One of the most popular trek offering spectacular view of the mount Jhomolhari from a high camp at Jangothang. The days during the trek are normally warm but the nights can be very cold, especially after Jangothang. There is a lot of mud along the route and it can be miserable during the rainy season. Sometimes even snow hampers the trek.
Season: April to June, Septmebr to November
DODEYNA TREK DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: DRUKGYEL DZONG TO SHANA
It is a long walk of about 17 kilometers along the bank of the Paro river. The trek starts with a downhill climb of about 80 meters, reach the river and follow it upward along a rough road. It is a pleasant walk passing many small settlements and apple orchards for about 6 hours.
The route passes through an army post at Gunitsawa at 2810m. The trek permits will be checked and endorse here and your guide will carry out all the registration formalities. After this is the camp site, Shana at an altitude of about 850m.
DAY 2: SHANA TO THANGKHA
After few minutes from the camp, the path enters Jigme Dorji National Park. It is a long, hard day of about 22 kilometers trail till the campsite. The trail continues its gradual climb along the Paro river with lots of short ups and downs and it takes about 8 hours to complete it.
The campsite for today is a meadow with Johmolhari mountain looming at the head of the valley. It is named Thangthangka and is located at a height of about 3610m
Day 3: THANGTHANGKA TO JANGOTHANG
This 19 kilometers trail takes one about 6 hours. It is not a very long day but then there is a significant gain in elevation and one will be worn out when one reach the camp. As you continue the climb one will pass through another army post of both Bhutanese army and Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT). After that you will see a small chorten (stupa) which marks the Yak country. One will see many Yaks and yak herder’s camp from here on.
Then comes the Soe village and after it Takethang, a village of clustered stone houses on a plateau of about 3940m high. Another village called Dangochang greets the trekkers and after this is the campsite at Jangothang at about an altitude of 4080m on the base of the Jhomolhari. It is one of the most spectacular camping places in the entire Himalaya. There is a community hall with a kitchen and several large flat spots for camping.
DAY 4: HALT AT JANGOTHANG
One day rest is must here. It can be taken as acclimatization day if one is continuing on the full trek or to explore the place if you are returning to Drukgyel. This spot here completes the Jhomolhari base camp trek. Many say a day here is the highlight of the trek for there are many beautiful places to be discovered.
DAY 5: JANGOTHANG TO LINGZHI
The trail till Lingzhi is about 18 kilometers and it takes almost 7 hours. If one has altitude problems it is best not to go to Lingzhi. After making some ups and downs from the camp, one crosses the Nyile la, a pass at about 4870m high from where one can get a spectacular view of Jichu Drakey and Tsherim Gang (6789m) and many other peaks. Then as one make the descent down to the river valley, one can eventually see the view of Lingzhi Dzong. Finally we arrive at the campsite, a place known as Chha Shi Thang at an elevation of about 4010m.
A day’s halt is recommended here to make an excursion to the Chhokam Tsho at 4340m near the base camp of Jichu Drakey. Blue sheep and musk deer graze around the area and we can chance on some. Apart from this the village and Dzong of Lingzhi are also worth visiting. The halt here will also prepare you mentally and physically for the rest of the trek from here.
DAY 6: LINGZHI TO SHODU
This day is long and obviously tiring one as the route stretches over some 22 kilometers. The approximate time taken is about nine hours. The trek today begins with a climb towards and chorten and then towards south of the Mo Chhu valley. After several climbs and falls, there stands a cairn atop Yeli La at some 4930m from which one can see Jhomolhari, Gangchenta and Tsherim Gang. The trail then follows an outflow from a small lake into another huge valley and another larger lake called Khedo Tsho (4720m). Then a little further from here, one will be crossing Jaradinthang river and several other side streams until the campsite at Shodu (4080m) on the south bank of the Wang Chhu.
DAY 7: SHODU TO BARSHONG
It is about 16 kilometers walk from Shodu to Barshong and one may take about 6 hours. The trail crosses and river and passes through an abandoned armay camp and goes under yellow cliffs with few caves where it is believed that Zhabdrung Rinpoche had spent some time meditating. Then the trail crosses a river several times, slopping through muddy cypress forest and hugging steep canyon walls and crossing large side streams. Then about an hour of gradual climb welcomes you to Barshong where there is a dilapidated community hall and a small dzong. A little below the ruins is the designated campsite. But it is a swampy meadow and many trekkers prefer to move on to a better camp by the river about one and half hour away in a place called Ta Gume Thang (3370m).
DAY 8: BARSHONG TO DOLAM KENCHO
Since one had already walked some extra miles yesterday, today’s trail would be a little shorter. In fact if one decides to shorten the trek one can make it to Dodeyna, the end point of the trek on the same day. The distance would be just about 12 kilometers and would be covered in almost five hours. After leaving Ta Gume one will reach Dom Shisa and then after that the trail goes along the left of Wang Chhu river through a forest of rhododendrons. Then there comes Dolam Kencho, a pleasant camp site in a large meadow.
DAY 9: DOLAM KENCHO TO DODEYNA
It’s a short walk till the end point today with just a distance of about 8 kilometers. The time taken is almost four hours. After climbing and descending a crest, one would be ascending a pass again. Then another descent and climb through a forest a bamboo forest and some walking down along the Wang Chhu river brings you to Dodeyna, the end point of the trek.
DAY 10: PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT