Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek – Above The Clouds

The trek is most commonly undertaken during two seasons: spring and autumn. In the spring, the trek should begin after mid-March and end before mid-May. Alternatively, in the autumn season, trekkers should set out after the last week of September and conclude their journey by late November, enjoying clear days and beautiful views.

It is advisable to avoid trekking during the winter months from December to February due to potential snowfall and impassable routes for pack animals. On the other hand, the summer months, spanning from June to September, may bring occasional rainfall but also bring the upper regions of the trek to life with vibrant flowers. These months coincide with the active season for the nomadic communities, adding a unique cultural experience to the adventure.

The Jomolhari Laya Trek is categorized as moderately strenuous by Wind Horse, primarily due to its 12-day duration, which includes two rest days. The trek’s difficulty level varies throughout the journey. In the initial three days, you can expect relatively easy walks, averaging 3-5 hours per day. There are a couple of more demanding days when you’ll trek for a full 7-8 hours.

On an average day, you’ll walk approximately 6 hours, covering a distance of around 10-15 kilometers. Additionally, several mountain pass crossings are encountered, but these typically occur after the fourth day of the trek. By this point, trekkers have acclimated to the altitude, and their physical condition has improved. This gradual progression in difficulty allows trekkers to adapt to the challenges, making it a manageable and rewarding adventure.

Prior trekking experience is not strictly necessary for the Jomolhari Laya Trek, but it can significantly enhance your preparedness and enjoyment of the journey. One should be physically fit and mentally prepared for the weather, terrain, and sleeping in tents for an extended period.

The highest elevation reached on the Above the Clouds Jomolhari Laya Trek is 5005m at Sincela pass between Robluthang and Limithang on the 9th day of the trek.
The maximum Campsite altitude is 4,220m at Shomulthang on the 7th night of camping.

Your first crossing of the high pass is on the 5th day of the trek between Jangothang and Lingshi at Nyile La pass at 4870m.
Due to the well-planned itinerary, and gradual ascent strategies typically employed on the Jomolhari Laya Trek, the likelihood of experiencing altitude sickness is significantly reduced.

If altitude sickness were to occur, it’s likely to become noticeable by the third day of the trek at Jangothang, before embarking on the high mountain passes. This pivotal point in the journey offers trekkers a significant advantage in recognizing any symptoms and taking appropriate action. If such symptoms were to emerge, it is feasible to make a decision to retreat from the trek at this stage, potentially descending to lower altitudes for rest and recovery.

The trek often follows or remains near cell phone towers, with some dead spots in which case there are there are Military Posts with Radios or villages with Radio communication While satellite phones and two-way radios were once carried, improved cell phone coverage has made them less necessary in recent times.

Our experienced guides are trained in basic wilderness first aid and carry essential medical supplies. They can swiftly communicate with our office in Thimphu, enabling us to contact emergency services or arrange evacuations if necessary. It’s vital for trekkers to ensure they have appropriate Travel Insurance coverage to safeguard their trekking experience.

On this trek, we use high quality imported 4 season tents by leading manufacturers such as Mountain Hardware, North Face and Alps Mountaineering for sleeping.
In addition to the sleeping tent, we bring a Mess/dinning tent, also pitch simple pit toilet with a tent cover. We have a separate tent for staffs and Kitchen.
For more details about food, typical day on a trek, visit the our trekking in Bhutan page: