Trip Overview
Embark on a breathtaking journey to Bhutan’s northern frontier with the Jomolhari Mountain Festival tour,
held annually at the picturesque base of sacred Mount Jomolhari. This unique two-day festival celebrates
the deep harmony between the highlanders and the elusive snow leopard—known as the “ghost of the high
mountains.” Since its inception in 2013, the festival has drawn more trekkers eager to experience the
region’s stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and remarkable wildlife.
This immersive 12-day trek offers stunning Himalayan views, traditional Bhutanese hospitality,
and a rare glimpse into the lives of remote mountain communities. Witness thrilling yak and horse
shows, local dances, and cultural rituals dedicated to preserving the snow leopard. Explore remote
villages, serene alpine lakes, and towering mountain passes while enjoying rich folk performances
and handicrafts. Join us for an unforgettable adventure blending natural beauty, cultural celebration,
and spiritual connection at the heart of Bhutan’s high mountains.
At a Glance
US $3164 p/p
Duration: 12 Days/11 Nights
Group size: 2 person & above
Tour Type: Mountain Festival & Trek
Highest Elevation: 4890m
Trek grade Level: Moderate / Hard
Average walking Time: 6-7 Hours
Best Seasons: Mar-June, Sep-Nov
Accommodation: Hotels / Camping
Tour Highlights
- ✓ Trek to the base of Mount Jomolhari.
- ✓ Snowcapped Mountain view on Trek, Jomolhari,Jichu Drakey and Tsherimgang.
- ✓ Celebrates the culture of communities living together with natural wonders, such as the snow leopard.
- ✓ Cross mountain passes, Bonte La and Takhung La.
- ✓ Trek along twin lakes with beautiful snowcapped mountain views.
- ✓ Your trip will conclude in Paro with a climb to the stunning cliff-side Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Route Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 (October 19, Thursday): Arrive Paro
During the journey, one will experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other
famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival
at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and transfer you to the Hotel.
Later in the afternoon you will visit Paro Dzong. It was built in 17th century and now houses
government offices and religious institutions. Then you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest
temple in the country built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo
in 8th century. In the evening you can stroll in the paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2(Oct 10, Friday): Acclimatization Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
In the morning you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous
monastery situated at 3180meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the
back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery
now stands. The Moanstery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro
Valley. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria.
Explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 3(Oct 11, Saturday): Drukgyal Dzong- Shana (Trek starts)
DISTANCE 17KMS | Time: 5-6hrs.| Ascent: 500m | Decent: 0m| Altitude: 2580m-2850m
Walk along the dirt road through wide, rich, cultivated valley, beneath forest-covered mountains, following the Paro Chhu. You will encounter the first settlement comprising of big, magnificent traditional buildings with bright red chillies dried on their roofs in season. Not far from here, at Gunitsawa, you will pass army check point and your trekking permits will be checked and endorsed here. The Shana campsite is just half an hour walk from the check point.
Walk along the dirt road through wide, rich, cultivated valley, beneath forest-covered mountains, following the Paro Chhu. You will encounter the first settlement comprising of big, magnificent traditional buildings with bright red chillies dried on their roofs in season. Not far from here, at Gunitsawa, you will pass army check point and your trekking permits will be checked and endorsed here. The Shana campsite is just half an hour walk from the check point.
Day 4(Oct 12, Sunday): Shana- Soi Thangthanka
DISTANCE 22KMS | Time: 6-8hrs.| Ascent: 900m | Decent: 0m| Altitude: 2850m-3750m
This is a hard day as the altitude gain is above the limit. You will come across the first bridge en route from Tibet to Bhutan that was used by the travellers once upon a time. The trail climbs steadily through beautiful thick forest consisting mainly of, Oak, Rhododendron, Bamboo, Fern, Birch, Fir, Larch, Maple and Blue Pine. The route has lots of small rises and drops with a vision of amazing snow-capped Jhomolhari on the north. The hard day of walking comes to an end at Soi Thangthanka camp, which is in a big meadow.
This is a hard day as the altitude gain is above the limit. You will come across the first bridge en route from Tibet to Bhutan that was used by the travellers once upon a time. The trail climbs steadily through beautiful thick forest consisting mainly of, Oak, Rhododendron, Bamboo, Fern, Birch, Fir, Larch, Maple and Blue Pine. The route has lots of small rises and drops with a vision of amazing snow-capped Jhomolhari on the north. The hard day of walking comes to an end at Soi Thangthanka camp, which is in a big meadow.
Day 5(Oct 13, Monday): Soi Thangthanka- Jangothang(Jomolhari Base camp)
DISTANCE 19KMS | Time: 5-6hrs.| Ascent: 300m | Decent: 0m| Altitude: 3750m-4050m
The view of Jhomolhari fades away as you leave the camp inflowing forest on the way towards
the Army camp. Late in spring, Blue Poppy (Bhutan’s national flower) has been spotted. The
Military camp has Bhutanese and Indian army personnel guarding another pass to Tibet. The
trail takes you through six remote villages and you might be invited into one of the houses
for a cup of famous butter tea. After crossing the settlements, the summits of spiky peak
Jitchu Drakey, Tshering Kang and Jhomolhari appear to get closer. Cross a bridge and suddenly
the irresistible snow-and-ice- covered east face of Jhomolhari appears, with its massive 3200m-
high wall of granite, marble, and quartzite. You have reached Jhomolhari camp.
Day 6(Oct 14, Tuesday): Jomolhari Mountain Festival
You will witness the Mountain Festival for two days. The celebration commences with a welcome dance
and local song by the Soe community. The stalls will then be opened allowing you to walk around and
witness the exhibition made by the local communities. This will then be followed by a yak and horse show.
Yak riding, horse riding, Khuru and shotput contests will begin after lunch. A play about the conservation
of Snow leopards and a snow leopard dance will also be performed. You will then hike back to the Jangothang
base camp in the evening.
Day 7(Oct 15, Wednesday): Jomolhari Mountain Festival
On the 2nd day, you will partake in a trek in Soe guided by the locals. After lunch, you can watch
the various folk performances and experience the traditional handicrafts showcase of these local communities.
Day 8(Oct 16, Thursday): Jangothang via Tshophu Lake- Bhonte La Pass- Dhumzo
DISTANCE 16KMS | Time: 6-7hrs.| Ascent: 850m | Decent:1090m| Altitude: 4050m-3800m
The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and descends once again to the Paro Chhu (River), crossing it on a wooden bridge. Walk up to the torquies Tshophu lake (4380 meters), which is inhabited by ruddy shelducks. You will come across a second lake after you climb across a slope to a crest. Then descend into a hidden valley and climb steeply to Bonte La at 4890m, the highest point of the trek with great mountain views of Basingthang (5500m) and Chatarake (5570m). After the pass, the trail descends crisscrossing yak trails down to the Dhumzo Chhu and after walking downstream past few houses you arrive at a camp at 3800 meters.
The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and descends once again to the Paro Chhu (River), crossing it on a wooden bridge. Walk up to the torquies Tshophu lake (4380 meters), which is inhabited by ruddy shelducks. You will come across a second lake after you climb across a slope to a crest. Then descend into a hidden valley and climb steeply to Bonte La at 4890m, the highest point of the trek with great mountain views of Basingthang (5500m) and Chatarake (5570m). After the pass, the trail descends crisscrossing yak trails down to the Dhumzo Chhu and after walking downstream past few houses you arrive at a camp at 3800 meters.
Day 9(Oct 17, Friday): Dhumzo- Thombushong
DISTANCE 11KMS | Time: 4-5hrs.| Ascent: 720m | Decent: 340m| Altitude: 3800m-4180m
Climbing from the camp through Rhododendron, Birch and oak forest decorated with moss leads to a grazing land. Cross the meadow on a good trail above the river leading to a chorten, huge cliff appears with the Sey Dzong wedged in it. After descending and ascending through the forest and a flat trail roofed with Rhododendron bushes, Tagulun La(4540m) becomes visible on the skyline. The views of glorious peaks like Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drakey and Tsheri Kang, and in the distance Kanchenjunga and Makalu can be seen blocking the view to Mount Everest. From the pass, the trail winds gently downhill to a lush Thangbue valley. Thangbue camp is the second highest camp for the trek.
Climbing from the camp through Rhododendron, Birch and oak forest decorated with moss leads to a grazing land. Cross the meadow on a good trail above the river leading to a chorten, huge cliff appears with the Sey Dzong wedged in it. After descending and ascending through the forest and a flat trail roofed with Rhododendron bushes, Tagulun La(4540m) becomes visible on the skyline. The views of glorious peaks like Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drakey and Tsheri Kang, and in the distance Kanchenjunga and Makalu can be seen blocking the view to Mount Everest. From the pass, the trail winds gently downhill to a lush Thangbue valley. Thangbue camp is the second highest camp for the trek.
Day 10(Oct 18, Saturday): Thombushong-Shana
DISTANCE 13KMS | Time: 4-5hrs.| Ascent: 200m | Decent:1380m| Altitude: 4180m-2890m
Walk through the marshy valley to find a clear trail through Rhododendron bushes towards Thombu La. From the pass you can see snowy peaks of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. The walk from the pass is one of the best of the trek with a beautiful view through a hillside roofed with Edelweiss. The camp is near the helipad, a pleasing site by the Paro chhu.
Walk through the marshy valley to find a clear trail through Rhododendron bushes towards Thombu La. From the pass you can see snowy peaks of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. The walk from the pass is one of the best of the trek with a beautiful view through a hillside roofed with Edelweiss. The camp is near the helipad, a pleasing site by the Paro chhu.
Day 11(Oct 19, Sunday): Shana-Drukgyal Dzong (Trek Ends)
DISTANCE 13KMS | Time: 4-5hrs.| Ascent: 200m | Decent:1380m| Altitude: 4180m-2890m
Walk through the marshy valley to find a clear trail through Rhododendron bushes towards Thombu La. From the pass you can see snowy peaks of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. The walk from the pass is one of the best of the trek with a beautiful view through a hillside roofed with Edelweiss. The camp is near the helipad, a pleasing site by the Paro chhu.
Walk through the marshy valley to find a clear trail through Rhododendron bushes towards Thombu La. From the pass you can see snowy peaks of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet. The walk from the pass is one of the best of the trek with a beautiful view through a hillside roofed with Edelweiss. The camp is near the helipad, a pleasing site by the Paro chhu.
Day 12(Oct 20, Mobday): Departure
After your breakfast, you will be driven to the airport for departure.
Our representative will bid you goodbye
COST INCLUDES
- ✓ Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- ✓ VISA Fee
- ✓ Accommodation
- ✓ All meals
- ✓ Transport
- ✓ All internal taxes & charges
- ✓ Licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
COST EXCLUDES
- ✗ Flight tickets
- ✗ Insurance
- ✗ Drinks and Beverages
- ✗ Tips
- ✗ Internet and Phone bills
- ✗ Other bills of personal nature
INSURANCE
Note: Package does not include insurance of any kind.
You are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
You are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
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