The Jomolhari Mountain Festival is a vibrant two-day cultural event in Bhutan, held annually around October 14-15 at the base of Mt. Jomolhari, celebrating highland life, promoting snow leopard conservation, and featuring traditional sports (darts, horse racing), folk songs, dances, yak rides, and local food, all amidst stunning Himalayan scenery.
On your flight to Paro, if the weather permits, you will be able to spot snowcapped Himalayas including mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Our representative will be there waiting to receive you. You can drive to the hotel to check in and later in the day you can visit Ta Dzong, originally a watch tower now converted into a museum since 1968 under the command of our third king Jigme Dorji wangchuk since it is of no use as watch tower. Then visit 17th century old fortress called Paro Rinpung Dzong literal meaning- “fortress on the heap of jewels”. Next you can visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most divine temples in Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, drive for half an hour and start the hike, which is about 5 hours (round trip) the trail is along an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.
As you reach Taktsang you will be struck by the architectural wonder of this most popular Buddhist shrine in Bhutan perched on a cliff overlooking the valley, it would justifiably qualify as one of Bhutan’s wonders. Tragically wrecked in a fire in early 1998 and It has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava flew on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D. Hence the name, Taktsang, or the Tiger’s Lair.
8KM | 2 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | DESCENT 60M | CAMP ALT 3100M
In the morning you will drive to Drukgyel Dzong and stop to see how it withstood the internal and external rebellions in 17th century and so forth. You will drive along the Paro Chhu River, passing through fields, rice paddies, apple orchards, blue pine and fir forests. Soon at 2810m you will reach the army post of Gunitsawa where the valley widens and few settlements are visible. After documents verification continue driving another few minutes we will reach at Shana Zampa (2850m)amid meadows surrounded by trees. This is end of the farm road and we will start our trek from here. Cross the Shana bridge and start walking gradually through mix forest of pine, brown oak and rhododendrons for about 2 hour and get to the clearing at Shingkharab at 3100m.
14KM | 5-6 HOURS | 550M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3650M
Today you will begin your journey by climbing up and down through conifers and rhododendrons and crossing several streams. You shall reach a clearing at 3110m where you will have your lunch. After lunch, you will continue to ascend and descend a trail through forests of birch, fir, blue pine and maple trees. Further into the trek you will reach a valley above which is the beautiful view of mount Jomolhari. At 3650m is your campsite.
19KM | 5-6 HOURS | 450M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4100M
Today you will elevate to a high altitude, treading through muddy trails, meadows, plateaus and bridges. You will pass few settlements and people herding yaks near the river banks. The villagers grow barley, potatoes, turnips and radishes. After Soe, Takethang and Dangochang village, at 4080m, you finally reach camp at Jangothang. You can enjoy the stunning views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake from here.
After breakfast, attend theJomolhari Mountain Festival at Dangochang. This festival is a vibrant two-day cultural event in Bhutan, held annually around October 14-15 at the base of Mt. Jomolhari, celebrating highland life, promoting snow leopard conservation, and featuring traditional sports (darts, horse racing), folk songs, dances, yak rides, and local food, all amidst stunning Himalayan scenery.
19KM | 5-6 HOURS | 450M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3650M
After breakfast start walking back to Thangthangka and follow the same trail of day 5
19KM | 7-8 HOURS | 800M DESCENT | SHANA ALT 2850M
Follow day 4 trail to the road end, Shana Zampa and transfer to your hotel
Our team will dive you to the airport for departure.
