Jhomolhari Trek -15 Days - JJ - April-November


This trek begins from Paro in the West and follows the old trade route to Tibet and then makes northward through the secluded valleys of Lingshi & Chebisa. The highlight of this trek is the camping at the base of beautiful peaks such as Chomolhari, Tsherim Gang, Jichu Drake,Great Tiger Mountain (Gang chen Ta) and several other peaks. It takes you through the isolated, unique & traditionally rich villages, passing through several nomadic campsites. Wild life such as Takin, Blue Sheep and may be even snow leopard can be seen on this trek. It is truly a rewarding trek ! If one is physically fit to overcome three days, he can easily do this trek as he builds up and acclimatise after the 3rd or 4th day.

 

Day
01 Arrive - Paro
02 Paro -Sightseeing
03 Paro -Shana
04 Shana -Soil Thangthangkha
05 Soil Thangthangkha -Jangothang
06 Jangothang -Halt
07 Jangothang -Lingshi
08 Lingshi -Halt
09 Lingshi -Shodu
10 Shodu -Barshong
11 Barshong -Dolam Kencho
12 Dolam Kencho -Thimphu
13 Thimphu -Punakha/Wangdi/Back
14 Thimphu -Sightseeing
15 Thimphu -Paro Airport

Day 01 Arrive Paro by Druk Air Flight
On this flight, one will see Mount Everest, Kanchan Junga and other Himalayan Peaks including our sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On landing at Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by a representative of Baeyul Tours & Treks. Drive to Hotel through the Paro valley, where agriculture is the main occupation of the people, so rice fields are in plenty. After lunch a trip to the museum called Ta-Dzong, this was originally built as a watch-tower over the Rinpung Dzong below. Ta means to look (over or aftere), dzong is fortress. Overnight at Paro.

Day 02 Paro - Sightseeing
Visit Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burned shell, was once strategic in Bhutan's defense against the Tibetan invasion. Mount Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. This can be viewed on a clear day. On the way back a visit to a typical Bhutanese farm house.

Day 03 Paro - Shana
Drive upto Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begins, following the river gently up the hill through a narrowing agricultural valley. Lots of homes, kids and dogs can be seen. camp is just beyond an army post. Alt. 2800m, Distance 17 Kms about 5-6 hours.

Day 04 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha
Continue uphill through the river valley. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. There is actually considerable down hill on the trail. Camp is in the meadow with stone shelter DOT has built for the trekkers. Distance is about 21 Kms, 7-8 hours.

Day 05 Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang
On up the Pa Chu. Pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now views of high ridges and then snow-capped peaks are all around. You begin to see Yaks and Yak herders camp. Lunch will be probably at one of these camps beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Chomolhari. Alt 4040m Distance- 19Kms, about 5-6 hours.

Day 06 Jangothang-Halt
Trek upto Tshophu for fishing or there are stupendous day hikes in 3 directions- Chomolhari and it's subsidairy are directly west, Jichu Drake to the north, unclimbed summits and ridges to the east.

Day 07 Jangothang-Lingshi
Wide yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, possibly still some people in their yak tents depending on the time of the year that you are there. Great views of Lingshi Dzong as you come down into the Lingshi basin if the weather is clear. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley. Camp is in a stone shelter which has inside fire pit and you can sleep on the wood floor or in tent. Alt 4150 m . Distance 19 Kms, about 5-6 hours.

Day 08 Lingshi-Halt
On the day halt at Lingshi is a day excursion to Tsokha (lake) i.e. Base camp of Jichu Drake can also be done. During the excursion hundreds of Blue sheep, mush deer can also be seen on the way. Alt 4500m. Distance 15 Kms, about 3-4 hours.

Day 09 Lingshi-Shodu
The trail ascends upto the Yalila pass (4820m) from the pass Mount Chomolhari, Tserim Kang and Masagang can be seen on a clear day. There is actually considerable down on trail. Camp is in a stone shelter TAB has build for the trekkers. It has a fire pit inside. Alt. 3963m, Distance 22 Kms about 7-8 hours.

Day 10 Shodu-Barshong
Follow the Thim-Chu through the forest of Rhododendrons, water falls, it narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along a drainage. Ascending up to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp just below a ruined fortress with stone shelter that TAB has build for the trekkers. Alt. 3785m, distance 13 Kms about 3-4 hours.

Day 11 Barshong- Dolam Kencho
Descending down to meet Thim-Chu following gradually through the forest of thicker Rhododendrons, and ascending upto the pasture land. Camp in a meadow. Alt. 3628m, Distance 11Kms, about 3-4 hours.

Day 12 Dolam Kencho-Thimphu
Continue up-hill through the forest to a small pass. The trail winds up and down along the drainage. Wild animals like langours can be seen. We meet the transport at Dodina. Distance 14 Kms, about 4-5 hours. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 13 Thimphu-Punakha/Wangdi/Back
Excursion with pack lunch to punakha and Wangdi valley. Visit the Punakha Dzong if the Monks are in Thimphu. Drive back to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Thimphu-Sightseeing
A full day of sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Wander in the town, visit the handicrafts emporium. Visit the workshop where all the handicrafts emporium. Visit the workshop where all the handicrafts are made if you like. Afternoon visit the Tashichho Dzong and National Memorial Chorten. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 15 Thimphu-Paro Airport
Drive to Paro International Airport for onward flight.