Beautiful Jumolhari Trek 14Nights (10N camping, 5N Hotel)

This ten-day trek takes you into the beauty of the Himalayan landscape. You can see people living in harmony with Nature in scattered hamlets. The trek takes you into farmlands and dense forests, and finally culminates into a fabulously colorful high alpine pastureland. The ideal season for this trek is April – June and September – November. It is a strenuous trek. However, many say that what it offers injects strength into your muscles. The following gives you a glimpse of the track route.

 Day 1:   

  • Arrive at Paro International Air Port from Bangkok. You will be welcomed by personnel of Bhutan Dynasty Travel
  • Visit Paro Dzong, built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Drukpa Kagyu Sect.
  • Visit Paro Museum (once a watchtower during war time)
  • Dumtseg Lhakhang, (built in 1421 by Lama Thangtong Gyelpo-the iron bridge builder).  
  • Night halt at Paro.

Day 2:   

  • Climb to Taktsang Monastery, which was built in 1645. (This is the signature monastery of Bhutan and features in all travel books. Taktsang, literally means Tiger’s Nest).
  • Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the first temples built in the 7 century by the Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo.  
  • Night halt at Paro.

Trek Starts

 Day 3:

  • Trek from Paro (Drukgyel Dzong) to Shana Zampa (distance 17 km, time 5/6 hours). The trek starts from Paro valley (Drukgyel Dzong 2580m) traversing through paddy fields, village houses and small chortens (stupas) along the route.
  • The Pa Chhu (Paro River) adds to the beauty of the valley with its banks covered with a cascade of wild pink and white roses in fully blossomed.
  • Night halt at camp, which is at an altitude of 2,870m on the outskirts of a village called Shana Zampa.

 Day 4:

  • Shana Zampa to Soe Thangthangkha (distance 22km, time 7/8 hours).
  • The trail continues gradually climbing alongside the Pa Chhu (Paro River). You will traverse through forests of oaks, rhododendrons, and ferns amidst breathtaking vistas. 
  • The campsite for the night is at an altitude of 3,630mts. You will experience Serenity lulled by the sound of Paro River.
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 5:

  • Soe Thangthangkha to Jangothang (distance19km, time 6/7hours).
  • You will be trekking through the grazing fields of Yaks. You will meet herdsmen, who would gladly offer cheese, butter, meat, and thick waterproof hair for making tents, caps and blankets.
  • Prayer walls, chortens, prayer flags fluttering in the wind and a spectacular view of mountains herald the approach to Jangothang (4,090m) campsite. Jhomo Lhari (7,314m).
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 6:

  • Explore Jangothang.
  • Trekkers are generally advised to use the day for leisure activities including a fishing expedition to Tsophu, a high altitude lake, rich with spotted trout. The Landscape is breathtaking offering rare opportunities for nature spotting and photography.
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 7:

  • Jangothang to Lingzhi (distance -18km, time 6/7 hours).
  • Jangothang is the last settlement in the valley. After a mere ten minutes walk from it you can see Mt. Jichu Drake (6,989m) and further ahead Mt. Tserim Kang (6,789).
  • En-route is Nyilila pass (4,890m) at about 4 hours travel from Jangothang.
  • The trail ascends as you reach a tributary of Mochu River and gradually descends as you reach Lingzhi camp. There is an alternate excursion from Lingzhi to base camp of Mount Tserim Kang where you can fish and encounter blue sheep and musk deer if one is lucky enough.
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 8:

  • Lingzhi Halt. (Spend the day with an excursion to Tsokha, the base camp of Mount Jichu Drakey).
  • Night halt at camp.

Day 9:

  • Lingzhi to Zhodhu (distance 22 km, time 8/9 hours).
  • The trek trails across Yelela pass ( 4,820m) offering one fascinating views of Mount Jhomo Lhari (7,314m), Gangchenta (6,840m), Tserim Khang (6,789m) and Masang Gang (7,165m).
  • Campsite is located near a stream in a meadow at an altitude of 4,110m.
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 10:

  • Zhodhu to Barshong (distance 16 km, time 5/6 hours).
  • The trek winds up and down along the Thimphu Chu along a steep- walled canyon with cliffs to the north and rich cypress forest to the south.
  • You would be crossing Thimphu River as many as six times before reaching the campsite located at Barshong (3,680m).
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 11:

  • Barshong to Dolam Kencho (distance 15km, time 5/6 hours).
  • The trail descends gently through dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers and latter on drops steeply to meet Thimphu Chu (river). After traversing along a steep cliff one will finally reach Dolam Kencho, the camp for the night, which is amongst pasture land and at 3,430m amidst a beautiful meadow.
  • Night halt at camp.

 Day 12:

  • Dolam Kencho to Dodena-Thimphu (distance 8km, time 3 hours).
  • The trek initially ascends through conifer and high altitude broadleaf forests and reaches a pass at 3,510m. It then drops steeply to Thimphu River, following it southward till Dodena (2,600m), the terminating point of the nine days trek.
  • From here one can drive further to his/her next destination to Thimphu.
  • Night halt at Thimphu.

 Day 13:

  • Visit Tashi Choedzong, built in 1702. It is the main secretariat building housing the Throne Room of His Majesty, Government offices and serves as the summer residence of the central monk body.
  • Thimphu maintains a strong National Characteristics in architectural style and offers an ideal spot for walks. Other interesting places – Memorial Chorten, Indigenous Hospital, National library, Handicrafts Emporium, Textile museum, Vegetable market, Takin conservation park, etc. (Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan, is an animal found only in the eastern Himalayas and has the head of a goat and body of a cow).
  • Ascend Sangay Gang hill (BBS Tower) by coach for a magnificent view of the Thimphu Valley.
  • Visit Changangkha Lhakhang built in the 12th century.
  • Night halt at Thimphu.

Day 14:

  • Drive to Paro.
  • On the way visit Semtokha Dzong the oldest dzong, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Night halt at Paro.

Day 15: 

  • Depart for Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkota, Kathmandu by Druk Air.