Program Jomolhari Trek
Price on request
Included
Transport, Trekking-Crew, english speaking tourguide, 3 meals per day, overnight stay, admission to places of interest according program, visa
Not included
Flights, drinks, tips for driver, tourguide, trekking-crew
Duration: 14 days/13 nights
Difficulty level: medium
Overnight stay: During trek in tents, otherwise in traditional and comfortable hotels
Recommended season: April to June, August to October
Highlights
Short summary
This superb 8-day trek begins in Paro and leads us into northern Bhutan to the land of yak-herders and to the base of Mount Jomolhari (7314m), 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 1
Arrival in Paro
On a clear weather, flight to Bhutan provides a wonderful view of Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkata, it is a breathtaking journey, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the kingdom. Upon arrival at Paro you will immediately notice the transparent purity of the air and the absence of noise. After the Immigration and customs formalities, you will be welcomed by your local host and the tour guide from Druk Eye Tours & Travels.
If there is enough time, we shall visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Its setting and its spacious upper courtyard and prayer halls are filled with a simple, quite and stately spiritual power. The dzong’s correct name, Rinpung Dzong means ‘a fortress on a heap of jewels’. After visiting the dzong we will walk down to cross the ancient cantilever bridge over the Paro Chu (river of Paro). Welcome Dinner and overnight stay in Hotel in Paro.
Day 2
Hike to Tiger's Nest
Taktsang, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, and one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan Kingdom, The trip is an uphill walk of about 2 and half hours. We will be walking firstly through the pine forest and as we get higher the vegetation consists mainly of Oak. Taktsang Monastery is the most famous of Bhutan’s many monasteries. Taktsang literally means – Tiger’s nest. This monastery was built in the 1600s and clings to a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, also known as Guru Padmasambhawa in the form of Dorji Drolo arrived at this site on the back of a flying Tigress from a place called Khenpajong which is in kurtoe, Lhuntse, to subdue the eight evil spirits who were preventing the propagation of Buddhism in that area. An accidental fire destroyed the monastery in 1998; but many of the precious relics and treasures were retrieved from the ruins. It has recently been rebuilt in its original form.
After lunch we shall visit Kychu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most important temples in Bhutan. It is said to have been built in 659 by the Tibetan Buddhist king called Songtsen Gampo, to pin down the trouble-making ogress whose body is so large that it covers Bhutan and most of the eastern Tibet. This Lhakhang contains a 5 meters high statue of Guru Rimpoche and another of Tara, who represents one of the wives of the Tibetan Buddhist king Songtsen Gampo. Overnight Hotel in Paro.
Day 3
Hike on Chele la pass
Chele la (elevation 3,988 meters) is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. A two hour hike through pine and rhododendron forests will take you up to this peaceful nunnery set high in the mountains with stunning views all around. From there the driver will pick us up. Overnight Hotel in Paro.
Day 4
Drukgyel - Shana (2890m)
Estimated walking time: 5 hr
Altitude gain: 310m / Altitude loss: 80m
Take a short drive from Paro to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a wonderful place to begin your trek. Your trekking staff and pack animals will meet you here. Walk through the dirty road along the wide and rich cultivated valley following the Paro Chu. Throughout the valley there are beautiful traditional Bhutanese farm houses. Crossing the farm houses you reach Hedi Gompa which is famous and very old monastery. Pushing further on the valley widens and you finally reach a military camp where the trekking permit is checked. Now you’re half an hour walk will take you to your camp of the day, Sharna at an elevation of 2890m.
Day 5
Shana - Thangthangkha (3610m)
Estimated walking time: 7-8hr
Altitude gain : 685m
The trail continues its gradual climb alongside of Paro Chu through conifers and rhododendrons until you enter the Jigme Dorji National Park which is marked by a Sharna bridge and a chorten on the other side. Continuing the trail you reach a Shing Karapa (3110m) and soon from here we reach a junction to Tremo La the ancient trade route to Tibet. After some hours cross a big bridge, and a short climb will take you to a second bridge at the confluence of Paro chu and Ronse Ghon Chu. From you will have a beautiful glimpse of the Jhomolhari(7314m) to the north and several other snowy peaks. Now your camp Soi Thangthanka at elevation of 3575m is just 30min walk.
Day 6
Jhomolhari Base camp (4080m)
Estimated walking time: 4-5hr
Altitude gain : 469m
We continue following Paro River as the valley begins to widen, opening to a spectacular area surrounded by high ridges and snowcapped peaks. A few yak-herding villages are based in this area, be aware because some yaks are notorious. The day is not so long but because of an altitude gain, your pace might be slower. Jangothang (4040m) is surrounded by stone Chortens below a ruined fortress with Jhomolhari at a distance.
Day 7
At the foot of the goddess Jhomo (Acclimatization Day) (4080m)
Jangothang is one of the most spectacular camping places in the entire trek to enjoy the sunrise. Chain of snow capped peaks form the eastern side of Paro River has put up here. The site gives you one of the best views of mighty Jhomolhari the second highest mountain of Bhutan and Jichu Drake (6989). Both the mountains remain unclimbed in the history of Bhutan and remains off limits to the mountaineers. You can also go around the village or walk around to see the yak herders and trout filled lakes or do some cleaning in the stream close by.
Day 8
Jhomolhari Base camp to Lingshi (4010m)
Estimated walking time: 5-6hr
Altitude gain : 845m / Altitude loss : 880m
Continue walking north from your camp and cross the river over a log bridge and your steep climb to the Nglele La pass begins. Nglele La at 4890m is the first high and very windy pass of the trek, the pass gives you the view of Gangchenta to the east. As you descend from the pass you will also see Masang Gang in the far distance. Now the trail is smooth and leads you to the viewing point of Lingshi Dzong. As you descend the the powerful solitary Lingshi Dzong gets closer and closer and you are finally at the camp. The Lingshi village is below the Dzong and it has nine months of winter and a brief summer. Village has 118 household and about 400-500 people. The government of Bhutan has built a school and a health unit to the inhabitants here.
Day 9
Lingshi- Sodhu (4080m)
Estimated walking time: 8-9hr
Altitude gain : 940m / Altitude loss : 870m
Today is a long and a hard day, so we recommend you to start early. You have a steady climb of about 4-4.5hr till you reach Yale La (4950m) pass. From Yale La pass there is a continuous decent which finally ends at campsite Shodu (4080).
Day 10
Sodhu – Domshisha (3710m)
Estimated walking time: 6-7hr
Altitude gain : 130m / Altitude loss : 360m
Pass a deserted military camp and follow a trail to the Wang Chu River, which you will be crossing often. You will have enchanting views of rock formation and waterfall. Pushing further on you will reach ruins of Barshong Dzong(3720m). Barshong is a small village less then dozen of houses. The campsite here is muddy so we go further on to Domshisha.
Day 11
Domshisha – Dodina (2600m) - Thimphu
Estimated walking time: 7-8hr
Altitude gain : 160m / Altitude loss : 675m
There are several ups and downs and crossing of smaller side streams and you reach Dolamkencho(3290m), the pasture land. Continue up to the cairn at 3450m from where the route descends to the side stream. There are some small ups and downs followed by couple of steep swithchbacks. The trail decends through bamboo forests, following the mule trail high above the river until it finally meets the road where we will meet our driver. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu.
Tag 12
Thimphu
The capital city of Thimphu lies in the broad fertile valley of the Wang Chu (river) at an altitude of 2380m. Once a rustic village, Thimphu now has a population of over 100,000 people. In the morning we shall first visit the Memorial Chorten an impressive monument with its golden spires shining in the sun. The Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 in memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Next we will visit the National institute of Zorig Chusum and National institute of Tradional Medicine where the children are being trained in all 13 different Arts and Crafts. We will also visit the National Library, which was established in late 1960s by the queen mother mainly to conserve the literary treasures, which forms a significant part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu.
Tag 13
Thimphu - Paro
After breakfast stroll around the town. After lunch we will drive on to Paro and visit the national museum. Overnight Hotel in Paro.
Tag 14
Departure from Airport Paro
Depending upon our flight timing we say farewell to Bhutan and have a safe journey home or to other exciting destinations. Tashi Delek.