The Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan offers a truly exhilarating journey through the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, combining awe-inspiring natural beauty with rich cultural experiences. This trek is renowned as one of the most enchanting adventure treks in Bhutan, taking you through diverse landscapes and offering breathtaking views of Bhutan’s sacred peaks.
Your adventure begins with an acclimatization hike to t...
The Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan offers a truly exhilarating journey through the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, combining awe-inspiring natural beauty with rich cultural experiences. This trek is renowned as one of the most enchanting adventure treks in Bhutan, taking you through diverse landscapes and offering breathtaking views of Bhutan’s sacred peaks.
Your adventure begins with an acclimatization hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang), perched dramatically on a cliffside, providing a perfect introduction to Bhutan's cultural and spiritual essence. The trekking portion starts from the historic Drukgyel Dzong ruins, located north of Paro Valley. For the first three days, the trek follows the Pachhu River Valley, a serene and picturesque route that gradually ascends through lush forests and remote villages until reaching the Jangothang Base Camp at 4,080 meters. Here, you'll be rewarded with stunning, unobstructed views of Mount Jomolhari (7,326m), Bhutan's second-highest mountain and one of the world's highest unclimbed peaks, considered sacred in Bhutanese tradition.
A rest and acclimatization day at Jangothang allows for exploration of nearby ridges, and a short trek to the beautiful twin lakes, offering striking views of the surrounding peaks. This day is essential to prepare for the challenging high-altitude sections of the trek.
The trek continues through high-altitude pastures, following a loose, rocky trail leading to the Nyele La Pass at 4,700 meters, marked by stone cairns and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. From the pass, you descend into the valley, where you'll catch a glimpse of the majestic Lingzhi Dzong, an ancient fortress that once guarded Bhutan’s western borders.
The next challenge comes with crossing the Yalila Pass at 4,942 meters, which offers panoramic vistas of the Himalayan giants, including Mount Jichu Drake (6,989m) and Tsherim Gang (6,789m). After crossing the pass, you will descend gradually along the downstream of the Thimphu Chu River, passing through tranquil landscapes of yak pastures and alpine meadows, until you reach the end of the trek.
Your journey concludes with two days dedicated to exploring Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, visiting the Thimphu and Punakha valleys, where you’ll experience Bhutan’s impressive fortresses, monasteries, and vibrant traditions, before heading back to Paro for your departure.
This remarkable trek offers not only a physical adventure but also a deep connection with Bhutan’s pristine wilderness and spiritual heritage, leaving you with memories of towering snow-capped peaks, remote mountain villages, and the warm hospitality of the Bhutanese people.
- Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
- Trek Duration: 8 Days
- Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
- Max Altitude: 4,942 meters (16,213 feet) at Bhonte La Pass
- Start/End Point: Paro, Bhutan
- Trekking Distance: Approx. 80 kilometers (50 miles)
- Trek Type: Camping trek
- Accommodation: Hotels (in Paro and Thimphu) and fully serviced camps during the trek
- Trek Route: Paro – Shana – Thangthangkha – Jangothang (Base Camp) – Lingshi – Shodu – Barshong – Dolam Kencho – Thimphu
- Average walking distance and hours: 17.5km / 6 hrs
- Climate: The climate varies by altitude. Days are typically sunny and clear in the lower regions, while it can get cold and windy at higher elevations, especially at night. Temperatures in the mountains range from 10°C to -10°C (50°F to 14°F) depending on the season.
- Permits Required: Bhutan Visa, A trekking permit will be arranged by the tour operator
- Meals: Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek, with a mix of Bhutanese and continental cuisine.
- Transportation: Private vehicle for transfers between cities (Paro and Thimphu) and to/from trailheads.
- Best Season: Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)
- Acclimatization hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most iconic cultural sites.
- Trekking through the remote Paro River Valley with lush forests, alpine meadows, and yak herder camps.
- Stunning views of Mount Jomolhari (7,326m), Bhutan's sacred and second-highest peak.
- Crossing two major high passes: Nyele La Pass (4,700m) and Yalila Pass (4,942m).
- Spectacular panoramic views of Himalayan peaks including Jichu Drake and Tsherim Gang.
- Exploration of ancient fortresses such as Lingzhi Dzong.
- Immersive cultural experiences in Thimphu and Punakha valleys.
- Transportation (KTM): Airport pickup and drop in a private vehicle as per group size.
- Member’s Accommodation in Kathmandu: 1 Night 3* Hotel (Twin Shearing) with BB per schedule program and itinerary
- Transportation (Bhutan): Transportation with the best A/C SUV car or Toyota A/C minibus as per group size and scheduled itinerary
- Guide: Highly experienced government-licensed English-speaking Guide during the entire trekking period
- Meals: All 3 meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) and pack lunch during the entire trip and Bottled water in the vehicle.
- Hotel Accommodation: Government-approved 3* or 4* star accommodation on a single or twin-sharing basis as per the scheduled programmed itinerary.
- Entrance Fee: Required necessary monuments Permits, entrance fees, & sightseeing fees mentioned over to itinerary.
- Baggage allowance: Baggage allowance will not be chargeable until 20kg. (NOTE: Baggage more than 20.kg will charge an additional $ 3 per kg which has to be borne by clients).
- Packed Lunch and Mineral Water: During a long journey packed or hot lunch will be served on the way in good Restaurants which will be verified by the Department of Tourism and Mineral Water in the Car.
- Sustainability Development Fee “SDF”: Bhutan Sustainable Development [SDF $ 100] Fee
- Visa Fee: One-time USD 40 visa fee
- Horse / Food supplies: Required necessary Horses to carry trekking and camping equipment as well as the entire Food supplies From-To-From
- Camping Equipment: Required necessary high-quality sleeping Tents VE-25 The North Face, Kailash, Marmot, or similar to that (shearing Basis), Dining, Kitchen & Toilet Tents with necessary kitchen utensils, Tables, chairs, and hot water bags will be provided.
- Trekking chef & assistants: Highly professional Trekking chef & kitchen assistants
- Company S/C and Taxes: XTREME CLIMBERS minimum service charge and VAT / TAX
- Airfare: International flight airfare (from and to Bhutan). Or the Flight fare from Paro to Jaker.
- Extra Night in Kathmandu: Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from Trekking / Expedition (due to any reason) then the scheduled itinerary.
- Insurance: Travel and high altitude insurance, accident, medical & emergency evacuation.
- Personal Expenses: Telephone, Internet, battery recharge, Hot shower, Laundry, any Alcoholic beverages & soft drinks (during the trek and in Kathmandu but we will serve all kinds of beverages for members in base camp), and also Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking /Climbing Gears.
- Personal Camping Equipment: Sleeping bag, sleeping mats & pillows
- Tips: Minimum 10% of the total budget amount as tips for the entire trekking Crew, Driver, and Staff.
- Extra: Any extra expenses arising out of various/unforeseen situations like natural calamities, landslides, political disturbances, strikes, changes in Government regulations, Personal climbing gears or any other services or activities, which are not mentioned in the itinerary or any other item not listed in the “Cost Includes” section.