Jhomolhari Trek

The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks like Gangkar Puensum, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from Authentic Bhutan Tours- Your Trip Organizer in Bhutan! will warmly welcome & greet you on arrival, and then drive you to the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this region. Lunch will be served at Paro Restaurant.

After lunch we will visit to Paro National Museum, it holds fascinating collections of art, relics, religious Thangka paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Evening stroll around Paro town. Welcome dinner and over night stay at Paro hotel. Mandala Resort or similar standard.

  Meal Plan: Welcome Dinner   Accommodation: Hotel

At around 630am to 7am, we will start our journey to Sharna Zampa, where our trekking staff will be waiting for us. At Gunitsawa Army post, our Army permit will be checked and endorsed. We will have breakfast and Sharna Zampa, where our trekking cook will prepare for us. After breakfast, we will start our trek. Today’s trek will be a long day trek with lots of 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, we will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari.

 Accommodation: Camping  Altitude: 3610m.  Distance: 22km.  Ascent: 770m.  Descent: 10m.  Time: 7-8hrs.

Today’s trek continues up the Paro Chhu which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. We 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 feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, we will have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

 Accommodation: Camping  Altitude: 4080m.  Distance: 19km.  Ascent: 480m.  Descent: –  Time: 5-6 hrs.

Today will have a rest day and it provides plenty of 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. We will trek up to Tshophu Lake.

A good day’s walk today with great views of the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang. We have to cross the Nyelela pass (4,700-m). We pass by the picturesque of Lingshi village and our first views of the truly mystical Lingshi Dzong atop a high hill. Overnight camp at Lingshi

 Accommodation: Camping  Camp Site: Lingshi  Altitude: 4150m  Distance: 19 km  Ascent: –  Descent: –  Time: 6 – 7 hours.

Explore the Lingshi Villages and visit to Lingshi Dzong, the most remote Dzong in Bhutan. Over night stay at Lingshi.

The trail climbs up to the Yelila pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, on a clear day we will get an excellent view of Jumolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang. The trek from the pass to the campsite at Shodu is a steep downhill. Overnight camp at Shodu.

 Accommodation: Camping  Camp Site: Shodu  Altitude: 4080m.  Distance: 22km.  Ascent: 940m.  Descent: 920m.  Time: 8-9hrs.

Today’s trail follows the Thimphu Chhu through rhododendron forests, past beautiful waterfalls along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Over night camp at Barshong.

 Accommodation: Camping  Camp Site: Barshong  Altitude: 3710m.  Distance: 16km.  Ascent: 250m.  Descent: 670m.  Time: 5-6hrs.

The trail descends down to the Thimphu River through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos and then ascends to pasture lands. The camp is in a meadow. Over night camp at Dolam Kencho.

 Accommodation: Camping  Camp Site: Dolam Kencho  Altitude: 3320m.  Distance: 15km.  Ascent: 290m.  Descent: 640m.  Time: 5-6hrs.

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. Here we will bid farewell to our trekking staff and horseman. Our car and driver will be waiting for us with some refreshment. Then we will transfer to Thimphu hotel. Evening stroll around the Thimphu town. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel Thimphu. Hotel Jhomolhari or similar hotel.

 Accommodation: Hotel  Distance: 8km.  Ascent: 500m.  Descent: 930m  Time: 3-4hrs.

Sightseeing in Thimphu, visit to Memorial Chhorten, built in 1974 in the memory of third king late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. Mothithang minizoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin), 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. Folk Heritage Museum, this Folk Heritage Museum is a showcase, the 19-century farmhouse and the living style of the Bhutanese family. Lunch will be served at hotel Thimphu.

After lunch we will visit to Buddha Point, to visit and prayer in front of tallest Bhudda in the world. Then we will do a hike Kuenselphodrang to Depsi This trail was constructed by Nature Recreation and Ecotourism Division (NRED) of the agriculture ministry, as a biking trail in the capital Thimphu. We can also use this trail as hiking/biking to Depsi as an optional tour in the capital Thimphu. First we will drive to Buddha Point to pray and visit the tallest Buddha statue in the world.

We will start the hiking from Buddha statue and then ends at Depsi. The hiking is more or less very easy and plain walk through the forest of Pine, Rhododendron and Oak trees. The hike will take about 1-hour 30 mins. We can see Thimphu city, Thimphu River (Wangchhu) and other adjacent towns through this hike. We can also take some fluttering prayer flags (Lungta) and hang them between two to three trees that will bring fortune, happiness and good health to every one in this world including your enemy. Lungta – Prayer Flag, represents Peace, Compassion, strength and Wisdom.

You will really enjoy and will have amazing experiences hiking this trail. Then, we will visit to Authentic Bhutanese handicrafts. Evening we will stroll around Thimphu town. Dinner and over night stay at hotel Thimphu. Hotel Jhomolhari or similar standard.

Today we will drive to Paro and hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “Tiger’s Nest” named after Guru Rinpoche who reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2hours and 30minutes up-steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at Taktshang cafeteria.

While coming back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan king, who is also the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, commonly known to Bhutanese as Chenrize).

Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay at Paro Hotel. Olathang Hotel or similar standard.

After our breakfast, we will drive to Paro International 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.