Jomolhari is a superb trek that leads up a long valley into fabulous scenery under the beautiful 7,316m Jomolhari peak. It takes you over two high ridges with magnificent views, before dropping back down above another valley.
The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Basecamp, Jangothang. Nearly the whole trek goes through a small part of the Jigme Singye National Park, passing a few of the Yak herder’s settlement and the remotest region of Lingshi.
Day 1 Paro – Thimphu By Road 56 Kms. / 1 hr. appx.
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatize to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and let’s have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu if possible.
Day 2 Paro
Hike to Taktshang monastery as good acclimatisation for the trek
Drukgyal Dzong – A morning drive, north of Paro valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.Explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.
Taktsang Monastery – A one hour hike to the cafeteria is also a vantage view whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliff and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.
Kyichu Lhakhang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace our steps to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Day 3 Paro – Haa Via Chelela
Today we will do another acclimatisation hike at Chele La pass. We can also visit Kila Gompa nunnery.
Drive to Haa through Chele La (3,988 m). From the pass, you can see Paro valley on one side and then Haa valley on the other. You can also have a picnic at Chele La if you like to.
In Haa, some sightseeing and then going to katsho village and visiting the Katso Lhakhang. The valley of Haa was only opened to Tourist in 2002 and Haa is the least visited valley in Bhutan due to the lack of Tourist infrastructure. This has helped in keeping Haa the way it has always been, with Bhutanese families living their traditional and simple life.
There are no tourist standard hotels in Haa valley, so we return to Paro for the night.
Day 4 (Trek Day 1) : Shana to Soi Thangthangkha
Early in the morning drive about 2 hours through farm road to Shana, where you will start your trek. We ascend through the river valley and beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. Sadly much of the forest has been cut to make way for electricity to be run to Jangothang and Lingshi – the sight of fallen trees is a reminder of the cost of progress. We turn north towards Mount Jomolhari, which can be seen from the top of the valley. Our camp will be at 3680 metres.
Distance 22 km
Time 7-8 hours
Ascent Ascent 770 m, descent 10m
Camp Altitude 3,610m
Day 5 (Trek Day 2) : Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang
The trail continues to follow the river and passes a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Views of high ridges and snow-capped peaks can be seen on all sides. At this altitude (about 4040 m) it is possible to see yaks and yak herders. Camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari.
Distance 19 km
Time 5-6 hours
Ascent Ascent 480m
Camp Altitude 4,080m
Day 6 (Trek Day 3) : Rest day at Jangothang
It’s possible to walk to Tsophu (sacred lakes) or hike in various directions: towards Mount Jomolhari and its subsidiary to the west, Jichu Drake to the north and unclaimed summits and ridges to the east.
Day 7 (Trek Day 4) : Jangothang to Lingshi
The trail climbs gradually to Nyili La Pass (4680 m). Broad yak pastures can be seen along the length of the route. If the weather is clear, there is an excellent view of Lingshi Dzong as we descend into the Lingshi basin. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers can be seen at the north end of the valley. We camp in a stone shelter.
Distance 18 km
Time 6-7 hours
Ascent 840 m, descent 870m
Camp Altitude 4,010m
Day 8 (Trek Day 5) : Rest day at Lingshi
A day’s excursion to Tsekha (Lahe), the base camp of Jichu Drake mountain where it is possible to see blue sheep and musk deer. (Altitude about 4500 m) If you prefer, you can relax today, explore the village and visit the school. Sadly Lingshi Dzong was badly damaged in a recent earthquake and it will only be possible to visit if renovations works are complete.
Day 9 (Trek Day 6) : Lingshi to Shodu
The trail ascends to the Yali La Pass (4820 m), from where Mount Jomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masa Gang can be seen on a clear day. We descend to our campsite which is situated.
Distance 22km
Time 8-9 hours
Ascent 940 m, descent 920m
Camp Altitude 4,080m
Day 10 (Trek Day 7) : Shodu to Domshisa
The path follows the Thimphu Chhu (river) and through forests with rhododendrons and waterfalls, before climbing to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Continue to follow the Thimphu Chu downhill for a couple of hours through dense rhododendron forest before emerging into pastureland at Domshisa where we can camp.
Altitude: 3400 mts
Distance: 17 kms
Time: 7 to 8 hours
Day 11 (Trek Day 8) : Domshisa to Dodena and on to Thimphu
From Domshisa we climb for about an hour to a mountain meadow and over a small pass. A new farm road has been built along this stretch, so we have to walk for about 3 hours today along the rough road until we join the original trail just before the end of our trek. From here it is about an hour along the trail to Dodena where a vehicle will be waiting to collect us for the hour’s drive to Thimphu.
Distance: 9 kms
Time: 5 hours
Day 12 Thimphu – Paro By Road 56 Kms. / 1 hr. appx.
After breakafst, sightseeing of Thimphu.
Later, drive to Paro.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 13 Depart Paro
After breakfast, departure transfer to Paro Airport for flight to onward destination.
| City | Night (s) | Hotels / Lodges / Camp |
| Paro | 03 | Gangtey Palace |
| SIo Thangkha | 01 | Camp |
| Jangothang | 02 | Camp |
| Lingshi | 02 | Camp |
| Shodu | 01 | Camp |
| Domshisha | 01 | Camp |
| Thimphu | 01 | Namgay Heritage |
| Paro | 01 | Gangtey Palace |
– Private guided tour
– Visas for Bhutan
– Airport transfers
– Daily 3 meals (B/L/D) at designated restaurants or hotels
– 12 Nights Accommodation in the hotels / camps as per the program.
– A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide
– An experienced driver
– A tour vehicle
– Entry fees & road permits
– Government fee, royalty, taxes & surcharges
– Full service & assistance before, during and after your Bhutan trip
Trekking equipment provided
– A Cook
– Camp assistance
– Horses
– Sleeping bag
– Sleeping mats
– Blankets
– Tents
– International / Domestic air tickets.
– Tips.
– Items of a personal nature, personal expenses.
– Travel Insurance.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.
