jumolhari trek
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Included in this Tour
All meals, tea and snacks, complementary bottled water in car, hotels, transport, guide, government levy, visa fee, entrance fees, permits and sightseeing. On trek includes – sleeping tents, dinning tents, toilet and shower tents, toilet seats, mats, duffel bags, cooking utensils, all meals, guide, trek chef assistants and horses.
Not Included in this Tour
Flight tickets, insurance, tips, drinks and beverages, sleeping bag on trek, laundry, internet, phone and other bills of personal nature.
Tour Program
11 Days / 10 Nights
Jumolhari trek in Bhutan is an exhilarating adventure in the Himalayas. First, you will take an acclimatization hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro and then you will start the trek from the historic Drugyal Dzong. For the first three days of the trek you will be following the Pachhu (Paro river) valley to Jangothang base camp. The walk is through country side of Paro through scattered farmhouses, orchards and rice fields. From the base camp you will see the stunning view of Mount Jumolhari (7315m). Jumolhari is the second highest unclimbed peak in the world. The trail takes you through high pastures which are used by yak herders as grazing land for their animals. As you trek you will also come across Lingzhi, the highest settlement in the north with a unique mountain culture. En route you will have spectacular views of Mount Jichu Drake (6989m) and Tshrim Gang (6789m). From Lingzhi, you will descend to the lower valleys of Thimphu through varied vegetation and gorges formed by unique rock canyons. You will finally end your trek in the north of Thimphu valley.
Day 1: Bangkok To Paro
As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, you will see the views of Paro Dzong over looking Paro Chu (river) with Ta Dzong ( watch tower), now the National museum, above the dzong. Our local Bhutanese guide will meet and greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, visit Rinpung Dzong meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels”. After exploring, walk till the road where your vehicle will be waiting here to take you to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and most sacred temple in the country. Overnight hotel in Paro
Day 2: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery
After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. It is absolutely breathtaking, situated at 10,400 feet and perched on the edge of a steep cliff about 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. Lunch is served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. After having explored the monastery, you will hike down to the valley floor . Drive to back to the hotel. Later stroll in Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 3: Paro To Shana Trek Starts
The trek starts from Drugyal Dzong at 2300m with a downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. The route later enters an area of apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens and you reach the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810m. This is the last stop before Tibet. At 2,850m, just beyond Shana Zampa, there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Camp at an altitude of 2850m.
Day 4: Shana To Sio Thangthangkha
Just like the previous day, we will be following the trail following the Pachhu (Paro river). We will be ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. You will reach at Shingkharap after 2 hours of hiking and crossing several streams. This is a stone house at 3110m. You will then cross the bridge towards the left side of the river where you will be served a hot lunch. A little walk ahead is the trail junction. The left road is an old trade route to Tibet and the right route leads to the wooden bridge. We will be taking the latter route. After climbing through rhododendron forests and finally crossing the bridge again, we reach our camp at 3750m, which is amidst beautiful meadows.
Day 5: Sio Thangthangkha To Jangothang
Today is not a long trekking day, as you ascends from path you will be brought to an army camp. After walking through a very muddy section and passing a mani wall you will enter yak country. Inside a yak herder’ camp you will be served a hot filling lunch. After your lunch, you will walk across a plateau and up a stream bed. You will pass Dangochang village to the beautiful campsite of Jangothang at an altitude of 4,040m. From here, the views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake will take your breath away.
Day 6: Jangothang Halt
During your halt at jangothang, you will have time to explore, hike or you can take a leisure time taking pictures of stunning Jumolhari Mountains and its neighboring Mountain Jichu Drake is the Jangothang base.You can also visit villagers (Yak herders ) and absorb their lifestyles. Overnight in camp site.
Day 7: Jangothang To Lingshi
Today’s trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. You will then start to climb up to the first ridge where you will be greeted by a breathtaking view of Jumolhari (7314m), Jichu Drake (6989m) and Tshering Gang (6789m). If time permits, you can take a detour to this tiny fortress that is sits on a hilltop overlooking Lingzhi village. For centuries, Lingzhi Dzong was a way station for weary Buddhist pilgrims and was a defense fort against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. You will camp today at an altitude of 4010m.
Day 8: Lingshi To Shodu
The Laya Gasa route leaves the Jumolhari trek here. The trek route climbs towards a small white Chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chhu valley. The trail stays on the west side of the largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above Mo Chhu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli La pass (4,820m). From the pass, on a clear day, you can see Jumolhari, Gangchen Ta, Tshering Gang and Masang Gang. Descend alongside a stream to a shelter, and then further downstream to a camp at Shodu (4,100m), a meadow with a Chorten.
Day 9: Shodu - Barshong- Domshisa
Today you will hike through path that follows Thimphu River, descending through rhododendron, juniper and other alpine forests. You will be able to see amazing views of cliffs and waterfalls. You can rest by the riverside and enjoy a hot meal. After lunch you will gradually ascend to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Continue to your campsite near a river, Domshisa which is at 3,400m.
Day 10: Domshisa - Dodena- Thimphu
Today’s trail is rather easier and it descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers. The trail goes in and out steeply to the river and follows it southward to the road head at Dodena, elevation 2,640m where you will be picked up by your vehicle and drive you to Thimphu. Later if time permits, you can visit Tashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress-monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and Kings’s Throne Room . Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 11: Thimphu To Paro (Departs)
After breakfast, drive to Paro airport for departure.
Further Details
All of our itineraries can be tailored to your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Contact us with your holiday ideas, no matter how big or small, and we’ll start planning your unique trip.Our tailor-made tours are designed by local Travel Specialists who investigate every aspect of the trip themselves, giving you a unique view of each destination.
