Embark on a 13-day Jomolhari Trek from Paro to Thimphu via Lingzhi in Bhutan. Experience stunning landscapes, pristine forests, and interact with unique highlanders at an alpine village.
Arrive Paro International Airport
Kyichu Lhakhang - On your arrival at Paro, the only International Airport in Bhutan, our guide will receive and transfer you to your hotel. If you arrive before check-in time, you’ll right away go to visit an auspicious 7th-century Kychu Lhakhang built overnight by one of the foremost Tibetan Dharma King Songtsen Gampo. You’ll also visit the National Museum housed in a unique 17th-century watchtower and get insights into the history and rich cultural tradition. If interested, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, an impressive fortress originally built in 1644 which today houses the office of the Paro district governor and the residence of the head of the district monk body. If time permits, you’ll have an opportunity to witness the game of archery where you’ll see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.
Hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery known as Tiger’s Nest (4-5 hours round trip hiking)
Paro Taktsang - Today, you will spend the day acclimatizing by hiking to the most iconic landmark in Bhutan, Taktsang Monastery popularly known as “Tiger’s Nest” originally built in 1692 and located on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff. The round trip hike normally takes 4-5 hours but you can hike at your own pace. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. Oneway horse riding is available for about USD20 on your way up to the mid-point (Taktsang View Point Cafeteria). After lunch at the Viewpoint Cafeteria, we descend back to the base and drive to Paro town for some leisure time.
[Trek Begins] Paro - Shana Zampa (1.5 hour drive)
Shana Zampa - Thang Thangka (7-8 hours hiking)
Thang Thangka - Jangothang (6-7 hours hiking)
Halt at Jangothang & Explore the Pristine Area (4080-4500m)
Jangothang - Lingzhi (6-7 hours hiking)
Lingzhi - Shodu (8-9 hours hiking)
Shodu - Barshong (5-6 hours hiking)
Barshong - Dolam Kencho (5-6 hours hiking)
[Trek Ends] Dolam Kencho - Dodena - Thimphu (3-4 hours hiking)
Thimphu - The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. In Dodena, you will exit the Jigme Dorji National Park and reach the road head next to an impressive wooden cantilever bridge. This is the point where our trekking staff will bid you farewell.
Distance 8km | Time 3-4 hours | Ascent 500m | Descent 930m | Thimphu Altitude 2,334m/7,655ft
From here, we will drive to Thimphu. Check into the hotel and rest for a while. You can venture out to explore Thimphu town. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country.
Thimphu - Paro (1.5 hours driving)
Paro - After breakfast, visit one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues in the world located on the hill overlooking Thimphu valley. If interested, visit the 13th-century national treasure Changangkha Lhakhang where newborns in Thimphu city are brought here to get names. Drive 15min to the Royal Takin Preserve, the only animal enclosure in Bhutan to see Takin, a unique animal Bhutan is proud to call it national animal. Next, we stop at the only nunnery in Thimphu known as Zilukha Anim Dratsang. We then go to visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum, an art school where 13 Bhutanese traditional arts and crafts are taught. A traditional lunch will be served at Folk Heritage Restaurant. After lunch, take a stroll at Craft Bazaar (optional) along the main Thimphu street and visit Weaving Center where you’ll see women weaving some of the most intricate designs and sophisticated patterns of Bhutanese textiles using traditional handlooms. We then drive to Paro for a night halt.
Transfer to Paro International Airport for departure
Paro International Airport - After breakfast, depending on your flight departure time, transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.
- All internal taxes for the services listed above
- Porters & Ponies
- Sleeping bag liner (not sleeping bag)
- 8 nights full-service outdoor camping
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Medical treatment at a hospital in Bhutan if you sustain injuries while on tour within Bhutan
- Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide
- Entry fee for National Museum and trekking permit
- 4 nights twin-sharing accommodations at 3-star hotels certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan
- Visa Fee & Processing. You’ll receive your e-Visa within 4-5 business days
- Travel insurance is mandatory
- International flights. Let us know if you need help with arranging flights to and from Bhutan.
- Emergency evacuation & helicopter services
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges
- Sleeping bag & travel pillow
- Tips to guide and driver
- Any other personal expensess
- All Entry fees except for National Museum
Lace up your boots and venture beyond traditional trekking into Bhutan’s iconic Jomolhari Trek from Paro to Thimphu via Lingzhi, through scenic Himalayan mountains, stunning landscapes, pristine forests and mirror lakes.
This 13-Day journey includes full day excursion in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan and a hike to the famous Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) precariously perched on the face of a rock cliff. The actual trekking is for 9 Days (days 3-11) which starts from Paro valley and ends in Thimphu. Jomolhari Trek is longer than the Jomolhari Loop
- A minimum of 3 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 copies of passports and passport-size photos 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.
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.
