Trek at a Glance
The Jomolhari trek runs 8 days on foot from Shana Paro to the Jangothang base camp and back, with two high passes on the return loop. The high point is Yale La at 4,930 meters, with a second crossing at Bonte La at 4,890 meters. Nights run from 2,850 to 4,080 meters. You need prior nights at 2,200 meters or higher plus the Taktsang hike before starting, since the second day already sleeps above 3,500 meters.
Trekking costs include the 100 dollar SDF per night, camp crew, ponies, and park fees for Jigme Dorji National Park. Expect 300 to 400 dollars per person per day for two trekkers with full crew. Best windows are early October to late November and mid-April to early June. Winter crossings close with snow.
Preparation in Paro
Spend two nights in Paro valley before the trek. Walk the Taktsang trail as a fitness check. Our crew weighs duffels at 12 kilograms per trekker for pony loads. Personal daypacks carry water, rain gear, and camera. Sleeping bags rated to minus 10 degrees are required for October and November camps.
Day-by-Day Timeline
Distances are trail estimates. Walking times assume a steady group with photo stops.
- Day 1, Shana to Thangthangkha. Drive Paro to Shana at 2,850 meters in 2 hours, then walk 14 kilometers in 5 to 6 hours to camp at 3,610 meters. The trail follows the Paro Chhu river through forest with lunch at a riverside clearing. Camp sets above the tree line edge with early views of Chomolhari on clear evenings.
- Day 2, Thangthangkha to Jangothang base camp. Walk 15 kilometers in 5 to 6 hours to 4,080 meters. The valley opens into yak pasture with mani walls and a ruined fortress. Afternoon rest at camp is mandatory for altitude. Drink 3 to 4 liters through the day. Sleep comes slowly at this height for most walkers.
- Day 3, acclimatization at Jangothang. Day hike 4 to 5 hours toward the Tshophu lakes or the base viewpoint at 4,400 meters, then return to the same camp. This climb-high sleep-low day makes the passes safer. Crew checks boots, gaiters, and cold gear in the afternoon. No pack-up this day.
- Day 4, Jangothang to Lingshi via Yale La 4,930 meters. Walk 18 kilometers in 7 to 8 hours. Start by 6 am for the 4 hour climb to the pass cairns. Descend scree and meadow to Lingshi camp at 4,010 meters below the fortress. This is the longest and highest day. Turn-back to Jangothang applies if snow or whiteout hits the pass ridge.
- Day 5, Lingshi to Shodu. Walk 22 kilometers in 8 hours down to 4,110 meters with dips and climbs through rhododendron. The trail passes yak herder huts and a narrow gorge section. Camp at Shodu sits in a clearing with stream water. Feet and knees feel this distance, so tape hotspots early.
- Day 6, Shodu to Barshong via Bonte La 4,890 meters. Walk 16 kilometers in 6 to 7 hours. Climb 3 hours to the second pass, then descend to Barshong camp at 3,710 meters in forest. The pass prayer flags mark the last high point. Trekkers sleep noticeably better below 3,800 meters.
- Day 7, Barshong to Dolam Kencho. Walk 15 kilometers in 5 to 6 hours down to 3,430 meters through bamboo and waterfalls. The trail narrows with muddy sections after rain. Camp near a meadow clearing with space for the kitchen tent. Ponies move faster here on the softer track.
- Day 8, Dolam Kencho to Dodena and drive to Thimphu. Walk 8 kilometers in 3 hours down to 2,600 meters, then drive 1 hour to Thimphu. Hot showers and a town hotel close the trek. Crew tips are settled in Thimphu, not at the trailhead, with 8 to 10 percent of trek cost as a working guide.
Camp Altitude Table
| Night | Camp | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thangthangkha | 3610 m |
| 2-3 | Jangothang | 4080 m |
| 4 | Lingshi | 4010 m |
| 5 | Shodu | 4110 m |
| 6 | Barshong | 3710 m |
| 7 | Dolam Kencho | 3430 m |
Turn-Back and Safety Rules
Guides carry pulse oximeters and check readings each evening above 3,500 meters. Persistent headache with nausea means descent of 500 meters minimum. Whiteout on Yale La means wait or return, never a blind crossing. Ponies cannot reach all sections, so carry personal medication in the daypack, not the duffel.
This guide was prepared by Jonas Weber, who runs trek logistics for the studio and walks the high camps each autumn with crew leaders.