Bhutan Jomolhari Mountain Festival & Trekking Adventure

Our guide and the drive will receive you at Paro, the only International Airport in Bhutan. The coverage of sightseeing will depend on your arrival time. If you arrive before lunch, we should be able to see all of the below sites:

National Museum of Bhutan: The Museum is housed in the 17th-century watchtower called Ta Dzong and displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life.

Paro Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung Dzong (meaning "Fortress of the Heap of Jewels") was built in 1646 and established as the administrative and monastic center of the western regions. Today, the Dzong serves as the office of the governor and head of the monk body of Paro district. From there, take a short walk to the traditional wooden cantilever bridge where your driver will be waiting for you. The roofed wooden cantilever bridge is built in a traditional style and this type bridges are called Bazam.

Kyinchu Lhakhang:7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang located just a few minutes drive from the Paro main town, is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659AD by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Leisure time to explore streets of Paro town.

After early breakfast, drive to the base of the Taktsang Monastery from where the hike begins. The hike normally about 4-5 hours round trip from the nearest road head. The hike is a steep climb but takes you through the cool shades of pine trees giving you a lot of opportunities to take beautiful pictures of the valley below or the ridge above. There is a nice cafeteria on the way where you can rest and can see the breathtaking view of the Taktsang Monastery. Lunch will be served at this viewpoint cafeteria.

After lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria, descend back to the base where your driver will be waiting for you. From there drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and it is 55km away from the main Paro town. The drive should not take more than 2 hours including stop overs on the way. Thimphu is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country.

On arrival in Thimphu, drive past the Changlimithang Archery Range and witness archery game if it is in progress. You will see archers showing off their Robin Hood skills dancing and singing each time the target is hit. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

Driving distance 55km, Driving time 1.5-hours, Thimphu altitude 2334m

Today you will visit some of the popular attractions and heritage sites and immerse yourself into the contemporary Bhutanese lifestyle in the capital city of Bhutan. We will then drive back to Paro towards the late afternoon.

National Memorial Chorten: After breakfast at the hotel, we begin the day by visiting the National Memorial Chorten the most frequented religious site and national monument in Thimphu. It was built in 1974 in memory of the Late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who passed away in 1972. People from all walks of life come here to pray and circumambulate and it is a good opportunity for you to observe how Bhutanese people devote themselves to daily prayers and take refuge in the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

Buddha Dordhenma Statue: The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located at Kuensel Phodrang, a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of Great Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also for ushering peace in the world.

Bhutan Postal Museum: The Postal Museum was opened in 2015 to exhibit the story of Bhutan’s progress and development of communications and postal system in the country. If you are interested in philatelic products and stamp collection, they have a good collection of stamps, First Day Covers and stamp albums. You can also have stamps printed with your own photo.

National Institute of Traditional Arts & Crafts (Zorig Chusum: The Institute was established to promote and preserve the 13 traditional airts & crafts of Bhutan are an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage that have been practised from time immemorial.

After a traditional lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, visit the National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as national treasure and a fundamental source for Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture. The library also has an extensive collection of manuscripts, xylographs and wooden printing blocks that were used for printing religious text books and scriptures.

If interested, you can visit Norzin Lam Handicraft Stalls along the main Thimphu streets where you'll find all sorts of Bhutanese handicrafts or visit one of the weaving centers to get insights into the weaving culture and tradition of Bhutan. You'll see both men and women weaving one of the most intricate designs and patterns of traditional Bhutanese attires.

We then drive back to Paro for overnight. Driving distance 55km, Driving time 1.5-hours, Paro altitude 2200m

After breakfast, we drive towards the Drukgyal Dzong from where the trek begins. If you are interested, we could spend about 30mins visiting the Drukgyal Dzong, a 17th century ruined fortress which is undergoing complete renovation since 2016 and is expected to take few years to bring to its former glory.

The trek begins from Drukgyal Dzong with a short walk downhill and then ascends gently through the beautiful terraced rice fields leading to apple orchards and pine forests. We reach the village of Gunitsawa and pass the army post. At the army check post, your trekking permit will be checked and endorsed. We cross the Shana Zampa and soon reach our campsite on the meadows surrounded by trees.

Note: Alternatively, we can drive for about 1.5 hour all the way until near the campsite.

Distance: 17km, Time 5-6 Hours, Descent: 80m, Camp Altitude: 2,850m/9,350ft

On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley, the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path that descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jomolhari.

Distance: 22km, Time 7-8 Hours, Ascent: 770m, Descent: 10m, Camp Altitude: 3,610m/11,845ft

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages of Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

Distance: 19km, Time 5-6 Hours, Ascent: 480m, Camp Altitude: 4,080m/13,385ft

Today and tomorrow will be the highlight of the trekking – witnessing unique Jomolhari Mountain Festival. The festival brings together members of communities in the area to celebrate their local culture and heritage, promote happiness and strengthen social bonds while also creating awareness on the importance of conservation of elusive Snow Leopard with which the local people live in harmony.

Hike 30 – 45mins back to Dangochang where the Jomolhari Mountain Festival takes place.

On the first day of the festival there will be several unique cultural programs such as songs and dances by the local communities. A school of less than 15 students will perform a play that focuses on the Snow Leopard Conservation, and a Snow Leopard dance by the Snow Leopard Conservation group.

You can participate and watch local games like horse race, yak riding, Khuru (dart), shot put and tug of war. There will be stalls selling handicrafts and local delicacies.

In the evening hike back to the Jangothang campsite for night halt.

Today on the 2nd day of the festival, the program includes scenic hikes led by the locals to various sites around Mount Jomolhari such as twin lakes called Tsophu, the glaciers, and even through the habitat of the endangered Snow Leopard. You might see the primary prey of Snow Leopard, blue sheep, and other wildlife along these day hikes.

In the afternoon, you can witness the cultural programs including traditional folk dances and participate in local games like Khuru (dart), shot put etc.

Back to the campsite for night halt.

The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to Bhonte La pass at 4,890 m, the highest point of this trek route. Reaching the Dhumzo Chhu river, you trek downstream passing the few houses of Soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp soon after.

Distance: 16km, Time 6-7 Hours, Ascent: 810m, Descent: 1,090m, Camp Altitude: 3,800m/12,467ft

The trail climbs 100m over a ridge to drop to another stream then after crossing the Takhung La pass (4,520m) you descend to Thombu Shong, three yak herder huts with your campsite next to them.

Distance: 11km, Time 4-5 Hours, Ascent: 720m, Descent: 340m, Camp Altitude: 4,180m/13,715ft

Crossing Thongbu La pass (4,380m) you will finally reach Gunitsawa village where your driver will be waiting for you. This is the point where your trekking staff will bid you farewell. We will then drive to Paro.

Distance: 13km, Time 4-5 Hours, Ascent: 200m, Descent: 650m, Paro Altitude: 2,195m/7,200ft

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in.