SNOWMAN TREK

Day 1: Arrive Paro, 2280m

Welcome to the Land of Thunder Dragon. On arrival at Paro airport, you will be greeted by our guide and take you to one of the restaurants for lunch. After lunch, you will visit the Rimpung Dzong, dating back to the 17th century. This building is an ancient fortress and center of civil and religious government in the Paro valley. From the Dzong, you can walk down to the road head crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. In the evening, you can stroll in Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Acclimatisation hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

5Km | 4-5 hours | 900m Ascent

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m gives you acclimatisation for the next day’s trek. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Explore the Monastery and hike back to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Drugyal Dzong to Shana (Trek starts)

17Km | 5-6 hours | 300 Ascent | Camp altitude 2850m

The trek starts from the ruins of Drugyal Dzong at 2300m with a downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail climbs gently traversing through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. The route later enters an area of apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens and you reach Gunitsawa village where you pass the army post. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa. Camp at an altitude of 2850m.

Day 4: Shana to Sio Thangthangkha

21Km | 6-7 hours | 900 Ascent | Camp altitude 3750m

On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley the valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path, which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up at the altitude of 3750m. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mt. Jumolhari.

Day 5: Sio Thangthangkha to Jangothang

19Km | 4-5 hours | 300 Ascent | Camp altitude 4050m

This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley, which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area, yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Sio, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake.

Day 6: Jangothang Halt

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. You can also trek up to Tsophu Lake or hike around the area.

Day 7: Jangothang to Lingshi

19Km | 6-7 hours | 800 Ascent | 730 Descent | Camp altitude 4100m

The trail follows the stream or half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshering Gang. Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Ngye La pass at an altitude of 4830m. After the pass, it is a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panoramic view of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong.

Day 8: Lingshi to Chebisa

12Km | 5-6 hours | 100m Ascent | 250m Descent | Camp altitude 3850m

Shortly after starting you will reach a Chorten below Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking a detour up to the Lingshi Dzong (4220m), which sits right atop a high ridge. After Lingshi Dzong, It is an easy day and pleasant walk through villages and yak herders camp. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa, you will have plenty of time to visit the village houses. There is also a beautiful waterfall located behind the village that is worth visiting.

Day 9: Chebisa to Shomuthang

17Km | 6-7 hours | 570m Ascent | 290 Descent | Camp altitude 4130m

The morning starts with a long ascent behind Chebisa Village through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La pass at an altitude of 4420m. On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks and you may also see herds of blue sheep now and then. After crossing Gobu La, you descend into the valley, then climb again a little bit, before descending again to Shakshepasa (3980m), a large U-shaped valley. Climbing from here you will finally reach the campsite at Shomuthang, above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu river.

Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang

15Km | 5-6 hours | 620m Ascent | 590 Descent | Camp altitude 4160m

You begin by climbing up the valley. Edelweiss abounds along the trail. The snow peak you can see to the southeast is Kang Bum (6526m). After two hours of climbing you will reach Jhari La (4750m), from where you catch the first glimpse of Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6840m, better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang located in a beautiful wide and remote valley. Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

Day 11: Robluthang to Lingmithang

19Km | 7-8 hours | 850m Ascent | 870m Descent | Camp altitude 4140m

It is a long climb unto Shingela pass (5010m). The view of the mountains from the path is stunning. As you descend, you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Lingmithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s quite a distance away.

Day 12: Lingmithang to Laya

10Km | 3-4 hours | 60m Ascent | 340 Descent | Camp altitude 3850m

In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchhenta peak in front of you. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at altitude of 3850m. From the west of the village, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Gangchhenta and catch Mt. Masagang.

Day 13: Acclimatization day in Laya

A day of rest and acclimatization. One can take a leisurely walk through the village or go for short hike above the camp.

Day 14: Laya to Rodophu

19Km | 6-7 hours | 900m Ascent | 70m Descent | Camp altitude 4160m

The trek leads down to the Lunana trail junction and then climbs to hilltop with good views over the Mo Chhu and the Rhodo Chhu. The trail follows Rhodo Chhu valley, first through mixed conifers and then through rhododendron, above the tree line. From top of large rockslide, there is a view of the glacial valley and a massive glacier on Tsenda Gang (7100m). Our camp is just beyond a wooden bridge across the Rhodo Chhu river. Camp at Rodophu at 4160m.

Day 15: Rodophu to Narithang

17Km | 5-6 hours | 755m Ascent | 15m Descent | Camp altitude 4900m

The trail today also follows the alpine grassland where yaks bound in plenty. The path follows the river through rhododendron shrubs before turning right up the hill. You will then climb to a high open valley through meadows to Tshomo La Pass (4915m). The views of the Mount Jomolhari and Tibetan borders are absolutely breathtaking. Next you will hiking on the barren plateau intersecting several yak trails and after some time you will be arriving at Narithang (4900m), which is your camp for tonight.

Day 16: Narithang to Tarina

18Km | 6-7 hours | 220m Ascent | 770m Descent | Camp altitude 4350m

Today you will be climbing Ganglakarchung Pass at an altitude of 5120m. From the pass, the views of Kangbum (6530m), Tsendhen Gang (7100m), Teri Gang (7300m) and Jejegangphu Gang (7120m) are superb. You will descend through massive moraines to the edge of straight cliff with views of glacial hanging from Teri Gang that forms two turquoise-colored lakes at the base. The lake towards the left in 1961 due to outburst has caused a flood downstream in Punakha destroying the Mochu Bridge. Descend through a steep path to the U-shaped valley following the Tangchu stream towards right to arrive at your camp at 4350m.

Day 17: Tarina to Woche

15Km | 5-6 hours | 100m Ascent | Camp altitude 4450m

Your trail passes through the junipers down the Tangchu River on the left passing through amazing waterfalls. After a gentle climb out of the valley for sometime, you will be making a steep ascent to Woche Village, the first settlement in Lunana region at an altitude of 4350m. The Woche village marks the beginning of the Lunana region and above the village, you will see tomorrow’s route to Ledhi.

Day 18: Woche to Lhedi

19Km | 6-7 hours | 300m Ascent | 450m Descent | Camp altitude 4200m

Start climbing up the Woche valley and cross a small stream to go over a moraine. You will then descend to a wooden bridge across a Woche Chu River and climb up past a clear glacial lake to reach Keche La pass (4650m) with magnificent views of nearby mountains including three-prong peaks of Jejegangphu Gang mountain. The trail then descends to Pochu Valley and reaches Thaga village at 4050m. In the late afternoons, one can expect bitterly cold winds at Thaga Vilalge in autumn. From the Thaga village, we descend passing few scattered settlements, waterfalls and reach Lhedi (4200m) after walking along the Phochu River bed. Lhedi village consists of a school, Basic Health Unit and a wireless station.

Day 19: Lhedi to Thanza

19Km | 5-6 hours | 250m Ascent | Camp altitude 4250m

The trek is slightly easy today. We will follow the north bank of Phochu River passing through several small farms and then reach Chuzo Village (4090m) sometime around the lunchtime. En route visit the Chezo Dzong. We follow the trail along the riverbed and then climb a steep hill overlooking Thanza valley at 4250m.

Day 20: Rest day in Thanza

You will have a rest day at Thanza. Explore the Thanza village and near by glacial lakes. Three hours of gradual hike through small moraine rocks would lead you to clusters of Raphstreng Tsho and Thorthormi Tsho. These lakes are the source of Phochu River of Punakha, which caused a flood in 1994 due to moraine outburst. The view of 7100m Table Mountain (locally known as Zongphu Gang) is superb because it forms 3000m high wall of ice and snow behind Thanza Village.

Day 21: Thanza to Tshochena

18Km | 7-8 hours | 750m Ascent | Camp altitude 5000m

You will climb to a large boulders hill towards south of Thanza and after few hours of easy walk, we reach Danji (4500m), which is a summer grazing ground for the yaks. At Danji, you may also see herds of blue sheep grazing on the meadows. From Danji, we climb few hundred meters up to the top of the ridge, which offers excellent views of surrounding mountains. Walking for another 20 minutes, will reach at the junction of trails leading to Gangkar Phunsum and Tshochena. We take the trail to the right that leads to Jaze La pass. The Jazela pass, which is at 5200m, offers majestic views of surrounding mountains in all directions. From the pass, the trail descends through snow-capped peaks and lakes to Tshochena 5000m.

Day 22: Tshochena to Jichu Dramo

14Km | 5-6 hours | 170m Ascent | 120m Descent | Camp altitude 5050m

We follow the shore of a blue-green lake and then climb to a ridge at 5150m, which offers panoramic views of snowy peaks in 360-degree. From here, the road and the microwave tower at Dochu La can also be viewed in far distance. The trail goes up and down over a small rounded hill. We then pass a glacial lake and reach Loju La pass (5170m), which is a yak pasture with many crisscrossing yak trails. We take a trail that crosses a small saddle-like hill at 5120m to a wide glacial valley. We descend further down to Jichudramo camp (5050m) – this is the highest campsite on our entire trek.

Day 23: Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo

15Km | 5-6 hours | 300m Ascent | 950m Descent | Camp altitude 4400m

We will climb through a moraine path to the picturesque Rinchen Zoe pass (5350m), which divides Phochu and Mangdechu basins. The Gangkar Puensum (7520m), the highest mountain in Bhutan can be seen from this pass. Further, the demarcation between the forests and the barren high altitude areas are remarkably seen from here. Descending through a broad marshy valley with strings of lakes, steep face of moraine and yak pastures, we reach Tampe Chu, which is amidst rhododendron and Juniper forests. We camp at Thongsa Thang (4400m) some distance away from Chukarpo.

Day 24: Chukarpo to Tampetsho

19Km | 7-8 hours | 80m Descent | Camp altitude 4320m

We descend following the right bank of a river to a Galapang yak pasture at 4025m. We will then climb steeply through forests of junipers and silver firs until we reach Tampetsho. The trail to Tampetsho follows a stream to a beautiful clear turquoise-colored lake, which is set like in a bowl surrounded by steep ridges. We will camp at end of the lake at 4320m.

Day 25: Tampetsho to Maraothang

16Km | 4-5 hours | 280m Ascent | 980m Descent | Camp altitude 3620m

Today, we will climb steeply to the Tampela Pass (4600m). The sight of blue sheep on the mountain slopes above trail is common here. We then descend to the Omtsho Lake. The legend has it that, in 15the century, the famous saint Terton Pema Lingpa miraculously discovered a treasure from this lake. The trail goes toward the shore of the lake and reaches it’s outlet marked by the prayers and then descends steeply pass a waterfall to a small lake. The trail finally meets the left bank of Nika Chu River. After sometime, we reach to a large open area close to the confluence a major tributary flowing from east. We will then cross a wooden bridge and walk along mixed forests to reach Maraothang (3620m), which is a wide open area with yak herder’s camp and your last night camp.

Day 26: Maraothang to Nika Chhu Zam (Trek ends)

20Km | 6-7 hours | 970m Descent | Camp altitude 2650m

The last day of the trek goes gradually downhill through mixed deciduous and bamboo forests. We further descend through forests and pastures connecting to large grassy area overlooking the motor road and Sephu Village (2650m). Your car will be waiting here to transfer you to Punakha. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Day 27: Punakha to Thimphu

In the morning, you will visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan and Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Devine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. You will then drive to Thimphu via Dochula pass. Evening, you can stroll in Thimphu city. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 28: Thimphu to Paro Depart

In the morning, you will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.