Up in the alpines plotting the course from ground zero- Jomolhari Trek beholds the heart of avid trekkers as they venture into the Eastern Himalayas. Across varying stunning landscapes and vegetation, we cross altitude ranging from 2500 meters to 5000 meters. Along with perennial snow-capped towering ranges, the marvel is sighting Jumolhari at 7300 meters. Mount Jumolhari is a very sacred mountain as it is the abode of the powerful female deity, Aum Jomo. Jumolhari trek has other variations too, for light travelers one can opt for a shorter trek.
- Jomolhari is at an elevation of 7300 meters above the sea level. It is the abode of a powerful female local deity. Jomolhari is also known as “the bride of Kangchenjunga” straddling the border between Yadong County of Tibet, China and the Thimphu district of Bhutan. The north face rises over 2,700 meters above the barren plains. The mountain is the source of the Paro River which flows from the south side and the Amo Chu which flows from the north side. One must read Freddie Spencer Chapman’s book Helvellyn to Himalaya published in 1940.
- On a knoll amid the clouds, the ruins of what was once a palace of the protecting guardian of the locality of Barshong, the 17th century Barshong Dzong still stands tall. Narops’ claim that the Barshong Dzong was built during the times of Zhabdrung, the Unifier of Bhutan. In the near future, the Barshong Dzong will be constructed back to its former glory or another temple will be built aside the Dzong.
- Day 1 Gunitsawa Village – Sharna Zampa: As it is the first day, for acclimatization and trek permit we will stay camped by a riverside before advancing onwards for the trek.
- Day 2 Sharna Zampa – Thangthangkha: Keep your trekking spirit up your sleeves for it will be a long day. Winding up the switchback yet undulating trail up a knoll, we again take a descent and camp for the night. On a clear day, we can see the glorious Mount Jumolhari.
- Day 3 Thangthangkha – Jangothang: Once again, it is time that you gear up for another hike, seemingly tough yet rewarding, we follow the course of a river. We pass through the meadows hosting villages of Soe, Takethang, and Dangochang. We camp at Jangothang feasting on the glorious Mount Jomolhari.
- Day 4 Jangothang: Owing to Jangothang’s serene position and exceedingly pleasing altitude to acclimatize, we halt a day here. On our stay, we can opt for day hikes and leisurely go around for photography sessions. It is also a vantage point for us to witness the many of the Himalayan peaks unclimbed.
- Day 5 Jangothang – Lingshi: Exerting from the last day’s energy, we go unto hiking uphill for about 30 minutes and reach a mountain pass- Nyili La at 4,870 meters. We get the spectacular views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drakey, and Tsherimgang all above 7,000 meters. After a while, we reach Lingshi basin, a beautiful U-shaped valley. On a clear day, we see Lingshi Dzong. We will camp next to a stone just before Lingshi Dzong.
- Day 6 Lingshi – Chebisa: Today will be your shortest hike. After reaching a stupa below the Lingshi Dzong(4,220m), you can choose to stay on the main trail or take a detour up to the Lingshi Dzong. After a short hike, we can opt to stay on our trail or take a detour towards Lingshi Dzong located at 4220 meters. After Lingshi Dzong, we pass the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul village, you can see stone houses clustered together unusual to common scattered settlements pattern. After reaching our campsite at Chebisa, we will visit a village and a waterfall behind the village.
- Day 7 Chebisa – Shomuthang: Heading for another mountain pass- Gobu La at 4410 meters, it is a three-hour ascent from the campsite. On the summit of the pass, we get to descent down to a large U-shaped valley from the pass to Shakshepasa at 3980 meters. For the night, we camp by a river coursing the Shomuthang hamlet.
- Day 8 Shomuthang – Robluthang: The day’s itinerary offers a stunning scenario of Mount Kang Bum elevated at 6526 meters. Crossing a mountain pass- Jhari at 4750 meters, we see the first glimpse of the mountain pass- Sinche. Glinting off at the distant northern horizon is the Mount Gangchhenta at 6840 meters. Our campsite of the day is at a small hamlet Roblunthang. As up in the alpine, pasture land is rare- it is declared as a Takin sanctuary, the national animal of Bhutan. Takins migrate to this pastureland in the summer and graze here for about four months.
- Day 9 Robluthang – Limithang: Hiking up the boulder dotted trail, the trail becomes gradual after an hour’s uphill climb. In another hour’s hike, we reach the tours final and the highest mountain pass- Sinche at 5000 meters. At the floor of the valley, one can witness the glacial lake along with lateral moraines accumulated by the debris of the glaciers above. After crossing the rivulet Kang Chhu, we reach our campsite.
- Day 10 Limithang – Laya: The itinerary allows a light trek for the day. Walking downhill along the bank of a winding river towards the west, we go into the heart of a thicket. After the forested trail, coming out to the open blue sky, we can see the majestic Mount Gangchhenta and Mount Masagang. In the valley, there is a basic health unit along with a community school, we camp below the school.
- Day 11 Laya – Koina: Traversing the undulating trail through Mo Chhu river valley, we meet gushing rivers to gorges, streams, and waterfalls- we reach Kohi Lapcha at 3300 meters. After a brisk downhill hike, we cross the Koina Chhu to our campsite of Koina.
- Day 12 Koina – Gasa: You will climb for the last time on the trek when you cross the Bari La Pass (3,740m). You will then descend towards Gasa village (2,770m). You can choose to camp near the Gasa Dzong or descend for another hour to the Gasa Tsachu (hot springs) and relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. Trekking downhill to villages of Gasa- the last frontiers at the northern hemisphere of Bhutan, we cross the last mountain pass- Bari at 3500 meters, it’s the last mountain pass of the tour. Upon reaching Gasa, we will visit the gloriously scintillating Dzong of Gasa. For healing effects, we can also opt to soak ourselves in the popular hot spring of Gasa. To keep the cold at bay, we camp nearby the Dzong.
