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Snow-covered peaks of the Bhutan Himalayas under a clear blue sky

Private journey · Himalayan trek

Mighty Jomolhari Trek: Eleven days beneath the Bride of Kangchenjunga

Seven days on trail from Paro to Thimphu, over Nyele La and Yeli La, with Jomolhari and Jichu Drake on the horizon.

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11 days / 10 nights◆Paro · Thangthangka · Jangothang · Lingzhi · Shodu · Thimphu◆From USD 4,700 pp

In brief

The Jomolhari trek is an 11-day private trip with seven days on trail from Paro to Thimphu, camping beneath Mount Jomolhari (7,326 m) and crossing passes up to 4,820 m, with a full camping crew, from USD 4,700 per person.

The journey

Trekking in Bhutan, in the shadow of Jomolhari

Bhutan's long isolation has preserved traditional lifestyles and cultures in this part of the Himalayas. Something must be different in a country that puts happiness ahead of capitalism. The best trekking months are March to May, and September and October.

The Jomolhari trek is one of the most popular in Bhutan, drawing walkers for its spectacular views of Mount Jomolhari (7,326 m). Straddling the border with Tibet, Jomolhari is sometimes called the Bride of Kangchenjunga, and is famous for its northern face, which rises abruptly from the highlands with a vertical relief of 2,700 metres.

If you can, time your trek with the Jomolhari Mountain Festival, an annual celebration of the culture of the small villages at the foot of the mountain, whose dates change from year to year.

For trekkers

Your trek crew

A challenging trek for experienced, fit walkers. Not advised for those with circulatory, cardiac or respiratory conditions. The trek is fully supported, so you walk with a day pack only.

Guide

A professional, multi-lingual guide leads every day on the trail.

Cook

A cook and camping assistant make your stay comfortable and easy.

Horsemen

Horsemen and their ponies carry your gear between camps.

Best months

March to May, and September and October.

7

Days on trail

4,820 m

Highest pass (Yeli La)

7,326 m

Mount Jomolhari

3,120 m

Acclimatisation hike

Overview

Your journey at a glance

01Paro: Arrive ParoParo (hotel)02Paro: Tiger's Nest acclimatisation hike4–5 hrs · Paro (hotel)03via Shana: Paro to Thangthangka22 km · 6–8 hrs · Camp04Pa Chhu river: Thangthangka to Jangothang17 km · 3 hrs · Camp05via Nyele La 4,700 m: Jangothang to Lingzhi6–7 hrs · Camp06via Yeli La 4,820 m: Lingzhi to Shodu7–8 hrs · Camp073,720 m: Shodu to BarshongCamp083,290 m: Barshong to Dolam KenchoCamp097 km: Dolam Kencho to Thimphu7 km · 3 hrs · Thimphu (hotel)10Thimphu: Thimphu sightseeingThimphu (hotel)11Paro → Departure: Departure

Hotels in Paro and Thimphu, and full-service luxury camping on the trek. Upgrades are available on request.

Route & season

Where you'll go, and when

N25 km123456
Paro → Thangthangka → Jangothang → Lingzhi → Shodu → Thimphu

Best time for this tour

April–June · mid-September–mid-November

Gold marks the best months. Thinking of another time of year? Ask us what's possible.

The stops

  1. 01Paro2 nights
  2. 02Thangthangka
  3. 03Jangothang
  4. 04Lingzhi
  5. 05Shodu
  6. 06Thimphu2 nights
Trekking tents beside a glacial river beneath snow-capped peaks in northern Bhutan

A country that puts happiness ahead of capitalism, and a mountain that rises 2,700 metres from the highlands.

Day by day

Your days, one by one

Arrive Paro
01Day one · Paro

Arrive Paro

Fly into the Paro valley on one of the national carriers, with glorious views of the snow-capped Himalayas. The steep descent into Paro is an awe-inspiring beginning to an adventure of a lifetime. After visa formalities and collecting your baggage, a representative from Lucky Dragon Tours & Treks welcomes you.

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The charming valley of Paro holds both the ancient and the modern face of Bhutan, and some of its oldest and most revered temples. Today you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the National Museum and Paro's beautiful dzong, and enjoy your first Bhutanese meal.

Overnight · Paro (hotel)

A hotel in Paro.

Tiger's Nest acclimatisation hike
Hike · 4–5 hrs
02Day two · Paro Taktsang

Tiger's Nest acclimatisation hike

To acclimatise for the trek, today we hike to the Tiger's Nest monastery at 3,120 metres, so your body can adjust to the altitude before the trail begins tomorrow.

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An hour's climb brings you to the cafeteria, for a cup of tea and the first stunning view of the monastery on its cliff, the rocks hung with prayer flags. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew here from eastern Bhutan on a tigress and meditated in a cave on this cliff, bringing Buddhist teachings with him; it is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. Lunch is served at the cafeteria on the way back.

Overnight · Paro (hotel)

A hotel in Paro.

Paro to Thangthangka
22 km · 6–8 hrs
03Day three · The trek begins

Paro to Thangthangka

An early drive from the hotel to Shana, where the trail begins, following the river through heavily forested country with a few isolated farmhouses. As we climb, the valley grows narrower, wilder and steeper, and the trail winds up and down along the river.

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We pass a junction where another path leads over the Tremo La to Tibet, the old trading route of the Bhutanese, and cross several traditional wooden bridges before reaching Thangthangka. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter, and in good weather Mount Jomolhari appears for the first time.

Overnight · Camp

Thangthangka, in a meadow with a stone shelter.

Thangthangka to Jangothang
17 km
04Day four · Thangthangka to Jangothang

Thangthangka to Jangothang

The path climbs for a while to the army camp, then follows the river above the tree line, with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder's camp.

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A short walk into the valley brings us to camp at Jangothang, where the views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.

Overnight · Camp

Jangothang, beneath Jomolhari.

Jangothang to Lingzhi
Over Nyele La
05Day five · Jangothang to Lingzhi

Jangothang to Lingzhi

The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses to the right bank, then climbs to the first ridge, with breathtaking views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang.

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A fairly level valley floor leads to the climb to Nyele La (4,700 m). From the pass we descend gradually to camp at Lingzhi, with panoramic views of the peaks and Lingzhi Dzong as we walk.

Overnight · Camp

Lingzhi.

Lingzhi to Shodu
Over Yeli La
06Day six · Lingzhi to Shodu

Lingzhi to Shodu

The first half of the day crosses a mostly treeless valley before the climb to Yeli La. On a clear day you can see Jomolhari, Tserimgang and Masagang. Nomads travelling between Lingzhi and Thimphu use this pass, so the trail is well marked.

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The descent joins the Jaradinthang Chhu, which later becomes the Thimphu Chhu. At 4,150 metres a chorten marks where the trail turns east along the river, and camp is at Shodu, just after a sandy slope.

Overnight · Camp

Shodu.

250 m up · 670 m down

07Day seven · Shodu to Barshong

Shodu to Barshong

Today's trail winds up and down along the Thimphu Chhu through a limestone valley, where monks use the caves for meditation; the Shabdrung is said to have meditated among these rocks when he fled Tibet in the 17th century.

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Along the way, giant rock faces and waterfalls, then a gradual 130-metre climb to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Barshong is a small village of half a dozen houses.

Overnight · Camp

Barshong.

08Day eight · Barshong to Dolam Kencho

Barshong to Dolam Kencho

A day of ups and downs and small stream crossings. Where the trail splits, the right-hand path descends to tonight's campsite at Dolam Kencho.

Overnight · Camp

Dolam Kencho, the last night on the trail.

Dolam Kencho to Thimphu
7 km · 3 hrs
09Day nine · Dolam Kencho to Thimphu

Dolam Kencho to Thimphu

An easy walk with small ups and downs, then a few short, steep switchbacks down a cliff before the last stretch to Dodina. The trail descends through bamboo forest, following the mule trail high above the river, to Dodina, where your vehicle meets you for the half-hour drive to Thimphu.

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Thimphu, the modern capital, has a population of about 98,500, a town of just a few lines of shops and the only capital in the world without traffic lights.

Overnight · Thimphu (hotel)

A hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu sightseeing
10Day ten · Thimphu

Thimphu sightseeing

Thimphu combines a natural small-town feel with a new commercial exuberance, with cafés, bars and restaurants; finding a balance between the esoteric and espresso is the key to enjoying it.

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Today you visit the tallest sitting Buddha, Buddha Dordenma, the Textile Museum, the school of the thirteen arts and crafts and the Takin Preserve, and celebrate the trek with a Bhutanese dinner and a cultural performance.

Overnight · Thimphu (hotel)

A hotel in Thimphu.

Departure
11Day eleven · Departure

Departure

After breakfast, the team from Lucky Dragon Tours & Treks bids you a fond farewell from the magical kingdom, and you depart from Paro airport full of Bhutanese nostalgia.

Thank you. Kadrin chhey.

Price and inclusions

What's included

From USD 4,700 per person

5-star hotels on non-trek nights5-star hotels on non-trek nightsIncluded
Licensed English-speaking guideLicensed English-speaking guideIncluded
Full luxury campingFull luxury camping: horsemen, chef & camp assistantsIncluded
All mealsAll mealsIncluded
Private SUV & driverPrivate SUV & driverIncluded
All permits & government taxesAll permits & government taxesIncluded
Bhutan visa feesBhutan visa feesIncluded
Sustainable Development FeeSustainable Development Fee (SDF)Included

Not included

International & domestic air tickets · Travel insurance · Gratuities · Personal trekking gear

Every element of this journey is private and can be adjusted to suit you.

Plan this journey

Terms

Good to know

Cancellation and refund

Notice of cancellation must be received in writing. Airfare cancellation follows airline policy.

Notice before departureCancellation fee
90+ daysno charge
60–89 daysUSD 150 admin fee
45–59 days20%
30–44 days50%
20–29 days80%
under 20 days100% of the land cost (airline and hotel charges follow their own policies)

We would far rather move your dates than lose your journey. If plans change, write to us early and we will do what we can.

Questions about this journey

Your questions, answered

Still wondering about something? Ask our Thimphu team directly. We're happy to help.

Ask us on WhatsApp

Jomolhari (7,326 m) stands on the Bhutan–Tibet border at the head of the Paro valley, inside Jigme Dorji National Park. The trek camps beneath its face at Jangothang, at about 4,000 m.

Challenging: seven trekking days with stages of up to 22 km and two high passes, Nyele La (4,700 m) and Yeli La (4,820 m). It suits fit, experienced walkers; the Tiger's Nest hike on day 2 helps you acclimatise.

The Snowman Trek, around 25 days through remote Lunana with several passes above 5,000 m, is widely considered the hardest. The Jomolhari trek is the classic high-altitude choice for most trekkers.

A full camping crew (horsemen, chef and camp assistants), all meals, permits, a licensed guide, 5-star hotels on non-trek nights and the Bhutan visa fee.

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Kadrin chhey

Thank you, beyond the earth and sky.

Every journey we create is private and shaped around you. Tell us your dates and what you'd love to see, and our team in Thimphu will send a day-by-day plan and quote.

WhatsApp +975 77493458

Lucky Dragon Tours & Treks · Crafting journeys beyond the ordinary

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