Chomolhari Base Camp Trek is one of the best treks in Bhutan. Anyone can complete it in a relatively short time while having the time of their lives. Within the 12 days, you can complete this classic trek and spend time in the beautiful Paro Valley. During your days in the city, explore the outstanding Bhutanese art and architecture. The natural, cultural and historical aspects of Bhutan can all be seen in the Paro Valley. The actual trekking starts on the 3rd day from the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and offers some heavenly experiences in the isolated parts of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.
Chomolhari Base Camp Trek - Bhutan
Chomolhari Base Camp Trek is only moderately difficult and requires you to trek for 8 days. Staying multiple days at elevations higher than 3000 meters keeps you out of any risk for altitude sickness. Still, the trek has to be done slowly and steadily. A hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery before the trek helps us acclimatize. Though extreme preparation is not required for this trek, one should be physically fit and able to adjust to a minimalistic way of life away from luxury. Some physical preparation before the trek and mental strength will make the adventure smoother.
During the trek, you may encounter animals like the Blue Sheep, monkeys, and various species of birds. As the trekking trail is also a yak pasture land, you may get to see yaks and their herders. The forests are full of alpine vegetation including pine, juniper, rhododendron, and bamboo. While trekking, some paths are easier and some uphill trails may need a bit more effort. Though crossing Yele Pass can be a bit daunting, you will be rewarded with some awe-inspiring views of mountains and valleys from the top. Chomolhari Base Camp lies just between two mountain passes, Nyele La Pass at 4850 meters and Yele Pass at 4950 meters.
There are no hotels or tea houses on the Chomolhari Base Camp trail. So, your team prepares camping for you where you have your meal and spend the night in the wilderness. The horses carry your luggage and everything you and your team needs to complete the trek. Though the trekking trail lies in an isolated part of the world, you will have not a thing to worry about and your experience will be unforgettable.
Chomolhari Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Once in a lifetime opportunity to trek in Bhutan's remote Himalayan region
- Trek with experienced guides who give you insight in the region's culture, history, and landscape
- A scenic mountain flight to Paro airport
- Visit National Museum, Rinpung Dzong and The ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in Paro
- Hike up to Taktshang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest) and visit Kyichu Lhakhang
- Moderately difficult but high altitude trek to the Base Camp of Chomolhari and back
- Cross two mountain passes, Yele La Pass and Nyeley La Pass along the way
- Enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Chomolhari, Jichi Drake and many other peaks
- Walk through alpine forests along the Paro and Thimphu rivers
- Experience the lifestyle of people in remote villages of Bhutan
- Spend your nights camping under the stars
- Discover the culture, tradition, lifestyle, and art of Bhutan
Airports with flights to/from Paro:
- Indira Gandhi Airport, India
- Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand
- Changi International Airport, Singapore
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal
Note: If you are flying from countries other than Nepal, you need to take care of your flights to/from Paro by yourself. If you are going to Bhutan by using Kathmandu as a transit point, Sublime Trails will take care of your flight to Paro from Kathmandu and back. We will also take care of your accommodation and transportation in Kathmandu while you are here.
Mountain Views
Stunning view of the snow-capped mountains is what makes the trek to Chomolhari Base Camp so special. From the moment you arrive in Bhutan, you will get a plethora of amazing views of the mountain landscapes and beyond. Mountain peaks like Chomholhari (7314 m), Jichu Drake (6794 m), Tshrim Khang, and more can be seen during the trek. The view gets better and the mountains get closer as you approach the base camp of Chomolhari. Two high mountain passes, Yele La Pass and Nyeley La Pass treat you with the best vistas of the landscapes and mountains.
Paro Valley
Paro Valley is where you will first land in Bhutan, offering glimpses of Bhutanese culture and lifestyle with surrounding landscapes. There are many cultural and religious monuments such as stupas, dzongs, and monasteries in Paro. You will also visit the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. The National Museum showcases some ancient Bhutanese paintings and artefacts, The Rinpung Dzong is the administrative and religious centre of the district. The National Museum and the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) are a few of the many places within the Paro Valley. Tiger’s Nest Monastery is another major highlight in Bhutan which attracts lots of tourists yearly. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the one who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan, arrived at a cave here on the back of a tigress. The trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery helps you acclimatize for your upcoming trek.
Camping
For this trek, a group of two people needs to be accompanied by 8 horses and horsemen, 2 cooks and 2 guides. After reaching the place where you will stay during the night, these people will make sure that you have a camp to stay in and food to eat. A new camp needs to be set at the campsite each day during the 8 days of trekking. Solo trekking in Bhutan is not allowed and camping is only allowed in certain places. Our team of local experts trekking with you will have all the knowledge required to make the voyage go smoothly without you having to worry about anything.
Bhutanese Art and Craft
Cities in Bhutan are the best places to encounter unique and amazing art and handicrafts. Museums, dzongs, and temples let you know more about the Bhutanese traditions, history, and religion through the images, paintings and various artefacts. Bhutanese art is heavily influenced by Vajrayana Buddhism and the culture associated with it. The wallpapers and paintings and sculptures represent the spirit of the Himalayan Kingdom. While you visit the dzongs, and museums in Paro, you will get the opportunity to understand these arts in depth.
People and Lifestyle
Bhutanese people live a unique life based on their religious beliefs and practise traditional rituals in their day-to-day lives. While touring in the valleys, you can find traditional houses and people dressed in traditional clothes. Once the trekking trail takes you further, you only get to see few settlements, most of which are minimalistic winter homes of yak herders. Yaks and horses are used by these people to carry their goods from one place to another where other means of transportation are not possible.