Jumolhari Trek

On arrival at the Paro International Airport you meet your tour guide and driver. Check into your hotel and after a brief rest, start your magical experience of Bhutan by first visiting the impressive Rinpung Dzong/Fortress of Heaped Jewels a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. The Dzong is located in the heart of the town and a few minute walk through Nyimazam, one of the few last remaining traditional cantilever bridges in Bhutan. Dzongs serve as both monastic institutions and district administrative offices.

Located above the Dzong is the National Museum that houses various antiques and artifacts of Bhutan and provides a glimpse into Bhutan’s cultural and religious history.

Visit the 3 storied Dungtse Lhakhang/temple, built in the mid 1430’s by Thangtong Gyalpo, an iron bridge builder, to subdue a demon and the temple is believed that it is firmly chained to the ground. The three floors of the temple represent hell, heaven and earth and house some of the finest murals in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

After a sumptuous breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. Riding ponies are also available if you think the hike is a bit daunting. Located around 900 meters above the Paro valley on a precarious almost vertical mountain cliff, Taktsang Monastery is truly a wonderful and spectacular sight in terms of its location, setting and history. In the 8th Century this was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest site in the Buddhist arena and the most important cultural icon in Bhutan.

You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.

Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.

In the evening, enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub which is supposed to be very curative with numerous medicinal and healing properties and has been the practice since the ancient times in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

After an early breakfast from your hotel in Paro, drive for about 1 hour till you reach the road-end at Sharna Zampa bridge. Today is a relatively moderate but long trek with slight undulation of the trails through beautiful forests of rhododendron, oak, bamboo and ferns. You will be walking through the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park till you reach a meadow. Your campsite will be at the meadow and on a clear day you can see the Mt Jomolhari in the distance.

You resume the trek early in the morning. The trail continues uphill across alpine meadow 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 will enjoy the view of beautiful snow clad mountain peaks and ridges. The trail 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, the campsite at the base of the majestic Mount Jomolhari, the abode of the protective deity Jomo.

Today you will spend the day at Jangothang acclimatizing and exploring the nearby Jomolhari Base, Tshophu twin lakes and visiting the highland communities and interacting with the Highlanders.

After the good day’s rest you will continue the trek. The trail follows a stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. Enjoy breathtaking views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then goes through a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (4,700m). Descend gradually from the pass to your campsite at Lingshi (4,000m), with panoramic close up view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong during the hike.

Trek through Yeli-la Pass at 4,820 meters. Again you can sight the mountains and Himalayan Ranges. Descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter on a cliff face and continue downstream till you reach your campsite near a chorten (Stupa) at Shodu.

Today you will follow the course of the Thimphu Chhu (River), descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. Enjoy stunning views of rocky cliffs and waterfalls on the trail. The trail takes you gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (at 3600 m) and camp near the Dzong.

Hike through dense forests of rhododendron, birch and conifer forests till you meet the Thimphu Chhu again. The final climb is through a cliff high above the Thimphu Chhu, into a pastureland through forests of conifers and broadleaved vegetation till you meet your vehicle and driver at Dolam Kencho. Drive on for about 1.5 hours till you reach your hotel in Thimphu.

After a leisurely breakfast, you will explore the capital city of Bhutan. Thimphu is the only city in the world that does not have traffic lights and the traffic is still manned by traffic policemen.

Thimphu is the most populated city with about 100,000 people and truly a combination of the ancient and modern. While strictly maintaining the traditional style of architecture in modern building, there are also very old temples and numerous monasteries in and around the city, and few discotheques and Karaoke.

Soak yourself in the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley from the site of the gigantic Lord Buddha, a 51.5 meter bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue gilded in gold which looks like a sentry guarding the Thimphu Valley.

You will be visiting the Memorial Chorten/Stupa which is another favorite with the tourists and a regular site for congregation of devout Buddhists circumambulating the Chorten from dawn till dusk.

If you want to mingle with the Bhutanese people and jostle with local farmers amongst the aroma of organic fruits and vegetables, the Centenary Farmers Market is the place to be. Smiling tourists watch in awe as locals bargain with the vendors and you could even stock up on your organic fruits for the coming days.

You will also be visiting the Simply Bhutan Museum which is a living studio showcasing the age old culture and traditional heritage of Bhutan.

Stroll through the market place and the craft bazaar. 

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.