Jomolhari Trek – 11 days

The Jomolhari Trek encircles around Paro and Thimphu while touching the most rural settings in Bhutan. The trip sets its bar high from the time you set foot in the beautiful Paro Valley. On the first day of your arrival, you get a chance to intermingle with the lovely Bhutanese people as you walk the streets of Paro.

No trek to the Land of Thunder Dragon can complete without a visit to the most popular landmark, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, built in 1684. The trip not just gives you a chance to visit the Monastery sitting on the edge of the misty cliff but also introduces you to the legend of Guru Rimpoche. Not just a place of worship, the monastery is also a popular tourist destination in the present day. You can watch the monks engaging in meditation and continuing with their day-to-day chores.

The actual trek starts from a walk past the Drukgyal Dzong at Paro. The trail allows you to walk through the terrace and millet fields alongside the Pachu river and the apple orchards to Gunitsawa and eventually to Shana. Most of the campsites from hereon are nestled in between pine forests. The trek gets even more interesting and challenging as you head to Thangthangkha at 3750m, a sudden altitude change. The main highlights of this day are entirely the views of one of the highest mountains in the world, Jomolhari mountain (7326m/24,035ft), that first come to sight in this trek. This is one of the biggest attractions of the trek.

Thereon, the major attraction as you pass from Thangthangkha to Jangothang is the small villages of Sio, Takethang, and Dangochang. It is amazing to witness the way of life in those rural areas. You might even spot some fairly rare species of birds along the way. The next day is allocated for acclimatization. However, you can enjoy the nearby natural beauty by hike further upwards to get an even clear view of the surrounding Himalayas.

After one day of acclimatization and sightseeing of the nearby area in the campsite at Jangothang Base Camp, the trek passes through glacial moraine on the next day. As you move on, the panoramic views of Jichu Drake, Jomolhari, and Tshering Gang never leave your sight. This day is marked special as you cross the first high pass of the Jomolhari trek, Nylie La pass, at the altitude of 4830m. Reaching Lingshi campsite offers you a chance to view the Lingshi Dzong, housing the office of Drungpa.

From the serenity of Lingshi, the trail the next day leads to Shodu through the Mo Chhu valley. This day marks a special one as the trail reaches the second-high pass of Yeli La at4820m. You will feel a sense of joy to have successfully crossed the high pass with the strong cold mountain wind blowing all over you. After this triumph, the walk continues to Jimenameshing, followed by the campsite at Shodu.

Walking alongside the Wang Chhu river throughout the day gives you a sense of peace and serenity. Crossing wooden bridges, the trail takes a halt at Barshong campsite. The highlight of the trek is the ruins of the Barshong monastery, which is claimed to have been built around the time of Zhabdrung. Next on the trail is Dolam Kencho which is open pasture land. The journey towards Kencho is an interesting one as you walk through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch, and conifers. The Wang Chuu river stays a companion as you eventually reach your campsite.

As the trekking days gradually come to an end, the final attraction is most certainly the amazing sight of Langur monkeys hanging on the trees on the way towards the exit point of Jigme Dorji National Park, Dodena. The trek ends at Dodena, and a ride takes you to Thimphu, the economic center of Bhutan, where you spend a lovely evening strolling around the streets.

The entire trekking experience gives you a sense of gratification towards Bhutan for offering an experience of a lifetime. Nowhere in the world can you find this mystic, adventurous, and naturally rich place to explore. From Good Karma Trekking.