Hidden within the creases of the Eastern Himalayas, Jomolhari Trek is one of the most sought after treks in Bhutan and follows a combination of several ancient trails below the spine of jagged snow-capped mountains separating Bhutan from Tibet and turning eastwards on a gorgeous descend toward the glacier-carved valley of Thimphu, the country’s capital. This is a demanding expedition with campsites at over 4,000m. So be prepared.
Fly to Bhutan's Paro Valley (7,300 feet). Our guide will receive you and check you into your hotel. After lunch, we’ll visit the Paro Dzong, a spectacular 16th-century fortresses overlooking the Paro Valley. A lovely stroll downhill from the Paro Dzong over an old cantilever bridge will wrap up an eventful first day in this magical kingdom.
Overnight in Paro.
Hike to Taktsang Lhakhang or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the kingdom’s most iconic site. This majestic structure is poised high above the Paro valley, built dramatically on the ledge of a granite cliff face. Make the steep, strenuous trek to the temple and then hike to a nearby viewpoint, taking in a landscape dotted with pine trees, prayer flags, and ancient shrines. Enjoy lunch at the viewpoint before returning to Paro for the evening.
Overnight in Paro.
Drive from Paro one and half hours past scenic Bhutanese hamlets and fortresses to Chubitsa where a stupa built to honor the life of a Tibetan/Bhutanese sage called Drukpa Kuenley, who subdued demons and liberated women using his divine phallus, stand atop a lovely ridge. Hike 5-6 hours below soaring mountains and through ravishing virgin forests until we reach our first campsite- Namchakha- situated upon a lovely wide-open meadow at an altitude of 4,000m. Overnight at campsite.
Hike a moderate uphill 5-6 hours through virgin pine forests until we reach a breathtakingly beautiful high pass called Tsenden La. We then descend for about half and hour amid the scenic Mt. Jichu Drake and Mt. Jomolhari, the heavenly abodes of Goddesses Jowo and Jomo, until we reach our campsite- Thangbu- at an altitude of 4,000m. Overnight at campsite.
Hike down for about an hour and cross our second stunning high pass Thangbu La. Descend further down amid the picturesque high mountain shrubs and dwarf rhododendrons for about four hours until you reach your campsite- Yaktsa- at an altitude of 3,800m. Overnight at campsite.
Climb an enchanting hill for about four hours to reach another high pass- Bongtey La- with breathtaking high 180 degree view. Soak the incredibleness and hike up another three hours before you are justly rewarded with the majestic and transcendental views of the sacred blue twin lakes. A few minutes away our campsite at the foot of Mt. Jomolhari, the abode of the Goddess of the mountains, await. Altitude at 4,080m. Overnight at campsite.
The first of our acclimatization days, we have many day-hiking options if you are in the mood. The first is a 3-4 hour excursion up the ridge to the north for great views of Mt. Jichu Drake (6989m). The second is to hike up towards the head of the valley in the direction of the base of Jomolhari. The third is a trek up the main valley towards the last house and onward toward Jichu Drake, this gives a great view of where we will be going in the next few days. But don’t sweat it too much as the climb gets tougher from next day onwards and you need rest. Overnight at campsite.
Heading uphill for an hour from Jangothang we cross one of the highest passes on this trek, the Nyile La at 4890m. Descending on the other side, we will encounter juniper shrubs and rhododendron and pass many yak herder camps and blue sheep habitat. If we are lucky, we might even see the Breaded Vulture and the Himalayan Griffons. Arriving in Lingshi we set up camp at 3,880m over a gorgeous U-shaped valley with a splendid view of the Lingshi Dzong built atop a high ridge with the snow-capped mountain and blue sky in the background. Overnight at campsite.
This morning a gradual climb of about four hours will take you to the spectacular Yelela Pass (4,820m) from where the combo panorama of Mt. Jomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drake and the Great Tiger Mountain called Gangcheta, all soaring above 7,000m, will most assuredly take your breathe away. After soaking in the awesomeness and incredibleness, you’ll descend to your lovely campsite (4,000m) located beside a magnificent blue lake called Dhingtso. Overnight at campsite.
After a lovely out-of-this-world experience of having your breakfast served beside a magnificent Himalayan blue lake and soaking in the awesomeness, you’ll walk for about 5-6 hours past gentle plump slopes with yaks and blue sheep grazing on it all the way down to our beautiful campsite- Waleythang- at 4,100m. Overnight at campsite.
Today you’ll walk through an old yak herder’s track to reach Ledila Pass (4,700m), which takes about three hours, after which you’ll then trek along the shoreline of the beautiful sacred mountain lake Yumtsho until you reach your campsite Tegithang. Altitude is 4,000m and at night you’ll be surrounded by stars. Overnight at campsite.
After breakfast a gradual climb will take you to another breathtaking high pass called Shakhim La. The view from there is to die for. Descend from there all the way to your campsite, Rangthabja. Overall you’ll walk about seven hours. Overnight at campsite.
Today a steady climb will lead you to Yusa La pass (4,380m). You’ll then descend down a beautiful rocky terrain. Climb up again to a lake called Dung Tsho and then onwards and upwards toward the amazing Dung Tsho La pass (4,300m). You’ll now join the famous Druk Path Trek course, which was in ancient times the main trading route between the valleys of Thimphu and Paro. Camp at Labana (4,200m). Overnight at campsite.
This is the last day of the trek. A beautiful mountain sunrise will greet you. Walk for about three hours to Phajoding, a lovely monastery nestled atop a gorgeous hill. Light butter lamps to offer thanks to the mountains deities for a successful and memorable trek. Breathe in the stupendous view from the balcony of the monastery. Interact with monks. Then we descend down through blue pine trees and rhododendron flowers to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. Our transport will meet us just as we start emerging from the forest and drive to your hotel in Thimphu.
Overnight in hotel.
Today is your last day in this magical kingdom. After breakfast, you’ll explore the capital city of Bhutan. A tiny city of about 100,000 people, it is the only capital in the world where traffic is manually manned by a policeman. Visit the 51.5m giant Buddha statue atop Thimphu Valley and savor the view from there. Visit Memorial Chorten/Stupa and witness the congregation of devout Buddhists circumambulating. Visit Simply Bhutan museum showcasing the traditional heritage of Bhutan. Stroll through craft bazaar. Today is also a good time to shop for gifts to take home for your loved ones. Overnight in hotel.
Today is your last morning in Bhutan. Breakfast and then we drive you to Paro Airport for your journey back home. Our staff will bid you farewell at the airport. See you again!
This trip has an activity rating of difficult. Travelers should be physically fit and prepared for multiple hours of hiking over several days on high mountains. Excursions may include navigating uneven terrain, climbing stairs without handrails, and walking on paths with steep ascents and descents.
This trip includes four days of acclimatization and exploration in Paro and Thimphu (Bhutan’s capital) before and after the trek where you will stay in a hotel. The rest of the trip, for 12 nights, will be spent at campsites.
A Bhutan Spicy Shangri-La Druk Path expert/guide will accompany this trek along with a Bhutanese support team platoon comprising of horsemen and cooks.
| MONTHS | PRICES ARE FOR ADULT PER PERSON | PRICING |
|---|---|---|
| Jan, Feb, June, July, August, Dec | GROUP OF 9 (MAX) | From USD 3,566.00 |
| March, April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov | GROUP OF 9 (MAX) | From USD 2,816 |
Prices are per person based and do not include international airfare to/from your destination or internal flights during the expedition. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.
