Jomolhari Trek - 11 days

Your Jomolhari trek begins with a scenic flight to the valley town of Paro, Bhutan. Paro is the only international airport in Bhutan. Your wanderlust will only amplify as you observe the mesmerizing views of Paro Dzong and the snowcapped mountains from your window. Upon your arrival at Paro, our Bhutanese guide will pick you up at Third Rock Adventures, who will drive you to your hotel for your stay. You will be briefed about the entire Jomolhari trek by our guide after refreshment. 

After having some lunch, you will visit Rimpung Dzong. Rimpung Dzong is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the Drukpa Lineage dating back to the 17th century. The monastery stands for high value as it houses the district's monastic body and the government administrative offices. You will cross a wooden bridge into Kichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred shrines.  

Paro is a beautiful town with ancient architecture displayed in the buildings around the street. You should not miss out on walking through the streets of Paro as the sun goes down.

Overnight hotel in Paro. 

Today is a special day as you get to visit one of the most popular landmarks in Bhutan. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery begins early in the morning after breakfast. On the hike to the monastery, you will find a forest of pine where you can hear the sounds of birds chirping and prayer flags fluttering. 

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known locally as Paro Taktsang or Taktsang Palphug, is a mystical place sitting on the edge of a high cliff surrounded by mist. As per the mythical belief, Guru Rimpoche/Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tigress and identified the caves of the monastery as a place of solitude. It is believed that he then meditated for 3 months in this monastery. Padmasambhava is known to be the mystical tantric that introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. The monastery was built in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro and has since become a place of worship for Buddhist pilgrims. After the one-of-a-kind experience, you will head back to your hotel at Paro for an overnight stay. 

Overnight hotel in Paro. 

Today morning, you will drive to Shana on unpaved road for about 17 km. Meet your trekking crews and then start the trek. On this long day, the trail goes through 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 at the altitude of 3750m. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jumolhari.

Overnight campsite in Sio Thangthangkha.

Today the trek leads to Paro Chuu Valley. The trail passes through an alpine meadow and leads towards the forest. As you reach the army outpost, you’ll have to stop and register at the entry permits. The entry permit to Bhutan will be taken care of by your guide. 

You walk beside the Pachu River and pass some small villages of Sio, Takethang, and Dangochang. This is one of the most special days of the trek as you reach the Jangothang Base Camp at 4,050m. The views of Mt. Jomolhari will keep you company as the sunsets. The unique flora and fauna found here are some of the points of attraction. You will hear the sweet sound of birds chirping. If you are lucky enough, you might even spot the Yellow-billed Chough, Fire-tailed Sunbird, White-throated Dipper, and Snow Patridge, to name a few. Views of snowcapped Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and the ravens are perhaps the highlight of today’s trek.  

Overnight campsite in Jangothang.

On this day, you will stop at Jangothang and take a rest. There are a lot of small activities you can enjoy during this day. You can take a small hike around the nearby landscape or up to Tsophu Lake. All in all, the beauty of Jangothang is added by the Jomolhari, and Jichu Drake views from a distance. For a better view of Jomolhari, you can even trek a little further up. You can also check out the ruins of an old fortress nearby. 

You might come across some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. The Himalayan Rhubarb, Golden Eagles, and the Himalayan Blue Poppy- the national flower of Bhutan can be spotted. Rest on this day is necessary to acclimatize your body to the sudden change in altitude. Also, after the long days of trekking, this rest day is a blessing.

Overnight campsite in Jangothang.

On this day, you will be heading to Lingshi, which takes about 19 km. The trail begins with a steep climb above the base camp into glacial moraine. The sight of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake looks very different on this day. You will walk through a snowy path to Nylie La pass at 4830m. You are bound to experience a cold and swift wind coming straight from the mountains. From there, you will be introduced to a panoramic view of Tshering Gang at an altitude of 6789m. 

The trek then gets a little tough as it descends to Lingshi campsite. From your campsite, the views of the majestic peaks and Lingshi Dzong is seen. Lingshi is a monastery that houses the office of the Drungpa. Nothing could be as serene as the views seen from there.

Overnight campsite in Lingshi.

Today you will be taking a long trek that takes about 9 hours and covers a distance of 22 km to reach Shodu. The trail starts with a decent climb upwards to a chorten on a ridge into the Mo Chhu valley. You will cross a river and ascend to the Yeli La pass at the altitude of 4,820m/15,813ft. The land is mainly deserted from thereon but offers views of the majestic snowcapped Jomolhari, Gangchen Ta, Tshering Gang, and Masangagng. The path becomes narrower hereon and reaches Jimenameshing. 

The trail gradually descends to the campsite in a meadow as you reach Shodu. Many other treks also reach this destination as the trekking days come to an end since this is the main trail back to Thimphu. You can enjoy the rest of your day by having hot soup and enjoying yourself with other trekkers at your camp. 

Overnight campsite in Shodu. 

At this point, one returns to the tree line. The path follows the Thimphu River, descending through rhododendron, juniper, and other alpine forests. The view of the cliff-facing rocks and waterfalls is stunning. A hot lunch will be served riverside. After lunch, the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. This used to be a base supplying essentials to Lingzhi Dzong in ancient times. You will camp in Barshong at an altitude of 3600m.

Overnight campsite in Barshong. 

After a hearty breakfast, you will walk half a kilometer, taking about 15 minutes, to reach the road point. Your car will be waiting here to take you to Thimphu, where you can celebrate your return to civilization with a refreshing shower at a comfortable hotel.

Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Wake up early in the morning and set off for an exhilarating full day of sightseeing in Thimphu with a side visit to the famous King’s Memorial Chorten and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. Explore the traditional arts and crafts unique to Bhutan at the School of Arts. Step into the peaceful world of Buddha point while relishing the stunning view of the Southern entrance of Thimphu.

Observe the national animal of Bhutan and explore flora and fauna at the Motithang Takin Preserve. Visit Tashichho dzong in the evening. Famous as the ‘Fortress of Glorious region,’ the fortress is a noteworthy masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. After sightseeing, drive toward to Paro which take 1 hour drive.

Overnight hotel in Paro.

Today marks the end of your interesting Jomolhari trek. We will bid you a farewell with a heavy heart after you are driven to the Paro International Airport. As you head home after boarding the flight, you are bound to reminisce the landmarks you visited in Paro, the monasteries along the trek, and the amazing views of the Himalayas.

You can remember Third Rock Adventures to plan another wonderful trip.