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Bhutan: Jomolhari Trek — 12 Days, Paro to Thimphu

Name: Bhutan: Jomolhari Trek — 12 Days, Paro to Thimphu
Brand: Mountain Guide

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The Jomolhari trek in Bhutan — a 12-day journey in which seven walking days link Paro and Thimphu by way of Jangothang, Lingshi and two passes of around 4800 m.

The route shows Bhutan beyond the reach of road excursions: the Paro Chhu and Mo Chhu valleys, yak-herder camps, high pasture, Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, Lingshi Dzong and the ruins of Barshong. After the self-sufficient tented section come cultural days in Thimphu and Paro and the climb to Taktsang.

No technical mountaineering experience is required, but the trip includes stages of up to 22 km and nights above 4000 m. It suits hardy beginners only where they are in good physical condition and ready for several long days in a row.

Important. The weather, the state of the passes and access to religious sites may change the order of the trip. Wildlife sightings and mountain panoramas are not guaranteed. The arrangements for the hot stone bath and the farmhouse dinner are confirmed before the trip.

About the Jomolhari trek

Jomolhari, 7316 m, stands on the border between Bhutan and Tibet and is considered a sacred summit. The trekking route does not climb the mountain: it runs through the valleys below its southern slopes and gives close views of the massif from the Jangothang camp and from neighbouring high points.

The walking part begins after the drive from Paro to Shana. Over two long days the group reaches Jangothang at 4050 m, where a rest day and an acclimatisation outing are built in. The route then crosses the Nyile La and the Yeli La, descends through Shodu and Barshong and finishes at the road to Thimphu. That structure makes it a linear route rather than a return along the same valley.

The difficulty comes from the combination of altitude, self-sufficient nights and long stages. The days to Jangothang and Lingshi reach 19–22 km, and both passes stand at around 4800 m. Technical equipment is not normally required, but snow, wind and precipitation can make the trail harder. The guide changes the pace and the tactics according to the actual conditions.

The acclimatisation day at Jangothang is integral to the itinerary. It is there not only for rest but to check how the body is responding before the first pass. Participants must report headache, nausea, loss of coordination and any other symptoms; reaching the passes is not guaranteed.

After the trek the cultural section shows how the religious and civic life of Bhutan is bound up with the dzongs, the monasteries and the crafts. The climb to Taktsang remains a full walking day rather than a formal excursion. Travellers who want a shorter route can compare this trip with the Druk Path, which is sold separately.

Jomolhari trekking itinerary, 12 days

Day 1. Arrival in Paro.

A member of the team meets the group at the airport and arranges the transfer to the hotel. Mountain views on the approach depend on cloud cover and are not guaranteed. After checking in there is time to rest, meet the guide and check the kit for the tented section. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Shana — first high camp, 3750 m.

After breakfast we drive on a dirt road to Shana and begin the walking part. The trail climbs the river valley with a succession of small ascents and descents. A stage of about 22 km and 8 hours sets the working pace at once, so the guide watches how everyone is feeling and how they are managing their reserves. Night in tents.

Day 3. Walk to Jangothang, 4050 m.

We continue up the Paro Chhu valley through alpine meadow and small settlements, register at the checkpoint and come out at the Jangothang camp. In clear weather Jomolhari and Jichu Drake are visible from here. The stage of about 19 km takes roughly 7 hours and brings the group to its first night above 4000 m. Night in tents.

Day 4. Acclimatisation at Jangothang.

We stay at camp and, at the guide’s decision, make an outing into the surrounding valleys or towards Tshophu lake. The altitude and the length are chosen according to how the group is feeling. The day is needed to adapt before the two passes, to dry kit and to recover from the long stages. Night in tents.

Day 5. Nyile La, 4830 m, and Lingshi.

We climb over moraine and possible snow to the Nyile La. The pass is usually open and windy ground; in clear weather Tsherim Gang is visible. We then descend to the camp near Lingshi Dzong. About 22 km and 8 hours make this day the first serious test of acclimatisation. Night in tents.

Day 6. Yeli La, 4820 m, and Shodu, 4100 m.

The trail runs through the Mo Chhu valley, crosses the river and climbs to the Yeli La. In clear weather Jomolhari and the neighbouring summits can be seen from the pass, but the panorama is not guaranteed. Beyond the high point we descend along a stream to the Shodu camp. Distance about 15 km, time about 8 hours. Night in tents.

Day 7. Shodu — Barshong, 3600 m.

We descend along the Thimphu river through rhododendron and juniper forest, then after lunch climb to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Losing height helps recovery after the two passes, but a stage of about 18 km and 8 hours is still a full walking day. Night in tents.

Day 8. End of the trek and transfer to Thimphu.

We descend to the Thimchhu river, then walk through bamboo and pine forest to Dodena and Dolam Kencho, where transport meets the group. The walking part is about 10 km and 5 hours. In Thimphu we check into the hotel, collect the baggage left behind and recover from the self-sufficient section. Whether the dzong is visited depends on the time of arrival. Night at the hotel.

Day 9. Thimphu.

We explore the capital: the Buddha statue, the memorial chorten, the school of traditional arts, the paper works and the other sites available on the trip. The day gives cultural context after the mountain route and allows recovery at the same time. The actual set and order of visits depend on opening hours and official access. Night at the hotel.

Day 10. Paro and the Taktsang monastery.

After an early breakfast we drive to Paro and climb to the Taktsang monastery, set high above the valley. Several hours of walking after the trek call for something in reserve and for comfortable footwear. In the evening, on the confirmed itinerary, there is dinner at a farmhouse and a traditional hot stone bath. Night at the hotel.

Day 11. cultural activities in Paro.

We visit Ta Dzong, Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, then walk in Paro if time allows. The day closes the journey with the architecture, art and religious sites of the valley. Access to particular rooms and the order of the sites are set by local rules. Night at the hotel.

Day 12. End of the trip.

At the agreed time there is a transfer to Paro airport. Participants check in themselves. The departure time is calculated to allow for the airline’s rules and the necessary margin.

What's included

An experienced Mountain Guide leader, for groups of 4 participants or more
A local licensed guide
Meeting and seeing off at Paro airport
Hotel accommodation, twin occupancy, 3-star
Three meals a day and snacks throughout the trip
The government Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
A visit to a farmhouse with dinner and a traditional hot stone bath
Transport according to the itinerary
Unlimited bottled water at any time during the journey and the trek
Transport of baggage and camp equipment during the trek
Assistance with obtaining the Bhutan visa
Visa fees
Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary

What's not included

The international flight
Insurance covering trekking
Tips for the guide and the team
Any departure from the itinerary
Any costs arising from a change to the itinerary
Any personal additional expenses

Private groups

The Bhutan trek can be arranged for a closed group of friends, a club or a corporate team, with no outside participants joining. Dates, the make-up of the guiding team and any extra services available on the route are agreed individually.

A family, a group of friends or a corporate team can discuss their own dates, single rooms, extra cultural days and separate transport. The trip is confirmed once the licensed local guide, the permits and the campsites have been checked.

Changes must not disturb the gradual altitude gain or the approved order of the trekking stages. Whether children and less experienced travellers can join is assessed against the route chosen, physical fitness and readiness for nights under canvas.

The price depends on the number of participants, the dates you choose, the make-up of the team and any extra services confirmed.

Documents you need

Document requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Check them before you buy non-refundable tickets, and again before you fly. The first name and surname on every booking must match the spelling in your passport exactly.

Mountain Guide does not sell air tickets and does not arrange entry visas, but it does provide the booking confirmations it holds and the documents issued by the host team.

Documents

A valid passport
A visa or other entry permit for Bhutan and for any transit country, if one is required for your nationality
International and domestic air tickets, or e-ticket receipts, for the trip
Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking, a maximum altitude of at least 4830 m, search and rescue, and emergency evacuation
Your insurance policy number and the insurer’s 24-hour emergency contact details
Your booking confirmation for the trip and the organisers’ contact details
The Bhutan visa clearance and proof that the compulsory fees have been paid, arranged by the host team
Documents for a participant under 18, where these apply
Digital copies of your passport, visa, tickets and insurance on your phone and in cloud storage
Waterproof wallet for your original documents

The Bhutan visa and the visa fee are part of the confirmed trip. You check the entry and transit requirements of whichever country you change flights in separately before buying tickets.

Weather and seasons

The high-altitude treks in Bhutan use spring and autumn dates. The published departures fall in March to April and October to November; the exact route is confirmed once permits, campsites and the local team have been checked.

The valleys can bring rain, mist and a warm day, while the high camps bring cold wind, snow and sub-zero night temperatures. Cloud can hide the mountain views even in a suitable season.

The licensed local guide sets the pace and the order of the stages. The route may be shortened, a camp moved or the group turned back if the weather, the state of the trail or a participant’s condition worsens. Exact temperatures and rainfall are not guaranteed in advance.

Accommodation and meals

In the towns participants stay in 3-star hotels in twin rooms. The specific properties and the number of nights follow the confirmed itinerary. Single occupancy depends on availability and is paid separately.

Tented camps at approved sites are used during the trek. The local team transports the camp equipment and baggage, pitches the camp and provides the meals. You bring your own sleeping bag and the items on the agreed list, unless confirmed otherwise.

The price includes three meals a day and a snack throughout the trip. The choice of food is simpler in the remote camps than in the towns, but the diet is planned for sustained physical effort.

Tell us about vegetarian meals, allergies and medical restrictions before booking. The host team confirms whether a strict special diet is possible.

Facilities on the route

Showers and toilets. Town hotels have the usual toilet and washing facilities. Showers and hot water are not guaranteed at the tented camps; the local team sets up the toilet at the approved site.

Power and charging. Devices are charged at the hotels. On the trek there is no access to sockets, or very little, so you need a power bank, spare cells and batteries for your torch.

Internet and phone signal. Signal is better in the towns, but on the high-altitude section mobile coverage and internet may be absent for several days. How the local team communicates while working is confirmed before the trip.

Laundry and drying. Plan laundry for the hotel. Drying in the camps depends on the weather, so bring spare underwear, socks and gloves, and dry bags to keep clothing dry.

Environmental rules. Approved trails and campsites are used. Rubbish is handed to the support team; it must not be left on the route.

Insurance

Equipment list for the Bhutan trek: the Druk Path

Download PDF

You bring all of your own personal equipment. Before the trip, agree your footwear, sleeping bag and personal kit with the guide, taking the season and the conditions on the route into account.