The Jomolhari-Yaksa trek offers wonderful views of Jomolhari Mountain (7,314m) and the twin peaks of neighboring Jichu Drake (6,794 m) and Tshering Gang.
The trek reaches a maximum altitude of 4,750 m. It starts from Paro passing through rolling alpine meadows to the base of mount Jomolhari and ends in Paro. You will also explore Paro valley, home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples.
DAY 1~ ARRIVE PARO (Altitude: 2280m)
DAY 2~ PARO ACLIMAZATION HIKE TO TIGER’S NEST “Taktshang”
DAY 3~ PARO TO SHANA – Trek Start
DAY 4~ SHANA TO THANGTHANGKA
DAY 5~ THANGTHANKA TO JANGOTHANG
DAY 6~ JANGOTHANG HALT
DAY 7~ JANGOTHANG TO SOE YAKSA
DAY 8~ SOE YAKSA TO THONGBU
DAY 9~ THONGBU TO SHANA – Trek End
DAY 10~ PARO DEPARTURE
DAY 1~ ARRIVAL PARO (Altitude: 2280m)
On arrival at Bhutan Airport. You will be received by Bhutan Bokar Tours & Treks & Treks. You will escort to hotel and after checking in. Evening and afternoon free to explore the small town of Paro.
DAY 2~ PARO ACLIMAZATION HIKE – TIGER’S NEST “TAKTSHANG”
Today your day will begin driving through the Paro valley to take on a stunning hike on foot to visit the Tiger’s Nest. Your hike to Taktshang from the road point will take through the well-maintained path, which is quite uphill, and it takes around 3-4 hours at an average walking speed.
Afternoon you will drive to the beautiful valley to the watchtower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. You will take a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks where the festival takes place. Evening if you wish your dinner at typical Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the Bhutanese living or we can halt a night in farmhouse or at hotel, Paro. Overnight in hotel, Paro.
DAY 3~ PARO – SHANA
Drive to Drukgyal Dzong to start the trek to Shana. From the starting point, at 2580m, you will see distant views of Mount Jomolhari. Follow the old route along the Paro River through fields and beautiful villages till the campsite at Shana at 2,820m not far from the army out post.
DAY 4~SHANA – THANGTHANGKA
Today our trail is quite long. At a normal speed you will take 7 to 8 hours. But the walk through the beautiful alpine woods and frequent clear elegant stream rushing to join the Paro Chu. At some point you have to cross the Paro River.
After lunch, the trail gradually ascends and descends; finally switch us back to the left side of the Paro River, which actually goes to Soe Yaksa. This is a beautiful camp site with an amazing Jomolhari Mountain View. Overnight stay at camp altitude: 3400m, approximate walking distance: 15 km/4-5 hours.
DAY 5~ THANGTHANKA – JANGOTHANG
Today you have a short day trail, which is about 4 to 5 hours walk. As you start from Thangthanka you will soon be above tree line and the views get better and better. Even the trail level makes the walking much easier.
You would also notice the gain in elevation above 4000 m. Here you will find the valley has widened with striking tall Mountains in the distance. You will get amazing views of Mount Jichu Drake welcoming you to the Jomolhari base camp.
Overnight stay at camp altitude: 4090m,
DAY 6~ JANGOTHANG HALT
Today you can acclimatize and rest or explore Soe Jangothang, which offers a great variety of beautiful geographical landscapes.
One can choose to hike towards Mountain Jomolhari to see Glacial Lakes –it is a two hour hike to the Tshophu Lake.
Another option is to climb the solid mountain upright towards Jomolhari and Jichu Drake in front of your camp. If you can make it to the top of this huge mountain, which is about 500 meters above the base camp, you will be able to see remarkable views of both Jichu Drake and Jomolhari. The hike would take you about 3 hours.
Overnight stay at camp altitude: 4090m.
DAY 7~ JANGOTHANG – SOE YAKSA
Today you will start early so that you can have more time on the way to look around and take pictures. The trail, upon reaching a yak herder’s house, descends to the river and then climbs gradually for about an hour to the open valley. Then you walk by the gentle slope of the grassland with majestic views of Jichu Drake andJomolhari and, finally arriving at two Tshophu lakes, beautiful and crystal clean.
You take the walk on the left side of the lake gradually climbing up to Bongtey La at about 4890 m. This will be the highest pass on this trek. From here you get amazing views of the Himalayan mountain ranges besides Kanchenjunga in the far west.
After Bontey La, the trail descends to open grassy lands spread out below. You reach Dumzochu and after crossing the river to an open space where you will camp. Overnight stay at camp altitude: 3900m approximate walking distance 17km/ 6-7 hours.
DAY 8~ SOE YAKSA – THONGBU
After an early breakfast the trek starts gradually ascending through beautiful highland vegetation. You will see yaks grazing and herds of blue sheep. After gradual climbing about two hours you will arrive at a yak herder campsite and then you will reach Dhunge La, which is a 4700 m pass. From the pass you will see series of mountains in the far west. Some believe Kanchenjunga is one of them.
After the pass, the trail goes down a steep mountain face and finally reaches Thongbu Shong or Thongbu valley with some yak harder stone huts. The camp here is at 4200 m. Overnight stay at camp altitude: approximate walking distance 14km/ 4-5 hours.
DAY 9~ THONGBU – SHANA
Your trek after Thongbu camp ascends about thirty minutes until you reach Tagulun La 4500 m, this will be your last pass of the trek. The trail from the pass gradually descends following the ridge. You will see beautiful views of pastureland with Paro valley below. Thereafter, you will come across blue pine forest and descend to Shana passing the Gunetshawa army camp. From here you will be picked up by car and driven to Paro.
DAY 10~ PARO DEPARTURE
Early morning your will drop to Paro Airport for your onward journey.
