Chomolhari, Bhutan’s Sacred Mountain

The mighty ramparts of Chomolhari (23,997’), Bhutan’s second highest mountain, rise above the hikers’ base camp at Jangothang. Our spectacular trek leads to Jangothang for incredible views of this sacred peak.

Photo by Bobby Model

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Chomolhari (23,997'), sacred abode of the goddess Chomo, stands as a mighty sentinel on Bhutan’s frontier with Tibet, reigning over countless icy summits and deep, magical forests where snow leopards and Himalayan blue sheep roam. Our fantastic 9-day circuit trek brings us through traditional hamlets, wild rhododendron forests, and alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers to Jangothang (13,250'), right at the base of Chomolhari, with a return route through the remote Yaksa Valley (“Valley of Yaks”). The Bhutanese are fiercely conservative of their natural heritage, and their mountains are truly pristine, preserving a wealth of flora and fauna unrivaled in the Himalaya. With Wilderness Travel’s famous full-service camping, this is a chance to experience superb Himalayan trekking in a magical realm.

Highlights

  • Trek to Chomolhari, Bhutan’s “Divine Mountain”
  • Meet yak herding families who roam this wild mountain realm
  • Explore the Paro Valley and hike to Taktsang, the cliffside monastery
  • Enjoy the amenities of two deluxe Bhutanese hotels: the Zhiwa Ling (Paro) and Taj Tashi (Thimphu)

Details

  • 13-day trip begins and ends in Paro
  • 4 nights in deluxe hotels, 8 nights full-service camping
  • All meals included
  • 9-day trek on steep trails, 5-8 hours a day, altitudes between 8,500-16,000 feet

Tour Costs

$4895 (9-15 members)
$5095 (4-8 members)

Single supplement: $1195
Internal airfare: $865 (subject to change)

Prices are for 2010 dates

Departures & Leaders

Apr 18-30, 2010  Kinley Gyeltshen
Oct 24-Nov 5, 2010

Suggested Reading

Reading list, click here.

Itinerary at a Glance
The Chomolhari Trek route-map

Days 1-2
Paro / Taktsang

We fly to Bhutan’s emerald-green Paro Valley, where graceful willow trees grow along the edge of the Paro River as it winds through fields and farmlands. Our warm-up hike brings us through pine forests and up to the famed monastic retreat of Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest,” built into a sheer cliff face 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley. Overnights are at the serene Zhiwa Ling Hotel, a deluxe tribute to Bhutan’s traditional architecture.

Days 3-11
Chomolhari Trek / Jangothang / Yaksa Valley

Few travelers ever have the privilege of even visiting Bhutan, let alone trekking in its pure mountain realm. With our Bhutanese camp staff and horsemen, we ascend a beautiful river valley and hike along rushing streams through deep forests of rhododendron, pine, and oak, then head up into high country where herdsmen graze their yaks in lush alpine meadows. Reaching Jangothang (13,250') at the base of Chomolhari, the mighty ramparts of this sacred mountain seem almost close enough to touch, and we enjoy an exploration day to savor the Himalayan grandeur surrounding us. Sacred Chomolhari remains unclimbed from the Bhutanese side, off limits to mountaineers. Near it rises the sharp peak of Jichu Drake (22,700'), another Himalayan giant. On an optional day hike, we can hike up to a high viewpoint between two glaciers that flow from the Chomolhari massif. The ruins of a medieval fortress, built to guard Bhutan against invasion from Tibet, add to the mystique of the setting at Jangothang, and we may be able to spot wildlife including musk deer and blue sheep. Our return trek takes us over the 15,620-foot Bhongtela Pass and into valleys where yak herders roam. On Day 11, we head to our deluxe hotel in Thimphu, the Taj Tashi.

Days 12-13
Thimphu / Paro

In Bhutan’s bucolic capital, our explorations include the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the Folk Heritage Museum, and Bhutan’s school for traditional arts. At the Taj Tashi or Zhiwa Ling Hotel’s spa, we can try optional hot-stone baths, a Bhutanese tradition, to soothe our trekking muscles. Depart via Paro on Day 13.

This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Zhiwa Ling Hotel

Days 1 to 2 (2 nights),
Day 12 (1 night),
Paro, Bhutan

Located on 10 acres in a serene setting in the green Paro Valley, the deluxe Zhiwa Ling is a wonderful example of traditional Bhutanese ...
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Chomolhari Camps

Days 3 to 10 (8 nights), Himalayas, Bhutan

We make hiking and camping in Bhutan as comfortable as it can get! On the trail, you are accompanied by our experienced team of trail guides, and ...
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Taj Tashi Hotel

Day 11 (1 night), Thimphu, Bhutan

Part of the venerable Taj group of hotels in India, this 66-room hotel has all the conveniences of a luxury hotel, while at the same time ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.