Jomolhari Trek, Bhutan

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, 7-8 hours, 810m ascent, 1,090m descent and camp altitude 4130m.

The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu and ascent up to the Nyilela/Sleepy pass at 4,890m, the second highest point of this trek route. Once we reach the pass, if weather permits we can see the Jhomolhari, Jechu Drakey and Tsherim Gang. Then we will descent down through the valley of Lingshi. On reaching Linshi, we can see the Lingshi Dzong, built in the 17th century. Then, after 30 minutes of a trek, we will arrive at the campsite.

Distance 22km, 8-9 hours, 940m ascent, 920m descent and 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 at Shodu is a steep downhill.

Distance 16km, 5-6 hours, 250m ascent, 670m descent and camp altitude 3,710m.

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

Distance 15km, 4-5 hours, 290m ascent, 640m descent and camp altitude 3,320m.

The trail descends 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.

Distance 8km, 4-5 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. Evening, visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner & Over night stay at Hotel, Thimphu.

After breakfast, we will visit the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in the memory of the third late king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. Big Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue under construction in 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, one of the largest Buddhas in Bhutan, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). 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. We will have lunch, at one of the restaurants in Thimphu and evening we will drive to Paro. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel, Paro.

After breakfast, drive to the Airport for your onward flight. 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.