Bhutan is a trekker’s paradise. The exotic landscape, rugged terrains and constantly changing vegetation offer a unique experience to trekkers. There is a wide range of trekking options in Bhutan, from a simple three-day trek to the rigorous three-week long snowman trek. The experience of trekking in the Himalayas will bring you close to a part of the world that literally seems lost in time. You will experience the idyllic beauty of nature in its original form and rawness, and breath-taking panoramic views of the Himalayas. Jomolhari Trek I is a favored trekking option for many trekkers who come to Bhutan. Try it out to believe!
Jomolhari Trek I is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan, covering an altitude from 2,500m to close to 5,000m. This trek offers spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari, the abode of the local deity Aum Jomo, from the base camp at Jangothang. Almost the whole of the trek cuts through a part of the Jigme Singye National Park, offering trekkers the opportunity to experience the rich fauna and flora. Along the upper end of the trail, trekkers will come across scattered settlements of yak herders and yaks grazing in the vast highland pastures. The best time for this trek is between March and June and from September to November.
Day 1 Arrival Paro
Day 2 Tiger Nest hike (for acclimatization)
Day 3 Drukgyel Dzong/Shana (trek commences)
Day 4 Shana/Soi Thangthangkha
Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha/Jangothang
Day 6 Rest day at Jangothang
Day 7 Jangothang/Lingshi
Day 8 Lingshi halh
Day 9 Lingshi/Shodu
Day 10 Shodu /Barshong
Day 11 Barshong/Domlam Kencho
Day12 Domlam Kencho/Dodenaodena (trek ends)
Day 13 Thimphu sightseeing
Day 14 Thimphu
Day 15 Exit
Day 1: Arrival Paro
You tour guide will receive you at the Paro International Airport and escort you to your hotel for freshening up. It will be followed by a cultural tour to Paro Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan housed in Paro Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) perched on the hillock above the Paro dzong. After lunch, you will visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and the sacred Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple built by Tibet’s Dharma King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century.
Day 2: Tiger Nest hike
In the early hours of the day, you will take the gentle hike to Paro Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest that stands aloft in a precarious cliff. The three-hour hike uphill through pine forest and groves of oak trees offers a bird’seye view of the valley and breathtaking sights of one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the Kingdom. This hike is purposely designed to acclimatize you to the Himalayan climatic conditions. At the same time, you will receive blessings from the sacred shrines of Takshang; nothing like it before you embark on trekking journey.
Day 3 Drukgyel Dzong/Shana
The trek begins from the Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) road point. It is a gentle climb along the Parochhu. The trail passes through green meadows, paddy fields and traditional Bhutanese farm houses. After about four hours trekking, you will reach the army outpost at Gunitsawa village where your guide will provide permits. You will have to walk to the other side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa, to the campsite.
Day 4 Shana/Soi Thangthangkha
This is a long trek that involves walking uphill and downhill at short intervals. After climbing uphill through the river valley, you will enter the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park. The valley narrows down to a single path that descends to a meadow. The camp will be set up here. This is a right spot for the camp as you will be able to see Mount Jomolhari on a clear day.
Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha/Jangothang
You resume the trek early in the morning. The trail continues uphill across alpine meadows and stunted vegetation. Along the trail, you will be able to view Mount Jomolhari. You will come across an army outpost on the way, yak herders’ homes, and the beautiful snow clad mountain peaks and ridges on the horizon. The trail further passes through the highland villages of Soe, Takethang and Dangochang. Here you will be able to experience the typical lifestyle and culture of highlanders. You will continue till Jangothang (4,040m), the campsite at the base of the majestic Mount Jhomolhari, the abode of the protective deity Jomo.
Day 6: Rest day at Jangothang
A day will be spent at Jangothang. Short hikes offer the opportunity to see lakes and various other mountain peaks like Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jyichu Drakey. There are also possibilities of sighting blue sheep grazing on rocky mountain slopes. There are good short hiking trails in three directions - Jomolhari and it’s subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jyichu Drakey to the north and a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.
Day 7 Jangothang/Lingshi
You will resume the trek after the day’s rest. The trail from the camp ascends through a steep ridge for about half an hour after which, it’s a gradual downhill walk to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. From here, you will be able to view Mount Jomolhari, Mount Jyichu Drakey and Tsherimgang, all of them above 7,000m. Along the trail, you will also sight herds of blue sheep grazing on the mountain slopes. The downhill trek will take you to Lingshi basin. Along this trail you will also come across yak, yak herders and their homes. You will also see Lingshi dzong on a clear day perched on the hillock. You will halt at the campsite before you reach Lingshi dzong.
Day 8: Lingshi halt
After traversing through rugged terrains days on end, a day of rest at Lingshi village offers you the opportunity to experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the highland communities. During the day, you will interact with local highlanders and hike around the vicinity. It’s a good place to relax your sinews!
Day 9: Lingshi/Shodu
After a good day’s rest, prepare for a lot of trekking. We start the trek early at the break of dawn. As you will find, the trail ascends up to the Yelila pass (4,930m) mostly through open landscape of valleys and gorges. From the Yelila pass, you will see the mountains peaks - Mount Jomolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang - the abodes of protective deities, floating amid the clouds. These mountains peaks have never been climbed. From the pass, the train descends, downhill alongside a mountain stream until you reach the campsite at Shodu (4,100m).
Day 10 Shodu /Barshong
The trekking today is much lighter and a pleasant one. The trail runs along the Thimphu Chhu, the constant sound of the river for company. The trail cuts through mostly rich rhododendron vegetation.Along the way, you will see beautiful waterfalls. The trail gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong where we halt for the night.
Day 11 Barshong/Domlam Kencho
Today, the trail descends to the Thimphu Chhu river valley. Along this trail, you will pass across dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos. The trail gradually climbs up to a pastureland where the camp is.
Day12 Domlam Kencho/Dodenaodena
The trail continues through a dense forest of conifers and crosses a pass at 3,510m. The trail then steeply drops till the road point at Dodena (2,600m). Dodena marks the end of Jigme Dorji National Park. Along the trail, you can sight lot of langurs. From here, you will be picked up and driven to your hotel in Thimphu.
Day 13 Thimphu sightseeing
In Thimphu you will be taken for a tour of the city. Thimphu is a small capital city with a little over hundred thousand people. Thimphu is both the modern and cultural center of Bhutan. You will visit the Folk Heritage Museum, the painting school, the National Library and the Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the Third King of Bhutan. In the evening, you can also take a stroll around Thimphu city and experience Bhutan’s urbane lifestyle.
Day 14 Thimphu
On the penultimate day of your stay in Bhutan, we will take you for short a hike to Tango Monastery in the north of Thimphu that currently serves as the University of Buddhist Studies. Later after lunch, you will visit the 13 century Changangkha monastery, Takin Preserve in Motithang, Sangaygang view point and the Kuenselphodrang where one of the tallest statues of Lord Buddha is being currently constructed. Towards the end of the day, you will visit Tashichhodzong, the seat of the King and central monastic body.
Day15 Exit
Your tour guide will see you off at the airport.
High Season (March, April, May, September, October & November)
Low Season (June, July, August, December, January & February)