JHOMOLHARI TREK ( PARO – THIMPHU )

Day 01: Paro – Shana  (17km, 5-6 hours)

The first three days of the trek follow the Paro Chhu valley, climbing gently with only a few short, steep climbs over side ridges.
The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong at 2580m with a short downhill walk on a wide trail.
After descending about 100m, you reach the river where a primitive stone bath has been carved into the bank. Look back and see how well positioned the Dzong was to keep watch over this valley.
A short distance upriver is the small settlement of Chang Zampa. A bridge ( zam ) crosses to river left here. Don’t cross it: the trek stays on the side of the river are planted with potatoes and wheat; on the opposite side of the river, it’s rice.
A short walk takes you to the settlement of Mitse Zampa, where there’s a little hotel and shop. Just beyond the shop the route crosses to the left bank of the clear, fast-flowing Paro Chhu via a short suspension bridge.
The trial climbs very gently, traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. It’s a well-worn trail with lots of round stones and irrigation water running down it. A short walk through a forest of blue pines leads to Sangatung, a pleasant farmhouse surrounded by fields near a small stream and a white chorten.
The route now enters an area of apple orchards and forest and the trail is littered with rocks sticking out of the mud. On some parts of the trail logs have been placed in washboard fashion.
In other places it’s necessary to leap from rock to rock to keep your feet dry. When it’s not muddy, the trail is deep in dust. Don’t cross the cantilever bridge that lead to the south; stay on river left, climbing gently to Chobiso, a single house at 2800m.
Soon the valley widens and you reach the army post of Gunyitsawa at 2810m. There is also a primary school and shops here. This is the last stop before Tibet; all army personnel and civilians are required to report to the check post. The trek permit that your tour operator arranged will be checked and endorsed here; wait for your guide so that the registration formalities can be completed. The large dormitory-style building across the river quarters for enlisted men and their families.
Just below the shop at Gunyitsawa the trail crosses the Paro Chhu to river right on a wooden cantilever bridge. It then climbs a little to the rustic little village of Shana. On opposite side of the river you can see a helicopter pad and archery field. At 2870m, just beyond Shana Zampa, are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees.

Day 02: Shana – Thangthangkha ( 22km, 6-7hours )

The trail continues its gradual climb along side the Paro Chhu through conifers and
rhododendron. In places it is quite close to the river; if the water is high you might have to climb over a few small hills to get around places where the water has flowed onto the trail.
About 15mins beyond Shana Zampa are the remnants of an old bridge with a house and a chorten on the other side. At this point the route enters Jigme Dorji National Park.
The trail makes a continuous, but gentle, climb on a rocky trail through oaks, rhododendron and ferns, crossing several small streams. About two hours from camp is Shing Karap, a stone house and a clearing at 3110m. this is where most guides choose to serve lunch. Some distance
beyond is the route to the Tremo La, which is the stone paved trail leading off to the left. This is the old invasion and trade route from Phari Dzong in Tibet. Don’t take this inviting-looking trail: several trekkers have done so in the past and made a long, exhausting side trip to nowhere. Immediately after the trail junction is a wooden bridge over a substantial side stream.
Climb a short set of switchbacks over a little ridge, then descend and cross the Paro Chhu on a wooden cantilever bridge at 3230m to river left. The route up this side of the river goes up and down on a rocky trail through forests of birch and fir.