Jomolhari Trek

Paro

Upon arrival, the entry formalities and the receipt of your luggage, you will be met by our local White Umbrella staff. Through the beautiful Paro Valley, we will head to your first hotel.

Overnight in Paro.

(Altitude Paro: 2,300 m)

Taktsang monastery

Today we walk to the famous Taktsang Monastery, also called "Tiger Nest", which was spectacularly built on a promontory so that it seems to be embedded in the rocks a few hundred meters above the Paro Valley. Legend has it that the holy Tibetan Buddhist Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayan Mountains on the back of a tiger and landed here to bring Buddhism to Bhutan. The way to the monastery leads through beautiful pine forests and back through beautiful groves with colorful, waving prayer flags. This place is one of the most beloved places of pilgrimage in the country and it comes as no surprise that the monks at Taktsang Monastery chose it to meditate for the rest of their lives.

On the way back we follow another path, down through a beautiful, original oak forest with rhododendron bushes and dense Lousiana moss, which is also called "fairy hair" because of its hanging growth.

Overnight in Paro.

Paro - Shana

We drive from the hotel by car to Drugyel Dzong, where our trek begins. The path follows a river and rises gently through the narrowing valley and agricultural fields. We will spend the night in a camp just behind an outpost of the Bhutanese army (altitude 2,850 m).

Shana - Soi Thangthangkha

After breakfast we will continue trekking today. The path continues to follow the riverbed. The valley becomes very narrow and the path continues in serpentine lanes. This section is always downhill. The night camp is located in a meadow (altitude: 3,630 m).

Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang

Although this is not a very long section, it is quite exhausting because it is sometimes a bit steeper. The trail goes up behind the camp and through an outpost of the military at 3,730m. Then we cross a wooden bridge that leads over a fast flowing river. A short climb then leads to a small chorten, a Buddhist relic shrine built to a narrow degree. Afterwards, the valley opens again and the view becomes clear on a wonderful mountain panorama with snow-capped mountain peaks. Yak herds characterize the landscape, which also has its winter quarters here. The camp for the night is located in front of the ruins of an old fortress (height: 4,090 m), at the foot of Jumolhari, the sacred mountain of Bhutan.

Jangothang

Hike to the beautiful Tsophu Lake. Alternatively, we can also choose from various trails, which depart here in three different directions. The Jumolhari and its adjacent mountain ranges are to the west, the Jitchu Drake, an impressive, pyramid-shaped mountain with two peaks, in the north and countless mountain peaks in the east. Overnight stay at the camp again.

Jangothang - Lingshi

Hike through wide yak pastures and grandiose passes. We cross the Nyele-La Pass at 4,900 m and then descend to the Lingshi Basin, where you have a stunning view of the mighty monastery Lingshi-Dzong in good weather. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers tower in the north. Overnight stay is optional in a stone hut or a tent (altitude: 4,010 m).

Lingshi - Shodu

The path leads up to the Yali-La Pass at an altitude of 4,820 m. From the pass you have a clear view on the mountains Jumolhari and Tsarim Gang on clear days. The hike from the pass to the camp in Shodu (altitude: 4,100 m) goes steeply downhill. As in the night before, you can choose between a stone hut or a tent.

Shodu - Barshong

The trail follows the Thim-Chu River through rhododendron forests. Along the way you can always see beautiful waterfalls. The valley narrows and continues in serpentines up to the ruins of Barshong Dzong, an old monastery castle at about 3.700 m altitude. You can stay overnight again in a stone hut or a tent.

Barshong - Dolam Kencho

The path continues downhill, again we go through dense rhododendron forests and then reach the river Thim-Chu once more. After that, it rises again and leads through country and pastures. Gecampt is in the tent in a meadow that night.

Dolam Kencho - Thimphu

The path leads through beautiful coniferous forests up to a pass at 3,510 m altitude. From here it goes back down to the river, which we follow to the south. We cross the river coming to the road that leads to Ghari Goemba. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu tonight.

(Altitude Thimphu: 2,600 m)

Thimphu

Visit Tashichho Dzong - the main administration building of Bhutan, from where the country is governed. The head abbot of monasteries in Bhutan and the monks have their summer residence here. Visit the painting and woodwork schools, where traditional painting and other arts are kept alive. We also offer a guided visit to the National Library, where you can admire the ancient manuscripts exhibited here. Then we visit the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in Bhutan. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 AD and houses the largest monastery school in the country. In the evening we take a walk to the Memorial Choerten.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu-Paro

Enjoy the day with a visit to Paro. We visit the National Museum Ta Dzong. The museum houses many relics, works of art and handicrafts, providing a very good insight into Bhutan's historical and cultural past.

Subsequently visit of Rinpong Dzong. Dzongs are large monastery castles and serve as administrative offices for the individual districts in Bhutan. Rinpong Dzong depicts the life of the great saint Milarepa. Milarepa is considered by the Bhutanese to be a master of meditation and is credited with attaining enlightenment during his lifetime. Then we cross the beautiful wooden swing bridge, one of the most famous traditional bridges in Bhutan, which is still used today.

Overnight in Paro.

(Altitude Paro: 2,300 m)

Departure

Depending on the departure time you still have time to explore Paro. Then drive to the airport and say goodbye.