JHOMOLHARI
14 days
13 nights
GRADE Easy
JHOMOLHARI
JHOMOLHARI TREK
The trek starts at Drukgyel Dzong, Paro, where the white peak of Jhomolhari beacons in the distance. This trek passes through scattered settlements and farmland into deep rich forested valleys, leading to a high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals. The trek provides an excellent opportunity to see yaks and a taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscape.
Seasons: The ideal time for this trek is April to June and September to November. Days are normally warm, but nights can be very cold, especially above Jangothang.
Day 1: Arrive at Paro. 2250M.
The flight to Paro will offer a life time experience trip-you can see a spectacular sight of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrim Gang. Upon arrival, our guide will receive and escort you to the hotel for check – in & Lunch.
Afternoon, visit the National Museum of Bhutan built in 1651 as watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong). In 1968, it was converted to National Museum. The museum boasts of quite a collection of ancient Bhutanese arts, artefacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Drive to Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in order to defend Paro Valley from the Tibetan invaders. It is now the head quarters of Paro District and Paro’s monastic community. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro sightseeing
In the morning, hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Nest) viewpoint. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 3 hours. Taktsang Monastery is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated and clings miraculously to a cliff at 3000 feet above the valley floor. The monastery was built in 1684. Around evening take a stroll around Paro Town. Overnight stay at Paro.
Day 3: Paro – Shana 17km, 5-6 hours
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (15 KM, 2,580m), the trek starts here. The first three days of the trek follow the Paro Chhu Valley, climbing gently with only few short, steep climbs over side ridges. The trail leads you through well maintained rice terraces and fields of millet, apple orchards, and forests. Soon the valley widens and you reach the army post of Gunyitsawa (2810m). This is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharna Zampa (2,870m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 2870m.
Day 4: Shana - Soi Thangthangkha. 22 Km. Walking time 7 -8 hours.
The trail continues its gradual climb alongside the Paro Chhu (Paro River), through conifers and rhododendron. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for hot lunch. Then continue the way along the river, ascending upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more till we reach our campsite (3,750m). Overnight camp.
Day 5: Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang. 19 Km. Walking time 7-8 hours.
The path ascends for a while till you reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Take hot lunch at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040m). From here, the views of Mt Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb. Overnight Camp. Altitude: 4090 m.
Day 6: Rest day at Jangothang. (Optional walk around)
Today is a day for acclimatisation. A day at Jangothang is a highlight of the trek; the views don’t get any better than here. A day spent here is a day very well spent. There are four major possibilities one can do, you may either take an excursion to Tshophu, a high-altitude lake for a fishing expedition or walk up to glacier lake of Jhomolhari base or to the Jichu Drake (6989m) base glaciers lake and capture the beautiful scenery. Overnight camp.
Day 7: Jangothang – Lingshi 18km, 7-8 hours
The trail follows the stream for almost half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoy breathtaking views of Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserim Gang (6789m). The trail leads us across a fairly level valley floor until we reach to Nyele-la pass (4,890m), descent further down, a stop for lunch. After the pass, descent to Lingshi camp, enjoy panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong. Overnight camp. Altitude: 4010m.
Day 8: Lingshi - Shodu. 22 Km. Walking time 8 -9 hours.
The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Jhomolhari Trek route here. Climb towards small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, turn south the deep Mo Chu Valley. The trail continues on the west side of the largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river and steep climb for two hours to Yelila (4,820m). If weather favours, you can see Jhomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserim Gang and Masa Gang from this pass. Descent alongside a stream to a rock helter in the cliff face and reach Shodu (4,100m), where one can camp in a meadow with a chorten in it. Altitude: 4110 m.
Day 9: Shodu - Barshong. 16 Km. Walking time 5 -6 hours.
We come back to tree line, and follow the path that take the course of Thimphu Chu, descend through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. One can see stunning views of rocky cliff and waterfalls along the way. Stop for lunch. Then take the trail that climbs upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3,600mm). We camp here for the night.
Day 10: Barshong - Dolamkencho. 15 Km. Walking time 5-6 hours.
The trial descends gently through alpine forest and rhododendron, birch and conifers, until it meets Thimphu River once again. We then rest for lunch and then climbs up to Dolamkencho (3,430m), where the yak herders use for make shift camp during summer season or in the month of April. The final stage of trails takes you around the cliff face high above Thimphu River, comes out to a pastureland where we camp overnight on the way to Dodena. Altitude: 3430m.
Day 11: Dolamkencho – Dodena -Thimphu. 8 Km. walking time 3 – 4 hours.
The trail descends through bamboo forest all the way to Dolamkencho; it finally joins Thimphu River again. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, southward to the road head at Dodena (2,600m). You will be picked up by your vehicle to drive to Thimphu (15km). Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 12: Thimphu sightseeing. 2350M.
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu: After breakfast, visit Sangyegang (viewpoint) overlooking Thimphu; way back make a visit to mini zoo, where the National animal of Bhutan (Takin) is kept, drive further down to Dupthop Nunnery. After lunch make a visit to Traditional Paper factory, Changangkha monastery, visit Tashichhodzong, (“the fortress of the glorious religion”), houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and finally if time permits make a visit to folk heritage museum and Textile museum. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 13: Thimphu – Paro 2 hours
Drive to Paro (2 hours) en route; make a visit to the oldest fortress in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong (built in 1629 A.D). Head to Paro and check in at a hotel. After lunch make a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang built by Songsten Gempo, first King of Tibet in the 7th century to spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Evening stroll around the streets of Paro town.
14: Departure.
Our guide will bid you farewell at Paro International Airport.
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