Western Bhutan · Challenging
Jomolhari
Base camp under Jomolhari's 7,326 m face, two passes near 5,000 m, and out to Thimphu.
- Days
- 1312 nights
- On trek
- 8 days7 nights camping
- Distance
- 120 kmon foot
- Highest
- 4,930 mYeli La
- Best months
- Spring, autumnApril and May, late September to November
- From
- USD 4,360per person, all fees in
Photo: Christopher Fynn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Overview
Jomolhari: Paro to Thimphu via Lingshi
This is the trek for big mountain views. You walk up the Paro Chhu to Jangothang, the base camp below Jomolhari (7,326 m), take a rest day there, then cross Nyile La and Yeli La, both close to 5,000 m.
From Lingshi the route turns south and follows the Thimphu Chhu down through forest and meadows to the road head at Dodina, half an hour from the capital. Eight walking days, about 120 km.
Is it for you? Challenging
You should have trekked at altitude before. Two days are 8 to 9 hours, and you cross two passes above 4,800 m.
Highlights
- Two nights at Jangothang, below the east face of Jomolhari
- Yeli La (4,930 m), the high point, with views to Masang Gang
- Blue sheep, marmots and yak herders above the treeline
- Pony crews and a cook who has done the route for years
“The day we crossed Yeli La was easily the hardest day I've ever had in the mountains, but it was also the best. It happened to be my birthday that week and Dechen somehow managed to bake me a cake at 4,000 metres, which I still can't work out how she pulled off. Brilliant crew, can't recommend them enough.”
Route
Shana to Dodina
The line follows the trail as mapped in OpenStreetMap. Dashed sections are approximate, where the trail isn't mapped. Camps are green, passes orange.
The route map needs JavaScript. The stops are listed below.
- Shana 2,850 m
- Soi Thangthangkha 3,610 m
- Jangothang 4,080 m
- Nyile La 4,870 m
- Lingshi 4,010 m
- Yeli La 4,930 m
- Shodu 4,080 m
- Barshong 3,710 m
- Dolam Kencho 3,320 m
- Dodina 2,890 m
Elevation profile
Day by day
The itinerary
Distances, times and heights are typical. Your guide adjusts the plan to the weather and the group.
Day1Arrive in Paro
Fly into Paro (2,200 m). Airport pick-up, a short walk and a full kit check.
Night: Hotel, Paro
Day2Acclimatisation hike at Chele La3–4 h
- Walking
- 3–4 h
Drive to Chele La (3,988 m on the road sign) and hike the ridge for three to four hours. Your first look at Jomolhari, if the sky is clear.
Night: Hotel, Paro
Day3Shana to Soi Thangthangkha22 km · 7–8 h
- Distance
- 22 km
- Walking
- 7–8 h
- Up
- 770 m
- Down
- 10 m
- Sleep at
- 3,610 m
Drive 33 km to the road head at Shana (2,850 m). A long day up the Paro Chhu through oak, pine and rhododendron, crossing the river several times, to a meadow camp.
Night: Camp
Day4Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang19 km · 5–6 h
- Distance
- 19 km
- Walking
- 5–6 h
- Up
- 480 m
- Sleep at
- 4,080 m
Above the treeline into yak country. Camp is at Jangothang, Jomolhari base camp, with the mountain filling the head of the valley.
Night: Camp
Day5Rest day at Jangothang
- Sleep at
- 4,080 m
Acclimatisation day. Hike up to the Tsho Phu lakes for blue sheep and marmots, or towards the Jomolhari glacier. Back to the same camp.
Night: Camp
Day6Over Nyile La to Lingshi18 km · 6–7 h
- Distance
- 18 km
- Walking
- 6–7 h
- Up
- 840 m
- Down
- 870 m
- Sleep at
- 4,010 m
A long climb to Nyile La (4,870 m) with Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserim Kang behind you, then down to Lingshi. The small dzong on the hill above camp is the landmark.
Night: Camp
Day7Over Yeli La to Shodu22 km · 8–9 h
- Distance
- 22 km
- Walking
- 8–9 h
- Up
- 940 m
- Down
- 920 m
- Sleep at
- 4,080 m
The big day: up to Yeli La (4,930 m), the high point of the trek, with views of Jomolhari, Gangchhenta and Masang Gang. A steep descent to camp at Shodu.
Night: Camp
Day8Shodu to Barshong16 km · 5–6 h
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 5–6 h
- Up
- 250 m
- Down
- 670 m
- Sleep at
- 3,710 m
Follow the Thimphu Chhu downstream past cliffs and waterfalls. Camp near the ruins at Barshong.
Night: Camp
Day9Barshong to Dolam Kencho15 km · 4–6 h
- Distance
- 15 km
- Walking
- 4–6 h
- Up
- 290 m
- Down
- 640 m
- Sleep at
- 3,320 m
Through rhododendron and bamboo to a wide meadow camp. The last night under canvas.
Night: Camp
Day10Dolam Kencho to Dodina, drive to Thimphu8 km · 3–4 h
- Distance
- 8 km
- Walking
- 3–4 h
- Up
- 500 m
- Down
- 930 m
A short climb, then down through forest to the road head at Dodina and a 30-minute drive into Thimphu (2,334 m).
Night: Hotel, Thimphu
Day11Free day in Thimphu
Rest, eat, shop for crafts. A spare day also covers any weather delay on the trek.
Night: Hotel, Thimphu
Day12Thimphu to Paro
Drive to Paro (about 1.5 hours). Afternoon free; a hot stone bath is the traditional way to finish.
Night: Hotel, Paro
Day13Depart
Transfer to Paro airport for your flight out.
On the trail
Dates and prices
Set departures
Groups of 2 to 8. Every departure runs with two trekkers; “Guaranteed” means it's already confirmed. Private dates are possible for any group.
| Start | End | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10 Apr 2027 | Thu 22 Apr 2027 | USD 4,360 | Guaranteed |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Thu 13 May 2027 | USD 4,360 | Open |
| Sat 25 Sep 2027 | Thu 7 Oct 2027 | USD 4,360 | Open |
| Sat 16 Oct 2027 | Thu 28 Oct 2027 | USD 4,360 | Open |
| Sat 8 Apr 2028 | Thu 20 Apr 2028 | USD 4,360 | 2 places left |
Single room and tent: add USD 40 a night. Prices are per person, twin share.
Hold a placeAdd-ons
Make it your own
Chele La downhill by mountain bike
USD 120 pp
Swap the day 2 hike for a 35 km ride down the road from Chele La (3,988 m on the sign) to the Paro valley. Bike, helmet, bike guide and support vehicle included.
Extra night in Punakha with rafting
USD 440 pp
Add a night in the Punakha valley (1,200 m) after the trek and spend the morning on the Mo Chhu (class I to II). Includes hotel, meals, transport, rafting and the night's SDF.
Hot stone bath in a Paro farmhouse
USD 45 pp
A wooden tub of river water heated with fire-baked stones, the traditional Bhutanese dotsho. Best on your last night, after the trek.
Sleeping bag hire
USD 40 per trip
A four-season down bag rated to -20 °C, cleaned between trips, with a cotton liner.
What's included
Everything on the mountain
Included
- A trekking guide certified by Bhutan's Department of Tourism, from arrival to departure
- Cook, kitchen crew and horsemen, with ponies (or yaks above Laya) to carry camp and bags
- All meals on trek; breakfast, lunch and dinner in town
- Two-person tents, dining and toilet tents, foam and inflatable sleeping mats
- Certified 3-star hotels in town, twin share
- Private vehicle and driver for every transfer
- Sustainable Development Fee (USD 100 a night) and your Bhutan visa (USD 40)
- National park and trekking permits, and 5% GST
- Satellite phone and full first-aid kit on every trek; portable altitude chamber on treks above 4,500 m
Not included
- International flights to and from Bhutan
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover (strongly recommended)
- Sleeping bag (hire one from us)
- Tips for the crew, drinks, laundry
- Single room and tent (USD 40 a night)
Questions
About this trek
Do I need previous trekking experience?
You should have walked several days at altitude before, ideally above 4,000 m. The crossing days are long and the second pass is close to 5,000 m.
What if someone gets altitude sickness?
Your guide checks everyone morning and evening, including blood oxygen. We carry a portable altitude chamber and a satellite phone. The answer to real altitude sickness is going down, and from Jangothang that's a day's walk back to Shana.
Can we stay a second night at Jangothang?
Yes. Add a day to the trek and we'll re-quote. It's a good idea if anyone in the group is new to altitude.
More on visas, the SDF, altitude and kit in Plan your trip.
Also consider
Other treks
Ready for Jomolhari?
Tell us which departure suits you, or ask for private dates. We reply within a day.