Embark on a 12-day Jomolhari Trekking & Mountain Festival Tour in Bhutan. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Jomolhari Loop Trek and immerse yourself in the unique culture of Bhutan.
Arrive Paro International Airport & Sightseeing in Paro (2200m)
National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་། - Our guide and driver will receive you at Paro International Airport and then escort you on your first adventure in the Kingdom of Bhutan sometimes known as “The Last Shangri-La” to the outside world. You’ll begin by visiting National Museum to get a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions and history of Bhutan, visit 17th-century Paro Rinpung Dzong which now serves as the office of governor and head clergy of the Paro district.
From there, we walk to the beautiful traditional wooden cantilever bridge just below the Dzong. Later in the evening, visit an auspicious and one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan Kind Songtsen Gampo. We conclude the day exploring Paro town.
Hike to the famed Takstang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) / Transfer to the capital city Thimphu (2334m)
Paro Taktsang - After an early breakfast, we hike to the iconic Paro Taktsang popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. The round trip hike takes 4-5 hours but you can hike at your own pace. We recommend starting early. Oneway horse riding is available on your way up to the mid-point (Taktsang Cafeteria) for about USD20. Horse riding is not recommended on your way down.
After lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria, we return to the base and drive to the capital city Thimphu. En route, visit Tamchog Lhakhang, the 15th-century private temple accessible after crossing the iron bridge built by the Tibetan scholar Thangtong Gyalpo to whom this temple is dedicated.
Arriving Thimphu, visit Changlimithang Archery Range and witness the archery game if the match is in progress. You will see archers showing off their Robin Hood skills dancing and singing each time the target is hit from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.
The driving distance between Paro and Thimphu is 55km and takes 1.5 hours.
Sightseeing in Thimphu / Transfer to Paro (2200m)
Buddha Dordenma Statue སྟོན་པ་རྡོར་གདན་མ། - Today, you’ll visit the tallest sitting Buddha statue located at Kuensel Phodrang overlooking Thimphu valley. Optionally, do a 2-hour leisurely hike from Kuensel Phodrang to Changangkha Lhakhang with a grand view of Thimphu valley. It is relatively a short hiking trail through sparsely populated pine trees offering a perfect opportunity for families and nature lovers to spend their leisure time. At the end of the hike, visit the 12th-century national treasure, Changangkha Lhakhang.
Paro / Transfer to the first campsite Shana Zampa (2850m)
Shana Zampa / Camp at Thangthangka (3610m)
Thang Thangka / Camp at Jomolhari Basecamp Jangothang (4080m)
Halt at Jangothang witnessing Mountain Festival
Halt at Jangothang - Nature Hike & Festival
Jangothang / Camp at Soe Yaksa (3800m)
Soe Yaksa / Camp at Thongbu Shong (4180m)
Thongbu Shong / Gunitsawa Village / Transfer to Paro (2200m)
Paro - Crossing Thongbu La pass (4,380m) you will finally reach Gunitsawa village where your driver will be waiting for you. This is the point where your trekking staff will bid you farewell. We will then drive to Paro.
Distance: 13km, Time 4-5 Hours, Ascent: 200m, Descent: 650m, Paro Altitude: 2200m/7220ft
Transfer to Paro International Airport for Departure
Paro International Airport - After breakfast, depending on your flight departure time you will be transferred to the Paro International Airport for your onward journey
- All internal taxes for the services listed
- Porters & Ponies
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and light snacks
- Sleeping bag liner
- Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide
- 1 night accommodations at a local farmhouse
- 7 nights full-service outdoor camping
- Medical treatment at a hospital in Bhutan for injuries
- All ground transportation including airport transfers
- 3 nights at 3-star hotels certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan
- Entry fee for National Museum and trekking permit
- Visa Fee & Processing with e-Visa delivery in 4-5 business days
- Travel insurance is mandatory for trekking adventures.
- International flights. Let us know if you need help with arranging flights to and from Bhutan.
- Emergency evacuation
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges
- Sleeping bag & travel pillow
- Tips to guide and driver
- Any other personal expenses
- All Entry fees except for National Museum
The Jomolhari Mountain Festival is a yearly event that falls on the 14th and 15th of October. Hence, it’s recommended to plan your arrival in Bhutan for the 8th October.
The trek offers a varied altitude between 2,500m to around 5,000m and exposes you to unspoiled forests that are the habitat for numerous threatened species of flora and fauna. You’ll experience a variety of breathtaking landscapes with clear rivers winding through idyllic gorges, creating a magical journey that every hiking enthusiast should witness.
The Jomolhari Loop Trek is Bhutan’s most preferred hike. This week-long journey from the fourth to the tenth day features a remarkable view of Mount Jomolhari from the Jomolhari Basecamp (Jangothang) and allows you to mingle with semi-nomadic yak herders. If you prefer to skip high-altitude climbing and challenging passes, there’s a less strenuous variant of the Jomolhari Loop. This involves retracing the trek from Jangothang (refer Day 8, 9, 10) whilst still boasting the impressive sights of Mount Jomolhari.
- A minimum of 2 participants are required to run this tour and can be run on a private basis.
- We highly recommend booking at least a few months before the departure date so that we have enough time to ensure the flights are available. If you already have flight tickets to and from Bhutan, we can take bookings up to two weeks before the departure date. To process visa, it only takes 4-5 business days.
- There are only two airlines that connect Bhutan with the outside world and so securing air tickets can be difficult especially during the months of high season. Currently, Bhutan is connected with these cities - Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore. We recommend you to book your international flights few months in advance especially if you plan to visit during the high season months of March to May and September to November. If you need help in arranging flights to/from Bhutan, please let us know much in advance.
- After you book the tour, kindly send us clear passports copies of all the participants. A biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. Passports should have a minimum of 6 MONTHS validity from the day you depart from Bhutan. You may also want to check the passport requirements by your next destination country after Bhutan. A copy of your e-Visa will be emailed to you once it is approved. It only takes 4-5 business days to get visa approval and it is 100 percent guaranteed as long as we receive clear passport copies of all the participants. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival. Send the passport copies to the Local Supplier E-mail address.
- Youth 18 years old MUST send us a copy of their valid Student Photo ID Card/Document to keep the discounted price. Without a copy of valid Student Photo ID Card/document, the full adult price will apply. Youth MUST also be accompanied by at least one full-paying adult.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
