Highlights
High trails, remote camps, and unmatched mountain scenery, all in under two weeks
Two high passes - cross the Nyile La (4850m/15,912ft) and Yale Pass (4950m/16,240ft), challenging ascents with dramatic rewards and unforgettable views
Sleep in wild solitude beneath the sacred Jomolhari (7314m/23,996ft) with panoramic views of Jichu Drake and the Tibetan frontier
Take in the country’s spiritual and cultural highlights: Paro, Thimphu, Tiger’s Nest and Lingshi Dzong
Itinerary
Set out on the Jomolhari Base Camp Trek, a 12-day Himalayan adventure in Bhutan that begins and ends in Paro. This guided trekking and hiking tour is perfect for experienced and active travelers looking for a challenging yet relatively short high-altitude trek with deep cultural immersion.
From the scenic Paro Valley, the route winds through enchanting rhododendron forests and over sparkling glacial streams, gradually ascending to the meadows beneath the majestic Jomolhari (7314m). Along the way, you’ll pass through remote campsites, witness the dramatic views of Jichu Drake and Tshrim Khang, and conquer the formidable Yale Pass at 4950m before descending toward Thimphu.
A unique highlight of this trekking tour is its blend of rugged adventure and cultural insight. You’ll camp in breathtaking locations, interact with local villagers, and experience mountain vistas typically reserved for much longer treks. The journey is led by knowledgeable guides who share stories and traditions, ensuring you gain a deep appreciation for Bhutan’s natural and cultural riches.
For trekkers who want a challenging Himalayan trek without the extended time commitment, the Jomolhari Base Camp Trek stands out as an exceptional way to explore Bhutan’s wild beauty and ancient heritage.
day 1Join Paro (2200m/7218ft)
After clearing customs and immigration at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your Bhutanese guide and transferred a short distance through the main street of Paro to our accommodation. The beautiful Paro Valley is one of Bhutan’s most picturesque regions, with traditional farmhouses scattered across cultivated fields and forested hills rising toward the surrounding mountains.
Depending on our arrival time and trek preparations, we will begin exploring Paro and its important cultural landmarks. Highlights include a visit to the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, the fortress monastery that dominates the valley and is considered the architectural model for many of Bhutan’s other dzongs.
Above the dzong stands Ta Dzong, the historic watchtower that now houses the National Museum of Bhutan. The museum contains a fascinating collection of ancient weapons, traditional costumes, priceless jewellery and exhibits showcasing Bhutan’s unique flora, fauna and cultural heritage.
There may also be time to wander through the small town centre where local shops sell everyday goods alongside traditional handicrafts made from wood, textiles and metal. As we travel through the valley, you may notice Bhutan’s national sport of archery being practised on fields lined with willow trees, as well as traditional wooden bridges spanning the Paro River.
Accommodation: Hotel in Paro
day 2Paro Valley – Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) (3,100 m / 10,171 ft, walk 4–5 hrs)
day 3Drive to Shana and trek to Thongo Zampa (3,250 m / 10,663 ft, drive 1–1.5 hrs, walk 4 hrs, 11 km)
day 4Trek to Soi Thangthangkha (3,700 m / 12,139 ft, walk 4 hrs)
day 5Trek to Jomolhari Base Camp, Jangothang (4,100 m / 13,451 ft, walk 5 hrs, 12 km)
day 6Jomolhari Base Camp – Acclimatisation and exploration (4,100 m / 13,451 ft)
day 7Cross Nyile La and trek to Lingshi Valley (4,850 m / 15,912 ft, walk 8 hrs, 18 km)
day 8Cross Yale La and trek to Shodu (4,950 m / 16,240 ft, walk 8 hrs)
day 9Trek Barshong and transfer to Thimphu (walk 5-6hrs , 1.5–2hrs drive)
day 10Explore Thimphu and drive Punakha (3000m / 10000ft, 3hrs drive)
day 11Drive to Paro (3000m / 10000ft, 3–4hrs drive)
day 12Trip concludes in Paro (2,200 m / 7,218 ft)
What's Included
Customer Reviews
This trek was gorgeous - and one of the best organised treks I have been on - wonderful guide, team and food.
Well planned, supported and executed trip. Bhutan was a great travel experience I haven’t felt for quite a while.
The scenery was fantastic, the guide was great.
We’ve just returned from a remarkable 12 days in Bhutan and couldn’t recommend it more highly. This is some feedback from Sophie and me. The whole thing went brilliantly from start to finish. We have some appreciation for the challenges of operating in developing countries, and so very much respect what went into delivering the outstanding service. We were continually delighted. Our expectations were well and truly exceeded. The core trekking support team of Sam, Norbu, and Sigay was genuinely outstanding. They worked tirelessly and delivered incredible meals and services for us, always with a bright smile. They were 10/10. The guide, Sonam, was good - capable, organised, calm and helpful. He dealt with the two mini crises extremely well - when one guest had to be evacuated and the 2nd set of ponies was very late. His one area for improvement is his communication. This would be three things: (i) English pronunciation, (ii) in talking to our group, he nearly always directed his gaze and speech to me, the only male in the group, to the exclusion of the women, and (iii) he could be more proactive and forthcoming with information. He will go from 8/10 to 10/10 if he can improve his communication. There was a small misunderstanding about the tipping. From the WEx materials and common sense, we had assumed the tips would be given at the end of the trip. Sonam asked us for a tip for the first set of horsemen when they finished their work mid-trip, and he indicated that the team tip fund would usually be provided at the start. That didn’t seem consistent with the WEx materials, and we had no way to know how much horsemen should be tipped. Also, the WEx materials say “if” you have a guide or drivers, which is odd given that this trip had both. Our sense from the WEx materials was that there would be two tips: one for the team and one for the guide. We assumed the drivers and horsemen were part of the team. In reality, more than two tips were required, as drivers and horsemen were not considered part of the team. The practice of tipping is foreign to us and sensitive, and WEx would do well to achieve better clarity for all. The hotels in Paro and Thimpu were both great, and the staff were wonderful. Thank you again for a truly wonderful adventure. We are already talking about our next one!
Good to Know
Do you need help from our trip consultants?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Our travel experts are ready to help.
Why Book with Bookmundi
No credit card or booking fees.
Best price guaranteed.
Carbon neutral tours.
25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
