Mount Jomolhari Trek with a Short Cultural Tour of Western Bhutan

This itinerary is tentative, it will depend on the Druk Air flights and your entry and exit ports. It could be made a day or two longer or shorter depending on your destinations. We are also very flexible as how you want your itinerary. One can do just cultural or nature or mountain biking or bird watching or treks or Buddhists can also come and do meditation or you can mix all of them and experience an experience like never before. We have here various SAMPLE itineraries, please check to see what you wish to do in this beautiful and un-spoilt Himalayan Kingdom. You can even make your own Itinerary by selecting bits and pieces from all the examples we have here.

Tour/Trek Cost: 200$ per day person for groups of 3 or more. Add 30$ per day per person for groups of 2 people

Day 01    Arrive Bhutan by Druk Air: Arrive Bhutan from Katmandu, Delhi or Bangkok. The flight from Delhi to Paro is about 2 1/2 hours with short stop over at Katmandu and it is just 1 hour from Katmandu. The flight between Delhi and Paro is one of the most spectacular flights in the world, one will experience breathtaking views of the whole Himalayas, West to East, see the world's Highest peaks Mt. Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, Jichu Drakey and the rest. On arrival at Paro Airport you will be received by the representatives of Changshe Norbu Tours & Treks. The first enchanting experience is the drive through the Paro valley to Rinchen Ling Lodge which is 9 KM up valley from the Airport. After Lunch and rest visit the National Museum, which is housed in the Ta-Dzong built has a Watchtower in 1651. Walk down the steep hill to visit the Paro Dzong.

Day 02    Paro Taktsang-Tiger's Nest: After an early breakfast and drive to base of Taktsang and begin walk up the Hill or ride ponies to Taktsang- the famous tigers nest. Taktsang monastery is perched on the face of a cliff  800 mts high, above the Paro valley. It’s a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great Tantric Buddhism teacher the Guru Rinpoche flew from Tibet on a back of a flying tigress to bring Buddhist teachings to Bhutan. The main monastery was razed down by a fire in1998, but has been rebuilt with much grandeur. Evening prepare for the Trek and spend the rest of the evening sitting by a camp fire and enjoy our Bhutanese hospitality.

Day 03    Start Trek = Paro to Shana at an altitude of 2580 M: Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined fortress) 8kms away from the Lodge. The ruins have very important historical significance, it was here that the Bhutanese forces defeated the combined forces of the Tibetans and the Mongolian army. Today the Dzong lies in trail ruins after the fire in 1950 and a complete renovation is to begin sometime this year. The trek begins from the road point following the (Pachu) Paro river. Along the trail are some beautiful Bhutanese farm houses. Distance 17kms. Which takes about 5/6 hours.

Day 04    On Trek = Shana to Soi Thangthanka altitude 3750 M: Distance 20 kms. Takes about 8/9 hrs. The trail still follows the ‘Pachu’ and the walk today is almost all the way through a beautiful densely forested area. The trail descends and ascends through a forest of pine, oak and spruce Trees. Hot lunch will be served after crossing the first bridge. Then walk up through Rhododendron forest and cross second Bridge. Camp by the riverside at an alt. of 3750 M

Day 05    On Trek = Soi-Thangthanka- Jangothang (Jomolhari base camp at 4040 M: Distance 18 kms,  walking time 5 to 6 hours. Climb for while till you reach the army camp. Then follow the river until you cross the tree line where you will face the stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside a yak herders camp. After lunch it’s a short walk to the camp at an altitude of 4040 mts. From the camp you can get an excellent view of mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.

Day 06    On Trek = Rest day at Jangothang: Rest day at Jangothang- enjoy the view OR optional excursion to Jomolhari glaciers.

Day 07    On Trek = Jangothang- Lingshi: Distance 20kms, walking time 6/7 hours. The trail is in the open, till the climb to Nyelela pass at an altitude of 4700 M, which takes about three hours at a leisurely pace. As you gradually descend to Lingshi camp a panoramic view of the Peaks and Lingshi Dzong can be seen. On the way one can see many yak herders camps. From this area onwards, if one is lucky, you will see herds of the ‘Blue Sheep’.

Day 08    On Trek = Lingshi- Shodu: An early start today. The path follows the stream up towards the valley opposite the Dzong, gradually ascending through the valley for 4 hours, until the stiff climb to the Yali la pass at 4820 M, the highest point on this trek. After the pass it’s a long and gradual descend to the Shodu camp at an altitude of 3750 M. 9/10 hours walking time.

Day 09    On Trek = Shodu-Barshong: Walking time 6/7 hours.  This is the part of the trail which comes back to the tree line. The path follows the Thimphu river descending through Rhododendron, Juniper and other alpine forest. The view of the cliff facing rocks and water falls are stunning. Hot lunch will be served by the river side. After lunch the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of the Barshong Dzong reaching the camp at an altitude 3600 M.

Day 10    On Trek = Barshong – Dolam Kencho: The road descends thorugh alpine forest and thicker Rhododendron forests till we once again join the Thimphu river for a while. After lunch ascend up to Dolam Kencho Camp at an altitude of 3600 M.

Day 11    On Trek = Dolam Kencho/Dodena/ Thimphu: The path descends through bamboo forest all the way to finally join the Thimphu river again. Arrive at Dodena where the Changshe Norbu Bus will be waiting to drive you back to Thimphu at an altitude of 2650mts.which is the modern day Capital of Bhutan. Overnight at Rigzin Ling House in Thimphu.

Day 12    Rest at Thimphu: After Breakfast do some steaming or sauna at one of the Thimphu Health Parlors to relax your tired muscles. Get all your laundry done. Walk the streets of Thimphu. Lunch & Dinner at local Restaurants.

Day 13    Thimphu Valley: After a sumptuous Breakfast visit the Memorial Chorten constructed in memory of Late His Majesty the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, visit Handmade Paper Units, Handicrafts Emporium. Lunch at a local Restaurant. Afternoon visit the Tashi Chho Dzong the seat of the Government and the Monk Body of Bhutan. It is believed that this massive construction did not use one single nail in its construction.

Day 14    Thimphu - Wangdue - Punakha:  After an early breakfast drive to  Wangdue 70 KMs 2 1/2 hours. On way stop a Dochu la Cafeteria for tea and snacks and enjoy the panoramic view of the Bhutan Mountains. Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong then come and check into hotel for lunch. After lunch drive to Punakha, visit the Dzong and the market.  Rest of the evening free.

Day 15    Tour = Wangdue to Paro:  After breakfast drive back to Paro about 120 Kms 4 hours drive. Stay at Rinchen Ling Lodge. After lunch visit the Kitchu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan along with the Jampay Lhakhang in Bumthang, built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo in the 8th Century.

Day 16    Tour = Paro Valley: A day to relax before you take your long flights back home. After breakfast at leisure visit a village farm house and enjoy some tea and snack there. Afternoon visit the market or anything else that you may like to do.

Day 17    Depart Bhutan: Tashi Delek and Lok Jeigey la