Bhutan Chomolhari Trekking

After the flight and getting refreshed in respective hotels, a rendezvous in Kathmandu with other members for trip orientation, where our guide/leader will inform and brief regarding the journey to Bhutan, hotels, do and don’ts with evening group dinner.

The morning after breakfast as time set for the sightseeing tour, our city guide will lead you for a few hours on our fascinating heritage and cultural tour around places of interest, a tour of holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, old historical Palaces, courtyard; and then back to the hotel after the wonderful tour, afternoon free for individual activities and preparation for Bhutan trip.

Depart from the hotel in Kathmandu for a scenic flight to Paro in Bhutan, during the flight, breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other Himalayan mountains with sacred Jhumolhari & Jichu Drake peaks of Bhutan. On reaching at Paro Bhutan’s only airport, after the immigration process and formalities, our native Bhutanese guide will receive you and then a short drive to respective hotels in Paro, afternoon free for a short walk around this interesting town.

On the first night on Bhutan soil flying in Druk Air, after breakfast drive to Drugyel Dzong (fort), a ruined fortress that once defended Paro valley from Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burnt shell, was a strategic point of Bhutan’s defense against Tibetan invasion, from here stunning views of Jhumolhari 7,326 meters peak, on the way back visit of National Museum, after lunch a half-day excursion to famous Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest /Den) perched on a high rock cliff with excellent views of Paro valley below.

After breakfast, drive up to Drugyel Dzong where the motor road ends and the trek begins following the Pa Chu River gently uphill through a narrowing valley, as the walk leads through smaller farm villages and hamlets to reach Shana for first overnight in tents, with camping facilities of kitchen unit of cook, staff, and guides, camp is set just near Bhutanese Army Post.

After a first overnight night in tents, morning breakfast served by our camping chef, and then starting the walk with a climb through a river valley and then it narrows and closes in, as the path winds up and down along the waterways, and finally ending the day walk at Soi Thankthangka for an overnight camp in a nice grassy meadow, where there is a stone hut built for trekkers.

The morning trek starts with a climb up over the Pa Chu River, passing a small Army post where the valley widens again with beautiful views of the high hills and ridges, snow-capped peaks all around this valley with Yaks grazing around the meadows, and yak herders’ camp. Overnight camp on the nice grassy pasture fields with amazing views that surrounds this small place at Jangothang at 4,040 meters high.

Today, a rest and free day for energetic people options for short hike up to Tsophu hill top with views of Jhumolhari peak and its adjoining peaks towards west with Mt. Jichu Drake on the north, which is an unclimbed peak.

After a wonderful stop at Jangothang, the morning starts with an uphill climb towards a wide Yak summer pasture field and then heading downhill passing some Yak herders/nomad’s camps with shelter and tents made from Yak Hair depending upon the time of the season, the walk continues with super views of Lingshi Dzong as the trail leads to a descend at Lingshi basin looking at Tserim Gang glaciers at the north end of the valley. Overnight stop in a stone shelter built for trekkers the place has a fire pit and you can sleep on a wooden floor or in tents.

Another leisure day, morning an optional hike to Tshokha (lake) which is a base camp of Mt. Jichu Drake, around this area chance of seeing herds of Blue Sheep and Musk Deers as per the season of the trek, walk leads to a high hill where the tree lines disappears for bushes of azalea (dwarf rhododendron) and juniper with breathtaking vista of surrounding sceneries of snow clad peaks, rolling hills and valley, after a wonderful moment descend back to Lingshi for overnight.

From here onwards return journey as walk leads uphill at Yalila Pass 4,820 m with close views of Mt. Jhumolhari along with Tserim Kang and Masagang peaks, after reaching the top catching outstanding views, and then heading to a long descend reaching in Shodu fo overnight stop by the wide grazing pasture and alpine woodland.

After a lovely morning, a walk follows Thimphu Chu River then into a thick forest of Rhododendrons, pine, and fir tree lines overlooking beautiful cascading waterfalls, the trail narrows and closes in, and then it widens up and down along the waterway, an end of this walk leads to an ascend to ruins of old Barshong Dzong, overnight camp is pitched below the ruined Dzong with a stone shelter.

Upon leaving this beautiful forested area, as our route to Thimphu descends to reach Thimphu River again, and then following a gradual path into forested area full of rhododendrons trees, after some rest in between before an uphill climb to a summer pastureland, as the tail ascends leading to nice camping spot over a wide grassy meadow, afternoon fee to relax and marvel the views.

Today is the last of this wonderful trekking, as our morning walk leads to an uphill reaching a small pass with super views of surrounding hills and snow-capped peaks, from here trail winds up and down along the waterway on the walk might come across some wild animals, such as Languor and other mammals with exotic bird life. After a great walk reaching a small farm village in Dodina, from here our trek concludes with a drive back to civilization to Thimpu in the comfort of nice hotels.

In Thimphu, leisure morning with sightseeing tour at places of interest around this small Himalayan kingdom, with time for souvenir shopping, a tour of the local market and Handicraft Development Center, and an afternoon visit to Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery.

Last day in Bhutan, early morning drive towards Paro airport on reaching the terminal goodbye to guides, drivers, and the Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan, after going through visa and passport process a scenic flight back to Kathmandu or to another destination. On reaching Kathmandu Tribhuvan international airport, transfer to respective hotels back into the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu

Today, my last day in Nepal with great memories of the Bhutan Jumolhari / Chomolari Tour & Treks and being in amazing Nepal, transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to next port of call.