Jomolhari Trek

Jimolhari Trek
    Highlights
    1. Visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery
    2. Enjoy small villages with local people
    3. See Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tshering Gang
    4. Walk past Rhododendron forests
    5. Cross High Mountain passes
    6. Explore Sites in Thimphu

    Mount Jomolhari, at 7,326 m, is considered extremely holy by the Bhutanese and the Tibetans. According to popular lore, this is the sacred home of protector Goddesses, Jomo. Jomolhari trek takes one closer to this point and offers its divine view, that which will stir you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

    This excellent trekking and sightseeing journey experiences two distinct sides of Bhutan. From some of its most intriguing cultural monuments to its breathtaking landscapes, this trip takes you deep into the heart of Bhutan's remote corners. You will see how this trip seamlessly swaps the urban charm of Paro for the beautiful mountainous lands that few travelers have visited.

    Trekking in Bhutan is an incredible experience that you must have once in a lifetime. Arriving in Paro, you will have a chance to enjoy this quaint city and visit its various historical and religious sites, including the famed Taktsang 'Tiger's Nest' Monastery. From the old Drukgyel Dzong, we begin trekking to Shana, where unrivalled access to some exceptional sights, open up before you instantly.

    This is an exceptional trekking trip, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy rustic charms and unparalleled views while you reach the serene paradise of Bhutan’s remote region. The trekking route begins from Paro’sDukgyel Dzong and takes you through dense thickets to reach places where no population can be found other than occasional nomadic Yak herders. This trek will take you to some of the highest mountain passes in the world, including the Yeli La Pass, at an elevation of 4,820m.

    The scenic and dramatic features of Bhutan’s elevated expanses are filled with many vantage points that offer, at proximity, many snow-capped peaks, and the majestic Mount Jomolhari as the most prominent one.

    Itinerary

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    On arrival at Paro airport; you will be met by our representative from Golden Tibet Travel. Upon completion of airport and immigration formalities, drive to your hotel. At Paro, visit the Rinpung Dzong. Stayovernight at a hotel in Paro.

    Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung, which translates to 'heap of jewels, was built in 1644 on the order of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the seats of the Kagyu school of Buddhism. Rinpung Dzong has religious and administrative centres and is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. It is a five-storied central tower with exquisite woodwork though not a single nail was used in the construction of the entire complex.


     

    • Max. Altitude:2200
    • Meals:Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Hotel

    After breakfast, hike to Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery. After lunch, visit National museum at Paro. Stayovernight at a hotel in Paro.

    Tiger’s Next Monastery: Taktsang is a beautiful monastery that is located on a cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The name Taktsang translates to ‘The Tiger’s Nest/Den. This was originally a cave, transformed into a monastery complex. It is believed that Saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), flew on the back of a tigress, and meditated in the cave in the eighth century. The monastery reaches an elevation of 3,120m, 900m above the Paro Valley. It is about 16km (10 miles) away from Paro. One has to make a three-hour hike to reach the monastery.

    National Museum: Located close to the Rinpung Dzong, this beautiful museum displays well-preserved artefacts of ancient Bhutan. The museum has an assortment of religious and cultural artworks, handicrafts, jewelry, paintings, and a stamp hall displaying a large collection of stamps.

    • Max. Altitude:2200
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Hotel

    You will drive 12km to the north of Paro valley to reach Drukgyel Dzong from where your trek begins. The route follows the Pa Chhuriver uphill, along a narrow valley of rice and millet farms, until you reach a border army camp at Gunitsawa 2800 m. You will then climb towards Shana Zampa, situated at 2870m, after crossing Pa Chhu on a wooden bridge. We will camp overnight at Shana Zampa.

    • Max. Altitude:2870
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Hotel

    Today, as you move out of Shana Zampa, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. We will again be following the trail following the Pa chhu upstream. The path gets smaller as we move uphill. The route offers excellent views of Mt. Jomolhari. You pass across rhododendron forests and cross a bridge to reach our campsite at 3750m at SoiThangkha.

    • Max. Altitude:3750
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Camp

    This day is a comparatively easy one as we head out from SoiThangkha to the Jangothang Base Camp. The path climbs uphill for a while until we reach the army camp. The trail will then meander along the river above the tree line. Soon, we will be in an alpine location as we come across Yaks and their herders. A short span of easy walk from here takes us to our campsite at Jangothang, at 4,080m. From here, the views of Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake are absolutely stunning.

    • Max. Altitude:4080
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Tented Camp

    We will use this day to rest and acclimatize. We will explore the surroundings of Jangothang and enjoy the beautiful views of mountain peaks, such as Jichu Drake. We can also take a leisurely hike for a few hours to reach the lakes at Tshophu. This region is full of Blue Poppy, the National flower of Bhutan. From up above, you can enjoy striking views of Mount Jomolhari.

    • Max. Altitude:4080
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Tented Camp

    After breakfast, we begin our hike. The route follows a small stream which we will have to cross after an hour’s walk. Surrounded by mountain peaks at a distance, the trail will take us to the Neyle La Mountain pass at 4700m. This is the highest point in today’s trek, and we descend towards Lingzhi village from this point.Camp overnight at Lingzhi village.

     

    • Max. Altitude:4700
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Tented Camp

    Today we have an extremely challenging day on our hands. Our walk will take about 8 hours to reach Shodu.The trail begins with a climb up to a small Chorten on a ridge that will take us to the Mo Chu valley. We will cross a river and climb up to reach the Yeli La Pass at the elevation of 4,820m. There are excellent views of Mt. Jomolhari and a host of other mountain peaks from this point. From the pass, the trail will take a gradual descent to reach our camp site at Shodu, at 4,100m.

    • Max. Altitude:4100
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Tented Camp

    Today, thetrail follows the Thimphu River, descending through a forest, with beautiful views all around. Theroute then gradually ascends to the BarshongDzong. We will cross the Dzong and camp a little farther away at Domshisa, at 3400m.

    • Max. Altitude:3400
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Tented Camp

    This day marks the end of your trek. Today we will walk downhill across a forest until we meet a road. From here, we will drive to Thimphu. Stay overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

    • Max. Altitude:2334
    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Hotel

    After our early breakfast, we get ready for a sightseeing tour of Thimphu. We visit Memorial Chorten, National Institute of ZorigChusum, and Tashicho Dzong. Drive to Paro in the evening.

    National Memorial Chorten: This is a Tibetan-style Stupa built in 1974 in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Unlike other Chortens, the Memorial Stupa does not hold any human remains. It was built because it was the Late King’s wish to build a Chorten that is a symbolic manifestation of the mind of the Buddha.

    National Institute of ZorigChusum: At this institute, there is a display of Bhutan traditional arts that have been perfectly classified into 13 traditional forms. The words 'ZorigChusum' translates to classification of skills. These arts, which include calligraphy, painting, carving, sculpting, metal casting, silver and gold smithery, needlework, carpentry, textile production, paper making, bamboo craft, black smithery, and masonry, are taught in the school. These are traditional skills of Bhutan that form an integral part of Bhutan's cultural heritage.

    Tashichho Dzong: This is a fortress-turned monastery, and also the seat of the civil government since the medieval era. The Dzong houses beautiful traditional paintings, and intricate Buddhist carvings adorn its walls. This grand fort also serves as the venue for one of the country’s biggest annual religious festival called Thimphu Tshechu.


     

    • Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
    • Accommodation:Hotel

    After breakfast, drive to airport for departure.

    • Meals:Breakfast
    Cost Details
    What's Included
    • Government levy/taxes & visa fee
    • Transport by private vehicle
    • Government approved 3-star hotels
    • English speaking guide
    • Bottled water in vehicle
    • Permits, entrance fees, & sightseeing
    • Sleeping tents, sleeping mats & pillows
    • Dinning tents, kitchen tent & toilet tent
    • Tables, chairs, hot water bags
    • Cook & assistants during the trek
    • Horses to carry trek equipment
    • All Meals
       
    What's Excluded
    • Flight Ticket any sector
    • Insurance of any kinds
    • Personal Expenses: Drinks, Phone bill, Tips etc
    • Sleeping Bag
    • Personal Assistant if needed
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