SIGNATURE JOURNEY
Trekking Bhutan’s Jomolhari Basin
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. Trip members should be in good health and comfortable standing or walking for extended periods of time and confident 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 easy to moderate hiking with some strenuous options where possible. The general elevations in the valleys will mostly range from 6,800 ft to 9,000 ft, with drives that will take us over higher passes before descending to the average elevations mentioned above. The final hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery is 10,000 ft.
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.
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.
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. Trip members should be in good health and comfortable standing or walking for extended periods of time and confident 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 easy to moderate hiking with some strenuous options where possible. The general elevations in the valleys will mostly range from 6,800 ft to 9,000 ft, with drives that will take us over higher passes before descending to the average elevations mentioned above. The final hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery is 10,000 ft.
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.
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.
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. Trip members should be in good health and comfortable standing or walking for extended periods of time and confident 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 easy to moderate hiking with some strenuous options where possible. The general elevations in the valleys will mostly range from 6,800 ft to 9,000 ft, with drives that will take us over higher passes before descending to the average elevations mentioned above. The final hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery is 10,000 ft.
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.
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.
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. Trip members should be in good health and comfortable standing or walking for extended periods of time and confident 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 easy to moderate hiking with some strenuous options where possible. The general elevations in the valleys will mostly range from 6,800 ft to 9,000 ft, with drives that will take us over higher passes before descending to the average elevations mentioned above. The final hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery is 10,000 ft.
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.
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.
Hiking where Bhutan’s Snow Leopards & Blue Sheep Roam
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.
HEALTH & SAFETY
HEALTH & SAFETY
We are following strict national and international safety guidelines and protocols (Royal Government of Bhutan, WHO, and CDC (US) recommendations) to keep you, our staff, and the Bhutanese people safe. This includes new measures for maintaining personal health and hygiene, social distancing best practices, face covering requirements, cleaning, handwashing and more.
UPDATED BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY
UPDATED BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY
With global travel resuming, we have changed our booking and cancellation policies back to normal. Normal cancellation policies are now in effect and final trip payment is due (4 months/120 days before trip start date, whichever is earlier). Trip cancellation policies are outlined in our trip confirmation emails and available by request.
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.
VIEW DAY BY DAY
DAY 1: BANGKOK/BHUTAN, PARO/THIMPHU
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.
Meals included: Lunch, dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Olathang or comparable
DAY 02: EXPLORE THIMPHU
Take a tour of the capital sights, including the beautiful white-washed memorial stupa, a monument to the kingdom's third monarch and the giant Buddha Dordenma, on a hill overlooking the capital, larger than Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Ariya Resort, The Thimphu City Hotel or comparable
DAY 03: PUNAKHA'S ANCIENT FORTRESS & A COUNTRY HIKE
Transfer to the former capital of Punakha, a low valley that plunges down from the 10,000 ft Dochu La pass to around 4,000 ft at valley floor. Visit the massive Punakha Dzong (fortress) and hike through terraced fields to the Khamsum pagoda, a high-point with wide views of the broad river valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Zhingkham Resort
DAY 04: TRANSFER TO GANGTEY-PHOBJIKHA, VALLEY OF THE CRANES
Take the morning drive winding up the Black Mountain Range to the high plain of Gangtey-Phobjikha, home of wintering (rare) Black-necked Cranes. After lunch, complete the beautiful valley loop hike along the nature trail, arriving back at the lodge in time for dinner and rest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Dewachen Lodge, Gangtey Eco Lodge or comparable
DAY 05: RETURN TRANSFER TO PARO
Take the four-to-five-hour return drive to Paro, in time for a late lunch and an exploration of downtown Paro with an early dinner and rest for the morning hike to Tiger's Nest monastery.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Olathang Hotel
DAY 06: EARLY MORNING HIKE TO TIGER'S NEST
Take the early morning hike to spectacular Tiger's Nest monatery for special Buddhist blessings for the trek and your return trip home. Afternoon stroll through Paro market center and a round of traditional archery back at the lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Olathang Hotel or comparable
DAYS 07-08: SHANA/THANGTHANGKHA, JOMOLHARI ANCESTRAL CAMP
Days 7-8: We drive to Shana border control camp and begin the trek after a permit inspection. A long day of hiking back and forth along the headwaters of the Pa-chhu river brings us to Thangthangkha camp, by a white stupa at the confluence of two rushing streams, or by the camp host's stone hut. The next day, climb a steep trail to our caravan leader’s ancestral grazing grounds and temple hidden in the western shadow of the Jomolhari massif.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodations: Fully Supported Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions Camps
DAYS 9-10: CAMP ACTIVITIES, MAIN BASECAMP
Explore the breathtaking high valley around camp, a place of cascading waterfalls and hidden meditation retreats. We may help our caravan leader with the construction of a stupa—revered as a symbols of supernatural protection for travelers passing through the wilderness. Next day, we descend to the main Jomolhari Basecamp where trekkers converge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodations: Fully Supported Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions Camps
DAYS 11-12: REST/BASECAMP EXPLORATION, FESTIVAL*
Today is a rest day around Jomolhari Basecamp. Join our annual ritual (smoke) offering to honor the sacred mountain spirits and the deity Jomolhari in particular. Explore surrounding ridges and slopes on easy to challenging hikes. Day 12 is our first attendance at the colorful Jomolhari Mountain Festival,** organized by nonprofit Bhutan Foundation to celebrate snow leopard conservation, indigenous customs and skills.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodations: Fully Supported Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions Camps
*
** (festival is only included for October itineraries)
DAYS 13-14: FESTIVAL, HIKE SNOW LEOPARD TERRITORY/BHONTE-LA PASS/YAKSA CAMP
Attend the second day of the Snow Leopard Festival as events ramp up with folk dances, horse-races, yak dressage and traditional feats of strength. Or, take the challenging day-long excursion to the high ridges where locals say the Snow Leopards roam. See Blue Sheep, the Snow Leopard’s primary prey, grazing on the steep slopes. On Day 14, climb to Bhonte La, at 16,100ft, the highest pass of the trek. Descend into the beautiful cleft valley of Soe Yaksa through prime Snow Leopard and Blue Sheep habitat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodations: Fully Supported Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions Camps
DAY 15-16: THANGTHANGKHA, SHANA/PARO
Hike back to Soe Thangthathangka, exiting through Shana outpost to Paro. Depending on trekking speed, we have a final day, or evening, of rest in Paro.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Olathang or comparable
DAY 17: BANGKOK, THAILAND/DELHI, INDIA | DEPARTURE
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast (depending on your flight departure) before your transfer to the airport. Catch your flight to Bangkok or another gateway city from where you can continue your travel home or on to other destinations.
DAY 13: ATTEND A SECOND DAY OF FESTIVITIES OR HIKE IN SNOW LEOPARD & BLUE SHEEP TERRITORY
Attend the second day of the Snow Leopard Festival as the festivities ramp up with nomads staging folk dances, horse-races, yak dressage and traditional feats of strength. 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.
DAY 14: CLIMB TO BHONTE LA PASS (16,100 FT)
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.
DAY 15: RETURN HIKE OUT TO THANGTHANKHA CAMP
Complete the Jomolhari loop. We complete the remainder of the Jomolhari Trek back to Soe Thangthathangka, exiting back to Shana army outpost with a return to Paro by night.
DAY 16: REST DAY IN PARO
A final day of rest and relaxtion in Paro Valley with light cultural touring.
DAY 17: RETURN FLIGHT TO BANGKOK OR ANOTHER GATEWAY CITY