Bhutan Jumolhari Third Mountain Festival

After trekking for two days from Shana in Paro and as temperatures dipped to almost zero degree, about 200 people including tourists joined the local communities last week at the third Jomolhari Mountain festival to celebrate life in the mountains.

Amusement: Winners of a horse race, which was held as part of the Jomolhari Mountain festival last week (Photo: Lhendup Tharchen, JDNP)

Perhaps the coldest festival celebrated in the country, the two-day fiesta at the base of Mount Jomolhari, which is about 3,850 meters above sea level, is organized annually to encourage wildlife conservation through community participation and promote ecotourism opportunities in the Jomolhari region.

Among others, one of the highlights of the fest this year were the hikers sighting the elusive snow leopard, the national bird ravan, the Himalayan black bear, blue sheep and marmots.

About 50 visitors, in groups with local guides hiked to Tshophu, Lhaliphu, Bagala and Thomphuna. The guided tours, said festival organizers help the local community generate income besides the fest also providing a forum for them to market their dairy produces.

Health camp: A resident gets his BMI checked during the mountain festival

Through various events such as the horse race among the community’s men, the festival, which the Department of Forests and Park Servcies’ director general Chencho Norbu opened on October 7 also showcased local culture and tradition and encourage yak herding among the people in the highlands.

Unlike in the last two festivals, this year, a team of five officials from the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health (FNPH) joined the community and provided a free health checkup. The Bhutan Foundation, which had supported the first two festivals, funded the health camp, which the people received well, said park officials.

“The health checkup, which was done for the first time benefitted the communities including park officials,” Jigme Dorji National Park manager, Lhendup Tharchen said. “Given the long distance that people have to travel to avail health care, the check up saw a good turn out.”

About 100 people got their health checked, the dean of FNPH, who led the team Dr Chencho Dorji said. “We checked their Body Mass Index and people were quite happy to get the facility, even though there is a BHU there,” he said. “Those who were found with hypertension and high sugar levels were asked to visit a hospital.”

The teachers and students of Jomolhari School also participated in the fest with cultural programs while an art competition was also organized for the students.

“The main objective of the festival is to strengthen community based conservation by involving the communities,” Lhendup Tharchen said.

The Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) with the gewogs of Tsento and Soe organized the Nu 5.5M festival that the Tourism Council of Bhutan funded. The festival is held every year on the 25th and 26th day of the eighth month of the Bhutanese Calendar.

Source: Kuenselonline

Private Bhutan Jumolhari Trek Itinerary for 22 Days

Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport
During the flight to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Historic Tour who will escort you to the Hotel where arrangements have been made for two nights halt.

Day 2 Paro – Paro
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 Kms. away from Paro Town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here , the peak of Jhomolhari “Mountain of the Goddess” (Alt. 7,329 m / 24,029 ft.). On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch, at the hotel, take a leisurely stroll around the compound. Overnight in Hotel

Day 3: Paor – Paro (Hike to Tiger’s Nest)

Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive to hotel and relax. Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 4 Paro – Shana
Distance 17 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Shana 2,800 m. Drive up to Drukgyal Dzong where the road ends and the trek begin. The trail follows the river through beautiful meadows and paddy fields. The night’s camp is just beyond an army outpost.

Day 5 Shana – Thangthangkha
The trail continues uphill through the river valley. The valley gradually narrows to a mere path which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up.

Day 6 Thangthangkha – Jangothang
Distance - 19 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Jangothang 4040 m. The trek starts up the Pa Chu. Cross an army outpost along the way. The valley begins to widen here with a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herders’ winter homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Camp for the night beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jhomolhari.

Day 7 Jangothang – Jangothang
Trek up to Tosoh or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jhomolhari and it subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and a number of un scaled peaks to the east. Overnight halt in camp

Day 8 Jangothang – Lingshi
Distance - 19 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Lingshi 4150 m. Trek through wide yak pastures and up and down passes. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut or the tent.

Day 9: Lingshi – Lingshi
A day excursion to Tsokha (Lake), which is the base camp for Jichu Drake, can be organized. Blue sheep and musk deer are plentiful along the trek route. Distance 15 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Tsokha 4500 m.

Day 10 Lingshi – Shodu
Distance - 22 Kms. About 7 - 8 hours journey. Altitude of Shodu 3963m. The trail climbs up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 4820 m. From the pass, you can get an excellent view of Jhomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang on a clear day. The trek from the pass to camp site at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent.

Day 11 Shodu – Barshong
Distance - 13 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Barshong 3785m. The trail follows the Thim - Chu river through rhododendron forests. Waterfalls can be seen along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp can made in stone shelter or tent.

Day 12 Barshong - Dolam Kencho
Distance - 11 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Dolam Kencho 3628m. The trail descends through thick rhododendron forest to meet the Thim-Chu and then ascends to pasture lands. Camp is in a meadow.

Day 13 Dolam Kencho – Thimphu
Distance - 14 Kms. About 4 - 5 hours. The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Day 14 Thimphu – Thimphu

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

After breakfast drive to National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. Visit the Post Office with Money exchange as the bank is next door. BBS Tower to get the magnificent picture and view of Thimphu and you can also see our Queens Palaces. Visit to Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see our National Animal “TAKIN” which has a head of a goat and body of a cow, believed to be made by great Devine Madman in the 16th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 15 Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to the Visit national Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. visit the Simtokha Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. Lunch in the down town. After Lunch Visit Nunnery centre the Zilukha Nunnery, visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. if there are Archers are playing Archery, Bhutan’s National Sport, in the National Stadium, you can witness and take pictures. Visit to Thimphu Tashi Cho Dzong, the office of the King and the Throne Room and also the Summer Capital of Monastic Body lead by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who spend six months here during summer and move to Punakha for winter for another six months.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 16 Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

After breakfast drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unifided Bhutan in 17th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha


Day 17 Punakha – Bumthang 7 Hrs drive Bumthang Altitude is 2500m

Drive to Trongsa over Pele-la pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west and lunch will be served at Chendibji where you will see Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century for Bhutanese pilgrims so that they don’t have to travel or walk from Bhutan to Nepal. Tea stops over in Trongsa. Drive to Bumthang via Yotongla Pass at 3450m which is the highest pass on your holiday in Bhutan.

Overnight lodge in Bumthang.

Day 18 Bumthang – Bumthang.

Sight seeing in Bumthang which include Jambay Lhakhang, oldest monastery built in 7th Century as same as the Kyichu Monastery in Paro. Jakar Dzong the district administration center of Bumthang. Kurjey Monastery the body print monastery where one can see the body prints of Guru Rimpoche. Tamshing Monastery and Member Tsho (Burning Lake)

Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang.

Day 19 Bumthang – Punakha 7hrs drive

Drive to Punakha with lunch en route. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Day 20 Punakha – Thimphu

After breakfast drive back to Thimphu, on the way hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley”. It is believed that the couples who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 21 Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast shopping and explore the town and drive to Paro.

Overnight Hotel in Paro

Day 22 Paro International Airport

Drive to Paro International Airport. Seen off by your guide
Early morning drive to Airport and board flight to onward destination.
Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us

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