARNA ZAMPA – THANGTHANGKHA            

Distance 22 km, 7-8 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent, camp altitude 3,610 m.

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

Overnight: CAMP 

DAY 5: THANGTHANGKHA JANGOTHANG                  

Distance 19 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent, camp altitude 4,080 m.

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy

a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 6: JANGOTHANG HALT            

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can also trek up to Tosoh or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and there are a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 7: JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI      

Distance 16km, six to seven hours, 810m ascent, 1,090m descent, camp altitude 3,800m. 

The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to Bhonte La pass at 4,890 m, the highest point of this trek route. 

Reaching the Dhumzo Chhu river, you trek downstream passing the few houses of Soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp soon after.

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 8: LINGSHI – SHODU                

Distance 22km, eight to nine hours, 940m ascent, 920m descent, camp altitude 4,080m.

The trail climbs up to the Yelila pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, on a clear day you will get an excellent view of Jumolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang. The trek from the pass to the campsite atShodu is a steep downhill.

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 9: SHODU – BARSHONG      

Distance 16km, five to six hours, 250m ascent, 670m descent, camp altitude 3,710m.

The trail follows the Thimphu Chhu through rhododendron forests, past beautiful waterfalls along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong.

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 10: BARSHONG – DOLAM KENCHO    

Distance 15km, four to six hours, 290m ascent, 640m descent, 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. The camp is in a meadow.

Overnight: CAMP 

DAY 11: DOLAM KENCHO – DODENA      

Distance 8km, three to four hours, 500m ascent, 930m descent.

The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. In Dodena, you will exit the Jigme Dorji National Park and reach the road head next to an impressive cantilever bridge.

Overnight: CAMP

DAY 12: JOMOLHARI TREK – FINISH      

The trek finishes at the beautiful Cherri Monastery, while it is a 40 min hike to the monastery it is well worth it. 

Drive to Thimphu, check into hotel.

Overnight: Hotel, Thimphu

DAY 13: THIMPHU-PARO      DEPART      

Today after early breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight.

Detail costing for this tour

Land cost: USD $ 1400.00 (USD $ 280.00 per night) 

Airfare Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok:  USD $ 794.00

Visa Fee: USD $   40.00

Tourism Development Fund: USD $   10.00

Net package cost per person: USD $ 4204.00

What’s included:

a)    Expert leadership

b)    All accommodations

c)    All meals

d)    All transportation during the tour

e)    All activities as noted in the itinerary

f)       Bottled water while on drive and hiking

* All rates based on three or more traveling together on twin room sharing basis.

SURCHARGE

Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to the following surcharges:

a)    Single Individual: US$ 40/ per night halt

b)    Group of 2: US$ 30/ per person per night halt

c)    The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.

d)  The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.