The Snowman Trek goes to the remote Lunana district and is considered to be one of the most difficult treks in Bhutan. Crossing dozens of high passes many over 16,000 ft and these tough treks include challenges of long distance, high altitude, difficult weather conditions and remoteness. It however has some of the most magnificent views in the Himalayas traversing through some unforgettable landscapes.
Season: The Snowman Trek is frequently closed because of snow and is almost impossible during winter. The recommended season for this trek is from mid-June till mid-October. Please note that the Snowman trek is only for the experienced trekkers due to its nature of toughness and is offered to a group of 5 people or more only.
ITINERARY LIST:
Day 01: Arrival in Paro
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing
Day 03: Paro to Shana (trek begins)
Day 04: Shana to Thangthangkha
Day 05: Thangthangkha to Jangothang
Day 06: Jangothang Halt
Day 07: Jangothang to Lingshi
Day 08: Lingshi to Chebisa
Day 09: Chebisa to Shakaypasa
Day 10: Shakaypasa to Tsheringyangu
Day 11: Tsheringyangu to Limithang
Day 12: Limithang to Laya
Day 13: Laya Halt Rest day to Explore Laya
Day 14: Laya – Rodophu
Day 15: Rodophu to Narithang
Day 16: Narithang to Tarina
Day 17: Tarina to Wochey
Day 18: Wochey to Lhedi
Day 19: Lhedi to Thanza
Day 20: Thanza Halt
Day 21: Thanza to Tshorim
Day 22: Tshorim to Sarim (Gangkhar Puensum base camp)
Day 23: Sarim to Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang
Day 24: Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang to Uruthang
Day 25: Uruthang to Dur Tsachu
Day 26: Dur Tsachu Halt
Day 27: Dur Tsachu to Tshochenchen
Day 28: Tshochenchen to Lunsum/Ghorsum
Day 29: Ghorsum to Jakar (Trek ends)
Day 30: Jakar sightseeing
Day 31: Jakar – Punakha (7 Hrs)
Day 32: Punakha – Thimphu (2 ½ Hrs)
Day 33: Thimphu – Paro (1 Hr)
Day 34: Departure
DETAILS:
Day 01: Arrival in Paro
Upon your arrival you’ll driven to the hotel in Paro. In the afternoon visit the National Museum and then visit 17 century Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge, Nyemezampa. In the evening stroll around Paro town and explore the local handicrafts stores.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing
Early morning take a hike to the Tiger’s nest which will take about 1 ½ hrs to reach the sacred temple of tiger’s nest. Take lunch on the way back in cafeteria and in the afternoon come back to town. Then visit the national museum and the fortress of Paro. Come back in the evening to hotel for the night.
Day 03: Paro to Shana (trek begins)
The Drugyal Dzong was built in 1654 by the Shabdrung to commemorate one of the many war victories against the Tibetans. Over the centuries it guarded the trail from Tibet into the Paro valley. We will be met at this historic site by our trekking crew for the start of our trek. Follow the Paro Chu upstream through the village of Tshento on a dirt road for about an hour. We will have lunch on the way. Shana is about 15 KM from the trek starting point at an altitude of 2,900m and takes about 6 hours. Just before reaching our camp, we will have to pass through an army check post where the tour guide will procure your trekking permit to go across.
Day 04: Shana to Thangthangkha
The trail from Shana to Thangthangkha is rocky terrain with light ups and downs along the Paro Chu and can be very muddy if it rains. Distance is approximately about 21 KM and takes about 8 Hrs at an altitude of 3,620m. About 2 ½ hours into the trek and you will reach at a junction where the trail branches into two. One trek goes to Tibet (China) and the other to Thangthangkha.
Day 05: Thangthangkha to Jangothang
Today you will come across small sparse settlements of yak herders. You will also be crossing the treeline of alt. 4000M. Jangothang is about 16 KM away and a walking distance of 6 Hrs at an alt. of 4,100M. Campsite at Jangothang brings the majestic view of mount Jhomolhari. Jangothang means the land of ruins. We can see ruins of some old settlements and not much is known about its history.
Day 06: Jangothang Halt
Today is a day for acclimatization and rest day. A good optional hike is to climb upto the Tshophu Lake of alt. 4300m which is the distance of about an hour and half from Jangothang.
Day 07: Jangothang to Lingshi
Today we’ll head to Lingshi which is about 17 KM and takes about 7 hours of walking. Walking uphill from Jangothang it takes about 4 hours’ of climb to reach Nyele La pass of alt. 4090M. From this pass to Lingshi is all the way downhill till we reach the stream near the Dzong.
Day 08: Lingshi to Chebisa
This distance is short and is of about 12KM and the walking time takes about 4 hours. We will start off the day by visiting the Lingshi dzong built on a commanding hill by the Shabdrung in the 1600. About 3 hours into our trek is a remote village of Gangyul surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of cliff. Our camp for the night is in the windy place called Chebisa.
Day 09: Chebisa to Shakaypasa
Two hours of climbing from Chebisa will reach us over the Goku La pass at of alt. 4350M. Distance is about 16KM and takes about 6 hours. From the pass we descend into a valley of rhododendron bushes and continue across some yak herders’ camps till Shakaypasa.
Day 10: Shakaypasa to Tsheringyangu
An early morning start will get us on the way to Jari La pass of alt. 4747M. From this pass it is all the way downhill into the picturesque valley of Tsharijatha where herds of takin (the national animal of Bhutan) are normally seen in the summer season. From here a short climb will take us to our camp at Tsheringyangu. It is about 17KM and takes 7 hours to reach there.
Day 11: Tsheringyangu to Limithang
This part of the trek is home of snow leopards. They are highly elusive animals and rarely seen but occasional paw marks can be spotted. Starting early and a strenuous hike will get us over the Sinchey La, the highest pass on our trek. Descending to Limithang we’ll see the snow covered peak of Gangchenta of alt. 6840M and the glacier carved Gangchenta valley. Gangchenta means Great Tiger Mountain. It is of about 18KM distance and takes 7 hours to reach there.
Day 12: Limithang to Laya
It will take around 5 hours to reach Laya and people of Laya are called Layaps. They keep yaks as source of livelihood including beast of burden. Overnight in camp in Laya.
Day 13: Laya Halt Rest day to Explore Laya
Day off and halt to acclimatize for further journey and also to go around Layaps’ village otherwise may laze around in the camp.
Day 14: Laya – Rodophu
This route follows the river downstream for a while and heads east to reach at Rodophu. It is about 21KM and takes 8 hours to reach there. Certain sections of the trail will be washed away by frequent landslides so we’ll have to negotiate the trail over huge boulders and narrow paths. Rodophu is a small, narrow and rocky valley used by the people of Laya to migrate with their Yaks.
Day 15: Rodophu to Narithang
Climbing out of the Rodophu valley we will be out into the open field and there is no vegetation except for sparse short grasses. Blue sheep can be frequently seen in this part of the trek route. This is also the snow leopard territory – an elusive animal of Himalayas. We can have the majestic view of Mount Ganglakarchung. It takes about 6 hours to reach there from Rodophu.
Day 16: Narithang to Tarina
Climb up from the campsite till Karchula pass of alt. 5,080M which is a long and tough trail. We can see a spectacular view of Tarina lakes in the north east flanked by mount Masagang, Tsendagang and Terigang. Trail downhill is steep from the pass so it is advisable to trek down slowly. Our camp will be in the valley on the banks of the Tarina stream. It will take around 7 hours to reach Tarina.
Day 17: Tarina to Wochey
This part of trek from Tarina to Wochey is easier as the path follows down the river valley. A climb of about 400M uphill after lunch will take us to the village of Wochey. It will take about 6 hours to reach Wochey.
Day 18: Wochey to Lhedi
The trek begins with juniper and fir forests and then among the rhododendron bushes. There is a pass called Kechey la of alt. 4,580M on this route which is quite a scenic point and then climb down to the village of Tega. Walk along the sandy riverside enjoying the stunning views of Table Mountain. We have to follow the river, the main tributary of Pho Chu, till Lhedi village and camp there for the night. It is about 7 hours of trek journey to reach Lhedi.
Day 19: Lhedi to Thanza
The trek will continue to follow the river course till it rises gradually to Choezo village. The valley was washed away by the glacial flood of 1994 forming a typical glacial landscape. A bridge will finally take us to Thanza at alt. 4,000M and is one of the remotest human settlements. Lhedi to Thanza is about 16KM and takes 6 hours of trekking.
Day 20: Thanza Halt
A day’s halt at Thanza and can walk around or climb up the ridge to see the view of the lakes and mountains.
Day 21: Thanza to Tshorim
The trek starts with a climb upto the ridge with great view of the Table Mountain and Thanza below. It at an alt. of 5304M and takes about 7 hours to reach there.
Day 22: Tshorim to Sarim (Gangkhar Puensum base camp)
We will start the day with a short climb to the Tshorim lakes and walk on the side of the lake enjoying the panoramic views of the Gophula range. The last climb to Gophula pass of alt. 5,230M is very short and crossing it the trail descends down to the campsite on the banks of the Sha Chu at alt. 4,970M. It’ll take around 6 hours of journey to reach Sarim.
Day 23: Sarim to Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang
Now the trail will leave the beautiful mountains and follows the Sha Chu descending gradually to Geshey Woma. This journey will take 7 hours of traveling.
Day 24: Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang to Uruthang
Trek route continues following the Sha Chu for about 3 hours and then a long climb will take us over the steep Shakala pass at alt. 4800M. This journey will take 8 hours to reach the campsite at Uruthang.
Day 25: Uruthang to Dur Tsachu
A short climb will take us over the Juelela pass of alt. 4,685M and from here the trail winds down to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forest. Our camp is at the Dur Tsachu (Dur hot spring) where the great tantric master Guru Padmasambava is supposed to have taken bath in 8th century. It will take 7 hours of traveling to reach Dur Tsachu.
Day 26: Dur Tsachu Halt
A day’s halt is needed for natural hot spring bath and to relax after a long tiring trekking in the deeper Himalayas.
Day 27: Dur Tsachu to Tshochenchen
This particular route will cross the last pass of the trek. It is a long and steep climb with great views of the mountains in Lunana. We will be passing through turquoise lakes and yak herders’ tents before arriving at our campsite at Tshochenchen. It takes 8 hours to reach Tshochenchen.
Day 28: Tshochenchen to Lunsum/Ghorsum
This route is easier walking down and there will be change in beasts of burden from yaks to horses since yaks do not like the warm valleys below. It is of 5 hours trekking duration to reach Lunsum.
Day 29: Ghorsum to Jakar (Trek ends)
Today is the last day of our trek. It’s an easy and short walking route of about 4 hours. We will be met by our bus at Tokto Zam and driven to our hotel in Jakar. Overnight at Jakar alt. 2650m
Day 30: Jakar sightseeing
Visit Jampay Lakhang – one of the first 2 Buddhist temples built in the country and the home of the unique naked dance. Visit Kurjey Temple – the site where royals are cremated and then either walk cross the suspension bridge or visit the village of Parar and Tamshing. In the later evening can go around visiting the Swiss farm and stroll in Jakar town trying some local pancake and noodles. Overnight stay at Jakar of altitude 2650M.
Day 31: Jakar – Punakha (7 Hrs)
Enjoy your drive to Punakha through Yotongla pass of alt 3400M and Pelela pass of alt 3300M. On arrival in Punakha you can check into the hotel there. In the evening if time permit visit the Souvenir Making Center and the Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. Overnight stay at Punakha.
Day 32: Punakha – Thimphu (2 ½ Hrs)
Check out from the hotel and visit Chimi Lhakang – the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus. Then drive to Thimphu and visit school of Arts and crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan. Drive pass by the Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley and go to Takin Zoo and Zilukha Nunnery. Overnight stay at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 33: Thimphu – Paro (1 Hr)
In the morning check out from the hotel and proceed further for city sightseeing to Buddha point. Lunch will be in the town and drive to Paro in the evening. Remaining part of the day is at leisure and overnight halt at Paro.
Day 34: Departure
Early morning you’ll be driven to Paro airport and your guide will bid you farewell for your onwards journey.
