Jomolhari dodeyna Trek

On your flight to Paro, if the weather permits, you will be able to spot snowcapped Himalayas including mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Our representative will be there waiting to receive you. You can drive to the hotel to check in and later in the day you can visit Ta Dzong, originally a watch tower now converted into a museum since 1968 under the command of our third king Jigme Dorji wangchuk since it is of no use as watch tower. Then visit 17^th century old fortress called Paro Rinpung Dzong literal meaning-“fortress on the heap of jewels”. Next you can visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most divine temple in Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, drive for half an hour and start the hike, which is about 5 hours (round trip) the trail is along an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.

As you reach Taktshang you will be struck by the architectural wonder of this most popular Buddhist shrine in Bhutan perched on a cliff overlooking the valley, it would justifiably qualify as one of Bhutan’s wonders. Tragically wrecked in a fire in early 1998 and It has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava flew on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D. Hence the name, Taktshang, or the Tiger’s Lair.

17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 2870M

 In the morning you will drive to Drukgyel Dzong and stop to see how it withstood the internal and external rebellions in 17^th century and so forth. You will drive along the Paro Chhu River, passing through fields, rice paddies, apple orchards, blue pine and fir forests. Soon at 2810m you will reach the army post of Gunitsawa where the valley widens and few settlements are visible. The farm road is connected till Shana but we will start walking from the army check point to acclimatize our body. Finally after walking for about 30 minutes we will reach at Shana Zampa (2850m) and camp here amid meadows surrounded by trees. OR you can choose to walk further about an hour to camp next to the river and also to shorten tomorrows walk.

21KM | 7-8 HOURS | 690M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3650M

Today you will begin your journey by climbing up and down through conifers and rhododendrons and crossing several streams. You shall reach a clearing at 3110m where you will have your lunch. After lunch, you will continue to ascend and descend a trail through forests of birch, fir, blue pine and maple trees. Further into the trek you will reach a valley above which is the beautiful view of mount Jumolhari. At 3750m is your campsite.

19KM | 5-6 HOURS | 290M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4100M

Today you will elevate to a high altitude, treading through muddy trails, meadows, plateaus and bridges. You will pass few settlements and people herding yaks near the river banks. The villagers grow barley, potatoes, turnips and radishes. After Soe, Takethang and Dangochang village, at 4080m, you finally reach camp at Jangothang. You can enjoy the stunning views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake from here.

8KM | 4-5 HOURS | 855M ASCENT

This is a rest day at Jangothang for acclimatization. Trek on an open slope towards north for four hours to get an awesome view of Jichu Drake or ascend higher at 4750m for an exqusite view of Jumolhari. There are other options for day excursions to nearby places and lakes. You may also choose to laze around, either way be you will have a terrific time here.

18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 660M ASCENT | 660M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4010M

Leaving behind the last settlements, you will now ascend a trail following the stream. At 4470m you will traverse through moraines and might encounter blue sheep and marmots. Soon you will reach Ngye La pass at an altitude of 4,700m. After the pass, you will descend till Lingzhi camp (4000m) and be back into the forest of rhododendrons, birches and people herding yaks with a good view of the Lingzhi Dzong.

22KM | 8-9 HOURS | 940M ASCENT | 920M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4100M

Your trek today must begin early. Above the camp you will turn south towards the Mo Chhu valley and then remain on the west side. Three hours from the camp you will cross Mo Chhu and then climb steeply to the top at Yeli La (4930m) where you can get a stunning view of Jumolhari, Gangchen Ta, Tshering Gang and Masang Gang if the weather is in your favor. Then you will descend to your camping place at Shodu at 4080 m.

16KM | 5-6 HOURS | 400M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3700M

The trail to Barshong treads under sharp cliffs with few meditation caves etched into them. You will cross the river few number of times within three hours of your trek and wound back in cypress, juniper and other alpine forests. There are waterfalls along the way making the journey more serene. In the last hour, there is a gradual ascend to your campsite in Barshong at an altitude of 3710m.

19KM | 6-7 HOURS | 200M ASCENT | 1200M DESCENT

Today you will descend gradually through thick forest and then make a sharp drop towards Thimphu Chhu. Follow the trail of the river left, climb to 3340m and after 30 minutes of walking through rhododendron forests and descend to Dolam Kencho at an altitude of 3320m. Now we have a farm road till Barshong and it's not necessary to camp here. So continue your last day walk as the trail descends to a stream and then climbs again to a pass, another short descend and climb through bamboo forest at 2720m. Your driver will be there to pick you up and transfer to your hotel in Thimphu. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

There are quite a few must-see tourist attraction in Thimphu. You will start off by visiting Have breakfast the King’s Memorial Chorten, the majestic Tashichhodzong and Kuenselphodrang (the giant Buddha statue). For lunch you will be taken to one of the local restaurants and if it’s the weekend, catch the buzz of the Weekend Market in the afternoon. Later visit the Nunnery temple, the School of Arts and Crafts where there are displays of ancient paintings and finally the Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Have breakfast and begin your drive to Punakha via Dochu La (3100 meters). The drive shall be a pleasant one through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. En route stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear weather you can get exotic views of the Himalayas. After tea you will continue driving and on the way stop at Metshina Village to take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Devine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will start your drive to Paro via Dochula Pass. On the way, you will stop to visit the Druk Wangyal Monastery. Stop at Thimphu for lunch and then head to Paro. In the evening you will visit a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse and enjoy a nice meal with a local family. Overnight hotel in Paro.

After your breakfast, you will be driven to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you goodbye.