Jomulhari Yaktsa Trek

Trek Duration: 6 Days 5 Nights
Difficulty Level:Hard.
Good Season:March, April, May, June, September, October and November
Altitude Gain:3284 meters
Altitude Loss:3284 meters

Brief about Jumolhari-Yaktsa 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 an fairly Difficult Trek and its 7 days trek including a day Halt at Jumolhari Base.

Along with the Jomolhari Yaktsa 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 Soi Yaktsa

Distance 16km, 7-8 hours, 810m ascent, 1,090m descent, camp altitude 3800 m

The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to Bhonte La pass at 4,890 m, the highest point of this trek route. Reaching the Dhumzo Chhu river, you trek downstream passing the few houses of Soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp soon after.

Night Halt: Campsite, Yaktsa

Day 7: Soi Yaktsa to Thombu Shong

Distance 11km, 4-5 hours, 720m ascent, 340m descent, camp altitude 4,180m.

The trail descends and crosses a bridge. As we begin to climb again and reach a split in the trail, turn to the right for Tagyung La walk through forest, then a climb follows to the prayer flags where there are some cairns and beautiful view of the Sio Yaktsa Valley and surrounding mountains. Several farm houses can be seen on the other side of the valley. A nice flat trail now skirts around the hillside covered with rhododendron bushes, changing direction slowly to the south. Then it is a steady, steep climb, which takes around 1 hour to reach Tagyung la (4540m).The pass has several cairns wrapped in prayer flags. On the both sides you can climb up small hills to get a better view of Jomolhari,Jichu Drake and Tsherim Gang,and in the distance Kanchanjunga (8586m) the third highest mountain in the world, look back is the pass crossed yesterday and on the other downhill side is the tonight's campsite. Walk down to the Thomphu camp.

Night Halt: Campsite, Thombu Shong

Day 8: Thombu Shong to Gunitsawa(End of Trek)

Distance 13km, 4-5 hours, 200m ascent, 1,650m descent

Today will climb for 30 minutes from the camp to Thomphu la pass(4270 m).Then the walk from the pass is the best parts of the trek, very high above the valleys on a good trail with a beautiful scenery. It takes about 1 hour to reach big descent. Edelweiss grows in profusion along the trail and huge Lammergeiers cruise on the warm uplifts from the valley below. The trail descends steeply for 3 hours down to the military helipad next to the Bhutan army camp.From here it is only short walk to army check post where your wonderful trek ends. Meet driver and car waiting for us.

Then drive for to Thimphu capital city of Bhutan and it will take about 2 hours plus to reach Thimphu. On reaching Thimphu will check in to Hotel have a relaxing time and go for a leisurely walk around the town to feel the atmosphere of capital.

Night Halt: Thimphu

Day 09: 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 10: Paro INternational Airport

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