Jomolhari Mountain Festival

Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro (2280m)

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival gate. Today, we will make you acclimatize to the altitude.  After checking in at your hotel and taking a respite for a while, we will visit the National Museum (the best start to know about the culture, history, people, and biodiversity of Bhutan).
Then, visit Paro Dzong (fortress) built in the 17th century which now houses the administrative and monastic bodies of the Paro district. In the evening, have a stroll around the town’s main street.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Hike to Taktshang(Tiger Nest)

After breakfast, we hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 2900 meters above sea level. In the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley.
Afternoon, you can visit Kyichu monastery, one of the oldest temples of Bhutan said to have been built in the 7th Century.

Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Paro to Sharna Zampa
(17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 2870M)

You will drive 12km north of Paro valley from your hotel to the historic Drugyal Dzong ruins at 2,580m, from where your trek starts. Your trekking crew will be waiting here for you. After a brief meeting, you will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Pachhu (river), which then climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Soon the valley widens and the route enters an area of apple orchards, traditional farmhouses, and the tiny settlements of Mitshi Zampa and Sangathan. You reach the army post of Gunitsawa at 2,810 after walking for a while through the blue pine forest. Here your trekking permit will be checked and stamped. This is the last stop before Tibet and the border close to it. You will then cross the Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa at 2,870m. Just beyond Shana Zampa, there are several meadows surrounded by trees where you will camp for tonight.

Day 4: Sharna – Thangthangkha

Distance 22 km, 6-7 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent, camp altitude 3,610 m.
After breakfast, drive to Sharna.
On this long day hike, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path that descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. We will have a great view of Mt. Jhomolhari from the campsite.

Day 5: Thangthangkha – Jangothang

Distance 19 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent, camp altitude 4,080 m.
If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, we will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growth of the forest. We will cross an army check post along the way before we reach a village of Soe, Takethang, and Jangothang. We will camp at Jangothang (Jhomolhari base camp) with a spectacular view of Mt.Jhomolhari(7314m).

Day 6-7: Festival Days

The festival will be held at Dangojang. It will begin will Marching Ceremony, followed by a welcome song and dance by a group of performers. After the formal opening of the stall by the chief guest, yaks and horses will be put for show. Competitions such as horse races, shot-put, and dart throwing will begin after lunch. During these days, you will be kept busy with songs and dances and different competitions.

Day 8: Jangothang – Lingshi/Chershithang

Distance 18 km, 6-7 hours, 840 m ascent, 870 m descent, camp altitude 4,010 m.
A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m, from where we can see most of the Himalayan snow-capped peaks. We can also get a great view of Tsheringma/Tserimgang(6500m) next to Jichu Drakey. While on the climb we might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of mountains and marmot spying on us near their holes at certain times of the year. We can also see some yak herders’ camps along the trail as we descend to the Lingshi Army check post. We will climb for a few minutes on the slope of the mountain and descend to the campsite by the side of the river.

Day 9: Chershithang – Shodu

Distance 22km, eight to nine hours, 940m ascent, 920m descent, camp altitude 4,080m.
The trail follows the stream and climbs up to the Yella pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, on a clear day, you will get an excellent view of Jumolhari, Tserimgang, and Masanggang. The trek from the pass to the campsite at Shodu is steep downhill.

Day 10: Shodu – Barshong

Distance 16km, five to six hours, 250m ascent, 670m descent, camp altitude 3,710m.
The trail follows the Thimphu Chhu through rhododendron forests, past beautiful waterfalls along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. We will camp near the Dzong.

Day 11: Barshong –Dodena/Thimphu

Distance 15km, five to six hours.

The trail descends to the Thimphu Chhu river valley, through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples, and bamboo, and then ascends to pasture lands.
The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. At Dodena, you will exit the Jigme Dorji National Park and reach the road ahead next to an impressive cantilever bridge. Then we will drive about 30 minutes to the capital city.
If time permits we will visit Tashichhodzong (fortress of the glorious religion) which houses His Majesty the King’s office and the central monk body. In the evening we will stroll around the main street of Thimphu.

Overnight at the hotel, Thimphu.

Day 12: Depart, Thimphu -Paro

Drive 1hr, 55km
Today after breakfast, we will drive to Paro Airport and our guide will bid you farewell at the Airport. We hope that you had a wonderful journey with us.

• Bhutan Royalties, tourist fees, Visa fees, and taxes.
• Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
• All meals, including evening tea/coffee, etc throughout the trip.
• All land transfers, and sightseeing with entrance fees.
• Experienced Culture Tour Guide.
• Bottled water in the vehicle and other camp services.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights in and out of Bhutan.
• Travel insurance, Drink, Visa fees, Laundry