Trek in the Land of Happiness

10-20th October 2014

JOMOLHARI TREK

There’s a place on earth that even the most seasoned travelers consider a privilege to visit. Although it is voted one of the world’s top travel destinations very few people experience Druk Yul, Bhutan, the land of Happiness. Trek Duration: 8 days Max Elevations: 4,890m Highest Camp: 4,080m Start & Finish at Drukgyel Dzong, Paro Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a mystical and medieval kingdom situated along the southern slopes of the Himalaya range between India and Tibet. Here the Buddhist culture remains largely untouched by the outside world where people and nature coexist in a sacred balance.

The pristine environment is home to exotic wildlife and is a last refuge for endangered species like the Black Necked crane, the Blue Sheep, the Golden Langur and even the Royal Bengal Tiger. Bhutan is the last bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism, a spiritual practice that is known to be one of the most profound schools of teaching in the Buddhist world. The sacred monasteries that sit precariously on sheer cliffs, the fluttering prayer flags that line the high ridges, the red robed monks who chant through the day and night give this Kingdom an aura that comes from another time. The main goal in life for the Bhutanese people is HAPPINESS. Even the mandate of the modern Bhutanese state is Gross National Happiness! In translation, this means that economic development, a goal for much of humanity, is only a means to the real goal of happiness. The Jumolhari Trek is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. With altitude differences of 2,500m and nearly 5,000m (lowest and highest point of the route) it offers a wide range of landscape ,flora & fauna. The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jumolhari from Jumolhari Base camp in Jangothang. This tiny kingdom is a unique blend of the old and the new – it is a hidden country slowly opening up to the modern world but with a keen balance of its rich traditions. All participants need to arrive in Kathmandu on Thursday the 9th

October latest & ready to take the morning Druk Air Flight on

the 10th October 2014

Flights to Kathmandu must be booked and paid for personally

there are many airl ines to choose from! You can also choose

which hotel you wish to stay at in Kathmandu and spend extra

days there before or after our expedition to Bhutan

Seats on the Druk Air Flights have been blocked by our ground

handler and need to be paid on booking your place on the trip to

secure your seat. Once you have paid for the Druk Air Flights no

date changes are possible.

Friday 10th October: Kathmandu – Paro Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for flight KB401 departs 09.25 arrives Paro 10.40. Meet and assist at the airport and transfer to our hotel. http://www.haven-bhutan.com Sightseeing in Paro (Rinpung Dzong, Ta Museum, Kurje Lhakhang) Lunch & dinner own choice & cost . Overnight at the Hotel Saturday 11th October – Hike to Takstang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) B, L,) Breakfast at the Hotel then a magical hike to one of the most important religious sites in Bhutan – Takstang Lhakhang, know as Tiger’s Nest. This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 2000ft above the valley floor. The legend of Takstang dates back to 747 AD when Padmasambhava, in the wrathful form of Guru Dorji Droloe is believed to have flow here on the back of a tiger to subdue the evil spirits of the region. Tantric Buddhist mythology tells that the vanquished spirits of the region were transformed into protectors of the dharma. Lunch at the teahouse en route Afternoon free to rest, enjoy the hotel facilities, enjoy Paro. Dinner at own cost and choice. Sunday 12th October: Drukgyel Dzong – Sharna Zampa (Distance 17km, 4-5 hours, 360 m ascent, 80m descent, camp altitude 2850m) (B, L & D) Breakfast & check out. A short drive up to Drukgyel Dzong where the road ends and our trek begins. Our trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Later on we come to apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2,810m). Our trek permits will be checked and endorsed here. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (2,870), where there are several good camping areas in meadows surrounded by trees.

Saturday 13th October Sharna Zampa- Thangthangkha (Distance 22km, 7-8 hours, 770m ascent, 10m descent, camp altitude 3610m) (B, L & D)

A long day of trekking on undulating trails. After going uphill through the river valley we enter Jigme Dorji National Park. The valley finally narrows to a mere path, which descends to a meadow where we will set up camp. If we are lucky and the weather is good we might catch the first sight of Mount Jumolhari – the goddess mountain. Sunday 14th October Thangthangkha – Jangothang (Distance 19km, 5-6 hours, 480m ascent, camp altitude 4,080m) (B, L& D) If we didn’t see Mt Jumolhari last night we have a good chance to see her this morning so an early wake up is on the cards! This morning our trek continues up the Paro Chhu Valley, which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. We cross an army outpost on the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. We will pass through villages ( Soe, Takethang & Dangochnag ) reaching Jangothang one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas. Great views of Mount Jumolhari !

Monday 15th October Jangothang, Acclimatization Day, 4080m (B,L& D )

Our day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views on the lakes and snow capped mountains. Jangothang is the perfect environment for our acclimatization and there are good short hiking trails in three directions – or simply choose to rest and soak up the mountain air ! Tuesday 16th October Jangothang –Dhumzo ( Distance 16km, 6-7 hours, 810m ascent, 1090m descent, camp altitude 3,800m (B,L& D ) The trail now leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops down to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu ( 4,380m) we will have a steep climb to Bhonte La Pass at 4,890m, the highest point of our trek route. Once over the pass it’s a trek downstream to our camp for the night ! Wednesday 17th October Dhumzo-Thombu Shong ( Distance 11km, 4-5 hours , 720m ascent, 340m descent, camp altitude 4,180m) (B,L & D) Another day of trekking ! Our trail climbs 110m over a ridge then drops down to another stream. After crossing the Takhung La Pass( 4,520) we descend to our campsite at Thombu Shong . Thursday 18th October Thonbu Shong to Sharna Zampa ( Distance 13km, 4-5 hours, 200m ascent, 1,650m descent, camp altitude 2,850) (B,L& D ) Today we head back to where we started ! Our hike takes us across the Thombu La Pass ( 4,380m) and on to Gunitsawa and to the campsite where we spent the first night of our trek.

Friday 19th October Sharna Zampa to Drukgyel Dzong ( Distance 17km, 4-6 hours , 80m ascent , 360 descent ) (B,L& D) Our last day on the trail. Back to Drukgyel Dzong where our bus will be waiting to take us back to the hotel for a hot shower and celebrations to mark the end of our trek. Celebration dinner & overnight at the Hotel. Saturday 20th October Paro – Kathmandu (B) Early wake up and transfer to the airport to catch the Druk Air KB204 0800 flight to Kathmandu arriving 0855am Your choice to stay on in Kathmandu for a few days or take your flight back home in the late afternoon / evening of the 20th. Price per person on twin share basis ( hotel & camping ) USD 4,900 / Dhs 17,900 * Kathmandu – Paro- Kathmandu Airfare is included in the rate

above, if you prefer to fly to Paro from Bangkok or Dehli please

make your own flight arrangements and deduct USD 420 from

the above rate. Please make sure your fl ight to Paro arrives on

the 10th morning. Price includes : * Round trip fare , Kathmandu – Paro- Kathmandu * Visa fee & processing * Twin share rooms & tents * 3 nights accommodation at the Haven Hotel on B & B basis. * Single room supplemental charge will be USD 50 per day pp * Celebration dinner on the 19th October * Julie Lewis as trip leader * Trekking guide * English Speaking Tour Guide * Professional Cook * Assistant/ Horsemen to carry luggage * Bottled Mineral Water

* Helpers * All three meals and tea/coffee on the trek * Trekking mattresses * Eating utensils * Cooking equipment * Other camping equipment such as dining tent, toilet tent * Comfortable vehicle & good driver ! * Tourism Development Fund and Government taxes * Branded team fleece * Branded team kit bag Price Excludes:

* Flights to Kathmandu * Accommodation in Kathmandu * Travel or health insurance * Airport transfers in Kathmandu * Tips for Guides, drivers, cook, horsemen, assistants * Laundry / personal expenses * Water, drinks at the hotels / restaurants * Any museum or entrance fees

IMPORTANT NOTES - Please ensure that your passport has a minimum of 2 blank pages on arrival in Bhutan and valid for a minimum of six months. - We will require a full clear photocopy of your passport with the booking form so that we can apply for your visa - Before our trip we require that clients have an insurance policy inclusive of repatriation services (covering emergency medical evacuation) for trips to Bhutan.

Clothing & Equipment A full kit list for the trip will be sent upon receipt of your booking form and deposit Insurance: Please arrange your travel insurance prior to departure. Maximum group size 16 (15 clients plus Jules) A Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan. The following information is required at least 6 weeks prior to date of arrival in Bhutan, to process the visa with the concerned authorities: - Full Name, Permanent Address, Nationality, Date & Place of Birth, Profession, Passport Number, Date of Issue, Place of Issue, Date of Expiry. Once we get this information we will apply for the visa on your behalf. Visa clearance numbers are issued by the Department of Immigration and must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. It takes 7 days for processing. A visa clearance copy will be emailed to you - this confirms your visa for your arrival to Bhutan. At the point of entry your actual visa will be stamped on your passport. Special Note! This trip is rated moderate. Trekking in Bhutan is for active people in good health & physical condition who enjoy hiking. Bhutan has an "up and down" topography, there is very little level walking. Gear and supplies will be carried by horses, leaving members free to carry only a daypack. No technical climbing or other special abilities are required. However, each person should be equipped with a "spirit of adventure" and have prior experience with backcountry camping, sleeping in a tent and willingness to undergo the potential hardships of outdoor living and long days on the trail. The trails themselves are only moderate, but at these altitudes hiking will feel more strenuous. A good physical conditioning program must be undertaken in advance to get into shape.

Accommodation in Paro

The Haven Hotel http://www.haven-bhutan.com/accommodation.php

Grand Next step Contact Jules to register your interest in the trek. Complete the booking form and pay the deposit and Druk Air flight to secure your place. Send the completed booking form along with a scanned copy of your passport to jules@mountainhighme.com. Cut off date 30th June 2014 due to limited availability on Druk Air flights, any bookings after this are subject to availability on the flights. Balance payment 45 days prior to departure. For more information: Jules: +971 50 6595536 Or email: jules@mountainhighme.com