Trek in Bhutan – Mount Jomolhari

Trekking for 11 Days

Western Ranges of the Kingdom –

12 Days Bhutan Trip (INR 119 603)

Day 1 :

Arrival in Bhutan

You will arrive at Paro International Airport (PBH). You can also choose to come via the Indo-Bhutan Border of Phuntsholing. From here the agency will be responsible for further arrangements for your onward adventure to Paro.

Day 2 :

Gunitsawa Village (2,930 m)

Distance: 16 km
Ascent: Ascent 630 m
Camp Altitude: 2,890 m

Drive towards Gunitsawa village from Paro. Visit the 8th CE. temple – Kyichu Lhakhang. Climb to Taktsang Monastery, considered venerated and holy in Bhutan. During your climb you can take an overlook of the valley.

After lunch, drive towards Drukyel Dzong. Explore the ruins of this Dzong and ascend further bypassing the military camp of Gunitsawa. The camping site where you will stay on your second day is just above this military station.

Day 3 :

Thangthangkha (3,575 m)

Distance: 19 km
Ascent: Ascent 480 m
Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

Leaving Gunitsawa village, you start today’s trek to Thangthangkha which is a six long hour trek. Flanked by lush conifers and rhododendrons, the river Paro Chuu points you the way you are about to explore. Heading northwardly, you arrive at Shing Karap, a characteristic stone house at an elevation of 3,110 m. You’ll be trekking through Jigme Dorji National Park, symbolized religious structures and remnant of an old bridge can be witnessed.

Then continue to follow the trail to reach Tremo La (4,380 m), where the path bifurcates. Don’t choose the left one, since it will take you to another way towards Phari Dzong.

The stone-paved trail stretches with moderate ups and downs through dense forests of birch and fir flowed by blue pines, and eventually arrives at a meadow where the campsite is set up. Standing on the campsite, you can have a fantastic panoramic view of Jomolhari Mountain looming in front of your eyes.

Day 4 :

Jangothang (4,044 m)

Distance: 19 km
Time: 5-6 hours
Ascent: 480 m Camp
Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

If you miss the sunset of Mt. Jomolhari, then don’t let slip the spectacular sunrise of the mountain in the early morning. Get fully packed and continue to follow the path along the Paro Chhu to get today’s trekking started. Today, you still have the chance to enjoy a spectacular view of mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks.

The ascending trail brings you to the village of Soe after passing through the larch covered hillside. Then the view has suddenly changed, and the scenery of locals herding yaks pops into your eyes. If you are worried about having not met any highland hamlet along the route, then a cluster of stone houses on a plateau at 3,940 m will soon bump into your eyes after a one-hour trek to Takethang.

Dangochang is another village you are bound to cross before your final arrival at Janothang Base Camp. Villagers here are lived by yaks and sheep they raise and vegetables like potato, turnip, and radish they grow. Don’t miss the chance to experience the primitive life with the locals here.

The Trail goes upwardly to reach Jangothang at the altitude of 4,080 m, where a fantastic campsite can be found and a view of majestic Jomolhari is near at hand.

Camping at Jangothang Base Camp

Insider tips:
As the elevation of the trekking trail goes higher in this day, you need to slow down your hiking steps accordingly, since today’s trek will ascend to the places that can cause altitude sickness.

Day 5 :

Jangothang Halt (4,044 m)

The rest day or we call it the exploration day in Jangothang provides all possibilities for visitors to arrange a day hike to a nearby campsite. It is also regarded as the best day for acclimation if you plan an ascent to a higher place in Lingzhi.

There are four major trails you are recommended to take for further exploration from Jangothang. The first and the best path is on a four-hour excursion up towards north of the camp, where after one hour’s walk you can get a splendid view of Jichu Drakye. The second option is to choose Mount Jomolhari which lies directly to the west. Or you can also ascend the numerous unclimbed mountains to the east.

Besides the listed excursion trails, here has another option waiting to be picked up. You can take an expedition to Tshophu, an eminent trout-filled lake located along the Jomolhari Trek Itinerary. It only takes one and a half hours to reach there.

Camping at Jangothang Base Camp

Day 6 :

Linzhi (3,880 m)

Distance: 18 km
Time: 6-7 hours
Ascent: Ascent 840 m,
Descent 870 m
Camp Altitude: 4,010 m

This is one of the longest days of the trek. A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surroundings. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all of them rising above 7,000m.

It’s a gradual descent to the camp where you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tents, made from yak wool. The herders use these tents while traveling to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, a beautiful U-shaped valley, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on clear days. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong.

Day 7 :

Shodu (4,080 m)

Distance: 18 km
Time: 6-7 hours
Ascent: Ascent 840 m
Descent 870 m
Camp Altitude: 4,010 m

With fatigue ahead of you, you need to cross Yale-la pass at an elevation of 4,930 m. During this impressive climb and descend towards lake Khedo Tsho at 4,720 m.

The demarcated trail begins to descend along the valley and eventually reaches Shodu. Set your campsite at the camping spot in Shodu.

Insider tips:
When Passing Yeli La, be sure enough not to walk alongside a pack of animal, since the trail is narrow and sided with a rock cliff.

Day 8 :

Barshong (3,720 m)

Distance: 14 km
Time: 4 -5 hours
Ascent: Ascent 130 m
Descent 360 m
Camp Altitude: 3,720 m

Descending trail with moderate climb is along the route. Passing the abandoned army camp, you are guided by the trail crossing the river several times. Along the route, a limestone valley with meditation caves is out there waiting for you to explore.

After crossing the muddy cypress forest followed by some wide-side rivers, you are approaching the obsolescent community wall and the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Climb up to set the camp just below the ruins.

Insider tips:
The camp site is in a swampy meadow which sometimes is inappropriate to pitch a tent, so most groups find another place situated about one and half hours ahead by the river.

Day 9 :

Dolam Kencho (3,290 m) with transfer to Thimphu (2,334 m)

Distance: 15 km
Time: 4 hours
Ascent: Ascent 290 m
Descent 430 m

The last day trip begins with a moderate descent through a forest with clusters of beautiful rhododendrons. By following the trail, you will soon reach Ta Gume Thang (Waiting for Horses), a clearing at 3,370 m for camping activities.

After going through the river valley with several ups and downs, eventually you’ll arrive at the unpaved road leading to Dolam Kencho, a camp in a large meadow at 3,290 m. From this point, a vehicle will be waiting for you and take you to Thimphu.

Day 10 :

Thimphu (2,334 m)

Take a fantastic city tour in Thimphu. Visit the Memorial Chorten, which was built to commemorate the 3rd king of Bhutan. Then drive to the gigantic statue of Buddha from where you can overlook the valley.

Enjoy the sightseeing in town including the Post Office with the collector’s stamps corner and other places. If you’re keen to do hiking, you might consider climbing up to the Phajoding Monastery to overlook the entire Thimphu valley, some 4-5 hours round trip. In the evening, you can pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong, which is the seat of the king and the government, or you can also choose to walk on the street for sightseeing.

Day 11 :

Paro (2,200 m)

Leaving Thimphu in the early morning hours to reach Dochu-la. Dochu-la is an eminent pass with 108 stupas and Royal Chapel dedicated to Bhutan’s fourth king. From the pass, you begin a 4-5 hour round hike to the Lungchusey Gompa where you can witness panorama of mountains.

After descending to Tashigang Gompa, return to the road in Hontsho and drive to Paro.

Day 12 :

Departure Flight

Depart from Paro Airport

Inclusion

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis
• Daily Breakfast
• All transfer & sightseeing by private A/C vehicle.
• Transfer to and from Airport / Station

Exclusion

• Train Fare
• Flight Fare
• Goods and Service tax (GST)
• Camera and video permits
• Personal expenses like telephone, tips, internet, laundry, etc.
• Entry fees
• Meals not specified in inclusions
• Anything not specified in inclusions