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Itinerary for Chomolhari trek
Included in the cost of your trip are scheduled group restaurant meals. Meals provided are listed as B (breakfast), L (lunch) and D (dinner) at the end of each day. You will be responsible for those meals not listed.
October 9-11: PARO 4,383 feet
Travel from your homeport through Bangkok to Paro. All flights departing the US cross the date line and consequently a day is lost. Arrive in Paro on Day 3, where a Mountain Madness guide meets you. After checking into your hotel we will have a chance to visit the Paro market and tour around town. L, D
October 12: PARO/TAKSHANG 4,383 feet In the morning we will hike to Takshang Gompa, one of Bhutan’s most famous and picturesque monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor. The name means “tiger’s nest.” After lunch we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659 AD by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. B, L, D
October 13: SHANA 9,300 feet
We begin our trek from Drukgyel Dzong (2580 m), a small temple that overlooks the Paro Chhu valley. We descend slightly to the river and pass through a couple of small villages. The path then climbs through wheat, millet and rice fields. We eventually cross the Paro Chhu river and ascend uphill through a pine forest and apple orchards. We finally reach a meadow where we camp for the night. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours. B, L, D
October 14: SOI THANGTHANGKHA 12,300 feet
We continue along the river through a conifer and rhododendron forest. After lunch we continue along the river, climbing through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more. Our camping site is situated in a cedar grove with Jhomolhari, looming at the head of the valley. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours B, L, D
October 15: JANGOTHANG 13,200 feet
Today our route follows the river above the treeline. Along the way there will be opportunities for birdwatching with a variety of birds to be seen. We enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks with magnificent views of sheer rock faces across the valley. Soon we enter wide-open pastures where Bhutanese allow their yaks to graze. We come to a small settlement of Takethang. After lunch it’s a short distance to our camp along a quaint river stream. Hiking Time: 5-6 hours. B, L, D
October 16: JANGOTHANG 13,200 feet
Today is an exploration and acclimatization day. with a short hike in the surroundings area or to Tsophu Lake. B, L, D
October 17: LINGZHI 13,100 feet
From Jangothang, we leave the last of the settlements. There is a spectacular view of Jichu Drake that towers above the valley. After crossing a log bridge at 13,600 feet, we follow the river with views of the snow covered peaks above us. Soon the terrain becomes more alpine before crossing the Nyele-La pass at 15,400 feet. As we descend we have views of mountain peaks and Lingzhi Dzong, once a monastery-fortress protecting the trade route between western Bhutan and old Tibet. We pass through stands of rhododendrons and birch before coming to our campsite at 13,100 feet. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. B, L, D
October 18: SHODU 13,300 feet
After an early breakfast we begin climbing toward a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp. The trail ascends the ridge to Mo Chhu valley and eventually reaching the Yeli La pass at 15,800 feet. We are rewarded with breathtaking views of Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang. We descend back down the other side reaching a small alpine lake. The route then follows a river descending into another huge valley and another pristine alpine lake at 15,400 feet and continuing on to our campsite at 13,300 feet. Hiking Time: 8-9 hours. B, L, D
October 19: DOMSHESA 11,800 feet
From Shodu, the trail traverses under steep yellow rock cliffs with a few meditation caves carved into them. Our path descends a stone staircase and through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of the rocky cliffs and beautiful waterfalls along the way. After lunch the trail continues upward to the ruins of Barshon Dzong. Dropping back down through dense forest towards the river, we find our campsite for the night. Hiking Time: 7-9 hours. B, L, D
October 20: DODINA/THIMPHU 8,600 feet
Our final day of the trek leads us uphill to a small pass before descending through a bamboo forest and back to the Wang Chhu. We then continue to the village of Dodina where we meet our transportation. We drive to the capital of Bhutan, the town of Thimphu. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. B, L, D
October 21: THIMPHU / PUNAKHA 8,600 feet
A morning tour of Thimphu’s national memorial chorten and the Buddhist Arts school where students are taught skills from sacred painting to ornate woodcarving and sculpture. We then begin driving to Punakha through a forest of pine and hemlock, stopping for lunch high up on Dochula pass (10,142 ft) for a Himalayan panorama. Curving down into the valley of Punakha, we tour majestic Punakha Dzong, ancient capital of Bhutan and one of the country’s most ornate monasteries. Driving time: 3-4 hours. B, L, D
October 22: BUMTHANG 2,800 feet A fabulous drive through the mountains to the central valleys of Bhutan takes us through breathtaking beauty and past archaic fortress-monasteries. Entering Trongsa valley, the huge fortress for which the valley is named appears deep in the distance. We will visit the dzong then continue past the colorful prayer flags of Yotong La pass at 11,200 feet. A short stop at Zungney village to see traditional weaving before we reach our hotel. After dinner we’ll attend the festival fire blessing. It is believed you cleanse all your sins by passing through the fire gate. Driving time: 6-7 hours. B, L, D
October 23: JAMPE LAKHANG FESTIVAL 2,800 feet This ancient ritual Buddhist dance, known as cham, is a fundamental part of Bhutan’s religious culture. Cham is a form of danced yoga in trantic Buddhism. Dancers wear ornate costumes as they symbolize myth, moral fables, humor, and esoteric teachings. Spend the day meeting local people, watching the dances, and walking through the countryside near the 7th century temple. B, L, D
October 24: PUNAKHA 4,383 feet
We return west, partially retracing our path and then visiting spectacular Punakha Dzong, The early capital of Bhutan and now the winter home of the Central Monk Body, Je Khenpo. this is one of Bhutan’s most ornate and impressive monasteries. Driving time: 6-7 hours. B, L, D
October 25: THIMPHU/PARO 4,383 feet
Continuing our drive back over Dochula Pass, we stop in Thimphu to see the unusual takin (Bhutan's national animal), visit a traditional paper factory , and do some last-minute shopping. After lunch, we drive to Paro for a final celebratory dinner! Driving time: 4-5 hours B, L, D
October 26: DEPART
Depart Paro and fly home.
  Important note on itinerary: Although we do our best to follow the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change due to weather, route conditions, and other factors beyond our control.
Photos by Deana Zabaldo
Trip Leader - Deana Zabaldo:
Deana is fluent in Nepali, holds a Wilderness First Responder certification, and will brew you the best coffee in the Himalayas! Moved by the spiritual and cultural vibrancy of the region, she's full of stories about Bhutanese culture, Tantric goddesses, the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, royal massacres, arranged marriages, secret explorations, and the realities of Shangri-La.
"Deana had an awesome ability to understand people’s needs/wants, she was extremely patient and her knowledge of the area & local folks was amazing. Compassionate an always upbeat. I admired her interactions with the Sherpas – excellent! [The trip was] excellent! It was everything I wanted, prepared for and my expectations were definitely met and beyond.” - Deb O
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