Chomolhari (Jomolhari) Trek - 12 Days

This 9-day challenging Chomolhari or Jomolhari trek starts at Drugyal Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. Hiking through rice paddy fields, apple orchards, forests, rushing steams, the trek gradually becomes challenging. After two nights camping in the wooded alpine forests and meadows, you will arrive at Jangothang base camp and from here you will have a stunning view of 7513m Mount Jumolhari. The next day’s trail is through high pastureland and after crossing the highest point, Nyile La Pass (4,890m), you arrive at Lingshi, the highest settlement in the north. You will have some spectacular views of the high ridges and snow-capped mountains. Yaks, blue sheep, musk deer and elusive marmots are also the common sights on this trek. The last few days trek, through conifer forests, canyons and streams, you arrive at Dodena, where your car will be waiting here to transfer to Thimphu. Take a hot shower in the hotel and relax for the next day’s tour in the city.

This 9-day challenging trek starts at Drugyal Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. Hiking through rice paddy fields, apple orchards, forests, rushing steams, the trek gradually becomes challenging. After two nights camping in the wooded alpine forests and meadows, you will arrive at Jangothang base camp and from here you will have a stunning view of 7513m Mount Jumolhari. The next day’s trail is through high pastureland and after crossing the highest point, Nyile La Pass (4,890m), you arrive at Lingshi, the highest settlement in the north. You will have some spectacular views of the high ridges and snow-capped mountains. Yaks, blue sheep, musk deer and elusive marmots are also the common sights on this trek. The last few days trek, through conifer forests, canyons and streams, you arrive at Dodena, where your car will be waiting here to transfer to Thimphu. Take a hot shower in the hotel and relax for the next day’s tour in the city. - See more at: http://web.archive.org/web/20150224130923/http://www.tibetholidays.com:80/chomolari-trek.html#sthash.ybhtbE3I.dpuf
This 9-day challenging trek starts at Drugyal Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. Hiking through rice paddy fields, apple orchards, forests, rushing steams, the trek gradually becomes challenging. After two nights camping in the wooded alpine forests and meadows, you will arrive at Jangothang base camp and from here you will have a stunning view of 7513m Mount Jumolhari. The next day’s trail is through high pastureland and after crossing the highest point, Nyile La Pass (4,890m), you arrive at Lingshi, the highest settlement in the north. You will have some spectacular views of the high ridges and snow-capped mountains. Yaks, blue sheep, musk deer and elusive marmots are also the common sights on this trek. The last few days trek, through conifer forests, canyons and streams, you arrive at Dodena, where your car will be waiting here to transfer to Thimphu. Take a hot shower in the hotel and relax for the next day’s tour in the city. - See more at: http://web.archive.org/web/20150224130923/http://www.tibetholidays.com:80/chomolari-trek.html#sthash.ybhtbE3I.dpuf
This 9-day challenging trek starts at Drugyal Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. Hiking through rice paddy fields, apple orchards, forests, rushing steams, the trek gradually becomes challenging. After two nights camping in the wooded alpine forests and meadows, you will arrive at Jangothang base camp and from here you will have a stunning view of 7513m Mount Jumolhari. The next day’s trail is through high pastureland and after crossing the highest point, Nyile La Pass (4,890m), you arrive at Lingshi, the highest settlement in the north. You will have some spectacular views of the high ridges and snow-capped mountains. Yaks, blue sheep, musk deer and elusive marmots are also the common sights on this trek. The last few days trek, through conifer forests, canyons and streams, you arrive at Dodena, where your car will be waiting here to transfer to Thimphu. Take a hot shower in the hotel and relax for the next day’s tour in the city. - See more at: http://web.archive.org/web/20150224130923/http://www.tibetholidays.com:80/chomolari-trek.html#sthash.ybhtbE3I.dpuf
This 9-day challenging trek starts at Drugyal Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. Hiking through rice paddy fields, apple orchards, forests, rushing steams, the trek gradually becomes challenging. After two nights camping in the wooded alpine forests and meadows, you will arrive at Jangothang base camp and from here you will have a stunning view of 7513m Mount Jumolhari. The next day’s trail is through high pastureland and after crossing the highest point, Nyile La Pass (4,890m), you arrive at Lingshi, the highest settlement in the north. You will have some spectacular views of the high ridges and snow-capped mountains. Yaks, blue sheep, musk deer and elusive marmots are also the common sights on this trek. The last few days trek, through conifer forests, canyons and streams, you arrive at Dodena, where your car will be waiting here to transfer to Thimphu. Take a hot shower in the hotel and relax for the next day’s tour in the city. - See more at: http://web.archive.org/web/20150224130923/http://www.tibetholidays.com:80/chomolari-trek.html#sthash.ybhtbE3I.dpuf

Itinerary

Welcome to Bhutan. After you land at Paro International Airport of Bhutan a representative will be waiting for you at the arrival section with a paging board with your details, which will ease for identification. Upon meeting you will be welcomed with a traditional scarf or garland. Then, the representative will help you to transfer your luggage on a private vehicle that will take you on a scenic drive towards Thimphu (the capital city of Bhutan). The drive will take about one and a half hours depending upon the road condition and traffic situation. Along the route, you will have the opportunity to see the beauty of Bhutan, the settlements, prominent landmarks, and many more. Once you reach Thimphu you will then be transferred to the hotel. Our representative will help you with the check-in and the hotel staff will carry your luggage to your room. Once all the logistics in the hotel are completed you can get some rest. Later in the evening you can stroll around the city and explore nearby places. You will have the sightseeing tour the following day so until then grab yourself a fulfilling dinner. After dinner, you can rest and spend the night in Paro.

Meal
Lunch & Dinner
Transportation
Jeep/Van/Bus
Accommodation
3/4 Star Hotel

Today is your first exploration day with Trekking Planner in your Jomolhari Trekking. As you wake up breakfast will be served in the hotel where you can have a delicious meal. After breakfast, you will prepare yourself for the sightseeing tour around Paro Valley and wait in the hotel lobby. Your guide will pick you up and take you on the tour in a private vehicle. There are various destinations where you can explore, gain information, and spend quality time in and around Paro.

Similarly, you can start the trip by exploring the Tiger’s Nest Monastery which is also known as Paro Taktsang. The Tiger Monastery is one of the prominent Buddhist sites in Bhutan and is regarded as the finest architectural marvel that holds historical and religious significance.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
3/4 Star Hotel
Walking
3-4 hours

You will wake up early in the morning and have a fulfilling breakfast. After breakfast, you will drive up to Drukgyel Dzong where the road ends and actual trekking starts. Upon reaching Drukgyel, you will begin with a gradual climb to reach Paro Chhu while passing beautiful landmarks, paddy fields, and farmhouses. After walking for about four hours, you will come across an army camp or check post where you will show the permit to enter the area at Gunitsawa village.

After Gunitsawa village you will continue towards Sharna Zampa which will be less than an hour-long trek. Upon reaching Sharna Zampa settle in an accommodation place and have dinner. After dinner, you can rest and spend overnight in Sharna Zampa.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Walking
6-7 hours

After waking up have a fulfilling breakfast and begin your trek. Today you will walk from Sharna Zampa and move towards Thangthangkha which will take about seven hours covering a distance of 20 kilometers. You will begin this section of the trek by continuing uphill through the river valley. Afterward, the trail gradually becomes narrow with ups and downs. This section is also considered a hard part for most trekkers so be sure to continue slowly and gradually. As you continue the trail becomes flat with a gentle climb through oak, rhododendrons, and ferns. Similarly, you will cross several small streams and water sources to reach the Thangthangkha campsite located at 3610 meters.

Once you reach the destination settle in an accommodation place and have a filling dinner. Once dinner is finished you will rest and stay overnight in Thangthangkha.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Walking
5-6 hrs

As you wake up early in the morning you will have a filling breakfast and continue on the trekking trail. Today you will walk from Thangthangkha to Jangothang which is about six hours of walk that covers sixteen kilometers. The section begins with a walk to Pa Chhu River and continues upward towards the small army post. After passing through the checkpoint, you will get to see the spectacular view of the mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. You can also find several grazing yaks and their herder’s home in and around the area. You will cross some of the prominent villages in the region including Soe, Takethang, and Dangochang to reach Jangothang. Upon reaching Jangothang you can see the grand view of Mount Jomolhari including the surrounding mountain range. After a glance, you will settle in an accommodation place and have dinner. After dinner, you will rest and spend the night in Jangothang.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Walking
6-7 hours

Today is your acclimatization or rest day where you can explore the places around the Jangothang. So, you can wake up late have breakfast as you will, and spend the day exploring. You can hike at higher altitudes to view magnificent lakes and mountains including Jomolhari, Tseringkang, and Jichu Drake. You can also walk up to Tosoh to adjust your body to a low oxygen level. Afterward, you can return to a lower altitude and explore the area further. Later in the evening, you will have a delicious dinner. After dinner have a rest and stay overnight in Jangothang.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Activity
Rest Day

As you wake up in Jangothang have breakfast and continue to the trek. Today you will continue from Jangothang to Dhumzo which is about an hour's walk completing sixteen kilometers. Begin the trek leading north to the last settlement in the valley and drop to Paro Chhu while crossing a wooden bridge. Afterwards, you will walk to Tshophu Lake where ruddy-shel ducks are abundant in number. Similarly, as you proceed further you can see a second lake after a climb across a slope to a crest.

Afterwards, you will descend to a valley, and again with a steep climb you will reach Bonte La pass. As you reach the top and descend through the zigzag yak trail you can reach Dhumzo. Upon reaching Dumzo settle in an accommodation place and have dinner. After dinner rest and stay overnight in Dumzo.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Walking
6-7 hours

Waking up at Dhumzo and having breakfast you will start your return journey. Today you will march from Dhumzo to Thombu Shong which is about an hour's trek depending upon the pace. Moving from Dhumzo you will climb over the ridge with views of rhododendron, birch, and oak forests and then drop to another stream. Afterward, you will cross the Dhunge La Pass followed by Tagulun La Pass where you can get excellent views of Jhomolhari, Jitchu, Teri Kang, Kanchenjunga, and many more. You can view the Thombu Valley with the backdrop of these mountains.

When you reach Thombu Shong settle in an accommodation place, have a filling dinner, and take a rest. You will spend the night at Thombu Shong.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Walking
4-5 hours

Today as you wake up you will have a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, you will continue on the trek from Thombu to Sharna Zampa which will take about four to six hours depending upon the pace completing seventeen kilometers. Initially, in this section, you will reach Soi Yaktsa through a relative downwalk. Afterwards, you can continue to descend to Jangothan followed by Thangthangkha.

As you proceed further down from Thangthangkha you will reach Sharna Zampa where you can rest in an accommodation place. You will also have an amazing dinner and spend the night in Sharna Zampa.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Camping
Walking
5-6 hrs

Today you will start with a delicious breakfast and march on the trek from Sharna Zampa to Drukgyel Dzong. The section takes about six hours of walk depending on the pace. Moving to the trail you will continue the descent from Sharna Zampa to reach Gunitsawa village. Further, you will walk past Gunitsawa and descend to reach Drukgyel Dzong. Once you reach Drukgyel you can settle in an accommodation place and have rest. You will have dinner on the accommodation option and then rest for the night. You will spend the night in Drukgyel Dzong.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
3/4 Star Hotel
Walking
6-7 hours

Today you will wake up and have breakfast at your hotel. Afterward, your guide from Trekking Planner Nepal will pick you up from the hotel lobby and take you on a sightseeing tour of Thimpu. You can begin the tour by visiting the Buddha Dordenma which is a hilltop location that shows a panoramic view of Thimphu situated below. During the visit to the top, you can also come across a gigantic statue of Lord Buddha (founder of Buddhism) that stands at 51.5 meters (169 feet). The statue is also considered one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.

Likewise, after spending significant time in Dordebma you will continue towards Thimphu Chorten which is a sacred site built in the memory of Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. You can circumambulate the chorten, meditate, or worship the area which has high religious and spiritual significance for the Bhutanese.

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
3/4 Star Hotel
Activity
Pilgrimage / Sightseeing

Today is your last day in Bhutan. Today according to your flight schedule, you will have breakfast. After all the packing our representative will take you to the international airport where your flight departs. You will have to reach the airport at least three hours before the flight. Once you reach the airport our representative will help you with the logistics after which your journey with Tibet Holidays team ends. We hope to assist you further. Best wishes!!

Meal
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
N/A
Activity
Airport Drop

What's Included?

  • Arrival Departure Airport Transfer
  • All monument and sightseeing entrance fees
  • Private vehicle wherever required for ground transfer
  • English speaking local Bhutanese guide during trip
  • All Hotel / Guesthouse stays
  • All Camping equipment during trekking
  • Cook with kitchen crew along with Kitchen equipment
  • Freshly cooked full board western meal during trekking
  • Full board food while hotel / guesthouse stays prepared by hotel / guesthouse staff

Cost Excludes

  • Any flight fare Personal expenses
  • Additional bar bills
  • Personal Expenses
  • Travel Insurance
  • Access Baggage Charge
  • Others which is not mentioned on the above inlcuded items.

Equipment

Accommodations

Hotels in Bhutan are approved and classified by the government as grade A, B and C. These government approved hotels are equivalent to 3-4 star hotels elsewhere. Based on availability at the time of booking, A grade hotels will be provided in Paro and Thimphu. We use Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro , Hotel Migmar in Thimphu and tent/camping during the trekking. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost USD 350.

Meals

A variety of meals are available in most hotels the most popular being Indian, Chinese, and the more common continental food. Non-vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan - pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advice is to ask the hotel and restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season. For the actual trekking days, our company will send wide assortment of food. We will be provided 3 meals a day breakfast, hot picnic lunch on the way, and dinner at the campsites with evening tea and snacks. Tibet Holidays trekking cooks are well trained and can whip up delicious meals at any altitude. If any special dietary needs are required, then it is advised to let the company know about them prior to the trip.

Physical Fitness

Trekking in Bhutan is physically demanding because of the distance and abrupt changes in elevation. Depending on the day of the trek, you will have to walk for an average of 3-5 hours covering a distance of around 10-15 kilometers daily to reach the campsites. Most of the climbs run through deep forests on rocky trails and sometimes the trails traverses through wet mud where you need agility to hop between round river stones. But if you have experience walking long distances with a back pack and you do not have history of knee pains on descents, it should not be difficult for you.

Best Time to Take the Trip

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September and October) are the best time for touring and trekking in Bhutan. The months of April and May offer the natural grandeur of rhododendron blooms whereas Bhutan observes its biggest festivals during spring.

Luggage Weight Restrictions

Druk Air has a 44 pound (20 kg) weight limit for checked luggage and another 11 pound weight limit for carry-on luggage on their flights. Your carry-on bags are restricted to one piece, and the size should not exceed 17" x 13" x 8".

Packing List

The packing list has been created with the objective of getting maximum comfort with minimum possible weight. Please bring only what is necessary, as this will be helpful to you and the field staff.

Daypack

  • Duffel bag for storing gear(s) (if not weatherproof, bring lg. plastic bags) 
  • Warm sleeping bag (negative 8-10 degrees centigrade) 
  • SM first aid kit (blister kit with specifically 2nd skin, aspirin &/or ibu, cough drops, tape)
  • Headlamp 
  • Camera and extra batteries 
  • 2-liter water bottles (if you bring a camelback, bring a nalgene, also) 
  • Water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine to carry in daypack) 
  • Insulated drinking mug 
  • Lightweight toiletries (travel size shampoo, soap is best for trekking) 
  • Sunscreen and lip screen 
  • Small towel

Suggested clothing list
Down parka, Gore-Tex shell and pants, Warm fleece jacket, Comfy trekking boots (we like lowa), Lightweight shoes, 4 pair of trekking socks, 2 long sleeve capilene shirts, 2 capilene bottoms (mid and heavy weight), 2 trekking shirts (non-cotton is best), Trekking pants (zip off shorts are better), 1 pair of shorts, 1 bandana, 1 pair of winter gloves (ie: ski), 1 pair of lightweight gloves (ie: fleece), Flip flops, Warm hat, Sun hat, 2 pairs of sunglasses

Miscellaneous Items
Anti bacterial wipes or lotion (for face and hands), 10 or so energy bars (we do provide 3 meals per day on the trek!), Prescription medications, Over the counter drugs for diarrhea, headaches and cold

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