JHOMOLHARI TREK ITINERARY

The true colors of Bhutan are woven in soil: Most harvests are bright with chilies drying on rooftops. Farmers store their rice in the shed and guard it round the clock; nearly 30 percent of Bhutan's crops are ruined by wild boars, deer, or monkeys.

No Experience Required
No former trekking experience is needed for this trek. To take part in this trek, you should be physically fit, meaning you should be able to walk a full day with a small day pack. Animals will carry the bulk of our loads.

At a glance:
DAY 1 Arrive - Paro by Druk-Air
DAY 2 Paro - Sightseeing
DAY 3 Trek Day 1 Start of Trek - Paro-Sharna Zampa
DAY 4 Trek Day 2 - Sharna Zampa -Thangthangka
DAY 5 Trek Day 3 - Thangthangka-Jangothang
DAY 6 Trek Day 4 - Jangothang-HALT
DAY 7 Trek Day 5 - Jangothang-Lingshi
DAY 8 Trek Day 6 - Lingshi-HALT
DAY 9 Trek Day 7 - Lingshi-Shodu
DAY 10 Trek Day 8 - Shodu-Barshong
DAY 11 Trek Day 9 - Barshong-Dolam Kencho
Day 12 Trek Day 10 End of Trek - Dolam Kencho - Dodina-Thimphu
Day 13 Thimphu - Paro
Day 14 Farewells and departure.

Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town

Day 3 Paro - Sharna
Start of Trek Day 1: Distance 17 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Drukgyel (2580m) and camp near Sharna Zampa (2870m). There is a gradual climb following the Paro river through the agriculture valley and villages. We camp opposite to the Gunyitsawa Army check post in a meadow.

Day 4 Sharna - Thangthangka
Trek Day 2 : Distance 22 kms and walking distance 6-7 hours.
Starting at Sharna Zampa (2870m) and camp at Thangthangka (3630m). The trial is a gradual ascent with plenty of ups and downs through the conifer forest, ferns and Rhododendrons. On a clear day, you see a magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari

Day 5 Thangthangka - Jangothang
Trek Day 3 : Distance 19 kms and walking distance 5-6 hours
Starting at Thangthangka (3630m) and camp at Jangothang (4090m).Todays trial passes an army post and the village of Soe and a small settlement at Takethang. Yak herders live here. We camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari.

Day 6 Jangothang - Halt
Trek Day 4: Acclimatisation Day.
You can spend the day relaxing or there are several day hikes to choose from. Two interesting hikes would be to get views of Mt.Jumolhari or Jichu Drake. If you are interested in a lake then you can take the hike to Tsophu. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 7 Jangothang - Lingshi
Trek Day 5 : Distance 18 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Jangothang (4090m) and camp at Lingshi (4010m) Today you encounter your first major pass at 4890m ( Nyile-la ).You also get snow peak views of Tserim Kang (6789m) Camp near a stream in a meadow.

Day 8 Lingshi - Halt
Trek Day 6 : Halt
Its worth a visit to Lingshi Dzong. You can also make an excursion to Tsokha (lake) i.e. Base Camp of Jichu-Drake. During the excursion hundreds of Blue Sheep, Musk Deer could be seen. Tsokha is at 4500 m. and the hike is about 4-5 hours.

Day 9 Lingshi - Shodu
Trek Day 7 : Distance 22 kms and walking time 8-9 hours.
Starting at Lingshi (4010m) and camp at Shodu (4110m)The first half of the trek is mostly through treeless valley until you start ascending to Yeli-la pass at 4820 m, from here Mt. Jumolhari, Mt. Tsherimgang and Mt. Masagang can be seen on clear days. Camp in a meadow.

Day 10 Shodu - Barshong
Trek Day 8 : Distance 16 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Shodu (4110m) and camp at Barshong (3680 m) Todays trial winds up and down following the Thimphu Chhu and crossing it six times. A final climb for about an hour walk will bring you to Barshong. Camp just below the ruins of a small Dzong.

Day 11 Barshong - Dolam Kencho
Trek Day 9 : Distance 15 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Barshong (3680m) and camp at Dolam Kencho (3430m) The trial descends gently down to meet Thimphu Chhu through the dense forest of Rhododendron, birch, conifer trees and across the pasture land. Camp in a meadow

DAY 12 Dolam Kencho - Thimphu
Trek Day 10 End of Trek :Distance 8 km and walking time 3 hours
Starting at Dolam Kencho (3430m) and end of trek at Dodina (2600m). Today is an easy 3 hour descend till Dodina where your vehicle will meet you. It is a 30 minute drive to Thimphu.

DAY 13 Thimphu - sightseeing - Paro
Morning start the sightseeing with Zelukha Nunnery, National Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro enroute visit to Simtokha Dzong the first fort built in 1627-29 by Shabdrung who unified the Kingdom and continue the journey following the Thimphu river till Chuzom (Confluence) and taking the direction toward Paro following Pa-chu for 2 hours.

DAY 14 Farewell and Departure