Jhumolhari Trek (15 Days)

Trekking in Bhutan

Day – 1 Arrive Paro International Airport
During the flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received and escorted to your hotel by our company representatives.

Day – 2 Paro – Sightseeing
Morning : Drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress – 16 Kms away from Paro town). The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means “The Victorious Bhutanese.” This spot unfolds a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of Goddess”. (Alt.7329 mtrs). Visit a typical Bhutanese farm house on the way back. Overnight at hotel.

Day – 3 Paro – Shana(trek starts)
Distance : 17 kms. About  5-6 hours journey. Altitude of Shana – 2,800 mtrs.
Drive upto road end at Drugyel Dzong where the trek begins. The trail follows the river gently uphill through narrowing valley and agricultural fields. The night’s camp is just beyond an army outpost.

Day – 4 Shana – Soi Thangthangkha
Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the drainage.The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt.approx – 3400 mtrs. Distance 15 kms. Time 6-7 hrs.

Day – 5 Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang
Distance – 19 kms. About 5 hours journey. Altitude of Jangothang – 4040 mtrs. The trek starts up the Pa Chu. An Army outpost is crossed along the way. The valley begins to widen again. All around high mountains ridges and snow-capped peaks come into views. Yaks and yak herders’ winter homes become a regular feature of the landscape. The night camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt.Chomolhari.

Day – 6 Jangothang – Halt
Trek upto Tsophu or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Chomolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jitchu Drake to the north and a number of unscaled peaks to the east. Overnight halt at camp.

Day –7 Jangothang – Lingshi
Distance – 19 Kms. About 5-6 hours journey. Altitude of Lungshi – 4150 mtrs. Trek through wide yak pastures and up and down passes. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear
day. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut or the tent.

Day – 8 Lingshi – Halt
A day excursion to Tsokha (Lake), which is at the base camp of Jitchu Drake. Blue sheep and musk deer are plentiful along the trek route. Distance 15 Kms about 3-4 hours journey. Altitude of Tsokha – 4500 mtrs.

Day – 9 Lingshi – Shodu               
Distance – 22 Kms. About 7-8 hours journey. Altitude of Shodu – 3963  mtrs.
The trail climbs up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 4820 mtrs. From the pass, you can get an excellent view of Mt.Chomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang on a clear day. The trek from the pass to camp site at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent.

Day – 10 Shodu – Barshong
Distance – 13 Kms. About 3-4 hours journey. Altitude of Barshong – 3785 mtrs. The trail follows the Thim-Chu River through forests of Rhododendron. Waterfalls can be seen along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp can be made in stone shelter or tent.

Day – 11 Barshong – Dolam Kencho         
Distance – 11 Kms. About 3-4 hours journey. Altitude of Dolam Kencho – 3628 mtrs. The trail descends through thick forest of Rhododendron to meet the Thim-Chu and then ascends to pasture lands. Camp is in a meadow.

Day – 12 Dolam Kencho – Thimphu
Distane – 14 Kms. About 4-5 hrs journey. The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way.

Day – 13 Thimphu – Day excursion to Punakha and Wangdi
Drive to Punakha and Wangdi for a day’s excursion. Visit Punakha Dzong. Pack lunch will be served. Return to Thimphu. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Day – 14 Thimphu – Sightseeing
Visit Tashichho Dzong – the main Secretariat Building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Wander through the town, visit shops and the Handicrafts Emporium, where Bhutanese textiles and other handcrafts are available. Visit the workshop where the handicrafts are made. Visit the painting and woodcrafts schools where traditional painting and other arts are kept alive.Visit The National Library and see the ancient manuscripts preserved there. Visit the Simtokha Dzong (6 kms from Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 A.D. The Simtokha Dzong houses the largest monastic school in the country. Overnight in hotel.

Day – 15 Morning departure from Paro Airport.