Chomolhari
Base Camp Trek-15 days
" Mountain Goddess"
Mount Chomolhari
(also spelt as Jhomolhari), ( 23, 996ft/
7, 316 m) means the Goddess of Mountain
that reigns in glory and its five sister
peaks are the sources of Paro Chu (River),
that nourishes the lush rice fields, apple
and peach orchards of Paro Valley. The
sacred mountain is a great object of respect
and veneration to Bhutanese people and
has one of the most popular trekking routes
in the eastern Himalayas .
The trail begins at the
Drugyel Dzong and follows the ancient
caravan route, heading towards the base
camp of Mount Chomolhari , passing through
scattered hamlets and farmland, into deep
and richly forested valleys, which leads
to a high alpine pastureland where yak
herders graze their animals. The trek
offers a taste of great variety of Bhutanese
landscape.
Despite being one of the
high altitude treks, this trek is moderate
graded and requires no previous experience
but a strong pairs of legs with determination
and a spirit of adventures. We cover remote
highlands of the Lingshi, witnessing the
nomadic lifestyles of these high altitude
gypsies. Sights of Yaks and the wild blue
sheep on the mountains are awesome. Himalayan
poppies , primulas , gentianas and the
spectacular rheum nobile fill the mountain
side in the summer. We follow the trial
to Thimpu along Wanchu River and through
rhododendron and pine forest and the ruins
of Barshong Fortress before reaching the
upper Thimpu valley at Dodena
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Paro International
Airport
During the flight to Paro, one will experience
breath taking views of Mount Everest,
Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan
peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari
and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival
at Paro International Airport, you will
be received by representatives of our
tout operator, who will escort you to
the Hotel where arrangements have been
made for two nights halt.
Day 2 : Paro -
Sightseeing
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined fortress
- 16 Kms. away from Paro Town). Although
in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical
importance. It was here that the Bhutanese
finally defeated the invading Tibetans
and drove them back. From here , the peak
of Chomolhari "Mountain of the Goddess"
(Alt. 7,329 m / 24,029 ft.). On the way
back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.
After lunch, at the hotel, take a leisurely
stroll around the compound. Overnight
in Hotel
Day 3 : Paro - Shana
Distance 17 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey.
Altitude of Shana 2,800 m. Drive up to
Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and
the trek begins. The trail follows the
river through beautiful meadows and paddy
fields. The night’s camp is just
beyond an army outpost.
Day 4 : Shana -
Soi Thangthangkha
The trail continues uphill through the
river valley. The valley gradually narrows
to a mere path which descends to a meadow
where a camp will be set up.
Day 5 : Soi Thangthangkha
- Jangothang
Distance - 19 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey.
Altitude of Jangothang 4040 m.
The trek starts up the
Pa Chu. Cross an army outpost along the
way. The valley begins to widen here with
a spectacular view of high mountain ridges
and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herders'
winter homes become a regular feature
of the landscape. Camp for the night beneath
a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari.
Day 6 : Jangothang
- Halt
Trek up to Tosoh or hike around the area.
There are good short hiking trails in
three directions. Chomolhari and it subsidiary
mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu
Drake to the north and a number of unscaled
peaks to the east. Overnight halt in camp
Day 7 : Jangothang
- Lingshi
Distance - 19 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey.
Altitude of Lingshi 4150 m. Trek through
wide yak pastures and up and down passes.
As you come down into the Lingshi basin,
you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong
on a clear day. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers
rise up at the north end of the valley.
Night halt is a choice between a stone
hut or the tent.
Day 8 : Lingshi
- Halt
A day excursion to Tsokha (Lake), which
is the base camp for Jichu Drâke,
can be organized. Blue sheep and musk
deer are plentiful along the trek route.
Distance 15 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey.
Altitude of Tsokha 4500 m.
Day 9 : Lingshi
- Shodu
Distance - 22 Kms. About 7 - 8 hours journey.
Altitude of Shodu 3963m.
The trail climbs up to
the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 4820
m. From the pass, you can get an excellent
view of Chomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang
on a clear day. The trek from the pass
to camp site at Shodu is steep down hill.
Camp can be made in a stone shelter or
in tent.
Day 10 : Shodu
- Barshong
Distance - 13 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey.
Altitude of Barshong 3785m.
The trail follows the Thim
- Chu river through rhododendron forests.
Waterfalls can be seen along the way.
The valley narrows till the path takes
to the slopes and gradually ascends to
reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp
can made in stone shelter or tent.
Day 11 : Barshong
- Dolam Kencho
Distance - 11 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey.
Altitude of Dolam Kencho 3628m.
The trail descends through
thick rhododendron forest to meet the
Thim-Chu and then ascends to pasture lands.
Camp is in a meadow.
Day 12 : Dolam
Kencho - Thimphu Distance - 14
Kms. About 4 - 5 hours. The trail continues
through forested areas winding up and
down and through a small pass. Langurs
(monkeys) can be seen along the way. Overnight
halt in Hotel.
Day 13 : Thimphu
- Day excursion to Punakha and Wangdi
Drive to Punakha and Wangdi for a day’s
excursion. Visit Punakha Dzong. Packed
lunch will be arranged. Return to Thimphu.
Overnight halt in Hotel.
Day 14 : Thimphu
- Sightseeing
Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main Government
Secretariat building, where the government
ministries, the Office of His Majesty
the King and the Throne Room , and the
offices and living quarters of the monk
body and the Chief Abbot are housed.
Explore the town, visit
shops and the Handicrafts Emporium, where
Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts
are available. Visit the workshop where
the handicrafts are made.
Visit the painting and
woodcraft schools where traditional painting
and other crafts are still practiced.
Visit the National Library
and see the ancient manuscripts preserved
there.
Visit the Simtokha Dzong
(6 Kms. from Thimphu), the oldest Dzong
in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
in 1629 A..D. The Simtokha Dzong houses
the largest monastic school in the country.
Evening: Relax in Thimphu's modern health
club and beauty parlour "Sakten Health
Club & Salon." Sakten offers
sauna, steam and gymnasium facilities,
as well as full beauty treatment, including
hair dressing, skin care (pure herbal
products) and body massage services.
For guests our, the Health
Club facilities are free; Salon and beauty
services are available for concessional
rates.
Day 15 : Thimphu
- Paro International Airport
Drive to Paro International Airport. Seen
off by representatives of our tour operator
or your guide.
Tour Price per
person basis
