Sacred Valley Trek
Jhomolhari Trek- 14 Nights/ 15 Days
This ten-day trek takes you into the beauty of the Himalayan landscape. You can see people living in harmony with Nature in scattered hamlets. The trek takes you into farmlands and dense forests, and finally culminates into a fabulously colorful high alpine pastureland. The ideal season for this trek is April – June and September – November. It is a strenuous trek. However, many say that what it offers injects strength into your muscles. The following gives you a glimpse of the trek route.
Day 1: Arrive Paro
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, and after you have completed immigration and customs formalities, our representative will receive you and take to hotel.
Next, visit ParoDzong, built in 1646 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyal, the founder of the Drukpa Kagyupa Sect in Bhutan and built numerous dzongs to defend Bhutan from Tibetan forces.
Visit Paro Museum, which served as watchtower during war time in the Paro valley. It is being now converted into a national museum. Next, we will visit Dungtse Lhakhang, built in 1421 by Lama Thangtong Gyelpo-the iron bridge builder.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 2: Hike to Tiger’s Nest
Climb to Taktsang Monastery, which was built in 1645. (This is the signature monastery of Bhutan and features in all travel books. Taktsang, literally means Tiger’s Nest).
Visit KyichuLhakhang, one of the first temples built in the 7 century by the Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo. Evening take a stroll around Paro town.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 3: Paro to Shana Zampa (distance 17 km, time 5/6 hours).
The trek starts from Paro valley (DrukgyelDzong 2580m) traversing through paddy fields, village houses and small chortens (stupas) along the route.
The Pa Chhu (Paro River) adds to the beauty of the valley with its banks covered with a cascade of wild pink and white roses in fully blossomed. Our camp is located on the outskirt of Shana Zampa village.
Overnight at camp (Altitude 2,870m)
Day 4: Shana Zampa to Soi Thangthangkha (distance 22km, time 7/8 hours).
The trail continues gradually climbing alongside the Pa Chhu (Paro River). You will traverse through forests of oaks, rhododendrons, and ferns amidst breathtaking vistas.
You will experience serenity lulled by the sounds of Paro River.
Overnight at camp (Altitude 3,630 m)
Day 5: Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang (distance 19km, time 6/7hours).
The trek will take us through the grazing fields of Yaks. You will meet herdsmen, who would gladly offer cheese, butter, meat, and thick waterproof hair for making tents, caps and blankets.
Prayer walls, chortens, prayer flags fluttering in the wind and a spectacular view of mountains herald the approach to Jangothang and it towering majestic peak, Mount Jhomo Lhari (7,314m). Local people worship that Goddess Jomo resides on the mountain and yearly prayers are offered to her to bless the people with peace and bountiful harvest.
Overnight at camp (Altitude 4,090m).
Day 6: Explore Jangothang.
Trekkers are generally advised to use the day for leisure activities including a fishing expedition to Tsophu, a high altitude lake, rich with spotted trout. The Landscape is breathtaking offering rare opportunities for nature spotting and photography.
Overnight at camp
Day 7: Jangothang to Lingzhi (distance -18km, time 6/7 hours).
Jangothang is the last settlement in the valley. After a mere ten minutes walk from it you can see Mt. Jichu Drake (6,989m) and further ahead Mt. Tserim Gang (6,789).
En-route is Nyilila pass (4,890m) at about 4 hours travel from Jangothang.
The trail ascends as you reach a tributary of Mochu River and gradually descends as you reach Lingzhi camp. There is an alternate excursion from Lingzhi to base camp of Mount Tserim Kang where you can fish and encounter blue sheep and musk deer if one is lucky enough.
Overnight at campy.
Day 8: Lingzhi Halt. (Spend the day with an excursion to Tsokha, the base camp of Mount Jichu Drake).
Overnight at camp
Day 9: Lingzhi to Zhodhu (distance 22 km, time 8/9 hours).
The trek trails across Yelela pass ( 4,820m) offering one fascinating views of Mount Jhomo Lhari (7,314m), Gangchenta (6,840m), Tserim Gang (6,789m) and Masa Gang (7,165m).
Campsite is located near a stream in a meadow at an altitude of 4,110m.
Overnight at camp
Day 10: Zhodhu to Barshong (distance 16 km, time 5/6 hours).
The trek winds up and down along the Thimphu Chu along a steep- walled canyon with cliffs to the north and rich cypress forest to the south.
You would be crossing Thimphu River as many as six times before reaching the campsite located at Barshong (3,680m).
Overnight at camp
Day 11: Barshong to DolamKencho (distance 15km, time 5/6 hours).
The trail descends gently through dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers and latter on drops steeply to meet Thimphu Chu (river). After traversing along a steep cliff one will finally reach DolamKencho, the camp for the night, which is amongst pasture land and at 3,430m amidst a beautiful meadow.
Overnight at camp.
Day 12: DolamKencho to Dodena-Thimphu (distance 8km, time 3 hours).
The trek initially ascends through conifer and high altitude broadleaf forests and reaches a pass at 3,510m. It then drops steeply to Thimphu River, following it southward till Dodena (2,600m), the terminating point of the trek.
From here, one can drive further to his/her next destination to Thimphu.
Overnight at a hotel
Day 13: Thimphu sightseeing
Visit TashiChoedzong, built in 1702. It is the main secretariat building housing the Throne Room of His Majesty, government offices, and the summer residence of the Chief Abbot, Je Khenpo and the central monk body.
Thimphu maintains a strong national characteristics in architectural style and offers an ideal spot for walks. Other interesting places are Memorial Chorten, Indigenous Hospital, National library, Handicrafts Emporium, Textile museum, Vegetable market, Takin conservation park, etc.,(Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, is an animal found only in the eastern Himalayas and has the head of a goat and body of a cow).
Next drive to Sanjaygang, the view point for Thimphu city to get a snap shot of the big apple of Bhutan.
En-route visit ChangangkhaLhakhang built in the 12th century. Located on a hillock, it provides a popular site for pilgrimage for Thimphu residents.
Overnight at a hotel.
Day 14: Drive to Paro.
On the way visit SemtokhaDzong the oldest dzong, built in 1629 by Zhabdrung NgawangNamgyal.
Overnight in a hotel
Day 15: Depart Paro.
After early breakfast, travel to the airport for onward destination.