13 Days of Heritage, Adventure & Jomolhari Trek of Bhutan

Arrive at Paro airport. Welcome to Bhutan. Meet our representative and get transferred to hotel. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

In the evening, enjoy 01-hour yoga session at Thimphu.

Overnight at Paro

In the Morning go for Taktsang Hike also called as Tiger’s Nest. Every walking guest find this trip a little challenging because of the elevation gain and the dramatic walks through the gorge.

We start the day with a 30 minutes’ drive to the starting point of Taktsang hike. Start the uphill walk slowly so that you can get used to the altitude, which is 600-700 meters above the valley floor. In an hour’s time we should get to the cafeteria, which is like 3 km. Have refreshment here and enjoy a scenic hike for another 3 km uphill till the temple. We walk uphill till for half the journey and then fairly easy till the last view point. From here we will walk down the gorge and up till the temple. Visit the temple and come back to the cafeteria for lunch. This will take around 2-3 hours and if you think you need a horse ride up the hill, please let your guide know well in advance. We would have done an average of 12kms for all the up and down walks.

In the evening, enjoy 01 hour yoga session in Paro.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Paro

After hearty breakfast proceed for your Jumolhari Trek.

You will drive 12km north of Paro valley to the historic Drugyal Dzong ruins at 2,580m, from where your trek starts.

Your trekking crew will be waiting here for you. After a brief meeting, you will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Pachhu (river), which then climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Soon the valley widens and the route enters an area of apple orchards, traditional farmhouses and the tiny settlements of Mitshi Zampa and Sangathan. You reach the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810 after walking for a while through the blue pine forest. Here your trekking permit will be checked and stamped. This is the last stop before Tibet and border close to it. You will then cross the Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa at 2,870m. Just beyond Shana Zampa, there are several meadows surrounded by trees where you will camp for tonight.

17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 2870M

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Sharna Zampa

The trail again follows Pachhu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After 2 hours of continuous hiking and crossing several streams, you will reach at Shingkharap, a stone house at 3110m. A hot lunch will be served after crossing the bridge towards the left side of the river. Little ahead is the trail junction – left an old trade route and invasion from Tibet and right leading to the wooden bridge (we follow the right). After climbing up through rhododendron forests and finally crossing the bridge again, we reach our camp at 3750m, which is amidst beautiful meadows.

22KM | 8-9 HOURS | 690M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3750M

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Soi Thangkha

Although today’s is not a long trekking day, a significant height gain will take place as your trail goes above tree line. From the camp, your path ascends for a while till you reach the army camp. Then follow the river above the tree line enjoying the stunning view of surrounding peaks. We walk through a very muddy section of trail, pass a mani wall and enter yak country. Hot lunch will be served inside a yak herder’s camp. After lunch, we walk past yak herder settlements of Soe and Takethang. Common crops that people grow here are barley, potatoes and turnips. We walk our final approach across a plateau and up a stream bed and Dangochang village to the awesome campsite of Jangothang at an altitude of 4,040m. From here, the views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.

19KM | 5-6 HOURS | 290M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4040M

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Jangothang Base Camp

Today, you will spend a day by doing four-hour acclimatization hike to the north of your camp.

There is practically no trail but you will climb on an open and endless slope till you see the view of Mt Jichu Drakye (6989m).You can scramble further up till 4895m (higher than Mount Blanc) to see amazing view of Mount Jumolhari. You are likely to spot rare blue sheep, Himalayan rhubarb, griffon vultures, golden eagles and the remarkable blue poppy. Jangothang base is a flat grassy land with an old ruined fortress on a hillock in the foreground, beneath the colossal Mount Jumolhari and its neighbour Jitchu Drake. Most people show signs of mountain sickness at this altitude and it is recommended that all trekkers halt here. If you do not wish to hike but simply wish to just relax in camp, whichever option you choose, it’s certainly going to be a memorable day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Jangothang Base Camp

The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side.

Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari (7314m), Jichu Drake (6989m) and Tshering Gang (6789m). Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until you climb to the Ngye La pass at an altitude of 4,700m. After the pass, it is a gradual descent to the camp, enjoying the panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and Lingshi Dzong.

If time permits, you can have a detour to this tiny fortress, which is sitting on a hilltop overlooking Lingzhi village below. For centuries, Lingzhi Dzong was a way station for weary Buddhist pilgrims and defense fort against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. Camp at an altitude of 4010m.

18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 660M ASCENT | 660M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4010M

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Lingshi

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.

22KM | 8-9 HOURS | 780M ASCENT | 720M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4100M

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Shodu

At this place, one comes back to the tree line. The path follows Thimphu River, descending through rhododendron, juniper, and other alpine forests. The view of the cliff facing rocks and waterfalls is stunning. Hot lunches will be served by the riverside. After lunch, the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of riversides. After lunch the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong, reaching the camp at an altitude of 3,700m.

16KM | 5-6 HOURS | 400M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3700M

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Barshong

17KM | 6-7 HOURS | 100M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3600M

The trail descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch, and conifers, and then drops steeply to meet Thimphu Chhu. It stays on river left, climbing over ridges and descending to side streams. Then traverses steep cliff to Dolam Kencho, at 3,600m. Then the trail goes in and out steeply to the river and follows it southward to the road head at Dodona, elevation 2,600m where you will be picked up and transferred to Paro.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight at Thimpu

After a hearty breakfast, go for a sightseeing tour of the city. Today’s full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes visits to:

Sitting on top of a hill overlooking Thimphu, visit the Buddha Dordenma statue. The Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is one of the tallest in Asia (51.5 m). The site offers unobstructed views over the capital town and the Thimphu valley below.(Closes Daily Nov-Feb at 4 pm & Mar-Oct at 5 pm)

Visit National Memorial Chorten- the building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who wanted to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to peace. (Closes Daily Nov-Feb at 4pm & Mar-Oct at 5pm)

Visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum – watch the students of the National Institute of Zorig Chosum (Arts and Crafts) as they learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

Visit Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan – a state of the art textile Museum showcasing an exemplary display of the art of weaving and textiles. Currently, the Museum also has on display the bridal dress and the handcrafted shoes worn by Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema during the royal wedding in 2011.

Visit Zilukha Nunnery – Built more than half a century ago, Zilukha Nunnery is also known as Druthob Goemba. Housing around 60 nuns in its premises, a visit to the site energizes the soul because of its peaceful surroundings, which lures one's mind to never leave the site. From here, the spectacular view of Tashichho Dzong can be captured in a camera to make for a beautiful photo album.

Also known as the Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery, the Zilukha Nunnery is the biggest nunnery in Bhutan.

Visit Tashichho Dzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion” was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichho Dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters at Punakha Dzong. (Open: Mon-Fri [Mar-Oct after 5:30 pm] [Nov-Feb after 4:30 pm] / Open on Sat, Sun, Govt. Holidays)

Weekend Market: Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held down by the river. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people and perhaps buy souvenirs. (Open Fri-Sun)

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Thimphu

After breakfast check out from hotel and travel to Paro by Air Conditioned vehicle.

Continue to Paro. This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries and the country’s only airport. Mt. Jhomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.

Later, proceed to visit theNational Museum. The National Museum of Bhutan is the pride of the country. Flaunting art and traditions, it has six floors, each of them narrating a unique tale from the past. You can see paintings, art pieces, animal masks and many more facets of the rich culture. Constructed in 1649 as a watchtower against Tibetan soldiers, it was converted to the National Museum in 1968, preserving the rich history of Bhutan within its walls ever since. (Closed on Govt. Holidays)

Visit Rinpung Dzong – One of the finest examples of architecture, the Rinpung Dzong, also known as the Paro Dzong, has a very spiritual environment. Beautifully lit-up at night, the dzong has many illustrations portraying the life of Buddha. A hike to the top of the fortress welcomes you with the spectacular view of nearby valleys. The dzong also holds the colorful annual festival Paro Tshechu which makes it even more impressive than it already is.

On the way back also watch a game of archery at the archery grounds in Paro – A great way of viewing Bhutanese culture in action. (Subject to availability)

In the evening, you may take a stroll in the Paro Market.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Paro

After a hearty breakfast, check out from hotel and get transferred to Paro International Airport to board your onward international flight towards your native place. (Start 3 hours before the departure time)

Meals Included: Breakfast