JUMOLHARI TREK (8 day trek/ 12 days total)
Season: The ideal time for this trek is April to June and September to November.
For strong walkers. Starts at Drukgyel Dzong and passes through thick pine forests, scattered hamlets and alpine meadows, which leads to a high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals. The trek offers a taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscape, and attains a maximum altitude of 15,114 ft. There are fabulous views of the mountains and exceptional flora. Includes a memorable camp is at the base of Mt. Jomolhari.

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by your Bhutan Travel Bureau representative and transferred to your Hotel after completion of arrival formalities. Evening visit to Paro market and town . Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 02: PARO
Morning visit to Ta Dzong ,build in 1651 as a watch tower and in 1968 inaugurated as Bhutan's National Museum. The collection includes art, relics, religious thangkha painting, postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, as well as a small natural history collection. Below Ta Dzong is Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong ), the fortress of the heap of jewels ,build in 1646, and now housing the officers of the district administration and Paro' monk body.
In the Afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang. Built by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, it is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan .Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 03: PARO - SHANA
17Km, 5-6 hours
The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2,580) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well maintained rice terraces and field of millet. Later on we come to apples orchard and forests. Soon the valley widens, and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2,810m). This is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (2,870m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by tree.

DAY 04: SHANA - SOIL THANGTHANGKHA
20 km, 7-8 hours
The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river ), ascending and descending through pine, Oak and spruce forest .After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, We stop for a lunch . Then we continue along the river, climbing upwards through Rhododendron forest, and crossing the river once more before reaching our campsite (3,750m).

DAY 05: SOIL THANGTHANGKHA - JANGOTHANG
19km, 7-8 hours
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder's camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040 m) from here, the view of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are Superb.

DAY 06: JANGOTHANG - LINGSHI
18 km, 7-8 hours
The trail follows the steam for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (4,700 m). We descend gradually from the pass to our campsite at Lingshi (4,000m).enjoying a panoramic view of the mountains peak and Lingshi Dzong as we walk.

DAY 07: LINGSHI - SHODU
22 km, 8-9 hours
The Laya -Gasa route leaves the chomolhari trek route here, our trail climbs up towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo chu valley. The trail stays on the West side of this largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli-la (4, 820 m). On clear day you can see chomolhri, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass, Descends alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4,100m), where we will camp in a meadow with a chorten in it.

DAY 08: SHODU - BARSHONG
16 km, 6-7 hours
We are now back at the tree line, and our path follows the course of the Thimphu Chu, descending through Rhododendron, Juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of rocky cliffs face and waterfalls along the way. We stop at the riverside for a hot lunch. Then the trail takes us gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3,600m), near which we camp for the night.

DAY 09: BARSHONG - DOLAM KENCHO
15 km, 5-6 hours
The trail descends gently through a dense forest of Rhododendron, Birch and conifers, then drops steeply to meet the Thimphu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side streams run down into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the Thimphu Chu, coming out onto Pastureland where we camp for the night at 3,600 m.

DAY 10: DOLAM KENCHO - DODENA - THIMPHU
8 km, 3 hours
The trail winds in and out of side valley above the Thimphu chu, making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species to a pass at 3,510 m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (2,600 m), Bhutan Travel Bureau transport meets us here, and we drive to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 11: THIMPHU - PARO
Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu Valley visiting the following, as time permits: National Memorial Chorten: Tashichhodzong (the Fortress of the glorious religion): National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), Handicrafts Emporium.
In the evening drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 12: DEPART PARO
After early breakfast in the hotel, your guide will escort you to the airport for your onward flight.

For more information, please email tours@btb.com.bt