Jomolhari Loop Trek

On arrival at Paro International Airport, the representative of Somify Destination Tours – Gateway to your Unforgettable Bhutan Experience: Will warmly welcome & greet you. After the welcome, we will drive to the Hotel. Lunch will be at one of the restaurants in Paro town. After lunch, visit Ta-Dzong, built in the year 1649 by Lha Ngenpa Tenzin Drugdra the first governor of Paro and it was converted to National Museum in the year 1968. Then visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this region, built in 1646 by the great unifier of Bhutan Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “Tiger`s Nest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2-3 hours up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at the Taktshang cafeteria. Today is the best hike to acclimatization of your body. If time permits, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Dinner & Overnight stay at Paro, Hotel.

Today, we will drive up to Drugyel Dzong or Gunitsawa village at an altitude of 2750m, through the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, built in 1649 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invasion. The drive will take 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once we reach Drugyel Dzong then we will drive through the feeder road almost for 1 hour. On reaching Gunitsawa village, there is an Army Check Post, where your trekking permit will be checked and endorsed.

Distance 5-9 kms, 4-5 hrs/ 50 – 60mins, 80 m descent and camp altitude 2,750 m.

Our trek begins from the Army Check Post (Gunitsawa Village ). Today, we will only trek/walk around for 1 - 2 hours. Once we reach Shana Zampa, we will meet with our crew members and have dinner at the campsite, located opposite the river.

Distance 22 km, 8-9 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent and camp altitude 3,560 m.

On this long day, the trail continues with many 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 a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari.

Distance 19 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent and 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. 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 landscape feature. Passing the villages of 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.

A day halt in Jangothang provides many 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 Tshophu or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lay directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and there are several unclimbed peaks to the east.

Distance 16km, 6 -7 hours, 810m ascent, 1,090m descent and camp altitude 3,760m.
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 (Seychunap) river, you trek downstream passing the few houses of Soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp soon after.

Distance 11km, 5-6 hours, 720m ascent, 340m descent and camp altitude 4,180m.

The trail climbs 100m over a ridge to drop to another stream. After crossing the Takhung La pass (4,520m) you descend to Thombu Shong, yak herder huts with your campsite next to them.

Distance 13km, 4 -5 hours, 200m ascent, 1,650m descent and camp altitude 2,760m.

Crossing Thombu La/Mem La pass (4,380m) you will finally reach Gunitsawa where you can be collected or you may decide to stay at the campsite, Sharna Zampa, where you stayed the first night of this trek. If not you can drive to Paro town. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

Today, we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan through the sound of peaceful rivers. The drive will take 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses. On reaching Thimphu, visit the Weaving Center, which showcases how the Bhutanese ladies are weaving the Gho and Kira. Even, out here they sell the different products of that weaving centre. Memorial Chorten, was built in 1974 in memory of the third late king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhism and its philosophy. Big Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue overlooking the mountains of Thimphu Valley. The Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuk, the thirteenth Druk Desi. Lunch will be one of the restaurants in Thimphu town. After lunch, visit the Mothithang mini-zoo, to see the National Animal of Bhutan Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor). The Takin as a National Animal of Bhutan is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Zulikha Nunnery, the Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel and today it houses the sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practices. Evening, stroll around Thimphu city, then visit Tashichho Dzong, seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Thimphu.

After breakfast, drive to the Airport for your onward flight. The drive will take almost 1 hour to reach Paro Airport. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.