Chomolhari Base Camp Trek, 13 Days B4

5.0

Ready to explore one of Bhutan’s most renowned high-altitude treks? The Chomolhari Trek invites you to discover breathtaking landscapes, ancient monasteries, and mountain passes. Trek through alpine forests, past villages, and to Chomolhari Base Camp.

At a Glance
Location

Chomolhari Base Camp

Duration

13 Days

Activities

Trekking and Cultural

Accommodation

Hotel and Tents

Meals

All included

Group size

Min 2 Pax.

Best time

April May and September October

Max. Altitude

4880m.

The Chomolhari Trek, also known as the Jomolhari Base Camp Trek, takes place in the untouched Himalayan region of Bhutan. This challenging trek offers hikers the opportunity to experience exhilarating hikes and sightseeing in one of the world’s most pristine environments.

The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Paro. Upon arrival, you can explore the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on a cliff. As you trek through forests and villages, you will gradually ascend to Chomolhari Base Camp, where you’ll have a close-up view of majestic peaks like Mt. Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake. Along the challenging terrain, you will encounter yak herders and visit ancient dzongs. In Thimphu, you can immerse yourself in Bhutan’s culture by visiting traditional art schools.

Throughout the trek, you’ll have the chance to interact with local communities and gain insights into Bhutanese traditions and daily life. Hospitality is a cornerstone of Bhutanese culture, and visitors often find themselves welcomed into homes for warm meals and shared stories around crackling fires. After exploring, you will depart from Paro Airport with lasting memories of Bhutan’s natural beauty and spiritual richness.

Major Highlights

  • Scenic flights over the Himalayan range from Kathmandu to Paro
  • Visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on a cliffside.
  • Visit the Paro Dzong, a large dzong Buddhist monastery
  • Trek through alpine forests and narrow gorges.
  • Camping at Chomolhari Base Camp with views of Jitchu Drake.
  • Witness the panoramic views of Lingshi Dzong and Tserim Kang.
  • Explore Thimphu, visiting Kuensel Phodrang and the School of Arts.
  • Visit the Textile Museum and watch archery matches in Thimphu.
Itinerary

We start our journey from Kathmandu to Paro by flying along the Himalayan range. As the plane ascends, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Annapurna and Ganesh Himal ranges, with the tip of Manaslu visible. When you turn east, you can see mountains over 8000 meters. The aerial views of Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga, among the highest peaks in the world, are truly spectacular.

As we approach Bhutan, the plane descends rapidly over the wooded hills of Bhutan, offering glimpses of the lush Paro Valley before landing. Upon arrival, the air feels pure and fresh. Our Bhutanese guide will warmly welcome you and take you to visit the historic Kyichu Lhakhang and Paro Dzong, important Buddhist temples in Bhutan. You will spend the night at the Kyichu Hotel or an equivalent in Paro.

After a hearty breakfast, we set off at 9 AM for the ascent to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, also known as Taktsang Hermitage. It is one of Bhutan’s famous monasteries. Our trek begins through a serene pine forest, with some opting to ascend on horseback. Midway, we reach a promontory that offers a beautiful view of the monastery perched on the cliffside.

Horses are not allowed from this point, so we need to trek on our own. We descend into a narrow gorge via stone stairs and then climb to reach the monastery around 11 AM. The journey is challenging but rewarding. At 12:30 PM, the sacred trumpets resonate through the gorges, adding to the mystical atmosphere. After absorbing the tranquil beauty of the monastery, we descend back to the valley and return to our hotel in Paro. We trekked for about four hours.

Today we start the day with a drive to the village of Ghunitsawa. From there, we begin our trek with an easy walk along the Paro River, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. This gentle start allows us to acclimate and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. We will spend the night at Sharna Zampa after a 17km trek that takes approximately 5-6 hours.

Continuing along the river, our trail ascends into an alpine forest. We can see pine and oak forests, as well as rhododendrons, ferns, and bamboo trees. The path winds through narrow gorges and alongside the river. We set up camp in a meadow near a shepherd’s hut, surrounded by nature. This day involves a 22km trek over approximately 7 hours.

Today’s trial follows the Pa Chhu River, climbing steadily into higher altitudes. We pass through the yak pastures and enter the world of higher mountains. You can witness the panoramic view of snowy peaks including Mount Jitchu Drake over 6000 meters. We camp below the ruins of Jangothang fortress, at the foot of the sacred mountain Chomolhari (7326m). This trek covers 17km and takes us around 6 hours.

Today is dedicated to rest and exploration. You can choose to take a leisurely walk around the area, hike to Tsophu Mountain Lake, or visit with the nomads. You can spend pleasant hours with a nomad family. They move from homes to huts throughout the year. The serene environment and breathtaking views make this a magical place to recharge.

 

Today’s trek takes us on a long ascent to Nyele Pass at 4880m. Along the way, we may spot wild yaks and meet nomads in their yak wool tents. Once we reach the pass, we’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Lingshi Dzong, Tserim Kang, and its glacier near the Tibetan border. This challenging trek covers 20 kilometers, and we complete it in 7 hours.

Today’s trek involves ascending Yali Pass at 4820m, which can be the toughest part of the journey. From here, you can see Chomolhari, Masang Gang, and Tserim Kang. After that, we will descend into yak pastures and set up camp at Shodu. This will be one of the longer days, with a 22km trek taking approximately 9 to 10 hours.

On the way back, the trail today follows the Wang Chhu River and passes through a beautiful rhododendron forest, mixed alpine forest, and juniper. You can stop at the riverside for lunch. Along the way, you can see waterfalls and ascend zigzag paths to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. We will be camping just below the Dzong after a 15-kilometer trek. It took us 5.5 hours of trekking.

We descend through the forest, following the river through dense conifer and rhododendrons. The trail is scenic and relatively gentle, allowing us to enjoy the lush surroundings. We cover 15 km in approximately 5 hours, camping at Dolam Kencho.

After leaving Dolam Kencho, we walked for three hours before transferring by vehicle to Thimphu. Upon reaching Thimphu, you will stay overnight in a hotel and have a chance to explore the city. It’s a welcome change from the rugged beauty of the trek.

We begin our day with a visit to Kuensel Phodrang, where we can see the giant Buddha statue that overlooks the Thimphu Valley. Following this, we will tour the School of Arts, Zorig Chusum, where students are taught traditional arts such as sculpture, molding, weaving, and painting. The serene and focused atmosphere is truly inspiring.

We then have a Bhutanese lunch in a sunny garden. Our next stop will be the Textile Museum, which exhibits some of the finest fabrics in the country. Finally, we will end the day with a visit to the archery grounds, where we can observe matches. We then return to our hotel in Thimphu for the night.

After an enriching journey, we escort you to Paro Airport for your departure. Take time to reflect on the incredible experiences and stunning landscapes you’ve encountered during the Chomolhari Trek.

Cost Includes
  • All meals
  • Hotels as mentioned in the double rooms
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Entrance fees to the mentioned sites
  • All transfers in private vehicle
  • Visa
  • $100/day government taxes
  • Bottle of water
  • The trekking team, tents, mattresses, mess tents, toilet tents, shower tents
  • Mattresses and pillows, table and chairs, lighting, and kitchen utensils.
Cost Excludes
  • Drinks, personal expenses, and tips
  • Entrance fees to sites not mentioned
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • KTM/Paro or Delhi/Paro flight
  • Mountain rescue insurance with helicopter evacuation (mandatory)
Book your spot

Starting from

$3,255

If 2 travelers ( flight not included )

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Easy

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FAQs

This trek is moderately difficult and does not require climbing equipment. However, the high altitude, reaching up to 4,880 meters at Nyele Pass, can be challenging. Some days involve long hours of trekking over varied terrain, so it is recommended to have a good level of fitness and experience with hiking at altitude.

You don’t need a permit for the Chomolhari Trek, but a Bhutanese visa is required to enter the country and complete the trek. Bhutan has strict visa regulations, and Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals can obtain visas upon arrival with valid passports. Other tourists must obtain visa clearance in advance.

You can do the Chomolhari Trek in Bhutan during spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). These seasons offer pleasant weather and clear views of the landscapes.

For the Chomolhari Trek in Bhutan, you should pack essential trekking gear such as a backpack, trekking poles, and a headlamp. It is important to carry warm clothes, boots, a raincoat, water bottles, sunglasses, gloves, toilet paper, necessary medicines, and some cash.

You can hire porters and horses to carry your luggage in the mountains. The horseman or porters will assist in setting up tents, carrying heavy loads including baggage, camping equipment, and food supplies, and providing a smoother trekking experience.