Max Elevation: 4,930m Highest Camp: 4,080m Standard: Medium Season: March to June & September to November
Jomolhari Trek is the most popular treks in Bhutan. The trek starts from the lowest altitude 2,500m up to nearly 5,000m High. It offers a wide range of landscape, flora and fauna. You can see the spectacular views of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Base camp, at Jangothang, which would be one of the High lights of this trek.
The trek passes through the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park, and the Yak herder's settlement, the least visited, most remote human settlement on this beautiful trek.
THE JOMOLHARI / LINGSHI TREK
Day 1: Paro - Bhutan Fly to Paro (7,500'), Bhutan, on Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan. If the weather cooperates, you might have spectacular views of four of the ten highest peaks in the world Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga plus peaks in Bhutan such as Jumolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tsering Kang. Representative of the tour will meet and assist you to hotel Afternoon visit the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above Paro Dzong. We will also visit the Paro Dzong (Rinchen Pung Dzong, means 'lquote fortress on a heap of jewels'rquote ), built in 1644. Overnight in hotel
Day 2: Paro - Hike to Taksang Today we'll take a steep, 2-hour hike to a teahouse, where we enjoy a great view of Taksang Monastery ("The Tiger's Nest"), perched on a cliff 2,700 feet above the floor of the Paro Valley. Taksang is the most spiritual place for the Bhutanese and a major pilgrimage spot. If you feel energetic, you can continue another hour to a closer viewpoint. Afternoon to explore Paro on our own. (5 hours hiking.)
Day 3: Trek Begins - Sharna Zampa (9,450') We drive about 15 minutes to Drukgyel Dzong (8,500'), where our pack ponies are loaded up with all the gear for our trek. After visiting the ruins of the Dzong, we begin by walking along the Paro River, following it as it winds past traditional farmhouses with cultivated fields of red rice, chilies, potatoes, and millet. After about five to six hours of walking, we arrive at our first campsite by the river near the village of Sharna at 9,450 feet. (10½ miles, 5½-6 hours hiking.)
Day 4: Soi Thangthangkha (11,840') We continue up through the valley of the Paro River, which gradually narrows as the trail leads higher, winding up and down through a thick, lush forest of oak, pine, and juniper. The trail becomes little rocky, muddy, and strenuous, climbing up and down while slowly gaining altitude. As we get closer to our camp for the night, we begin to see the snowcapped summit of Jumolhari (if the weather is clear), a mountain that is sacred to the Bhutanese. This is a long, hard day with lots of ups and downs and rock hopping; it can be very muddy during the rainy season. Camp at Soi Thangthangkha (11,840'). (13½ miles, 9-9½ hours hiking.)
Day 5: Jangothang (13,382') Continue following the Paro River on a demanding, rocky trail, and then the valley widens again, opening to a spectacular area surrounded by high snowcapped ridges. A few yak-herding families are based in this area, and we may be lucky to pay them a visit and try some of their dried yak cheese. Camp at Jangothang (13,382') below a ruined fortress near the base of Jumolhari. (11½ miles, 5½-6 hours hiking.) Camp
Day 6: Rest day (13,382') Today is a free day to rest and explore. You can take a beautiful optional hike to Tsophu (lake) for spectacular views of Jumolhari and Jichu Drakye (you can gain altitude quickly, which is good for acclimatization). Of course, you can also opt to stay at camp, take in the views, and rest for the challenging day ahead. (3 hours hiking.) Camp
Day 7: Lingzhi (13,152') Climb steeply up to 14,661 feet and head into a glacial valley with many moraines. As we near the ridge we can see the snowy peaks of Tsering Kang (22,268') and Jichu Drakye (22,924'). Continue up to the Nyile La (15,980'), about four hours from camp. From here the views of Jumolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tsering Kang are spectacular (weather permitting!). We may also see Ganchey Ta (22,285') and Masang Gang (23,500'). Descend along scenic slopes to a side valley at 14,596', traverse a hillside, and then descend on switchbacks to another side valley. Camp at Lingzhi (13,152'), at the base of Tsering Kang and Jichu Drakye. (11 miles, 7-7½ hours hiking.)
Day 8: Rest day (13,152') A free day at this campsite gives us a chance to relax and make an optional visit to the Lingzhi Dzong (13,900'), a frontier guidepost from the 17th century, and Lingzhi village. The afternoon is free to rest for the next day's pass! (2 hours hiking.)
Day 9: Shodu (13,382') We climb about 300 feet to a white chorten, and then hike into the beautiful, remote Mo Chhu Valley. Continue up the valley for about three hours, gradually gaining altitude, then make an exhilarating, steep climb up to the Yeli La (16,170'). From the pass we can have views of Jumolhari, Tsering Kang, and Jichu Drakye (weather permitting). Descend on a very rocky trail to a camp at Shodu (13,382'). (13½ miles, 9-9½ hours hiking.)
Day 10: Barshong (12,200') From camp, the trail traverses under some steep yellow cliffs with a few meditation caves. We continue along the Wang Chhu, crossing the river seven times on log bridges and hiking up and down through fir forests. During the last hour or so, we'll make a steady climb up to the ruins of a small dzong and reach camp. Camp at Barshong about 12,200 feet. (10 miles, 6-6½ hours hiking.)
Day 11: Dolam Kencho (11,200') Descend through forests of rhododendron, birch, and pines back to the Wang Chhu. Follow the river over ridges and side streams to Dolam Kencho (11,200'). (9 miles, 5-6 hours hiking.)
Day 12: End trek - Thimphu (7,725') From camp, hike up through a thick rhododendron forest and cross two small passes between 10,100 and 11,700 feet. Descend very steeply on a rocky trail to the river and follow it to the trailhead (8,600'), where we'll have lunch. (5 miles, 4 hours hiking.) Meet with vehicles and drive about 40 minutes to Thimphu. The remainder of the afternoon is free to shop in Thimphu. Dinner with our Bhutanese host.
Day 13: Thimphu - Paro In the morning you can take a self-guided ten-minute walk from the hotel to the Memorial Chorten, a shrine built in the memory of the late king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Many Bhutanese people gather here to pray every day. We'll then begin our sightseeing with a visit to the Textile Museum. Visit the School of Arts and Crafts (or "painting school"), where Bhutanese children can follow a six-year program in traditional arts, such as drawing, painting, woodcarving, and sculpture. In the late afternoon we'll drive two hours to Paro.
Day 14: Paro - Departure After breakfast transfer to the Paro airport for departure
Druk Path Trek is one of the popular treks in Bhutan. The trek usually begins from paro and ends in Thimphu or vice versa. It is a short and scenic trek with some of the best views of the Himalayan Mountains .....
