Jhomolhari Trek - 13 Days

Today you will enter the Land of Dragon. You have options to fly from several cities to Paro. You can fly from Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu to Paro. The flight to Paro is beautiful as the aircraft comes closer to Paro, we get to see snowcapped Himalayan peaks and just after entering Paro Valley the view of Paro Dzong overlooking Paro River is a great view. On our arrival at Paro, we are cordially welcomed by our representative in Bhutan who will escort you to your hotel in Paro.

After the breakfast, today we are going on a hike. A five hour hike to and fro to a cliff hanging monastery is probably the biggest highlight of Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery also knwon as Tiger’s Nest because of the myth that states the visit of Guru Rinpoche on a Tiger back nestles on a cliff that hangs 90m above Paro. We hike up to the monastery, explore aorund and hike back down to Paro for the lunch.

Post lunch, we visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. The monument was orginally a Watch Tower. However since 1967 it is a National Museum holding a huge collection of arts, artifacts, thankas and postal stamps. The final destination of the enetire Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan is Ripung Dzong which also has a long significant history in Bhutan. Overnight in a hotel at Paro.Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is acting as the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.While having sightseeing tour of Paro, we would be preparing for the trek starting tomorrow.

Overnight in a hotel at Paro.

To begin the trek, we drive to Drukyel Dzong, which is a very short drive. As the Jhomolhari Trek kicks off from Drukyel Dzong 2575m, it winds downhill along the wide open trail. Further, we trek up to through the wonderful landscapes that has beautifully carved terraced fields of rice and millet. Savoring the scenic view of Bhutanese farmlands, we come across to the pleasant apple orchard and beyond the orchard our trek begins to traverse through beautiful tropical forest. Trekking through the forest, we emerge at wide valley and soon arrive to Army Post at Gunitsawa (2810m). This Army post lies in a close proximity with Tibetan border. We continue to trek uphill to Sharma Zampa 2900m, which caters many ideal campsites after the first day of Jhomolhari Trek.Overnight in camp.

As we begin our Jhomolhari Trek today, first we slide down to Paro River. Then we begin to trek upstream along the river. Climbing up and sliding down for quite a few time s through beautiful forest comprising pine, oak and spruce we cross the bridge over Paro River and get to a wide space on its left bank, where we have a picnic lunch. Post lunch, we continue to trek along the trail beside the river. At apoint we climb up into the the wonderful rhododendron forest to listen the pleasing gush of Paro River. No wonder, we again descend down to the river and cross a bridge over it to reach our campsite at Soi Thangthanka. At the end of Day 2 on Jhomolhari Trek, we have walked almost 20km, which is a challenging accomplishment. Overnight in a camp.

The third day of Jhomolhari Trek in Bhutan is yet another long day. Today we trek 19km. Starting the trek with the ascending uphill climb that extends for couple of hours takes us to the Army Camp. Beyond the Army Camp, the walk is very pleasant. We chase the trail on the river bank, which has a beautiful treeline right above it. The striking views of Himalayas including Mt. Jhomolhari comes into our sight. We will enjoy our lunch in a well located yak herder’s camp. After the lunch a wonderful hike through the wide valleys brings us to our campsite in Jangothang. The views of Mt. Jichu Drake and Mt. Jhomolhari are stunningly impressive from the campsite. Overnight in camp.

Jangothang is also known as Jhomolhari Base Camp. We rest at the camp for acclimatization. Acclimatization is required because the next we are getting as high as 4700m to the top of Nye-le La Pass. We can explore to Tshophu Lake, see around the yak herder’s camp in the close proximity. Ask your guide for the best suited option on this day.

After the rest day at our camp in Jangothang, we resume the Jhomolhari Trek towards Lingshi. 18km walk today is going to be fun. Beginning the trek, we hike along the trail at the bank of gentle stream for almost thirty minutes to a bridge. We cross the bridge and get to the other bank of the stream. Crossing the stream a uphill climb on the ridge awaits us. We savor the magnificent views of Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang while ascending over the ridge. After the strenuous ascent we come across to a leveled valley. Trekking along the valley floor, we gradually begin to gain altitude to the top of Nyele-La Pass 4700m. From the top of the pass we see the wonderful view of valley we trekked few hours ago, mountains seem equally beautiful and the view of Lingshi Dzong is simple superb. We descend down from the pass to our campsite in Lingshi. Overnight in a camp.

After the breakfast in our camps, we get to a higher elevation, which has a beautiful small white chorten over the ridge just above our campsite. Beyond the ridge, the trek turns south up into the deep Mo Chu Valley. Trekking along the valley floor, we stay on the western side, which is a large treeless side of the valley. Climbing up for a while above Mo Chu Valley, we arrive to a river, which we cross and begin to climb up on a steep trail to the top of Yeli-La Pass 4825m. After two hours of climb we get to the top of the pass, from where we get to see the mesmerizing views of Himalayan peaks that include Jhomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang. Beyond the top of the pass, we then slide down along the stream to a rocky shelter hanging on a cliff. Trekking down further, with the stream, we arrive to Sodhu, our campsite.

Jhomolhari Trek today begins with a short descending climb down to Thimpu River. We then chase the trail beside the river that descends down through the beautiful alpine woodlands comprising Rhododendron, Juniper. Throughout the day’s trek the views are incredibly beautiful. We will halt for the lunch break at a riverside. Post lunch, the trek slides up gradually to the remains of Barshong Dzong. Somewhere close to the Dzong we will settle down our camps. Though relatively easy day, we have trekked 16 km today.

We are now almost close to completing interesting Jhomolhari Trek. Today’s trek begins to gently slide down through the dense forest of Rhododendron, Birch and conifers before its inclination sharpens steeply down to Thimpu River. Once getting to the riverbed, we chase the left bank of the river, climb over the ridges occasionally, descend into the gullies to meet small stream that slide into Thimpu River and finally emerge up to a cliff high above Thimpu River. coming out onto Pastureland where we camp for the night at 3600m. Overnight at campsite.

Today is last day of Jhomolhari Trek. The trek traverses frequently in and out of the valley above Thimpu River and ascends steeply up to a Pass at 3510 through dense alpine forest. Beyond the pass we drop down to the river and head south to Dodena. After three hours of trek today, Jhomolhari Trek with Access Nepal ends. At Dodena a private vehicle picks you up that drives you to your hotel in Thimpu. Enjoy a comfortable night in a comfortable hotel in Thimpu.

Today the real cultural tour of Bhutan begins and the best way to begin from is Bhutanese capital, Thimpu. In Thimpu, we visit Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval time fortress/monastery, which is now the Bhutanese government’s integral building holding many governement offices and King’s throne. Trashichhoedzong is also the summer home of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot in Bhutan. The cultural tour of Thimpu continues to the National Library which holds the wide array of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Explore Arts and Crafts School to witness the fantastic ongoing workshops of Thanka Paintings and encounter the living traditions of Bhutan at Textile and Folk Heritage Museums before the lunch.

Post lunch, the sightseeing tour of Thimpu, takes you to the Handicrafts Emporium followed by a visit to Stupa of Memorial Chorten (monument built in the memory of Father of Modern Bhutan- the third king of Bhutan). After a thorough exploration of Bhutanese capital ,we drive back to Paro, which is a pleasant ninety minutes drive along wonderful Bhutanese Highway. Overnight in a hotel in Paro.

Our representative will drive you to Paro International Airport on time so that you board a plane to your onward destination on time. Have a safe flight home and travel with Access Nepal.