Weather and Best Season
Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan may be done at various times of the year, but spring between March and May and autumn between September and November are generally regarded as the most suitable season of Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan. The weather in these months is more or less stable and there are clear skies and pleasant weather during the day, which is quite suitable for trekking. The trail is covered with colourful rhododendron in spring and has great mountain views in autumn following the monsoon.
It is considerably colder in winter at higher altitudes, although even experienced trekkers will be able to make it through. It is likely to be muddy and slippery in summer because of the frequent rainfall. Temperatures may fall far below the freezing point at night since the hike goes as high as (4,955 m / 16,257 ft). 3A Adventure will be able to assist you in selecting the most appropriate departure according to the season and weather conditions.
Difficulty Level
Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan is a moderate to difficult camping trek, which needs proper physical fitness and willpower. The number of walks is four to nine daily, along mountain paths, forests, river valleys, and high passes. The route crosses Nyile La (4,850 m / 15,912 ft) and Yale La (4,955 m / 16,257 ft), where the thinner air makes trekking more demanding. It has several long ascents and descents and no technical climbing is required.
Past knowledge of trekking will be beneficial but not mandatory, provided you do prior preparations prior to the trip. It will be easier to walk slowly and in step with instructions given by your guide. To aid the trekkers in having an enjoyable adventure, 3A Adventure will schedule the itinerary with adequate acclimatization.
Altitude Sickness
One of the things that should be taken into consideration in the Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan is altitude sickness since most of the path is elevated (above 3,500 m / 11,483 ft). The higher the altitude of climb, the Jomolhari Base Camp (4,100 m / 13,451 ft) and Yale La (4,955 m / 16,257 ft), the longer your body requires time to adapt. Headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sickness or anorexia can be experienced by some trekkers.
The itinerary will have an acclimatization day to minimize these risks prior to crossing the highest passes. Simple methods of helping your body adapt are to drink enough water, eat well, avoid alcohol and walk slowly. Your guide will also periodically monitor your health and intervene in case any of the symptoms are severe during the trek.
Preparation and Fitness
The 12-day Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan will be more enjoyable and comfortable when properly prepared. You should start training about a few weeks before your trip by walking, hiking, biking, jogging, or climbing stairs to enhance your endurance. Leg and core muscle strength training is also useful, as you will be walking many hours a day with a small daypack.
Trekking shoes must be worn out to prevent blisters by wearing comfortable trekking shoes. Changing weather in the mountains requires warm clothing, a quality sleeping bag and waterproof gear. 3A Adventure offers a packing list and travel information before departure that are detailed so that you can pack and be ready to go on the adventure.
Food and Accommodation
In the Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan, you will be staying in Hotels in Paro and Thimphu, with the trekking part being assisted by fully equipped camps. The journey is prepared with comfortable tents, dining tents, kitchen tents and other camping equipment. The trekking staff prepares fresh meals daily and typically consists of a mix of rice, vegetables, soups, noodles, eggs, meat dishes and hot drinks.
Vegetarian dishes may be pre-ordered as well. Water is only served after it has been treated and it is advisable to carry a reusable water bottle. 3A Adventure has been known to employ professional camping staff to take care of clean meals, comfortable camps and solid support in the trek.
Transportation
The Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan has well-organized transportation throughout the trip, both when you arrive and when you leave. All road transportation, which is included in the itinerary such as airport transfers, is taken by a private vehicle. The first step will be to transfer to your hotel at Paro International Airport. Your trip will be by car as well; before the trek begins, you will be driven to Drukgyel Dzong, which will be the starting point of your trek at Shana.
Upon the completion of the trek in Dodena, a personal vehicle will be used to transfer you to Thimphu, after which the following day you will be comfortably driven back to Paro. The roads are usually in good condition, though some areas along the trekking path are in bad condition.
Communication
The mobile network and Internet connectivity in the cities of Paro and Thimphu are usually good and communication is possible. During the Jomolhari Trek, the mobile signals are weak and inaccessible in most of the remote mountain regions. Once they have started the camping trek, there is usually no Internet connection, which is why it is a good idea not to start the trek without notifying family and friends.
This slowness of connection also allows you to take pleasure in the serene mountain atmosphere free of distractions. The trekking guide will be with the group during the trek and can help when there is a need to communicate. It is advisable to carry a fully charged power bank since there are no charging facilities in the campsites throughout the trek.
Permit
Everyone intending to participate in the Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan has to acquire the necessary trekking permits prior to the trek. Besides a Bhutan travel permit, you will require a trekking permit since the route traverses a sacred land, such as Jigme Dorji National Park. These permits are pre-arranged and verified at military checkpoints on the way, such as Gunitsawa.
Visitors do not have to obtain the permits themselves, but tend to do so via a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. By going on a trip booked with 3A Adventure, the relevant permit arrangements are made before your arrival, and you can enjoy the trek and not worry about the paperwork on your trip.
Visa
The majority of foreigners need a visa to get into Bhutan. The visa is granted upon confirmation of your tour with a legitimate Bhutanese tour operator. You will be required to give a copy of your passport and the necessary personal information before traveling in order to have the visa application processed. Your passport must have at least six months to your travel date.
When your visa is granted, you will be given a visa clearance letter before travel and a visa will be given to you on arrival in Bhutan. 3A Adventure can help you with the needed travel papers and organize the visa procedure with the company’s local partners to simplify and make your travel easy and convenient.
Travel Insurance
Anyone who is going to participate in the 12-day Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan is highly encouraged to have travel insurance. As the route goes as high as 4,955 m / 16,257 ft, you should have high altitude trekking covered in your insurance policy. In addition, selecting a policy that includes medical care, emergency evacuation, trip-cancellation, flight-delays, lost luggage and personal accidents is also recommended.
The weather in the mountains is unpredictable and anything might happen when undertaking remote trekking trips. Adequate insurance will offer financial security and comfort during the adventure. Before your journey, you should scrutinize your policy and ascertain that it covers all the undertakings and heights of the trek.
Extra Expenses
Even though you have a lot of services covered in your package, you ought to consider spending some of your personal expenses when engaging in the Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan. These can involve beverages other than the ones provided in the meal, snacks, personal shopping, laundry, tips to the trekking staff, any personal gear that you wish to purchase or rent before the trek. Other costs include souvenirs that are bought at Paro or Thimphu.
Some local currency is handy to make small purchases since you will not be able to use a card payment in remote trekking locations. It would be a good idea to plan a sensible personal budget prior to taking your trip so that you will not have to spend your time worrying about the unforeseen expenses that you might meet during your trip.
Private and Group Trek
Jomolhari Trek in Bhutan can be organized as a personal trek or a group departure, according to your choice of travel. A personalized tour is more flexible, as you can select your own travel dates and have an even more personalized experience with your own guide and support team.
Group treks have predetermined dates to leave and enable you to share the adventure with other trekkers and the adventure becomes more social and usually the price is also lower. The destinations of both options are the same and feature the same trekking services.
