Itinerary Details
This Jhomolhari Trek Tour is designed for trek and adventure lovers. Jhomolhari Trek is known for delightful routes of trekking and offers a perfect opportunity to get insight into the life of highlanders. With the 13-day itineray, you will trek through beautiful pine, oak, rhododendron forests to catch the stunning views of snowcapped mountains and high pasture land. Besides, it is a good chance to depply experience Bhutan culture by visiting iconic cultural sights of Thimphu and Paro.
lunch and dinner
Welcome to Bhutan!
Upon arrival at Paro airport, our guide will be waiting for you at the exit and welcome you with our traditional scarfs. We will then head to the Paro town and check in at hotel.
In the afternoon, we will proceed to visit Paro Fortress. Located on the bank of the Paro Chhu (river), a place of strategic importance, Paro Dzong was used as a fort to protect the Paro Valley from the invasions by Tibet. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the stunning architectures and the beautiful scenery around.
The next destination is Kyichu Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage temples in Bhutan. It is also the oldest temples of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century. The temple complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in original pattern.
Later, you can explore Paro town with your guide and spend some time visiting the little cafes and shops.
Overnight in Paro.
Accommodation option:
- Khangkhu Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Rinpung Dzong
breakfast and lunch and dinner
After breakfast at hotel, you will start your tour to Paro Taktsang. Taktsang Lhakhang, known as Tiger’s Nest, is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. It is also one of the most prestigious holy places of Guru Padmasambhava in Bhutan. Your trip in Bhutan would be incomplete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
It miraculously clings to a sheer cliff nearly 1,000 meters above the Paro Valley. You need to follow a steep trail to reach the temple for around 2 hours. It could make you exhausted but the spectacular view along the way definitely well-worth your try. You may come across many locals who are exhausted but full of strength and pious expression.
There is a viewpoint halfway to the Tigers Nest. On the way up, you can stop for a coffee break and on the way down have lunch at the same cafeteria. After the hike, it is the best choice to enjoy the unique traditional hot water bath to wash away your tiredness.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Khangkhu Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Taktsang Lhakhan
breakfast and lunch and dinner
After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to the trekking point. The Jomolhari trail starts from Gunitsawa village where you will pass the army post.
At the army check post, your trek permit will be checked and endorsed. Your guide will handle it for you. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa Village.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today is the longest day of trek. It will take about 7 hours to reach the Thangthangka campsite at 3,610 meters.
Trek along the Paro River and gradually ascend through the vegetation of mixed forest of blue pine and oak and pass the forest of tall rhododendron, birch, etc.. The path is easy but rocky and coarse.
After trekking for about 8 hours, you will reach an open spacious meadow facing the Mt. Jomolhari where your trekking team will set your camp. Weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to get the first glimpse of the Mt. Jomolhari (7,326 meters) from here.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
In the morning, you can get up early to catch the sunrise over the Mt. Jomolhari. After breakfast, continue to follow the Paro River, the trail opens to spaces of alpine meadow. Along the trail, spectacular views of high mountain ridges and snowcapped peaks are available. Then you need to pass through an army checkpoint.
In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing through small villages of Soe Takethang and Dangochang will be the highlights of today’s Trek. Camp at Jangothang, one of the most gorgeous campsites of the Himalayas and you will you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jhumolhari.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today we will spend a day acclimatizing to the altitude. While at the Jangothang base camp, there are plenty of incredible day hikes to explore amazing views of the mountains around the campsite. You can take leisure hike to the tranquil twin Tshophu Lake which is the source of the Paro Chhu (Paro River). It is also a good chance to spot blue sheep on the slopes of the upper valley.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
In the morning, you will follow the trail across the last settlement in the valley. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m), you will climb up steeply to reach Nyile La Pass at 4,890 meters. The Pass offers panoramic view of the mountains including Mt. Jomolhari (7,326 meters) and Mt. Jichu Drake (6,662 meters). From Nyile La Pass, descend along the hill side and a ridge down to Lingzhi Dzong at 4,370 meters. We will camp below the Lingshi Dzong at 4,000 meters.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
The next destination is Shodu. The trail begins with a gradual climb to a small white chorten above the camp and then turns south to the Mo Chu Valley. Then, climb up to the Yelila pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, you can get a grand view of Jomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang, and Masagang. From here, follow a steep downhill to the campsite.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
The trekking trail follows the Thimphu Chhu (Thimphu River) through the forest of Rhododendron, Juniper, alpine forest and occasionally pass beautiful waterfalls. Continue to pass through narrow valley till the path reaches the ruins of Barshong Dzong. We'll camp for a night nearby.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today's trek begins with a gradual descent through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers, then drops steeply to meet the Thimphu Chu (Thimphu River). It follows along the river before ascending to a pasture land at 3,320 meters where you will camp tonight.
Overnight at campsite.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
The trail winds through the forest area above the Thimphu Chhu, after a long ascent through the conifers forest and broadleaf, it drops steeply down to the river towards Dodena (2600 m). In Dodena, you will exit the Jigme Dorji National Park and reach the road with an impressive cantilever bridge. Your trek will be finished at the beautiful Cheri Monastery. Then transfer to your hotel in Thimphu.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation option:
- Tent
breakfast and lunch and dinner
After breakfast at hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. You will first make a visit to the Memorial Chorten. This beautiful Tibetan style chorten was built in 1974 to honor the Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is regarded as the most conspicuous landmark in Thimphu and is also the center of daily worship for Bhutanese.
Then pay a visit to the Changangkha Temple built in the 12th century. It is a fortress and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. From the temple courtyard, you can catch the fascinating views of Thimphu valley. Have lunch in local restaurant.
Next, we will visit Bhutan Post Office to personalize your own Bhutan stamps. Barehutan is still the world leader in stamp design, printing and material diversity. You can use your own images to customize your Bhutan stamps and send it with postcards and letters to your friends and family.
Afterwards, take a wander along Thimphu’s main street, which offers good shops, city bars and the Craft Bazaar.
In the late afternoon, proceed to the Tashichhod Zong, also known as "fortress of the glorious religion". It is initially built in 1641 and now is the office of Majesty the king and the government. This magnificent architecture is adorned with many traditional delicate patterns. It is at its most splendid and elegant appearance from outside when the lights come on at dusk.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation option:
- Tara Phendeyling Hotel
- (3 Ratings)
Tashichhoe Dzong
breakfast
About 3 hours before your scheduled flight, your guide will pick you up and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.