Jomolhari Trek Bhutan

The Jomolhari trek is considered a moderate to challenging Himalayan trek. No technical climbing experience is required, although you must be in good condition and have some prior hiking experience. It is a trekking route with lengthy days of walking (5-8 hours) through hilly areas with sharp rises to the top of high passes. It is nearly 5,000 m high hence making it more challenging due to the thin air.

With preparation, beginner trekkers can accomplish the trek, although it is not an easy walk. Active training before the trip and some experience at altitude (or multi-day trekking experience) will help you comfortably tackle the Bhutan Jomolhari trek.

The Himalaya weather is unpredictable, though Bhutan has specific trekking seasons. The best time to do the Jomolhari trek is in spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) when skies are generally clear and temperatures moderate.

The weather in these months is a cool day to go hiking and nights are cold but bearable. Daytime highs of 10–20 °C are expected at lower levels, and temperatures are colder at high camps, and nights may drop to below zero at Jangothang Base Camp. Summer monsoon (July-August) is rainy and leaves muddy tracks which is not suitable for trekking. The winter brings very cold temperatures and snow or ice may make passes impassable at times.

On the Bhutan Jomolhari trek, all meals are provided and prepared by a dedicated camp cook. You will have a combination of Bhutanese and Western cuisine, which will keep you well nourished and refreshed. Breakfast may contain porridge or eggs and toast and dinner may be rice or noodles with seasonal vegetables and (such as chicken or lentils) spiced with local mild flavors.

Lunch is typically a hot picnic lunch on the trail or a scenic stop. Safe drinking water is available as our crew boils or filters stream water for you each day. Avoid drinking untreated stream water. Camp is also likely to have tea, coffee and snacks.

Altitude sickness is a concern on the Jomolhari trek because you will be sleeping above 3,500 m and climbing over 4,900 m at the passes. The itinerary is also planned with acclimatization in place there is a rest day at Jangothang (4,050 m) to allow your body to become easy. Nonetheless, one should take his/her time, keep hydrated, and observe your body.

The most common mild side effects are headache, fatigue, or shortness of breath. Your guide will take care of the health of everyone and carry a basic first aid kit. In case a person shows severe Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) symptoms, the quickest solution is to reduce the altitude and, in case of necessity, to organize evacuation.

Preparing for the Jomolhari trek will make your journey much more enjoyable. Begin training at least 8-12 weeks prior to your travel. You should emphasize cardio exercises, such as jogging, cycling, or swimming to train stamina, and you should engage in exercises that strengthen your leg muscles (hiking up the mountain, stair climbs, or squats with weights) so that your muscles are prepared to the climbs.

When you can, do a bit of practice walks with a daypack to break in your boots, and to make them more enduring. The day before you arrive in Bhutan or some light hikes (such as the Tiger Nest acclimatization hike) will make your body acclimatize. Good fitness will let you fully enjoy each day of the Bhutan Jomolhari trek.

Any foreigner (except Indian nationals) should have a Bhutanese visa and trekking permits which are obtained prior to their travel with the help of a licensed tour operator. You can apply for your visa online and book services directly; however, for trekking routes and protected areas you must be accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese guide, and most visitors use an official tour operator. The typical Bhutan visa process takes a scan of your passport and a single visa fee (usually around USD $40), and is applied for in advance by your licensed tour operator and stamped on arrival in Paro with a Visa fee US$40.

Moreover, Bhutan imposes a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) on tourists in the country on a daily basis. SDF is US$100 per person per night for foreign nationals and INR 1200 per night for Indian nationals. We will also obtain permits to Jigme Dorji National Park and trekking areas which is typically form part of the trip price and are handled behind the scenes. All you need to do is make sure that you have a passport that is at least six months active after the trip and leave the paperwork to RAD Global Adventure.

Bhutan is a safe place to visit and the trek is arranged keeping your well-being in mind. A trained guide accompanies you throughout the Jomolhari trek, ensuring you follow safe trail practices and acclimatize properly. The trekking crew will have a first aid kit, they are familiar with such frequent problems as simple injuries or inappropriations caused by the altitude. To keep healthy, it is necessary to have good hygiene on the trail so, drink boiled or filtered water and wash or sanitize hands frequently.

Wildlife sightings are rare and usually safe if you respect the animals by keeping your distance and not feeding them. Your guide can organize evacuation in case of emergency. In Bhutan, some of the routes have helipad spots, or you can be taken to the closest road by horseback(subject to weather, terrain, and availability; not always immediate.).

Generally, with the guidance of your guide and reasonable treks, you can have a safe adventure in Bhutan. Helicopter support and evacuations are weather- and terrain-dependent and not always immediate.

Paro International Airport (PBH) is Bhutan’s sole international airport. The trip will entail RAD Global Adventure taking care of all the local transportation. A personalized vehicle picks you up at the airport. You will have brief journeys to sightseeing (such as to trailheads or between Thimphu and Paro). The trek itself involves the use of pack animals (horses or yaks) to convey equipment between camps, and does not involve vehicles after you are on the trail.

A vehicle will also be arranged to meet you at the end of the trek (at Dodena, to the north of Thimphu) and bring you back to civilization. All road transfers, such as the 30-minute drive to the trek start point or the 2-3 hour drive between the trail end and Thimphu/Paro, are included and in comfortable private cars. The roads in Bhutan are scenic, however, winding and hence transportation is not only convenient, but also enjoyable.

The classic Jomolhari trek described here is the longer route from Paro to Thimphu (around 7 trekking days plus acclimatization). There is another path called the Jomolhari Loop that has a shorter alternative. The Jomolhari Loop is generally a 5-day hiking journey that begins and finishes in Paro to the Jangothang Base Camp and then returns via another trail (which may go through the Bhonte La pass) without stopping at Lingshi.

It is an excellent option in the case you have limited time and want to explore Jomolhari Base Camp. At the other end, in case you need something even more adventurous, you can continue past Lingshi to the Laya-Gasa trek or even to the Snowman Trek of Bhutan (one of the toughest 3-week treks in the world) which passes through the Jomolhari trail. These will lead you on further into the wilderness of Bhutan beyond the standard Jomolhari itinerary.

The Jomolhari trek package is generally all-inclusive, covering your meals, accommodation (hotel and camping), guide, permits, and transfers. There are however some additional expenses that should be planned. You may use the money in Paro and Thimphu to buy snacks, alcoholic beverages or even have dinner that is not part of the program (such as exploring on your own during the evenings).

Tips to your guide, cook, and trek crew are usual at the end of the trek, so you should budget a bit of cash to tip, to demonstrate your appreciation (again, the amount is up to you, most travelers tip about 5-10% of the trip cost shared among the staff). Another personal cost is the souvenirs: there is some gorgeous handicraft in Bhutan, and you might also like purchasing, as souvenirs, things such as prayer flags, textiles or handmade paper. And, also, when you intend to carry a camera drone (note: this requires special permission in Bhutan) or other equipment, which will require fees, it is up to you.

A bit of USD is also a good idea and then change to Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu) or even Indian rupees (widely accepted in Bhutan) to make small purchases and tips. As ATM reliability with foreign cards is not always consistent, carry as many dollars as you will spend on yourself during the trip.

The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, although most of the guides and other people in the tourism sector speak English. During your Bhutan Jomolhari trek, you will have an English-speaking guide, so communication won’t be a problem. Most people on the road can speak a small amount of basic English but they mostly use Dzongkha, or local dialects. You can learn two easy Dzongkha greetings (such as Kuzuzangpo la which means hello) and make people happy when you greet them.

Communication In the cities you will be communicating normally, but when on the trek you will be largely off grid (see the section on Mobile Network and Internet). There is usually a plan of how to communicate in an emergency scenario in the mountains, or guides usually have a satellite phone. Language barriers are minimal for tourists as the Bhutanese people are very welcoming and a warm smile is always enough to connect even without words.

As soon as you get out of Paro and enter the mountains, mobile connections and the Internet become extremely weak. Local SIM cards (B-Mobile or TashiCell) are available in Paro and Thimphu and provide 3G/4G connection in town. However, on the Jomolhari trek, do not expect consistent connectivity, most of the route is remote.

There may be some phone signal at some of the high points or around villages at the beginning of the trail, but otherwise, it is a digital detox. Camping places such as Jangothang or Lingshi do not have Wi-Fi or cell coverage. To charge your devices, you will need to carry a power bank or extra batteries.

There is no reliable electricity on the trek; bring power banks or spare batteries. Our support crew may have solar panels, but there are no public charging points. Support crew may carry solar chargers for their use, the trek has no charging points whatsoever, the support team usually brings in solar chargers or battery lamps to charge their own devices. Save your phone battery by turning it off or going into airplane mode and utilize the phone primarily as a camera.