Jomolhari Trek

Overview

The Jomolhari Trek is Bhutan’s most renowned high-altitude trek, leading to the base of Mount Jomolhari (7,326m), a sacred peak considered the abode of a protective deity and, like all of Bhutan’s high peaks, never climbed out of respect for local belief.

The route begins at Shana in the Paro Valley, following the Paro Chhu river up through yak-herding settlements at Thang Thangkha before reaching Jangothang, the base camp itself, with close-up views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tsherim Gang. From there the trail continues over Nyile La and Yeli La, two of the trek’s high passes, through the remote Lingshi valley and Jigme Dorji National Park, known as the valley of snow leopards, before descending to Thimphu.

The itinerary opens with an acclimatization day in Paro built around the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the most iconic sights in the kingdom, before the trek proper begins.

This trek is best suited to trekkers with a good level of fitness and prior high-altitude experience, since it crosses passes close to 5,000 metres and involves several consecutive nights of camping above 4,000 metres. It combines dramatic close-up mountain views, genuine wilderness inside Jigme Dorji National Park, and traditional yak-herding culture, making it Bhutan’s premier trekking experience.

Visa and Sustainable Development Fee arrangements for this trek are made through Bhutan’s Department of Tourism.

Visa and Sustainable Development Fee arrangements for this trek are made through Bhutan’s Department of Tourism.

For a shorter, gentler introduction to Bhutan trekking, see our Druk Path Trek. For Bhutan’s toughest and for most remote circuit, see our Snowman Trek.