Trip Duration
12 Days
Trip Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
2-15 People
Nature of Trip
Trekking
Max. Altitude
4,930m. /16,175 ft.
Accommodation
Hotel
Transportation
Bus, Flight
Activity per day
Trekking & Sightseeing
Start/End
KathmanduTrip Overview
This amazing Bhutan Jomolhari Trek begins in the beautiful Paro Valley of Bhutan. This city is considered the most fertile land in Bhutan, making it an ideal place for farming. This is why the city is surrounded by apple orchards and terrace farmlands. There are many traditional villages occupying the hills of Paro Valley. Leaving the city, we will start the trek with a hike to Shana.
The following day, we will cross a suspension bridge and enter the Jigme Dorji National Park. Spanning 4316 sq. km, this park is the second largest in Bhutan, featuring rare species like Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Takin, and more. In addition to animals, this nature conservation effort has successfully been home to hundreds of different types of birds. While we will see many birds en route, encountering animals is a rare phenomenon, but the chances are never zero.
In addition to a rich natural landscape, we will also experience the rich culture of the local Bhutanese communities, along with visiting a bunch of historical sites. Sites like Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Drukgyal Dzong, and more are featured on our itinerary. Most of the religious sites we visit are centuries old and have been restored to withstand the test of time. These amazing buildings will surely capture all your attention, and we are sure your gallery will be full of their pictures.
At the remote villages and campsites we visit on this trek, you will experience the raw culture of the Bhutanese people. The locals of the highlands are very friendly and welcoming; they might even invite you to engage in their daily activities and rituals. Throughout the camping day, you will have plenty of chances to taste local delicacies and traditional Bhutanese dishes.
However, before you decide to do this trek, there are some things you must know. So, here’s a detailed article discussing the different aspects of this trek.
Highlights of Bhutan Jomolhari Trek
- Witness aesthetic and panoramic views of many Bhutanese peaks, including Jichu Drake, Tsehring Gang, and Jomolhari.
- Enjoy the wide 360-degree views from the summit of different mountain passes, including the Nyile La Pass and the Yele La Pass.
- Experience traversing the Shang Thangka meadow with views of the eastern face of Jomolhari peak.
- Traverse the ruins of ancient Dzongs in Jangothang and the glacier-fed valley of Lingzhi.
- Visit Taktsang Monastery, Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, Jomolhari Temple, Tseringma Lhatso, and more.
Itinerary of Bhutan Jomolhari Trek
Day 01: Arrive in Paro from Bangkok, Kathmandu, or Delhi
Arriving at Paro International Airport counts as the first day of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek. At the airport, you will have to get your tourist visa validated before you leave the airport. There is no visa on arrival policy; in fact, you will have to get a tourist visa before you are even allowed to book a flight to Bhutan.
After you leave the terminal, one of our reps will be waiting for you with your name on a board. Following an introductory greeting, he will take you to your hotel room for the night.
Max. Altitude: 2200m./7,218ft. (Paro)
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 02: Paro sightseeing
To kick things off, we will first visit the Ta Dzong, also known as the National Museum. This site dates back to 1651, boasting over 3000 artifacts like traditional Bhutanese weapons, royal antiques, amulets, thangka paintings, and more. From there, we will visit the Rinpung Dzong, a fortress built in 1645, overlooking the Paro Chhu River below. It is now home to hundreds of monks and features a calming courtyard with vibrant arts such as a Mandala.
After this, we will head to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples of Bhutan, dating back to the 7th century. This site was built under the commission of King Songtsen Gampo and served as a royal palace for years. At present, the Kichu Zangchoe Moenlam festival is held here annually. Our next stop is Jangtsa DUmtseg Lhakhang, a chorten-shaped building that represents hell, earth, and heaven with its three stories.
At around 12 PM, we will take a leisurely lunch break at a nearby eatery. After we are done with the meal, we will stroll around the local market, followed by a visit to Paro Taktsang Monastery. A 20-minute drive will take us to the base of a hill, from there, we will have to climb up to the monastery. This climb takes around 3 to 4 hours round-trip. Following this religious visit, we will wrap up the day tour and head back to our accommodation for the night.
Activity: 20 mins drive
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 03: Trek begins from Paro to Shana
Day 3 of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek begins from Paro, the Drugyel Dzong to be exact. This 17th-century fortress is a great site to explore before starting the trek. The trek guide and porters will meet you there. The initial part of the trek is wide and plain, featuring a dirt track, passing by farmlands and apple orchards. We will also get to see many traditional Bhutanese houses en route.
After about an hour, we will cross a suspension bridge over the Paro Chhu river. Continuing the trek, we will reach the Gunitsawa checkpoint, where we will take a break to rest our legs. After about 5 to 6 hours of trekking, we will finally reach our destination of the day. Our first day of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek covers about 15 km of distance with an elevation gain of 500 meters.
Activity: 5-6 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 2800m./9,186ft. (Shana)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 04: Trek from Shana to Soi Thangthaka
Leaving Shana, we will go alongside a river, through a lush forest that slowly turns into uneven trails with muddy patches. This part of the route features many ups and downs, taking us to the ruins of the old Shana Bridge. Passing this bridge will get us to another lush forest with occasional scenes of Mount Jomolhari in the distance.
At about halfway through the trek, we will reach the Shing Karap village. This village was once a hotspot for travellers since it was on the trade route leading to Tibet. From there, we will climb a steep ascent all the way to 3250 meters of elevation, reaching Thongo Zam bridge. This will be our lunch spot of the day, offering a scenic meal.
After lunch, we will descend heavily and follow a river soon after. This route leads us to Seyende Zam chorten, a large stupa that also serves as a resting spot. Soon after, we will arrive at Soi Thangthaka.
Max. Altitude: 3250m./10,663ft. (Thongo Zam bridge)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 05: Trek from Soi Thangthaka to Jagothang
Day 5 of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek takes us all the way to 4080 meters above sea level, reaching the village of Jagothang. This trek is 19 km long, one of the longest trek distances of the journey, with an estimated trek time of 4 to 6 hours. By the end of the day, we will gain over 330 meters of elevation.
After breakfast, we will grab our bags and leave Soi Thangthaka. Following the Paro Chhu river, we will cross many streams and get to an army camp where Bhutanese and Indian army posts are located. The tour guide will register our permits before we are allowed to move further. The route then passes by villages like Dangochang, Takethang, and Soe. Soon enough, we will reach a plain grassland where our campsite is located.
Activity: 4 to 6 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 4080m./13,386ft. (Jagothang)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 06: Trek from Jagothang to Lingshi
The 6th day of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek starts with breakfast at Jagothang. After an energizing meal, we will hit the road and follow a stream downhill. The first 30 minutes of the trail is a gentle walk along the stream. We will soon cross a bridge and get on a steep ascent to a ridgeline. This climb lasts for about 45 minutes and takes us to a ridge offering views of peaks including Tsherim Gang, Jichu Drake, and Jumolhari.
Following the ridgeline, we will begin the gentle ascent to Nyila La Pass, reaching 4870 meters. It takes about 3 to 4 hours from Jagothang to reach the summit of this pass. After enjoying the views from the top, we will descend steeply, zigzagging our way into the Lingshi Valley basin. Shortly after, we will reach Chashi Thang, our campsite for the night.
Activity: 45 mins climb
Max. Altitude: 4870m./15,978ft. (Nyila La Pass)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 07: Trek from Lingshi to Shodu
Today is the longest trekking day of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek as we will be covering over 22 km with an elevation gain of 940 meters and a net elevation loss of 920 meters. This trek has an estimated duration of 8 to 9 hours, a physically tiring day, to say the least. Starting off, we will ascend a ridge, heading west. Shortly, we will enter the Mo-chu valley and descend to the valley floor, followed by crossing a river.
After a while, we will begin an ascent to the Yele La Pass. This uphill climb takes about 2 to 3 hours to cover, taking us to 4950 meters of elevation, the highest point of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek. After crossing this pass, we will descend a narrow trail alongside a stream and reach the campsite of Shodu.
Activity: 8 to 9 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 4950m./16,240ft. (Shodu)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 08: Trek from Shodu to Barshang
Day 8 of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek features a trek distance of 16 km with an estimated trek duration of 5 to 6 hours. This trek loses us 300 meters of elevation, but throughout the route, we will descend over 670 meters. The trek starts with a trail following the Thimphu Chhu valley downhill. This route has many river crossings over makeshift and stone bridges.
Continuing the trek, we will pass by giant cliffs and waterfalls to get to a rock cave. This cave was used by ancient monks to meditate. After about 4 hours, we will get to a gently ascending trail that takes us to Barshong Dzong. After about 2 more hours, we will reach our campsite.
Activity: 5 to 6 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 1500m./4,921ft. (Barshang)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp
Day 09: Trek from Barshang to Dolamkencho
Today, we will leave Barshang and trek all the way to Dolamkencho. This trek is 15 km long with a net elevation loss of 300 meters, which can be covered in just 5 to 6 hours of trekking. Starting the day, we will trek a gradually descending trail, entering a forested section that shades us from the sun. Soon enough, we will reach the Thimphu Chhu River and follow its eastern bank.
At about the midpoint, we will get to an ascending trail leading us alongside a rocky cliff. After crossing this part, we will arrive at our destination of the day.
Activity: 5 to 6 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 3628m./11,903ft. (Dolamkencho)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10: Trek from Dolamkencho to Dodena
Day 10 of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek features an 8 km trek, 680 meters of net elevation less, with an estimated trek duration of 3 to 4 hours. Leaving Barshang, we will follow a gently ascending trail heading towards a ridgeline. Once again, we will follow an uphill trail to a small pass reaching 3510 meters above sea level. Descending from this trail, we will soon get to the exit point of Jigme Dorji National Park. Continuing downhill, we will soon reach Dodena.
Activity: 3 to 4 hrs trek
Max. Altitude: 3510m./11,516ft. (Dodena)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 11: Thimphu Sightseeing
Starting the day, we will visit the National Memorial Chorten, dating back to 1974. This stupa is a popular site for locals to pray and do a circumambulation walk. After this, we will visit the famous Tashichho Dzong, one of the 17th-century fortresses built during the era of war. Built without a single nail, this building also serves as an administrative office.
From there, we will head to see the Buddha Dordenma Statue, a 54-meter-tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, one of the tallest of its kind. Our next destination is Changangkha Lhakhang, a 13th-century temple, one of the oldest in Bhutan. This will be followed by a lunch break.
After the meal, we will visit the Simply Bhutan Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum, followed by a visit to the Thimphu Handicraft Market. Later in the evening, we will head to Druk Wangdise Lhakhang and spend a lovely evening by the Clock Tower Square.
Max. Altitude: 2400m./7,874ft. (Thimphu)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 12: Final departure transfer to the airport
Day 12 of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek is the last day. We will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to the next destination.
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- Airport pick up and drop
- Sightseeing Fee
- Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees.
- All private excursions and transfers in superior air – conditioned vehicle.
- Local English speaking trekking guide/tour leader.
- Cook and camp hand who will take care of camp chores and rovide wholesome meals.
- Accommodation in carefully selected, highest standard goverment approved hotels & guesthouses.
- All meals in Bhutan.
- All entrance fees.
What is not included?
- International air fares.
- Personal equipment for trekking.
- Meals other than indicated.
- Personal expenses.
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tipping, laundry, phone etc.
- Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events such as flight delay, cancellation, trip interruption due to inclement
- weather, civil unrest etc.
- Emergency medical transportation.
- Airport taxes .
- Travel insurance.
Trip Information
Add-Ons
Upgrade Your Accommodation
You can upgrade your accommodation in city areas. There are many options for you to choose from, and you are free to choose from any of them, as long as they are within the city. However, this luxury is not available during the trekking days. Most of your nights will be spent in campsites, within a tent.
How does our trip start?
Our Bhutan Jomolhari Trek starts with your arrival in Paro, at the Paro International Airport, the only one of its kind in Bhutan. As you leave the terminal, one of your reps will find you (or the other way around) and take you to your hotel for the night.
Best seasons
Spring and autumn seasons offer great conditions for trekking, making them the best options for doing this trek. In general, you will experience mild daytime temperatures, great visibility, and low chances of rainfall throughout spring and autumn.
Altitude Sickness
The highest point of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek is 4950 meters above sea level at the summit of Yele La Pass. This elevation seems substantial, but we will not spend even an hour there; we will just pass by and continue downhill. Most of our nights will be spent under 3500 meters of elevation. In a nutshell, you are highly unlikely to get altitude sickness.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Accommodation arrangements are done on a twin-sharing basis, meaning you will share the room/tent with one of the trekkers in the group. Private rooms can be arranged throughout the trek at a price. Your food and drinks options are a mix of traditional Bhutanese dishes and Western meals.
Transportation
Every type of transportation required by the itinerary we have discussed above is a part of the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek package. You do not have to pay separately for any of them, except your international flight to and from Paro.
Permit
You are required to have a Bhutanese visa and a trekking permit since you will be entering the Jigme Dorji National Park. Your visa fees and permit fees will be covered by our trek package.
Trip preparation and fitness
To prepare for this trek, we recommend that trekkers engage in cardio exercises for at least 6 to 8 weeks before the start of the trek. You should focus on building your stamina so you can trek for 5 to 6 hours without any major issues.
Cost & Budget
Adventure Tansen’s Bhutan Jomolhari Trek will cost you USD _______ per person. We will cover your daily meal expense, daily accommodation, permit fees, visa fees, local taxes, daily wages of the guide and porters, and more.
Gadgets charging & Internet
While the internet is not available during the trekking days, charging your gadgets is possible at every stop we make.
Your Extra expenses
Things like extra meals, laundry bills, extra nights, upgraded accommodation, any kind of beverages, tips for the crew members, and more are your extra expenses.
Things to Remember Before Trekking The Bhutan Jomolhari Trek
- Always carry your passport and trek permit with you since there are multiple checkpoints en route.
- Carry a daypack for quick access to things like water bottles, devices, cameras, and energy bars.
- There are no internet connections or mobile networks in the remote highlands; prepare to spend a few days completely offline.
- Always dress respectfully and modestly throughout the entire trek; cover your knees and shoulders.
- Avoid doing this trek in the monsoon season; you will suffer more than you will enjoy. The trails become full of leeches and there are chances of flood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is mandatory to book the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. The Government of Bhutan does not allow solo travelers or trekkers to visit the country, maybe only in rare cases when high-profile figures visit the country. As your trek partner, Adventure Tansen will handle all your essential aspects of the journey to accommodate a smooth and hassle-free trek.
The standard Bhutan Jomolhari Trek package will provide you with 3 meals daily (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). During the camping nights, the guides and porters will cook delicious meals for you throughout the day as per your dietary preferences and restrictions. Your meal options typically include local Bhutanese dishes and a couple of western dishes with veg and non-veg options. Gluten-free food will also be arranged.
For this Bhutan Jomolhari Trek, you need to have layered clothing. This means you need to wear at least a moisture-wicking base, an insulating mid-layer, and a warm outer layer. You can top it all off with a weather-proof jacket that will save you from snow and rain if you ever get into such weather. Moreover, you need to have warm gloves, a beanie, sunglasses, thermal socks, sturdy trekking boots, and a warm sleeping bag.
Since the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek is basically a camping trek, you will not get great network coverage or WiFi connectivity since we will be in remote highlands. The campsites do not offer WiFi connections, and since they are usually remote, your mobile network connectivity will be limited. However, you can try B-Mobile SIMs for somewhat stable 4G network connections in villages.
Adventure Tansen’s guides are trained to do first aid in case of emergencies. In case of severe altitude sickness, which is very rare on this Bhutan Jomolhari Trek, the guide will take you down a couple of hundred meters and wait for the evacuation services to arrive. In the rare case that you need emergency medical services, we will not be covering the expenses related to it.
The tourism policy of Bhutan does not allow solo trekking; you must be in a group, and the trek must be arranged by a licensed travel agency. This policy promotes sustainable tourism with less impact. This also ensures that the visitors are safe in a group, under the supervision of a Bhutan Jomolhari Trek guide.
If you want a shorter version of this same trek, you can go for the Jomolhari Loop Trek, which can be completed in 7 to 9 days, depending on the itinerary. This route requires you to cross passes like Nyile La Pass and Yele La Pass to shorten the trekking days and overall trek duration. However, shorter routes often mean that you will be covering more distance daily.
On this Bhutan Jomolhari Trek, we will take you to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro Taktsang, Jomolhari Temple, Tseringma Lhatso, and more. All of these are traditional Buddhist temples and monasteries that are centuries old. These religious sites hold daily rituals and prayers that you can observe and even join. Just be sure to be respectful and not get in anyone’s way.
Yes, our Bhutan Jomolhari Trek itinerary is a flexible one, and we are open to extensions and tweaks. The most popular option is to join this trek with the Classic Cultural Bhutan Tour, including sightseeing in cities like Thimphu and Punakha. Or, you can go for something longer, like the Thousand Lakes Trek, which takes about 8 days on its own.
The name Mount Jomolhari roughly translates to “Mountain of the Goddess”, since it is widely believed that the mountain is home to one of the Five Tsheringma Sisters. These five sisters are the protectors of Bhutan, put forth by Padmasambhava. As you might expect, considering the religious importance of the mountain, it has been protected heavily by the local government.
Following the standard protocol, we do not provide sleeping bags, but we can recommend places to rent them along with other trekking gear that you need on this Bhutan Jomolhari Trek. Make sure that your sleeping bag is capable of handling temperatures ranging from 5°C to 10 °C (nighttime temp). The daytime temp ranges from 15°C to 25°C, depending on the season.
Yes, there are a couple of sacred glacial lakes near the routes we will travel. The most notable one is the Tserginma Lhatso lake near the Jomolhari Temple, reaching 4150 meters above sea level. Although natural hot springs are nowhere to be found on this particular itinerary, you can enjoy hot stone baths at lower-altitude villages.
The local government laws strictly prohibit campfires in highlands, especially within conserved regions like the Jigme Dorji National Park. Your meals will be prepared in special kitchen tents that are there to reduce the risk of fire. Prohibiting campfires ensures that the trees in the region get to grow freely and also reduces smoky haze in the air, which does not allow a clear view of the landscape.
Yes, as stated earlier, we are open to changes in our standard itinerary. You can extend this trek by adding destinations like the Snowman Trek route. But it can be very challenging since it features crossing many high passes, taking a total of 25 to 30 days to complete the journey. It’s a highly demanding trek that requires months of physical preparation and training.
Yes, there are high chances of witnessing traditional and cultural performances at highland villages, while rituals can be mostly seen during festivals and celebrations. If you are planning to do the Bhutan Jomolhari Trek in autumn, you might get to experience the Jomolhari Mountain Festival. This 2-day festival lasts from 14th to 15th October.
The nighttime temperature typically goes below zero degrees, going as low as –10 °C, which demands a sleeping bag capable of handling –20 °C of temperature. You will also have to sleep with your thermal jacket on, along with warm socks, gloves, and a beanie to keep your head warm.
The remote villages we visit during this Bhutan Jomolhari Trek produce traditional textiles and crafts like Yathra woolen clothes, Kera Woven belts, Kira silk brocades, bamboo baskets, wood and slate carving, and more. The clothing items are made with natural colors and follow centuries-old weaving methods that have been passed down for generations.
There are many army checkpoints along the way, set by the Bhutanese government. These checkpoints are not only there to check your permits, they also house a basic health assistant, who is well-trained to diagnose altitude conditions and act accordingly. However, there are no mobile medical teams that will reach out to you in case of emergencies. You will have to call an evacuation service to get you to the nearest hospital.
Yes, trekkers are encouraged to light butter lamps as a part of the praying ritual. For instance, you can light butter lamps and incense sticks at Jomolhari Temple, for a small price that can be considered a donation as well. Donating is not mandatory but highly encouraged since the temples and monasteries are not funded by any big organizations; they run on donated materials and money.
En route, we will take you to sacred sites like the Kyichu Lhakhang, 108 memorial chortens, Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, Jomolhari Temple, and more. You are free to enter these sites and might even get to engage in prayer rituals if you arrive at the right time. Moreover, we will pass by many chortens and small Lhakhangs on the way from one destination to another.
