Jomulhari Dodena Trek

Trek Duration: 7 Days 6 Nights
Difficulty Level:Hard.
Good Season:March, April, May, June, September, October and November
Altitude Gain:3539 meters
Altitude Loss:2435 meters

Brief about Jumolhari-Dodena Trek

Jomolhari Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Bhutan. With altitude differences of 2,500m and nearly 5,000m, it offers a wide range of landscapes, fauna and flora. The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Basecamp (Jangothang). It's fairly Difficult Trek and its 7 days trek including a day Halt at Jumolhari Base.

Along with the Jomolhari Trek, if you have more time can include more cultural tour. As of now in this program have added cultural tour program for only in Paro and Thimphu.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Paro Arrival, Transfer to Thimphu (1 hour plus Drive)

You will be received by our people at the airport. Then will drive to Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) which was converted to National Museum in 1969 by the third king. Then will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture which serves as Paro district head office as well as a monastic community. If you feel energetic then will walk down to Paa chu, cross over the cantilever bridge and get to other side where our driver will be waiting.

After that will stroll aroud in Paro and prepare for the trek.

Night Halt: Paro

Day 2: Hike to Taktshang, Tigers Nest

Today after breakfast will drive to Taktshang Base and then will hike to Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) which is one of the most popular tourist sites. Its the place blessed by Guru Padmasambhava i n the 8th century, though the monastery was only constructed in 1692 by Desi Tenzin Rabgay.

The hike will take on average 5 to 6 hours up and down. And this also helps you to aclimatize. In the evening will relax.

Night Halt: Paro

Day 3: Paro to Shana to Soi Thangthangka(Start of Trek)

Distance 22 km, 7-8 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent, camp altitude 3575 m.

After breakfast will drive from Paro till Shana, on reaching Shana will meet the trekking crews and then will start to trek.

The trail ascends through the Paa Chu river valley and beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forests. You can stop for lunch after you cross Thangthang zam(bridge)and then continue to follow the right bank for a couple of hours till we reach a junction of the trail which is marked by Stupa, one which leads to Sio Yaktsa and left trail leads to Sio Thangthangka Campsite. After 25 minutes walk from the junction we will reach to the campsite. From here to the north we can see Mt. Jomolhari from the top of the valley.

Night Halt: Camp site, Sio Thangthangka.

Day 4: Soi Thangthangka to Jagothang

Distance 19 km, 6-7 hours, 480 m ascent, camp altitude 4,040 m.

The trail passes through a small border army check post where the valley begins to widen and we leave the forest behind. We will enjoy the views of snow-capped peaks, high mountain ridges, yaks and yak herders throughout the trail until we reach to Jangothang campsite. We will stop for the lunch at open meadow, from the lunch place it is not far to reach the camp, which is in a beautiful grassy meadow beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari.

Night Halt: Campsite, Jagothang

Day 5: Rest at Jagothang

Today on your halt day it is possible to walk to Tshophu for acclimatization where you will see two lakes and with a super view of Jomolhari, and Jichu Drakey or hike in many directions towards month Jomolhari and its subsidiary to west, Jichu Drakey to the north and climbed submits and ridges following your own trail to the east because of no proper trail on this hike.

Night Halt: Campsite, Jagothang

Day 6: Jagothang to Lingshi

Distance 19km, 7-8 hours, 810m ascent, 1,090m descent, camp altitude 4010m

The trail climbs gradually across the bridge over the Paa Chu tributary which flows from Jichu Drake. And then more steeply climb to Nyeli La Pass(4850 m) with several cairns wrapped in prayer flags. From the pass one can get a better view of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherim Gang. And from the pass is a steep walk down to the small steams, have lunch. After lunch if the crew decides to have camp at Cherjipang just outside Linzhi village, it is a gradual walk to the camp site through the open meadow with the veiw of Lingzhi Dzong after 1 hour walk from lunch place. If the crew decides to camp at below Bhutan army check post,the trail ascends through the small steam which shorten the walk to the campsite. If you have started your walk early from Jangothang you will have a time to visit Lingzhi School and Village and walk back to the campsite, discuss with your guide.

Night Halt: Campsite, Lingshi

Day 7: Lingshi to Shodu

Distance 22km, 8-9 hours, 940m ascent, 920m descent, camp altitude 4,080m.

Take a right trail where you will come across a stupa and the trail ascends by the right small team of Mo Chu for 2 hours and then cross the stream where you start to climb up to the Yali La pass (4920 m). Most people traveling between Lingzhi and Thimphu use the pass ,so the trail is well marked. Have lunch before or after crossing the pass. From the pass we descend to Shodu campsite following the small stream of Wangchu river.

Night Halt: Campsite, Shodu

Day 8: Shodu to Barshong/Domshisa

Distance 16km, 5-6 hours, 250m ascent, 670m descent, camp altitude 3,720m.

The trail follows the Wangchu River and through the rhododendrons ,hemlock forest and waterfall crossing several bridges, before climbing to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Then you can camp just below ruin fortress or walk for another 1.5 hours to Domshisa camp to shorten your walk next day.

Night Halt: Campsite, Barshong(3720m) or Domshisa(3560)

Day 9: Barshong/Domshisa to Dodena to Thimphu(End of Trek)

Distance 15km, 5-6 hours, 290m ascent, 640m descent

We continue the trail following the Wangchu river through dense hemlock and rhododendron forest via Dolam Kencho. Before emerging into pastureland we climb to a mountain meadow at 3428 meters and over a small pass to Dodena road point, north of Thimphu. A vehicle will be waiting to collect us with some refreshment arrange by our company and drive for 30 minutes to capital city of Bhutan,Thimphu. Check in to hotel have a relaxing time and go for a leisurely walk around the town.

Night Halt: Thimphu

Day 10: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast will visit National Memorial Chorten which was built by Her majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her late son His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") the third king of Bhutan. Then will drive to Kuenselphodrang to see Buddha Statue which is one of the biggest sitting Buddha in the world measuring 169 feet tall. After that will do a short Chang-Sel hike which starts from buddha point and ends in Changankha. Its an easy hike and will take 2 hours plus. Then will visit Takin Preserve where you will find Takin, the National animal of Bhutan and it is native to only Himalayas and also the endangered species. Followed by Royal Textile Academy, Textile Museum. Followed by Bhutan Post if you want to make some personalize stamps. Then will visit Tashicho Dzongthe beautiful fortress which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room. It is also the summer residence of Central Monastic Bsody and Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of monastic body. Evening we can stroll around in Thimphu town.

Night Halt: Thimphu

Day 11: Paro INternational Airport

Depending on the flight time will reach you to airport and seeoff.