Hiking Bhutan’s Mt. Jomolhari basin: Trek where Snow Leopards & Himalayan Blue Sheep roam 

Hike in the Lap of Bhutan’s Mount Jomolhari, “Mother Goddess Mountain of the World”

Group | 17 Days | Difficult to Challenging Trek

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Dates: October 03 ~ 19, 2020

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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.

Learn more about the Jomolhari region at The people and the landscape of Bhutan's Mountain Goddess, A Photo Essay

•  Trek into Snow Leopard habitat with possible chance sightings
   

• See herds of beautiful Himalayan Blue Sheep
   

• Experience the grandeur of Bhutan’s second highest peak
   

• Fully supported Himalayan expedition
   

• Join a celebration of nomadic mountain culture
   

• Witness how preserving indigenous culture goes hand-in-hand with wildlife protection and ecological conservation

ITINERARY

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.

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To see photographs and read more about the Jomolhari region, please see: The people and the landscape of Bhutan's Mountain Goddess, A Photo Essay

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The activities on this trip are rated as difficult-challenging, and a high level of physical fitness and comfort at high altitude is a must. Trip members should be fit and able to walk 6 to 8 hours daily, navigating mixed and steep terrain that may include rocky trails, slippery conditions and, or, steps and stairs. Daily activities include city walking tours, hiking to and entering monasteries, temples and fortresses, driving over winding mountain roads and strenuous trekking conditions once the expedition begins. The general elevations in the valleys will range from 6,800 ft to 9,000 ft, on the cultural portion while the featured trek/expedition on this journey will traverse terrain from 7,000 ft approximately to 13,000 ft at basecamp and up to 16,200 ft at the highest pass. Some of the optional ridge hikes around the basecamp of Jomolhari may take us even higher but those are optional. An easier option on the trek will include a return from 13,000 ft-14,000 ft at basecamp back down the trail to lower elevations, and will not require climbing the high pass at 16,100 ft (estimated).

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Accommodations

The high-end accommodations on this journey feature traditional Bhutanese style with modern elements. The lodges are handpicked for regional character, comfort, and hospitality, including our beautiful family lodge in the central highlands of Bhutan, the Mountain Resort (see more on the Mountain Resort below). In peak season, depending on availability, we may use lodges comparable to the ones we have listed or advertised. 

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Expedition Staff

Every expedition is curated by expert native-born guides and trip leaders who also facilitate meetings and learning experiences with other locally knowledgeable people along the way. Our experienced team shares valuable insights and local expertise to ensure a culturally rich adventure of discovery through the Himalayan landscape and traditions of Bhutan. 

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Mountain Resort - Bumthang, Bhutan

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Set against a sacred cloud forest a short distance below Bumthang's Jakar Dzong (fortress), our family-run lodge in Central Bhutan features the best elements of traditional architecture, including flagstones of river rock, the beautiful wood-and-stone masonry construction of Central Bhutan, and spacious rooms with wood paneling and post and beams of fragrant pine. Guests can enjoy a healing soak in traditional "hot stone" baths enhanced, in accordance with indigenous practices, by mugwort and other medicinal herbs. It's our perfect base for exploring the ample beauties and blessings of the central highlands of Bhutan.     

DATES & PRICES

2020 Dates

October 03 - 19, 2020

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2021 Dates

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• October 03 - 19, 2021

2020 Pricing

$5,950

Per Person doubles; Single traveler Supplement ($550/-pp)

2021 Pricing

$5,950

Per Person doubles; Single traveler Supplement ($550/-pp)

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Prices are per person based on double occupancy and do not include international airfare to/from your destination or internal flights during the expedition. Single traveler prices are available upon request. Internal flights are $980 per person & $175 per person where a short-duration flight is included on the itinerary. Surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based upon international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

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• All ground transportation, visas for Bhutan and airport transfers

• All Accommodations

• All meals, including excursions to try well-known local restaurants 

• The expertise and services of your Bhutanese Trip Leaders, Guides & dedicated trip field staff

• Courtesy booking services & arrangements for round-trip regional flights from gateway cities (such as Bangkok) to Bhutan & any internal domestic flights (airfare is additional). 

• Sightseeing, special events & receptions, visits and entry fees 

• All environmental national parks & conservation fees and permits

• 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

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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

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• Airfare to and from destination, as well as internal airfare where applicable

• Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance 

• Alcoholic beverages

• Gratuities

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GUEST COMMENT

“...a challenging and rewarding experience. Many thanks to Karma and his team of guides, horseman, and camp chefs, and to my wonderful trekking companions for making this a trip of a lifetime.”

~ Mark Pearson, Boise, ID

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 in trip price. 

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For further details please email us using the contact form on our Request Full Details page. 

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*Bangkok is the primary Gateway City & offers the most frequent and most reliable flights to Bhutan. 

TRAVEL EXTENSIONS TO
LAOS, MYANMAR & CAMBODIA

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Before or after your Bhutan adventure

(with optional Bangkok hotel and transit arrangements)
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Extend your travel arrangements from Bangkok to the World Heritage sites of Cambodia and Laos, or arrange a journey across Myanmar’s Colonial Yangon to Magical Mandalay.  Whether you choose the awe-the inspiring temples of the Angkor civilization in Cambodia; the quaint streets and towns of laid-back Laos, where French Colonial meets a distinctly Asian sensibility; or the classic charms that inspired Rudyard Kipling in Myanmar, we have specially designed itineraries that complement your Bhutan journey. Learn more at:
Magical Myanmar
Laid-back Laos, or
The Triple Gems of Cambodia

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