Embark on an 11-day journey through pristine forests and endangered fauna on the Bhutan Jomolhari Loop Trek. Experience stunning landscapes, interact with yak herders, and marvel at Mount Jomolhari.
Arrive Paro International Airport & Sightseeing in Paro (2200m)
Kyichu Lhakhang - Upon your arrival at Paro, Bhutan’s sole international airport, our guide and driver will greet you and accompany you on your first adventure in the ‘Kingdom of Thunder Dragon’.
As a good omen, you’ll start by visiting Kyichu Lhakhang, just a short drive from Paro’s main town. Kyichu Lhakhang is among Bhutan’s oldest monasteries, believed to have been constructed in 659 A.D. by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo as part of his mission to build 108 temples across the Himalayas to subdue a demoness hindering Buddhism’s spread.
National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་། - Situated above the Rinpung Dzong in Paro, the National Museum of Bhutan was established in 1968. It is housed in the ancient Paro Ta Dzong watchtower, built in 1649. The museum showcases hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks, including traditional costumes, armor, weaponry, and handcrafted daily implements. The collection offers a glimpse into the country’s rich cultural traditions. Following this, we will visit Paro Dzong.
Rinpung Dzong - Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Paro Rinpung Dzong (meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’) serves as the administrative and monastic center of the western region. Today, it houses the office of the Paro district governor and the district monk body. The annual Paro Tsechu festival is held here from the eleventh to the fifteenth day of the second month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar (usually March or April). From the Dzong, we will take a short walk to the traditional wooden cantilever bridge over the Paro river (Pa Chhu). This roofed bridge, built in a traditional style, is called Bazam. Spend some leisure time around Paro town before heading to Paro Village View Homestay for the night.
Acclimatization hike to Taktsang Monastery / Transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
Paro Taktsang - After breakfast, drive to Ramthangka, the base of Taktsang monastery. Perched on an 800-meter rock cliff in Paro, Taktsang monastery is Bhutan’s most popular tourist attraction. The hike to the monastery from the road head takes about 2 hours.
The trail winds through an ancient path shaded by pine trees. After an hour of steep uphill hiking, you’ll reach a cafeteria offering spectacular views of Taktsang monastery and the valley below. One-way horse rides to the midpoint (Taktsang View Point Cafeteria) are available for about USD20, but the journey is best enjoyed on foot.
After lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria, descend back to the base and drive to Thimphu, the capital city.
Buddha Dordenma - This magnificent 169-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha overlooks the Thimphu valley from a hilltop. Built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and to promote world peace, the statue houses over 100,000 8-inch-tall Buddha statues. Construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015. Enjoy some leisure time exploring Thimphu town.
Thimphu / Transfer back to Paro (2200m)
Bhutan Postal Museum - Located in the same building as Bhutan National Bank in the heart of the city, the Bhutan Postal Museum opened in 2015 to showcase the country’s communication and postal system development. The museum features a collection of stamps, First Day Covers, and stamp albums. In October 2017, His Majesty granted several rare philatelic and communication items, providing additional insights into Bhutan’s postal history. The postal service in Bhutan began in 1962 with the opening of a post office in Phuentsholing, a town bordering India. You can also print stamps with your photo.
National Library and Archives of Bhutan - Established in 1967, the National Library of Bhutan preserves and promotes the country’s rich literary, cultural, and religious heritage. The library’s collection of scriptures and documents is a national treasure, offering a fundamental source for Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts, and culture. The library also houses an extensive collection of manuscripts, xylographs, and wooden printing blocks used for printing religious texts.
National Institute for Zorig Chusum - The National Institute of Zorig Chusum was founded to promote and preserve Bhutan’s thirteen traditional arts and crafts and to provide Bhutanese youth with access to Zorig skills. The thirteen arts and crafts include Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmithing), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery, and applique), and Thag Zo (weaving).
Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground - After a traditional lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, we will drive by the Changlimithang Archery Range to watch a game of archery if a match is in progress. Archers celebrate hitting the target from 145 meters away with dancing and singing. Archery is Bhutan’s national sport. We will then drive back to Paro for the night.
[Trek Begins] Paro Drukgyal Dzong / Shana Zampa (2850m)
Shana Zampa / Thangthangka (3610m)
Thang Thanka / Jangothang (4080m)
Halt at Jangothang, Jomolhari Base Camp
Jangothang / Soe Yaksa
Soe Yaksa / Thongbu Shong (4180m)
[Trek Ends] Thongbu Shong / Sharna Zampa / Transfer to Paro (2200m)
Departure from Paro International Airport
Paro International Airport - After breakfast, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you with all exit formalities before check-in.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and light snacks
- Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide
- Medical treatment at a hospital in Bhutan if you sustain injuries while in Bhutan
- All ground transportation including round trip airport transfers
- All internal taxes for the services listed above
- 4 nights accommodations at a 3-star hotel on a twin sharing basis
- 6 nights full-service outdoor camping in pristine wilderness
- Entry fee for National Museum and trekking permit
- Visa Fee & Processing. You’ll receive your e-Visa within 4-5 business days
- Travel insurance is mandatory for trekking adventures.
- Emergency evacuation
- International flights. Let us know if you need help with arranging flights to and from Bhutan.
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges
- Tips to Guide and Driver
- Sleeping bag & travel pillow (you need for camping during trekking)
- Guide speaking other major languages can be arranged for an additional fee.
- Any other expenses of personal nature
- All Entry fees except for National Museum
With altitude differences of 2,500m and nearly 5,000m, pristine forests home to some of the world’s most endangered species of flora and fauna, wide range of stunning landscapes with crystalline rivers meandering through the beautiful gorges, there’s something magical about this trip that every trekkers should experience for themselves.
Jomolhari Loop Trek is the most popular trekking route in Bhutan. The highlight of this 7-Day trek (Day 4-10) is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Basecamp (Jangothang) and interacting with semi-nomadic yak herders. Trekkers who want to avoid high passes and high altitude can chose an easier version of the Jomolhari Loop by retracing their steps from Jangothang (see Day 8, 9, 10) while still having the majestic impressions 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 a week 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 book your international flights a 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.
