SIGNATURE JOURNEY
Hiking Bhutan's Jomolhari basin: Trek where Himalayan Blue Sheep & Snow Leopards roam
Hiking in the lap of Bhutan's Mount Jomolhari
This journey is an opportunity to learn about snow leopard conservation and, if you are lucky, perhaps even spot one! Meet Bhutan’s nomadic yak herding communities and attend the annual Snow Leopard festival, proceeds from which go to preserve local nomadic culture and endangered snow leopard habitat.
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Trek into Snow Leopard habitat with possible chance sightings
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See herds of beautiful Himalayan Blue Sheep
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The grandeur of Bhutan’s second highest peak
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Fully supported Himalayan Expedition
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Join a celebration of Bhutan’s nomadic culture
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Mountains, Temples & Monasteries
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See how cultural conservation goes hand-in-hand with wildlife preservation
Trek into the lap of Bhutan’s mountain goddess, Mount Jomolhari, the kingdom's second highest peak. During this journey, we learn about snow leopard conservation, meet Bhutan’s nomadic yak herding communities and attend the annual Snow Leopard festival, proceeds from which go to preserve local nomadic culture and snow leopard habitat.
But first, a cross-country cultural exploration with day hikes help us to acclimate for the trek. We cover the highlights of western and central Bhutan, bringing us back to the Paro valley where we begin the trek. In the high valley of Soe, we work with a respected elder to complete a holy Buddhist stupa to bless and protect all travelers on the high passes, giving us a first-hand insight into an important spiritual custom of Bhutan's hardy highland people.
ITINERARY
For me, however, the real epiphany came on the trek, when we reached the shrine at the pass. A feeling of great peace and contentment came over me. I felt as though I really didn’t need to go anywhere else ever again; like I had found what I had been searching for. I fairly floated down the mountain, sucking on my piece of hardened yak cheese, to our base camp, where hot tea and friends awaited us. It was all an unforgettable time I will always treasure.”
~ Katie K.
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Depart from Bangkok or another gateway city and arrive in Paro Valley. ● Settle into our comfortable lodge, with views of the terraced ricefields and mountains, followed by a short orientation and light touring.
Take a dramatic Himalayan flight to Central Bhutan ● Check into our lovely family-run lodge ● Explore Jakar, central Bhutan's loveliest valley, on foot and visit a chain of temples renowned across the Himalayan world.
Explore the beautiful Tang Valley with a long hike to an off-the-beaten-track temple on a high cliff. ● Take the half hour return flight to Paro, check into our comfortable lodge and rest up for the trek or take a window shopping trip through the charming Paro town center.
Trek to a Hidden Mountain Temple ●
After a day and half on the Jomolhari trail, we veer off the main trail to our caravan leader's (a local nomadic elder) ancestral lands local nomad elder's ancestral lands, a hidden valley high above the main trail rimmed by dominant cliffs, with a lovely glacial creek running through it.
Hands-on Stupa Construction. ● We roll up our sleeves today to help our host complete the construction of a holy Buddhist stupa to protect travelers through the region, and visit his secret family temple dedicated to the sacred Mount Jomolhari.
Trek to Jomolhari Basecamp ● Follow a winding and spectacular high trail today with incredible views to descend to Jomolhari Basecamp where we settle in for the festival.
Rest day around Jomolhari Basecamp ●
Attend our annual ritual puja smoke offering to sacred Mount Jomolhari (optional) with an easy rest day visiting locals around basecamp, or a short hking exploration of the surrounding slopes.
Snow Leopard Festival/ High Ridge Hike ●
Spend an optional first day at the festival or take the challenging day-long exploration into the high ridges where Snow Leopards have been spotted, with sightings of Blue Sheep, their primary prey.
Participate in the Jomolhari Snow Leopard Festival ● Attend the second day of the Snow Leopard Festival as the festivities ramp up with local nomads putting on folk dances, horse-races, yak dressage and traditional feats of strength.
Trek to Soe Yaksa ● Ascend the highest pass of the trek today at Bhonte La (approx. 16,100ft) to descend through prime Snow Leopard and Blue Sheep habitat into the beautiful cleft valley of Soe, Yaksa.
Complete Jomolhari Trail ● We complete the remainder of the Jomolhari Trek to Soe Thangthathangka and Shana with a return to Paro by nightfall.
Capping our Bhutan adventure with a spectacular hike to Tiger's Nest, we receive special Buddhist blessings for your return trip home ● On the final morning of our journey, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before our transfer back to the airport in time to catch our flight to Bangkok or another gateway city.
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TRAVEL EXTENSIONS TO
CAMBODIA & LAOS
(with optional Bangkok Transit arrangements)
If you'd like to spend a little more time exploring the magnificent World Heritage sites of Cambodia and Laos before or after Bhutan with arrangements in and out of Bangkok, we can take care of those details as well. Start the Conversation and tie in a visit to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat or explore the quaint streets of Luang Prabang where French Colonial meets a distinctly unique Asian sensibility.
DATES & PRICES
Dates
March ~ May-end (without Snow Leopard Festival) & October ~ November (with Snow Leopard Festival)
Pricing
From $5,950 per person (Custom trips may require additional arrangements, which may add to the trip costs.)
CUSTOM JOURNEYS TAILORED JUST FOR YOU
Did you know we also arrange custom journeys throughout the year? Just tell us what you need from your trip and we will put it all together for you.
Inclusions:
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All ground transportation and airport transfers
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All Accommodations
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All meals, including excursions to try well-known local restaurants
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The expertise and services of your Bhutanese Trip Leaders, Guides & dedicated trip field staff
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Courtesy booking services & arrangements for round-trip regional flights from gateway cities (such as Bangkok) to Bhutan & any internal domestic flights (airfare is additional).
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Sightseeing, special events & receptions, visits and entry fees
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All environmental national parks & conservation fees and permits
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All Trek Arrangements (if you signed up for a trek), including community camping and commissary equipment (comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other community equipment), camp, cook and support staff
GETTING THERE
Fly from your home city to Bangkok, Singapore, New Delhi Kolkata or Kathmandu (Main Gateway Cities)*
Overnight
Fly from Gateway City to Paro, Bhutan.
Important: Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions makes round-trip flight arrangements from the Gateway City of your choice to Bhutan as a courtesy to our travelers. Airfare is not included.
For further details please email us using the contact form on the bottom of this page.
*Bangkok is the primary Gateway City & offers the most frequent and most reliable flights to Bhutan.
