Jomo Trek 2
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This is a 9 days Trek starting from (Drugyal Dzong) Paro and end at Dodena near Thimphu. The route passes through two high passes from Jangothang. The view of Jumolhari Mountain (7314 M) from Jangothang is spectacular. The Trek is strenuous and is very popular. The highest point is 4100m.
ITINERARY
Day 01. Arrival at Paro: The flight to Paro takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the scintilling scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. Upon arrival at Paro airport, received by representative from Local Travel Agency and transfer to the hotel. After lunch visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) built in 17th century which now served as the administration centre and monastic body of Paro.Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples built in Himalayan region in 7th century by Tibetan Buddhist King called Tsongtsen Gampo, and leisure time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02. Hike to Taktsang (Tiger Nest) Monastery. Earlier the better for the hike to Taktsang monastery. Hike to Taktsang is almost a day hike which takes 5-6 hours. It is a good warm-up for the trekkers beside it’s stunning view of the monastery. Guru Rimpoche (Precious teacher) who flew on a tigress back and blessed this place in the 8th century. He was the one who spread Buddhism widely in Bhutan, therefore, it’s must for the Himalayan world to visit once in their lifetime.
Visit 17th century Drugyal Dzong which is now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644. The Dzong was used as an administrative centre until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03. Paro – Shana (Trek strat): Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the Paro river. We pass cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous birds and brightly coloured butterflies. Overnight at campShana. Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time 5 – 6 hours.
Day 04. Shana – Thangthangka: The trail climbs with gradual along side the Paro chhu river through conifers and rhododendrons forests. About two hours from the Shana camp is Shingkarap, a stone house and a clearing at 3100m. Some distance beyond this the route to Tremo La to Tibet, which is a stone-paved trail ascending steeper to the left.Follow the narrow trail descending towards Paro chhu to the right. Almost at the end of the day the trail climbs to a place where you can see a white stupa on the opposite side of the river. There is a bridge here that leads across the river, but don’t cross it. Follow the trail on river right as it turns a corner where there is an outstanding view of Jhomolhari. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. Altitude 3600 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7 – 8 hours.
Day 05. Thangthangka – Jangothang: In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,100 m). High mountains overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude 4,100 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 – 6 hours.
Day 06. Jangothang: Rest day at Jangothang, enjoy the superb view all around.
For Day hikes, you have 3 options on this day at Jangothang.
- Hike to Jumolhari Glacier which is around 4 ½ hours (Back and forth)
- Hike to Jichu Drake Glacier which is around 4 hours (Back and Forth).
- Hike to Tshophu Lake which is 4 hours.
Day 07. Jangothang – Lingshi: The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari (4314m), JichuDrakey (6989m) and Tsrim Khang (6789m). Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyeley la pass at an altitude of 4,800 meters. After the pass it’s a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panorama view of the peaks and Lingshi dzong. Camp altitude is 4000 meters. Walking time 7-8 hours.
Day 08. Lingshi – Shodu: 8 hrs walk. The trail today climbs to Yalila Pass (4820 m), from where on a clear day, impressive views of Mount Jumolhari, Tserim Kang and Masagang (7165m) can be seen on a clear day. After the pass descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in a cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4100 m), where we will camp in a meadow. Overnight at camp.
Day 09. Shodu – Barshong:The path follows the ThimphuRiver, descending through rhododendron, juniper and other alpine forest. The view of the cliff facing rocks and waterfalls are stunning. Lunch will be served by the riverside. After lunch the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of the Barshong dzong, reaching the camp at the altitude 3600meters. Walking time 6-7 hours.
Day 10. Barshong – Dolamkencho: The road descends through alpine forest and we once again join Thimphu river for a while. After lunch climb up to Dolamkencho camp at the altitude of 3600meters. Walking time 5-6 hours.
Day 11. Dolamkencho – Dodena – Thimphu: The path descends through bamboo forests finally joining ThimphuRiver again. Arrive at Dodena where you will be picked up for the drive to Thimphu (15 km) 4 hours walk. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12. Thimphu sightseeing: Visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Zilukha Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhists texts, Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, FolkHeritageMuseum, Traditional handmade paper factory at work and Government Handicraft Emporium. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only after office hours. Over night in Hotel.
Day 13. Thimphu- Punakha – Thimphu: (72 Kms, 2 ½ hours drive). Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3100m). If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. Lunch at Punakha. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like a sleeping elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and the Central Monk Body. The third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1953. In the evening, drive back to Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 14. Thimphu – Paro Airport (Departure): Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.