Chomolhari Base Camp Trek

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Duration
12 days 12 nights
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Highest Altitude:
4850m
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Grade:
Moderate +
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Best Time:
Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct
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Temperatures:
🚩
Starts From:
Paro
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Airport:
Paro, Bhutan
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Railway:
New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Key Geographical Highlights

7 Popular Peaks:

Chomolhari ( 7314m ), Jichu Drake ( 6989m ), Theri Kang ( 0m ), Kangcheda I ( 6678m ), Kungphu Ri ( 6533m ), Masang Kang ( 6556m ), Tserim Kang ( 6550m )

2 High Passes:

Nyile La ( 4890m ), Yele La ( 4820m )

2 Glaciers:

Chomolhari Glacier, Jichu Drake Glacier

2 Rivers:

Paro Chu, Wang Chu

1 Villages:

Lingtshi

1 National Parks Or Forest Reserve:

Jigme Dorji National Park

Reach Paro find other treks

Daywise Itinerary For Chomolhari Base Camp Trek

Day 1:

Fly to Paro. Resolve immigration permits. Local Sightseeing

Brief day's plan: Today we take a picturesque drive on the swirls of the Highway to one of the most peaceful towns in the lap of the Himalayas - Paro We then wander around the city for local sigthseeing.

The National Museum:

It used to be the watch tower for the Dzong below and the design is believed to be conch like, one will be able to notice how the corridors spiral down to the other entrance/ exit. However, there was a major earthquake which caused quite a bit of damage to the structure and the artifacts have been shifted to a newer building just above. The artifacts include a range of items which represent the history of Bhutan.

Paro Rinpung Dzong:

The name means Fortress of a heap of Jewels is now the center for District Administrations’ and Religious activities’. The structure itself dates back to the 17th century and is quite an imposing building watching over the valley of Paro. The annual festival (Tsechu) starts from this place and the dances take place in the courtyard outside.

A Short Bridge-Hike:

A hike down the moderate slope to the cantilever bridge, one of the finest specimens in Bhutan with its shingle roof and two guard-houses at each end.

Accommodation: Hotel, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2:

Paro (2300m) to Tiger's Nest ( over-the-cliff-hanging Taktshang Monastery, 2580m ), 5 - 7 hrs.

Brief day's plan: Today we drive till the base of the Taktshang Monastery, a village names Taktshang. We then start our beautiful hike upto the monastery. As the monastery reveals itself hanging on a cliff, the hike become easier. All through the scenery is magnificent. After we reach the monastery, we visit it. It has deep rooted history and impact on present day Bhutan. After spending some good time there, we head back to the base which takes us a little less than 2 hours hike. We then drive back to Paro and spend the rest of the day.

We will start our trek tomorrow, so we also take care of the preparations for the trek.

Accommodation: Hotel, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3:

Drive to Drugyel Dzong and Up to Army Camp at Gunitsawa. Trek up to Pine Camp at Shana (2, 950m), 4 - 5 hrs

After checking our trekking permits at Gunitsawa, we start our trek from the road head and climb up gradually through the tall trees to our campsite on the other side of the Pac Chu (river)

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 4:

Shana to Soi Thangthanka (3,510m), 20 km, 6 - 7 hrs

Our trail is almost similar climbing up following the Pa Chu as we enter in the Jigme Dorje National Park. After sometime we reach a opening in the forest where we camp for the night. We get first glimpse of Chomolhari here.

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 5:

Soi Thangthanka to Jangothang (4,080m), 19 km, 6 - 7 hrs.

Today we cross the tree line following the Pa Chu. We come across few villages and yak herdsmen before reaching our campsite marked with prayer flags. Grand views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake rewards us for the hard day.

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 6:

Acclimatisation and Exploration day at Jangothang (4,080m)

Enjoy the day to the fullest, as it not just gives us good views but also helps us acclimatize. We may chose to hike up to Tshophu, a high altitude lake with trouts, or wander around with your camera nearby. Stunning views all round. Jichu Drake (6,989m), Tserim Kang (6,789m) and Chomolhari (7314m) surrounds you

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 7:

Jangothang to Lingshi (4,150m) via Nyile La (4,890m), 18 km, 6 - 7 hrs.

Our route climbs gently up to the top of the pass. Spend some good time here to enjoy the surrounding views of the peaks. Descend down to our campsite

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 8:

Lingshi to Sho du (3,962m),via Yele La (4820m) 22 km, 7 - 8 hrs.

Today we negotiate the Yele La. The top of the pass offers great views of Chomolhari (7,314m), Gangchhenta (6,840m), Tserim Kang (6,789m) and Masang Gang (7,165m). We the descend down to our campsite at Sho Du

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 9:

Sho du to Barshong ( 3650m), 16 km, 6 - 7 hrs

We follow the Thimphu Chu today with several ascends and descends and cross it multiple times to reach Barshong.

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 10:

Barshong to Dolamkoincho (3400m), 15 km, 5 - 6 hrs

With several ascends and descends and some steep descends, we meet the Thimphu Chu. After a while, we reach our campsite in a flat pasture land.

Accommodation: Tents
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 11:

Trek to Dodena (road head) then drive to Thimphu. 3 hours

Today we end our trek after some 3 hours of trek. We then drive to Thimphu

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Evening snacks and hot drinks

Day 12:

Drive back to Paro. Fly back to your city

Brief Day's Plan: Today is the last day of our trip. We start early so that we can boad our flight on time. If we have early morning flight, we may well had driven to Paro yesterday itself.

Accommodation: none
Meals: Breakfast.

Chomolhari Base Camp Trek - An Elaborate Description

Bhutan is a dream country to visit. A country where its King declares the democracy; where the growth and country's progress is measured by how happy its people are; where on every corner of the country you will find peace loving happy faces welcoming you with a warm smile on their face; where the nature is very well preserved and where Lord Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava resides in the heart of every person and wher the high mountains lures your fascination as high as it can get.

To be able to witness and experience Bhutan like a local, trekking to its beautiful corners feeling it to your soul's content, is a gift you will cherish for lifetime. Chomolhari is one of Bhutan's highest peak at , and on this trek we trek to its base camp, hike the Taktshang monastery, cross some high passes and also visit 2 of Bhutan's most beautiful cities - Thimphu and Paro.

Climbing in Bhutan is not allowed for religious beliefs and truely so. Mt. Chomolhari ( 7314 meter) also known as Jomolhari, has been climbed quite a few times with the first ascent being in 1937 by Chapman from Sikkim to Tibet, but he reached the summit from Bhutan side. The famous Indo - Bhutan Army team led by Col. Narendra Kumar, also known as "Bull Kumar" climb it in 1970. However, all the ascent from the Bhutan Side was eventful with although with a success on the peak. The Indo-Bhutan team had lost 2 of it members to a mystery and could never be found. A short story of this climbing account appeared in Kuensel, a Bhutan Daily. Read it on this link https://www.kuenselonline.com/the-first-only-and-ill-fated-ascent-of-mount-jomolhari

Its one of those elegant peaks in the Himalayas and can be only enjoyed from the base camp at Jangothang also meaning "The Land of Ruins", with its neighbour peak Jichu Drake ( 6794 m) which further adds to the unimaginable charisma of the Himalayas.

Come, join our Chomolhari Base Camp trek to enjoy your experience of Bhutan - The Land Of Dragon in the best possible way

Chomolhari Base Camp Trek - Why Its A Must-Do

Hike to Taktshang Monastery - The Tiger's Nest.
Local sightseeing of Paro and Thimphu - the capital city of Bhutan
Trek to the base camp of Mt. Chomolhari one of Bhutan's highest peak and also get a grand view of Jichu Drake - a rare beauty in the Himalayas
Cross some high passes and also see the well preserved flora and fauna of Bhutan
A cultural, enlightening journey with a promise of lifelong memories

How We Grade Our Treks and Expeditions

Easy

Usual daily walks of 4 - 5 hours in altitude below 4000 meters. The sleeping altitude on these treks are below 4000 meter and the trails are gradual involving no steep ascent or descent. Sometimes, the trail may be longer, but on level trails. The duration of trek may be a week or lesser than it. The trek is not too remote and evacuation might be possible from almost any point of the trek

Moderate

The trek duration each day may span from 4 - 5 hours, but on some days, it may push up to 8 - 9 days. The trail might involve steep ascents or descents on occasions This kind of treks demand good fitness, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude are below 4000 meters or little above it, but the trail might go as high as 4500 - 5000 meters. The trek is bit remote and evacuation might be possible from almost all, but not all campsites

Moderate +

This type of treks are bit more demanding than the moderate ones. It might involve few days of very long walks at higher altitude, or serious gradients, exposures, more remote or involves sleeping at higher altitudes for more days.

Strenuous

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Good fitness are demand of these treks, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude may go above 4000 meters or little above it on couple of days, but not more than that. The trail might go as high as 4500 - 5200 meters. These trek are remote and evacuation might not be possible from all the campsites

Challenging

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Crossing a glacier or a scree zone might be a feature of these treks. You might on some occasions, require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high or remote or both. The trek usually might be a week long.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Challenging +

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Negotiating glacial moraines, scree zones, crossing them, camping on them etc are features of these treks. You might also require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high and remote. A good technical support team and knowledgeable local guide is a must. Only experienced trekkers are advised to do these treks. The trek goes over 2 week and may be longer than that.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Cost Terms For The Chomolhari Base Camp Trek

Cost Terms

The above-mentioned cost is in the range of minimum to maximum per-person cost for this trek as per 1 - 12 people team.PackageInclusions as per this cost can be read below.
5% GST (goods and service tax) is applicable for all our purchases.
We follow dynamic pricing as per the actual team size on the trek. Going by our standardized service, appropriate safety measures, quality equipment, and ecologically sustainable - small group commitment, a higher team size will lower the cost whereas a lower team size will significantly increase the cost.
Group segmented pricing if not provided here, please write to us using the contact page or text us on Whatsapp number +918017216725.
You may choose to keep the trek open or make it private depending upon your requirements or choice. The actual per-person cost of the trek is subject to the actual team size joining the trek. If you make any customizations that drastically change the itinerary and cost as mentioned here, then it will mandatorily have to be a private group only.
If we have dates listed on our website on Our Upcoming Treks and it is not marked as private, it means other people have booked this trek for that date and have opened it up for other members to join to lower the cost. If your dates and choices match, you may join these treks
You may join an existing open group listed on our website or create your own group as per your convenient dates and choose to either keep it private or open it up to lower the cost if other members join the trek.
At any point, the team size cannot be more than 12 members ( 10 for challenging treks) unless there is a unique exception requested or agreed upon by all the team members.

International Guests

Trek cost for foreigners is slightly higher than the cost for our Indian guests, mainly due to the higher permit fee applicable for admission to National Parks or protected forest areas. Sometimes, it may be higher due to higher local crew wages and other specific arrangements we make to ensure a safe, comfortable and enriching travel experience in India. However, we absolutely DO NOT 'hyper-charge' our International Guests ever and at the same time, ensure that we meet all the standards for highly qualified trek leaders and guides, safety, medical preparation, evacuation strategy, rescue arrangements, eco-sensitive travel, high-value knowledge sharing about the area and customs of the locals.

Extra Cost For International Trekkers Rs. 3000 per person.

Booking Process

Booking can only be done after multiple communication via email / Whatsapp / Calls. After connecting with us and discussing your needs, we finalize the trek and its requirements. After finalization, partial booking fees can be paid online or through direct bank transfers after which we trigger our preparations and arrangements for your trek. International Trekkers can pay the partial booking fees using PayPal, Wise, Western Union or Direct Wire Transfer.

Customized Private Group For Chomolhari Base Camp Trek

Trekking is a very personal activity and is perhaps one of the very few activities that give you enough time to indulge with yourself or your beloved people, a group of special friends, or close family members. It helps you transform personal bonds to the next level as it brings out everyone's best and truest self. Trekking is most enjoyed when it is done in a small private group, personalized to serve your specific needs. The Himalayas are best experienced when there is silence and solitude around and when you are surrounded only by your best people. Your trek is most enjoyable when all the pain of arranging a smooth trek is taken care of by us, and you focus just on your trek and yourself. Most importantly, a small private trekking group is very flexible, personalized, and more enjoyable, is the safest, and follows the principles of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism. Most trekkers book us for arranging personalized private treks catering to their specific and unique requirements - Customize This Trek

Must Read - Important Pre-Booking Information