Essential Guide to Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan

The unique Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan is the equivalent of the famous Everest Bas Camp Trek in Nepal and is the Mecca of treks in the kingdom. The ultimate pilgrimage for hiking and trekking enthusiasts from around the world, the Jomolhari Trek takes you to the famous Jangothang base camp at the foot of Mount Jomolhari. The trek is actually two separate treks, with the 118-kilometer Jomolhari Trek being slightly longer than the Jomolhari Loop Trek, at just 81 kilometers. The main trek takes nine days to complete, while the Loop trek takes just seven days. Both are great treks for viewing the beauty and majesty of Mount Jomolhari from the base camp at Jangothang, and the only difference is the ending.

Highlights of Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan

The biggest highlight of both the Jomolhari Treks is the amazing views of the mountain’s 7,326 meter peak that you get from the base camp at Jangothang. Sacred to Tibetan Buddhists in Bhutan, the mountain straddles the border between Tibet and Bhutan.

Thangthangkha is the campsite at the end of the first full day of trekking, and lies in a beautiful meadow in the valley with Jomolhari standing majestic at the end of the valley. The meadow is an ideal spot for dramatic photos of the peak.

Just before the base camp at Jangothang, there is a long whitewashed Mani Stone wall, which sits at 3,770 meters above sea level. One of several Mani Stone features around the base of the mountain, it is surpassed by the small chorten on the ridge above.

The Jomolhari Trek is also ideal for those that are interested in the local Bhutanese culture, as the route to Jangothang takes you through Takethang and Dangochang. Two small highland villages, the locals grow barley, potatoes, turnips, radishes, and a plant known locally as “kashaykoni”, which is fed to the yaks that can be seen wandering around the hillsides of the villages.

Jomolhari Trekking Route

Classic Jomolhari Trek Route

The classic Jomolhari mountain trek to Jangothang Base Camp is one that lasts for 8 to 9 days and covers a distance of around 118 kilometers. The trek starts at Sharna Zampa, and reaches the base camp on the second day, where you can rest and acclimatize for a full day while you make the most of the unique photo opportunity.

The first day is a 15km hike to Thangthangkha, climbing over ridges and spurs, as well as traveling along the Paro Chhu Valley and crossing it on two wooden bridges.

The second day is a trek of 13km to the base camp at Jangothang, trekking through small traditional villages, hiking through the larch bushes that cover the hillsides, and avoiding the multitude of yaks that can be found grazing on the hillsides.

After the stopover for the day at Jangothang, the fourth day is the trek to Lingzhi, an 18km hike that takes you over the first high pass of the trek, Nyile La, which sits at 4,870 meters. The route takes you past the best sites for viewing Jomolhari II and Mount Jichu Drake from this area, and on to the white tower of the famous Lingzhi Dzong.

Day five is the long day, covering 22km to the beautiful campsite at Shodu. The trek is not as steep in most parts as the hike to Lingzhi, but does take you up to the Yeli La pass at 4,930 meters. The hike up to the crest of the pass is steep, zigzagging through the rocky hillside to the large cairn at the crest. The descent is easier, dropping down to the Khedo Tsho Lake and descending into the valley before climbing the short trail across a sandy slope to the campsite.

Day six is a hike along the Thimphu Chhu, taking you through Rhododendron forests, and past some of the river’s beautiful waterfalls. The 16km trek ascends along the valley gradually to the campsite below he ruins of the Barshong Dzong.

From Barshong to Dolam Kencho is a 15km trek, which first descends back to the Thimphu Chhu and passes through forests of bamboo, maple, birch, and conifer to finally ascend to the pasturelands where the campsite sits in a lush highland meadow. The final leg, from Dolam Kenchu to Dodena is a relaxing 8km trek through forests and meadows, along which it is often possible to see the local langurs. The arrival at Dodena marks your leaving the Jigme Dorji National Park.

Jomolhari Loop Trek Route

The Jomolhari Loop Trek follows the same route as the classic trek for the first four days, taking the exact same route to Jangothang and spending the day at the base camp. After that the loop is a particular route back to Gunitsawa Village. For trekkers that do not want to attempt any of the passes along the two routes, you can return to Paro along the same route you took to Jangothang.

After spending the day at Jangothang, the trek takes you past the last village in the valley and drops down to meet the Paro Chhu. Following the valley sides, you will head past the lake known as Tshophu, where you will start the steep climb to the pass at Bhonte La, at 4,890 meters. After cresting the pass, you will drop down in to the valley and follow the Dhumzo Chhu downstream to the small village of Soi Yaktsa, also known as Dhumzo, a distance of around 16km.

The route the following day heads to Thombu Shong, 11km of trekking through the valley and over the 4,520-meter Takhung La pass. The descent is not as hard as the climb, and after a few hours you will reach the campsite at Thombu Shong, next to the huts of the semi-nomadic yak herders of the valley.

The final leg of the trek takes you over the Thombu La pass, at 4,380 meters, and down to Gunitsawa Village, covering just 13 kilometers for the day.

When is the best time to trek in the Mount Jomolhari Area?

The Jomolhari Treks are best done in the spring and autumn seasons, from April to early June and September to November. While the days can be pleasantly warm, it is normally chilly at night, even in the best months of April and October, especially once you pass Jangothang.

The summer season in Paro is wet and muddy, and the trekking trail can get muddy and slippery in the monsoon months, The passes are also often closed in winter due to snow, and often do not re-open until around the beginning of April.

How difficult is the Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan?

Both Jomolhari Treks are rated as being of medium difficulty, mainly due to the high passes they ascend to, at altitudes of almost 5,000 meters. While the main trek is not really suitable for beginners, the Loop Trek can be done by those with very little experience, as the route is not as rough and the guides know it well. The treks are very popular, and if you are fairly fit and prepared for the altitudes, it is also possible to take on the classic Jomolhari trek with only a little experience.

How much does it cost to take a Jomolhari Trek?

The treks are rated on cost according to the Minimum Daily Package, which is priced at US$250 per day in the peak seasons of spring and fall. For the Loop Trek, you can expect the whole tour to cost around US$2,500 and the Classic Jomolhari Trek to start from around US$3,000 per person. This includes all of your requirements for the entire trip to Bhutan, including hotels, meals, camping gear, etc.

Visa and Permits for Jomolhari Trek

First, you need to obtain a Bhutan visa to enter this Himalaya Kingdom. The Bhutan Visa can only be obtained by your travel agency once you have booked your tour and done the full payment. Since independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan, the Jomolhari trek tour will also include a guide and support team for the duration of your trek.

You will also need the trekking permits to attempt the trek. These are also obtained by the travel agency, and will be available once you arrive in Bhutan.

Healthy and Safety

The main concern for this trek is the altitude, since it can reach heights of up to 5,000 meters in places. At these altitudes, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), or altitude sickness, can easily occur if you are not acclimatized properly to the increase in elevation. Knowing the symptoms of altitude sickness and how to recognize them in yourself and others is important when trekking at altitudes above 3,000 meters. If you feel the effects or have noticed them in other members of your party, it is important you inform your guide immediately, so that action can be taken to prevent it becoming more severe.

Food and Accommodation

Since you booked the full tour service with your agency, the food and accommodation are included in the cost of your Bhutan trekking tour package. For the period you will not be trekking in the cities, the basic standard of your stay is 3-star hotels. Breakfasts and dinners are always arranged by the hotel from local and Asian cuisines to western dishes. And the lunch is usually arranged in local restaurant.

On the trek, there will be a support team to set up the tent and prepare the food for you. Your meals will also be prepared by a cook for the entire trek, and packed lunches will be supplied for your midday meals.

What to Pack for a Jomolhari Trek

Since this trek is done in the spring and autumn seasons, the weather is relatively pleasant, and the temperatures during the day can be warm enough to not require much in the way of warm sweaters and jackets. However, it is a good idea to bring one or two along for the evenings, as it can get a little cold in the mountains when night falls.

You will need good hiking boots for this trek, as it is rocky and rough on both routes. You may also want to bring trekking poles along as well, as they can help with the steep climbs to the passes. Layered clothing is best for the cooler weather, and thermal underwear may be useful in the early spring or late autumn seasons.

Make sure you bring a hat, sunglasses, and sun block to protect against the harsh rays of the sun, as well as moisturizers and lip balm to counter the biting winds that give these mountains their name.

Conclusion of Jomolhari Trek Guide

The Jomolhari Treks are the most popular treks in Bhutan, and see more trekkers than all of the other Bhutanese treks put together in any one year. The routes take you through some of the most amazing scenery and landscapes around the 7,000+ meter mountain, though this is beginning to become a little spoiled by the power pylons that now run alongside the trail from Sharma to Lingzhi. However, the trek is still an amazing experience, and is he counterpart of the Everest trek in Nepal.