Chomalhari Trek- 12 Days

You can fly into Paro from various locations such as Bangkok, New Delhi, Kathmandu, or Dhaka. We recommend flying from Bangkok, as Druk Air offers daily flights between Bangkok and Paro, whereas flights from other cities are less frequent.

Upon arrival, our airport representative from Ama Adventure will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in a private tourist vehicle. After lunch, you’ll visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum. The evening will be spent strolling through Paro’s main shopping area.

Enjoy a day excursion to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. This stunning monastery is one of the most photographed landmarks in Bhutan and serves as a symbol of the country. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on the back of a tigress and meditated here, giving the monastery its name. The round-trip hike to the monastery’s viewpoint takes approximately 5 hours. After the hike, lunch will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk back to the base. The evening is free for relaxation before your trekking adventure begins the next day.

We’ll begin our drive to Drukgyel Dzong, located north of Paro, where the road ends. From here, you’ll have a stunning view of the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong with the majestic Mount Chomolhari in the background which is an ideal spot to start our trek.
The hike to Shana begins along a dirt road for about 1 hour, passing through a fertile valley surrounded by forested mountains, following the Paro Chu river. Be mindful of the strong sun at this altitude. Along the way, we’ll pass the village of Tsento Zampa, where traditional Bhutanese farmhouses with bright red chillies drying on the roofs can be seen. Farmers in this valley typically grow red rice, potatoes, and wheat.
The trail continues on the east side of the river, gently winding through forests filled with birds and colorful butterflies. After approximately 2.5 hours, we’ll reach the military camp at Gunitsawa. The camp has a school and shops, and your trekking permit will be checked at the entrance. After another 20 minutes of walking through the forest, the camp at Shana will appear in a large open field by the river. From here, you can enjoy a view of the snowy peak of Jo Drakey.

Today will be a challenging day as we cover a lot of distance and gain considerable altitude. After lunch, the trail becomes rough and rocky, with many ups and downs.

We’ll start by following the river upstream from the campsite, passing the old ruins of Shana Bridge, which was destroyed in the 1950s by a major flood caused by glacial lake outbursts. This bridge was once used by travelers journeying to and from Phari in Tibet. The trail steadily climbs through dense forests of oak, rhododendron, bamboo, and ferns.

After crossing a small house, we’ll reach Shing Karap. Not far from here, we’ll encounter a junction where another trail leads up to Tremo La, an old trading route to Phari in Tibet.

The trail climbs steeply, then descends before we cross a large bridge at 3,250m, moving to the east side of the river. Thongo Zam, a potential lunch spot, is nearby. From here, the trek continues through forests of birch, fir, larch, maple, and blue pine.

After a short climb, we’ll reach Seyende Zam, where a large chorten (stupa) stands. On clear days, you’ll have a view of Mt. Chomolhari to the north. Continuing for another 20-30 minutes, we’ll finally arrive at our camp in a peaceful meadow.

After breakfast and enjoying the stunning view of Chomolhari, we’ll begin our trek. The trail gradually ascends as we leave the forest behind and enter a picturesque valley. Along the way, we’ll pass Tegethang, a winter settlement for yak herders.

We’ll continue until we reach Jangothang, the Chomolhari Base Camp. This valley is vast and high, with towering mountains like Chomolhari and Jichu Drake providing a breathtaking backdrop. The remains of an old fortress can be seen nearby, adding to the area’s historical charm.

Today is a rest day at Chomolhari Base Camp to help with acclimatization. There are several great hikes you can take from the camp, and it’s important to do one to help your body adjust. The most popular hike is towards the valley, leading to the twin lakes of Tsho Phu. From the lakes, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Chomolhari and Jichu Drake mountains. Keep an eye out for a herd of Himalayan Blue Sheep in this beautiful valley.

After breakfast, we begin with a steep switchback trail that climbs out of the valley and into another. From here, we’ll begin the long ascent, which will take around 3-4 hours, leading us to the first high and windy pass of the trek, Nyelela Pass (4,890m), also known as the “sleepy pass.” From the pass, you’ll enjoy sweeping views to the east-northeast, showcasing the trekking route we’ll follow over the next few days. Mt. Takaphu stands tall to the north, while Gangchen Ta, or “Tiger Mountain,” is visible to the east.

After a challenging ascent, we’ll descend for less than 30 minutes to a flat, sheltered area, which is a great spot for lunch. Continuing the descent, we pass through a narrow gorge and cross a small river. Eventually, we reach a viewpoint where Lingshi Dzong comes into sight. Our campsite is set up near a river.

We begin early for a challenging and rewarding day as we cross another stunning pass. The trail leads through rhododendron forests on the ridge above the camp, heading towards a small chorten (stupa). Below, the No Chhu (Blue River) flows. The climb gradually ascends to 4,450m before crossing the main river into the side of the valley. The final stretch involves navigating large boulders and several switchbacks. After 4-5 hours of trekking, we reach the top of Yale La Pass (4,950m), where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the snowy peaks around Lingshi and Basingthang. The descent leads us to the Jaradinthang Chhu, which eventually becomes the Thimphu River. We continue along the river until we reach our camp at Shodu.

In the morning, we pass a deserted military camp and continue along the trail, which leads us through a limestone valley and to the river. In ancient times, monks used the caves in the rocks for meditation. We’ll cross bridges over the main river, offering fantastic views of towering rock faces and waterfalls. The trail gradually ascends 130 meters to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. This area has recently been recorded as the home of both a tiger and a snow leopard, spotted by park rangers. For those wishing to continue, you have the option to trek for another 1.5 hours to a more scenic campsite.

Today, we begin with a steep descent along a rocky trail that leads to the Thimphu Chhu river. The trail features several ups and downs before reaching Dolam Kencho at 3,290m. From here, the path ascends to 3,450m before descending to a side stream, passing through several switchbacks down a vertical cliff. The final stretch takes us through bamboo forests, following the mule trail high above the river. Eventually, the trail meets the river again at Dodina, where our transport will be waiting to take us to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.

Today, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Thimphu Valley, which includes visits to the National Library, the Traditional Medicine Institute, the Arts & Crafts School, the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, the National Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, and the Traditional Paper Factory.

You’ll also have the chance to explore the Takin Mini Zoo, the Handicrafts Emporium, and local shops. The day concludes with a visit to Tashichho Dzong, which houses government offices and the King’s Throne Room. In the evening, we will drive back to Paro.

After breakfast, our Ama Adventure representative will escort you to Paro International Airport for your departure flight from Bhutan.