Jhomolhari-Lingshi-Laya-Gasa Trek

Jhomolhari-Lingshi-Laya-Gasa Trek – Bhutan's Best Trek

Day 1: Paro to Sharna Zampa

15KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 2870M

Your trek starts from the historic Drugyel Dzong (2580m). The Dzong is a 12km drive to the north of Paro valley from the hotel. You will meet your trekking crew here. After a short while you will start walking on a wide trail that tracks along the Pa Chhu (Paro river). The trail will slowly ascend where you will be walking through the countryside with views of rice paddies and fields of millet. As the valley widens you will find apple orchards, traditional Bhutanese farmhouses and a few small settlements of Mitshi Zampa and Sangatan. Following the route through blue pine forest you will be brought to the army post of Gunitsawa at 2810m where your trekking permits will be checked and stamped. You will then climb towards Sharna Zampa (2870m) after crossing Pa Chhu on a wooden bridge. You will be camping at Sharna Zampa in the meadows among the trees for the night.

Day 2: Sharna Zampa to Soi Thangthangkha

20KM | 8-9 HOURS | 900M ASCENT CAMP ALT 3750M

Just like the previous day, we will be following the trail following the Pachhu (Paro river). We will be ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. You will reach at Shingkharap after 2 hours of hiking and crossing several streams. This is a stone house at 3110m. You will then cross the bridge towards the left side of the river where you will be served a hot lunch. A little walk ahead is the trail junction. The left road is an old trade route to Tibet and the right route leads to the wooden bridge. We will be taking the latter route. After climbing through rhododendron forests and finally crossing the bridge again, we reach our camp at 3750m, which is amidst beautiful meadows.

Day 3: Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang base camp of jhomolhari

19KM | 7-8 HOURS | CAMP ALT 4100M

Today is not a long trekking day but it will involve a significant gain in altitude as your trail goes above tree line. As you take the path that ascends from our camp you will be brought to an army camp. Then you will follow the river above the tree line as well as enjoying the spectacular view of the surrounding mountain peaks. After walking through a very muddy section and passing a mani wall you will enter yak country. Inside a yak herder’ camp you will be served a hot filling lunch. After lunch, we walk past yak herder settlements of Soe and Takethang. Some common crops that people grow here are barley, potatoes and turnips. After your lunch, you will walk across a plateau and up a stream bed. You will pass Dangochang village to the beautiful campsite of Jangothang at an altitude of 4100m. From here, the views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake will take your breath away.

Day 4: Soi Thangkha to Jangothang base camp

17KM | 4-5 HOURS | 290M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4040M

Today, you will do a four hours long acclimatization hike to the north of your camp. There isn’t really a trail but you will climb on an open and endless slope till you see the view of Mt Jichu Drakye (6989m). You can hike further up to 4895m (higher than Mount Blanc) to see the amazing view of Mount Jumolhari. You are likely to spot rare blue sheep, Himalayan rhubarb, griffon vultures, golden eagles and the our national flower – the blue poppy. In the foreground below the colossal Mount Jumolhari and its neighboring mountain, Jichu Drake is the Jangothang base. It is a flat grassy land with the ruins of an old fortress on a hillock. It is highly recommended for all trekkers to halt here as most people show signs of mountain sickness at this altitude. You will have the option to hike or to simply rest in camp. Both ways, it will be a very memorable day.

Day 5: Jangothang to Soi Yaksa

16KM | 7-8 HOURS | 810M ASCENT | 1090M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3800M

The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and descends once again to the Paro Chhu (River), crossing it on a wooden bridge. Walk up to the turquoise Tshophu lake (4380 meters), which ruddy shelducks inhabit. You will come across a second lake after you climb across a slope to a crest. Then descend into a hidden valley and climb steeply to Bonte La at 4890m, the highest point of the trek with great mountain views of Basingthang (5500m) and Chatarake (5570m). After the pass, the trail descends crisscrossing yak trails down to the Dhumzo Chhu and after walking downstream past few houses you arrive at a camp at 3800 meters.

Day 6: Soi Yaksa to Thombu Shong

11KM | 4-5 HOURS | 720M ASCENT | 340M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4180M

The trail climbs over 100m over a ridge, and then drops to another stream. Crossing that stream, the trail heads up the hillside, dropping into a small side valley before emerging onto a ridge. Here the route turns south, ascending past few huts to Takhung La (4520 m). A short descend leads to wide and grassy Thombu Shong (4180m) with few yak herder’s huts.

Day 7: Thombu Shong to Gunitsawa to Thimphu

13KM | 4-5 HOURS | 200M ASCENT | 1650M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 2730M

Climb out of the valley through rhododendron forests to Thombu La at 4380m. On clear weather, great views of Mount Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, Teri Kang and even Kanchenjunga from the pass is rewarding and a treat for the hectic minds. Trail then drops gradually to about 4000m, switching back down the ridge, you finally reach the helipad at Gunitsawa (2730m). Your vehicle will be waiting here to pick you up. Drive to Thimphu where you can celebrate your return to civilization with a refreshing shower in the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Tour details

Tour Type: Trekking & Adventure Tours

Duration: 7 Days 6 Nights

Grade: Moderate

Min/Max elevation: 340m-4180m