Chomolhari Trek

Paro Arrival

Your flight to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas - a mesmerizing aeronautical feat offering an exciting descent into the Kingdom. On a clear day, you will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and on the final approach to Paro, Bhutan’s own snowy peaks of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tserimgang. Upon arrival at Paro airport, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel.

In Bhutan, the sights of colorful prayer flags are very common. Prayer flags are hoisted for happiness, long life, prosperity, luck, and merit. The colors used in the prayer flags follow the concept of ‘Kham’ which are five characteristic birth elements that determines an individual’s dominant personality.

A Buddhist Monk and friend of Sodha Travel will offer an interpretation of your birth element. Then, buy a prayer flag with the colors corresponding to your birth element and head out to a designated place in Paro. The Monk will chant the consecration prayers once you finish the hoisting of your flag. Evening at leisure and overnight.

Paro - Shana (2870 m)

The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Later you come to apple orchards and forests.

Soon the valley widens and you reach the army post of Gunyitsawa. This is the last stop before Tibet. Continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (2,870 m) where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Overnight. Trek: 6 Hours

Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang (4040 m)

The path ascends until you reach the army camp. You then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder's camp. A short walk from here into the valley will takes you to your campsite at Jangothang (4,040 m). From here, the views of Mt. Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb. Overnight at camp. Trek: 8 hours

Lingshi - Shodu (4100 m)

The Laya – Gasa route leaves the Chomolhari trek route here. Your 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 steeply a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli-la pass.

On a clear day you can see Mt. Chomolhari, Gangchhenta, Tserim Khang, and Masang Gang from this pass. Descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4,100m) where you will camp in a meadow with a chorten. Trek: 8 hours

Barshong - Dolam Kencho (3600 m)

The trail descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers, then drops steeply to meet Thimphu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side streams runs down into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the Thimphu Chu River, coming out onto pasture land where you camp for the night. Trek: 5 hours

Thimphu

In the morning, visit the following: The National Library, with its extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a six-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine where Bhutan’s famed traditional herbal medicines are compounded and dispensed. Later, visit the Memorial Chorten, continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras and spinning the prayer wheels.

Late afternoon visit to Centenary Farmers Market (open from Thu-Sun only). Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of food items and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, where all the locals meet and barter. It’s a fantastic opportunity to observe the local life. Overnight in Thimphu.