Bhutan Trekking Tour: Jhomolhari Trek (Chomolhari)

Our Bhutan Trekking Tour: Jhomolhari Trek (Chomolhari) starts in Paro capital. Upon arrival in Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed by our Asia Senses guide in a Bhutanese style with Tashi Khada (white scarf). Then be transferred to your hotel for refreshment and a brief discussion on tour program.

After lunch, we will take a visit Ta Dzong which was converted into the National Museum in 1968. This museum houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past.

Afterwards, continually ride to Rinpung Dzong which is located near to the museum. It was consecrated in 1645 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal on the site of smaller fort. Its name means “the fortress of the heap of jewels”. Inside Dzong, see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Today, this massive fortress is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school.

From the dzong, walk further down to the beautiful cantilever wooden bridge which provides good view for whole Rinpung Dzong. Overnight in one of the carefully-selected hotels in Paro.

Overnight in Paro.

After an early breakfast, we drive to Tiger’s Nest parking area where you begin your hike to the Taktsang Monastery. It is a magnificent monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. It was constructed in 1692, around the cave where Guru Rinpoche first meditated, the event that introduced Buddhism into Bhutan. Legend has it that in 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew to this exact spot from Tibet on a back of a tigress, thus giving it the name “Tiger’s Nest”. All Bhutanese Buddhist desire to come this monastery at least once in their lives. The hiking trails pass through the meadow of pines, rhododendrons and oaks.

***Note: Horse ride to the cafeteria is available and can be arranged at additional cost.

On the way back, stop then have lunch at the cafeteria. Following the Tiger's Nest trekking, it is worth stopping at the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Buthan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The temple is popularly believed of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Overnight in Paro.

After breakfast, our guide and driver will provide a short transfer to the historic Drukgyal Dzong ruins which is our start point. It was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro District. In good weather conditions, the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. Our trekking crew will be waiting here for you.

From the Drukgyal Dzong, we will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Paro river. A long the trail, we pass through cultivated fields of red rice, chilies, potatoes and tiny picturesque villages in Mitshi Zampa and Sangatan.

After about five hours of trekking, we arrive at campsite by the Paro Chhu river near the village of Shana (2,860m). From the campsite, enjoy a spectacular view of Jomolhari mountain. Overnight in tent.

Note: Altitude 2,850 m; Distance 17km; Time: 5 hours, 360m ascent, 80m descent.

Today’s trek will be longer and tougher than yesterday, so we will start early after a hot breakfast! The trail follows the river through thick, lush forest of pine, oak and spruce in Jigme Dorji National Park.

Your lunch will be served on the way, surrounded by beautiful mountains. Then continue our trek on narrows trails which up and down along the valley to Soi Thangthangka. By this time our crew will go ahead of us and prepare the camping site for group. In the evening, seat around the fire and enjoy your hot meal. Overnight in tent.

Note: Altitude 3610 m; Distance 22km; Time 7 – 8 hours, 760m ascent, 10m descent.

Today, we will take a 5 – 6 hours trek, follow up Paro river, passing through beautiful valleys which suited which are situated between high ridges and snow-capped peaks. On the way, we will pass through some villages of yak herdsmen. If we are lucky, we could purchase some yak cheese from them.

Lunch will be served in one of their simple, traditional homes. From yak herder’s camp, trek through potatoes and turnips plantations of locals. Today is not a long trekking day but because of an altitude gain (470m ascent), the pace is slower.

Arrive our campsite of Jangothang (4,080m) in the late afternoon. From here, the views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake are superb. Overnight in tent.

Note: Altitude 4080 m; Distance 19km; Time 5 – 6 hours, 470m ascent.

Jangothang is one of the most spectacular campsites in the entire Himalayas with stunning views of lakes and snowcapped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake which remain unclimbed and off limits to mountaineers.

Around camping place, there are few villages with yak herders. You could watch them at work and soak up the vast hilltop scenery. Depending on your interest, we can take a walk towards Jomolhari or Jichu Drake glaciers.

Take a relax at the camp for the challenging days ahead or take in the views, visit a nearby village. Overnight in tent.

From the campsite, we head uphill with the views of Jichu Drake, Jomolhari before continuing our hike towards the glacial valley, almost flat with many moraines. Trees have been left far below; there are few small gentians, but otherwise it is just grass, tundra and small juniper bushes.

After about 4 hours trek from Jangothang, we will reach to the very windy Nyele La Pass at 4870m. After the pass, it’s a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, pass through beautiful valleys with dwarf rhododendron.

Along the way, stop to visit Lingshi Dzong, was built in 1668 to protect villages in this region from Tibetan invasion, and continues to be used as an administrative centre. Lingshi campsite is located atop a ridge with the commanding view of the valley and the local villages. Overnight in tent.

Note: Altitude 4010 m; Distance 18km; Time 6 – 7 hours, 810m ascent, 1090descent.

Today will be quite long difficult day of our trek, as we will cross Yelila Pass at an altitude of 4,930m. Start our trek with a climb up towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south down to the deep Mo Chhu valley. The trail is mostly level with some uphill and downhill crossing the highest point at Yelila Pass where on a clear day, you will get impressive views of Jomolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang.

Then continue to descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face and then further downstream to the campsite at Shodu (4080m) where we camp in a meadow with a chorten in it. Overnight in camp.

Note: Altitude 4080 m; Distance 22km; Time 8 hours, 940m ascent, 920descent.

After breakfast, we will trek along Thimphu river, pass through rhododendron, juniper, mixed alpine forests and beautiful waterfalls along the way. There are stunning views of cascading waterfalls, yak pastures and trout-fishing sites. Our lunch will be served by the riverside.

Then the trail takes us gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3710m), where we camp for the night. Have dinner and overnight in tent.

Note: Altitude 3710 m; Distance 16km; Time 5 – 6 hours, 250m ascent, 670descent.

Our trail descends through forests of forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers before meeting the Thimphu river. Along the trail, there are several ups and downs and crossings of smaller side streams. The final stage of the trail climbs up a cliff face high above the Thimphu river then descends to the Dolamkencho campsite (3320m). Our transport van will meet us here to provide a transport (approximately 1 hour) to one of the selected hotels in Thimphu.

On the way, we will stop to visit Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan established in 1620 by Ngawang Namgyal, the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the founder of the Bhutanese state. It was built on the riverside with the river flowing with crystal clear water.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Once a rustic village sitting in a broad, fertile river valley, Thimphu is today the nation’s most modern city and the main center of commerce, religion and government. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, one of Thimphu's most iconic monuments. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who reigned from 1952-1972.

After that, we will visit Thimphu Institute of Zorig Chusum where you can catch a glimpse of apprentices honing their skills and knowledge in 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum Kawajangsa which is providing a detailed insight of the entire folk history and heritage of Bhutan. We also take a visit to Bhutan National Library where is housing Bhutan traditional books and historic manuscripts dating back to the 8th century.

In the afternoon, we will visit Motithang Takin Preserve to see takins, the national animal of Bhutan. Then take a visit to the majestic Tashichho Dzong which is located close to Thimphu town, next to the banks of the Wangchhu River. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed several times over the years. Now, it houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

Later, we visit the traditional handmade paper factory where they produce paper manually from the bark of the plant called Daphne.

***Note: If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, we could take a walk through Centenary Farmers Market which is the main source of fresh produce for Thimphu city. Farmers come from all over the country to sell their farm products (vegetables from farms and wild ones collected from forests, fruits, etc) and livestock products (mainly cheese and butter). In addition, we also could visit many stalls which sell Bhutanese handicrafts and household items.

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

This morning, we will drive to Punakha which takes approximately two and half hour. On the way, we will stop to visit Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3150m dotted with colorful prayer flags and 108 Stupa. If the weather is good enough, you could see the most wonderful panorama over the high peaks of the Eastern Himalaya while enjoying a hot cup of coffee/tea at the Dochula café. From the pass, we continue driving through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha.

Just before reaching Punakha, we will stop at Sopsokha village roadside and take a stroll (about 20 minutes) through beautiful rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. It is believed that childless couples will have children if they get blessing from the lhakhang's wooden phallus.

Visit Punakha Dzong which is arguably the most beautiful dzong in the country. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver.

Later in the afternoon, we drive back to Thimphu.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Our Bhutan Trekking Tour: Jhomolhari Trek (Chomolhari) wraps up today. You have taken one of the most incredible trekking tours in Bhutan with this tour. After the breakfast, we will drive to Paro airport to catch your departure flight. End of our services.