Jomolhari loop trek

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival in Paro 

Our Representative from Bhutan Everest Tours & Treks will receive you at the airport and drive you to the Hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Paro.

Day 02: Paro Taktsang Monastery Hike

After breakfast, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a Visit to Paro Taktsang Monastery is an unforgettable experience thanks to its unique location and the views of surrounding majestic mountains and emerald green valleys.

It was first built in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 7th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it. In 1998, the Paro Taktsang was almost completely burned down – and was restored to its original form by 2005.

Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel in Paro

Day 3: Start of Jomolhari Trek (SharnaZampa – Thangthangkha)

Distance:22 km Time:7-8 hours Ascent:770 mtr Decsent: 10 mtr Camp Altitude:3610 mtr

Drive up to Drukgyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begin. The trail follows the river through beautiful meadows and paddy fields. After going yphill through the river valley, the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path which descends to s meadow where a camp will be set up from here. If weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari.

Dinner and Overnight halt in camp.

Day 04: Thangthangkha to Jangothang

Distance 19 km Time: 5-6 hours Ascent: 480 mtr Camp Altitude: 4080 mtr

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 and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an armycheckpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular vise 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 campsite of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mt. Jomolhari.

Dinner and Overnight halt in camp.

Day 05: Jangothang to Jnagothang

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for the hikes with great views of lakes and snow capped mountain 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 Tosoh or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and there are a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.

Dinner and Overnight halt in Camp

Day 06: Jangothang to Lingshi

Distance: 16km Time: 6-7 hours Ascent:810 mtr Descent:1,090 mtr Capm Altitude: 3,800 mtr

The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of  Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to Bhonte La pass at 4,890m, the highest point of this trek route. Blue sheep and musk deer are plentiful along the trek route. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wounderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tsaring Kang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Reaching the Dhumzo Chhu river, you trek downstream passing the few houses of soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp soon after.

Dinner and Overnight halt in Camp.

Day 07: Lingshi to Shodu

Distance: 22km Time: 8-9 hours Ascent: 940 mtr Descent:920 mtr Camp Altitude:4080 mtr

The trail climbs up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 4820 m.  From the pass, you can get an excellent view of Jomolhari. Tserim Gang and Masagang on a clear day. The trek from the pass to camp site at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent.

Dinner and Overnight halt in Camp.

Day 8: Shodu to Barshong

Distance: 16 km Time: 5-6 hours Ascent:250 mtr Descent:670 mtr Camp Altitude:3710 mtr

The trail follows the Thimphu Chhu through rhododendron forests, past beautiful

waterfalls  along the way. The valley narrows till the path treks to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong.

Dinner and Overnight halt in Camp.

Day 9: Barshong – Dolam Kencho

Distance:15 km Time: 4-6 hours Ascent:290 mtr Descent: 640 mtr Camp Altitude: 3320 mtr

The trail descends down to the Thimphu Chhu river valley, through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos and ascends to pasture lands. The camp is in a meadow.

Dinner and Overnight halt in Camp.

Day 10: End of Jomolhari Trek (Dolam kencho – Dodena)

Distance: 8 km Time: 3-4 hours Ascent: 500 mtr Descent: 930 mtr

The trail continues through forested areas winding up 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 a impressive cantilever bridge.

Dinner and Overnight in hotel in Thimphu.

Day 11: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast visit National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Kuensel Phodrang, where the largest statue of Sitting Buddha is located, Takin Preservation center in Motithang and Changangkha Lhakhang.

After Lunch visit Tashichho Dzong (the administrative headquarters of Bhutan), paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Painting School; famous for traditional Thangkha paintings, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum; the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 12: After breakfast drive to Paro airport for your onward flight.