Trekking
Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
Five days through high yak pasture south of Thimphu, among the small lakes that give the trek its name.
Price on request
Trekking
Jomolhari Trek
Seven days on foot to the base of Jomolhari and over two passes close to 5,000 m, coming down a different valley to Thimphu.
- Length
- 12 days / 11 nights
- On the trail
- 7 days
- Highest point
- 4,930 m, Yeli La
- Grade
- Strenuous
- Best months
- March to May and September to November
- Price
- Price on request
Overview
This is Bhutan's classic high trek. It follows the Paro river up to Jangothang, the camp beneath Jomolhari, 7,326 m, rests a day there, then crosses to the remote valley of Lingshi and over Yeli La before the long descent towards Thimphu.
It is a serious walk. Two days are over 20 km, two passes are close to 5,000 m, and four nights are spent at about 4,000 m. In return you get a week in the country of yak herders and blue sheep, and a mountain that fills the end of the valley when you open the tent.
The trail lies inside Jigme Dorji National Park and close to the northern border, so it needs permits, which we arrange. Spring is the season of flowers; October and November usually give the clearest views and the coldest nights.
Highlights
- Jangothang, the camp at the foot of Jomolhari
- A rest day for walks towards Jichu Drake and the Tshophu lakes
- Lingshi, and its small dzong on a hilltop
- Yeli La at 4,930 m, the highest point of the trek
- Yak herders' country, where blue sheep graze above the trail
Route
- Paro
- Camp at Soi Thangthangkha
- Camp at Jangothang
- Camp at Lingshi
- Camp at Shodu
- Camp at Barshong
- Thimphu
- Paro
Day by day
Day 1 Arrive in Paro
Your guide meets you at the airport. The rest of the day is for settling in at 2,250 m: a visit to Rinpung Dzong and a walk through the town are enough.
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- L, D
Day 2 The Tiger's Nest
The walk to Taktsang is the best preparation for the trek, taking you to about 3,100 m and back down to sleep low. Allow four to five hours. Your trek gear is checked in the evening.
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 3 Shana to Soi Thangthangkha
You drive up the valley to the trailhead at Shana, where the crew and pack animals are waiting. It is a long first day, following the Paro river through forest, climbing gently but for many hours. The first sight of Jomolhari comes near camp, if the sky is clear.
- Walk or drive
- 22 km, 7 to 8 hours
- Night altitude
- 3,610 m
- Night in
- Camp at Soi Thangthangkha
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 4 Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang
The valley widens and the trees thin out. You pass an army post and the winter houses of yak herders, and by afternoon reach Jangothang, a broad meadow beside the ruins of a small fort, with the white wall of Jomolhari straight ahead.
- Walk or drive
- 19 km, 5 to 6 hours
- Night altitude
- 4,080 m
- Night in
- Camp at Jangothang
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 5 A day at Jangothang
A rest day, and a necessary one before the pass. The usual rule is to walk high and sleep low: up the ridge for the view of Jichu Drake, or to the lakes of Tshophu, where blue sheep graze the slopes.
- Night altitude
- 4,080 m
- Night in
- Camp at Jangothang
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 6 Over Nyile La to Lingshi
A steady climb to Nyile La, the first high pass, at about 4,870 m. On the far side the land falls away into the wide, empty valley of Lingshi, with its dzong on a hill in the distance.
- Walk or drive
- 17 to 18 km, 6 to 7 hours
- Night altitude
- 4,000 m
- Night in
- Camp at Lingshi
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 7 Over Yeli La to Shodu
The hardest day. The trail climbs from Lingshi to Yeli La, 4,930 m, from where Jomolhari, Tserim Kang and Masang Gang can be seen in good weather. A long descent follows, to the camp at Shodu.
- Walk or drive
- 22 km, 8 to 9 hours
- Night altitude
- 4,080 m
- Night in
- Camp at Shodu
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 8 Shodu to Barshong
Back among trees. The path follows the Thimphu river downstream, past waterfalls, to the ruined fort of Barshong.
- Walk or drive
- 16 km, 5 to 6 hours
- Night altitude
- 3,710 m
- Night in
- Camp at Barshong
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 9 Barshong to the road, and Thimphu
The last walk, down through forest to the road head above Thimphu, where the vehicle meets you. A hotel, a shower and a bed.
- Night altitude
- 2,334 m
- Night in
- Thimphu
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 10 Thimphu
A day to rest and see the capital at whatever pace your legs allow: the Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma, the craft bazaar.
- Night altitude
- 2,334 m
- Night in
- Thimphu
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 11 Thimphu to Paro
An hour's drive to Paro, for the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang.
- Walk or drive
- 54 km, about 1 hour
- Night altitude
- 2,250 m
- Night in
- Paro
- Meals
- B, L, D
Day 12 Depart from Paro
Transfer to the airport for your flight.
- Meals
- B
What is included
Included
- The Sustainable Development Fee, US$100 a night for each adult at the current rate
- Visa fee of US$40 and the visa application made for you
- 5 nights in hotels and 6 nights in camp
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 12
- A licensed trekking guide, a cook and camp crew, and pack animals for the baggage
- Sleeping tents, mats, a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent
- A private vehicle and driver for all road travel
Not included
- Flights to and from Paro
- Travel insurance. Cover for emergency evacuation is strongly advised on any trek
- A sleeping bag
- Entry fees at monuments
- Drinks, tips and personal spending
Practical details
- Accommodation
Hotels in Paro and Thimphu, and six nights in two-person tents on the trail.
- Meals
Cooked meals on the trek, prepared by the camp cook, with tea brought to your tent in the morning. Boiled water is provided for your bottles.
- Transport
A private vehicle with a driver between the airport, the hotels and the two ends of the trail.
- Guide and trek crew
A licensed trekking guide walks with you. The cook, helpers and horsemen go ahead to set up camp. Treks in Bhutan may only be undertaken with an accredited guide or operator.
- Equipment we supply
Tents, sleeping mats, dining, kitchen and toilet tents, and all cooking gear. Your main bag is carried by the pack animals; you carry a day pack.
- Visa and permits
This route needs an army permit and a national-park permit as well as your visa. We apply for all three; allow extra time when booking.
- Fitness and preparation
This trek is for people who already walk in mountains. You need to be able to walk seven or eight hours a day, several days running, above 4,000 m. The rest day at Jangothang is there for acclimatisation and is not optional. Anyone showing signs of altitude sickness is taken down, which can mean turning back before the passes. Insurance that covers helicopter evacuation is strongly advised, and a medical check before booking is sensible for anyone over sixty or with a heart or lung condition.
What to bring
- Walking boots that are already broken in
- A sleeping bag rated to about minus 15°C
- Warm layers, a down or synthetic jacket, hat and gloves
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- A head torch and spare batteries
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Two water bottles of one litre each
- Walking poles, if you use them
- A day pack of 25 to 30 litres
- Any medicines you take, and a small first-aid kit
Questions about this trip
Is altitude a problem in Bhutan?
On a cultural tour, rarely. Paro and Thimphu are at 2,200 to 2,350 m, where most visitors notice only shortness of breath on stairs for a day or two. The road passes are higher, at 3,100 to almost 4,000 m, but you cross them by vehicle and do not stay.
Treks are different. Camps on the Druk Path are above 3,500 m and the northern treks cross passes near 5,000 m. Our trek itineraries build in days to adjust, and your guide will take you down if you show signs of altitude sickness. If you have a heart or lung condition, speak to your doctor before booking any trip to Bhutan.
How fit do I need to be for a trek?
It depends on the trek. For Bumdra and Gangtey, anyone who walks regularly will manage. The Druk Path and the Dagala Thousand Lakes trek ask for five or six hours a day at up to 4,300 m.
The Jomolhari trek means seven or eight hours a day, with passes close to 5,000 m. Laya–Gasa and the Snowman are for people who have already trekked at altitude, and we ask about your experience before taking a booking. Each trek page says what it needs under "Fitness and preparation".
What is provided on a trek, and what do I bring?
We provide the tents, sleeping mats, a dining tent, a kitchen tent and a toilet tent, and all the cooking gear, with a guide, a cook and helpers. Pack animals carry the baggage, so you walk with a day pack.
You bring your own boots, clothing and sleeping bag. Each trek page has a packing list.
Do I need travel insurance?
It has not been compulsory since 23 April 2024, but the Department of Tourism strongly recommends it and so do we. Make sure it covers medical treatment and evacuation.
For a trek, check that the policy covers the altitude you will reach and rescue by helicopter.
Places on this trip
More treks
You might also consider
Trekking
Druk Path Trek
Six days along the ridge between Paro and Thimphu, past a ruined dzong and a chain of high lakes, with Jomolhari on the skyline in clear weather.
Price on request
Trekking
Gangtey Trek
Three days of village-to-village walking from the crane valley of Phobjikha, over forested passes that stay below about 3,500 m.
Price on request
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