Bhutan Snowman Trek

Overview

Starting out at Punakha, this unique and challenging itinerary spends three days climbing the steep gorge leading to Laya before crossing the mighty Karakachu La to enter Lunana proper. After spending seven days walking through this ‘paradise on earth’, the route crosses the Gophu La to explore the valleys south of Gangkar Puensum, which remains the highest unclimbed peak on earth. Seven long days trekking remain to reach the wide-open fertile valleys of Bumthang. Probably one of the most challenging treks in the Himalaya.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive - Paro by Druk-Air

Day 2: Paro - Sightseeing

Day 3: Trek Day 1 Start of Trek - Paro-Sharna Zampa

Day 4: Trek Day 2 - Sharna Zampa -Thangthangka

Day 5: Trek Day 3 - Thangthangka-Jangothang

Day 6: Trek Day 4 - Jangothang-HALT

Day 7: Trek Day 5 - Jangothang-Lingshi

Day 8: Trek Day 6 - Lingshi-Chebisa

Day 9: Trek Day 7 - Chebisa -Shomuthang

Day 10: Trek Day 8 - Shomuthang-Robluthang

Day 11: Trek Day 9 - Robluthang-Lemithang

Day 12: Trek Day 10 - Lemithang-Laya

Day 13: Trek Day 11 - Laya-HALT

Day 14: Trek Day 12 - Laya-Roduphu

Day 15: Trek Day 13 - Roduphu-Narithang

Day 16: Trek Day 14 - Narithang-Tarina

Day 17: Trek Day 15 - Tarina-Woche

Day 18: Trek Day 16 - Woche-Lhedi

Day 19: Trek Day 17 - Lhedi-Thanza

Day 20: Trek Day 18 - Thanza Halt

Day 21 Trek Day 19 - Thanza -Tshochena

Day 22 Trek Day 20 - Tshochena-Jichu Dramo

Day 23 Trek Day 21 - Jichu Dramo-Chukarpo

Day 24 Trek Day 22 - Chukarpo-Thampe Tsho

Day 25 Trek Day 23 - Thampe Tsho-Maurothang

Day 26 Trek Day 24 End of Trek - Maurothang-Nikachu

Day 27 WangduePhodrang - Thimphu

Day 28 Thimphu Sightseeing - Thimphu

Day 29 Thimphu - Paro

Day 30 Farewells and Departure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Paro by Druk Air

On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing at Paro

Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town

Day 3: Paro - Sharna

Start of Trek Day 1: Distance 17 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Drukgyel (2580m) and camp near Sharna Zampa (2870m). There is a gradual climb following the Paro river through the agriculture valley and villages. We camp opposite to the Gunyitsawa Army check post in a meadow.

Day 4: Sharna - Thangthangka

Trek Day 2 : Distance 22 kms and walking distance 6-7 hours.
Starting at Sharna Zampa (2870m) and camp at Thangthangka (3630m). The trial is a gradual ascent with plenty of ups and downs through the conifer forest, ferns and Rhododendrons. On a clear day, you see a magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari

Day 5: Thangthangka - Jangothang

Trek Day 3 : Distance 19 kms and walking distance 5-6 hours
Starting at Thangthangka (3630m) and camp at Jangothang (4090m).Todays trial passes an army post and the village of Soe and a small settlement at Takethang. Yak herders live here. We camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari.

Day 6: Jangothang - Halt

Trek Day 4: Acclimatisation Day.
You can spend the day relaxing or there are several day hikes to choose from. Two interesting hikes would be to get views of Mt.Jumolhari or Jichu Drake. If you are interested in a lake then you can take the hike to Tsophu. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 7: Jangothang - Lingshi

Trek Day 5 : Distance 18 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Jangothang (4090m) and camp at Lingshi (4010m) Today you encounter your first major pass at 4890m ( Nyile-la ).You also get snow peak views of Tserim Kang (6789m) Camp near a stream in a meadow.

Day 8: Lingshi - Chebisa

Trek Day 6 : Distance 10 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Lingshi ( 4010m)
Trek day 6 is a pleasant walk and you encounter parts of Lingshi village and the settlement of Goyak. On reaching camp at Chebisa village you can visit the village houses.

Day 9: Chebisa - Shomuthang

Trek Day 7 : Distance 17 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Chebisa (3880m)
On this day we walk mostly through wild high pastures and yak pastures with few people and their herds of Yak. We also walk through the 'Gobula' pass at 4440m. Camp is above a tributary to the Mo Chu river.

Day 10: Shomuthang - Robluthang

Trek Day 8 : Distance 18 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Shomuthang (4220m) and camp at Robluthang ( 4160m)
On the early part of the trek you will see views of Mt. Kang Bum (6526m) and Mt. Gangchenta (6840m). We pass by Tsheri Jathang, a valley by the river side where herds of Takin are normally seen during the summer months.

Day 11: Robluthang - Limithang

Trek Day 9 : Distance 19 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Robluthang (4160m)
Trek day 9 is a bit tough as we have to cross Sinche la (5005m) the highest altitude point on the trek. The second half of day's walk is through rocky trails and moraines. Limithang is in the Laya district and here you begin to see the wonderful children in funny hats. Camp at Limithang is beneath Gangchhenta; - the Great Tiger Mountain. If you have time it would be worthwhile to spend a rest and exploration day here.

Day 12: Limithang - Laya

Trek Day 10 : Distance 10 km and walking time 4-5 hours.Starting at Limithang (4140m)
Today is all the way down hill along a winding river valley with quite a closed-in feeling. The trail splits, one going down with the river to the camp site used by the army while the other stays high and takes you into the west side of Laya village. We can camp on a flat table land above the east end of Laya village.

Day 13: Laya - (Halt)

Trek Day 11 : Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp. A day halt is interesting here or just spending the day with the Layaps (nomads)

Day 14: Laya - Rodophu

Trek Day 12 : Distance 19km and walking time 6-7 hours.
Starting at Laya (4160m), the trek starts with a gradual downhill walk and after an hour or so you start to climb again till we reach the camp site through conifer, maple and Rhododendron forest.

Day 15: Rodophu - Narethang

Trek Day 13 : Distance 17km and walking time 5-6 hours
Starting at Rodophu we start the trek with the trail leading uphill through dwarf Rhododendron bushes and cross a pass called Tsomola at 4780m. We camp at Narethang which is on a small plateau beneath the 6395 m peak of Gangla Karchung.

Day 16: Narithang - Tarina

Trek Day 14 : Distance 18km and walking time 18km and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Narethang we climb up to the Karchung la pass at 5120m and then down to glacial lakes which will also be our camping site.

Day 17: Tarina - Woche

Trek Day 15 : Distance 17km and walking time 5-6 hours
Starting at Tarina the day's walk leads through coniferous forest following the stream flowing from Tarina. It takes a two hour climb to reach the village of Woche. From here the Lunana area begins.

Day 18: Woche - Lhedi

Trek Day 16 : Distance 17 kms and walking time 5-6 hours
Starting at Woche, todays trail leads via the Kechela pass at 4580m to the village of Thega where you stop for lunch and continue the journey till you reach the village of Lhedi.

Day 19: Lhedi - Thanza

Trek Day 17 : Distance 17 km and walking time 5-6 hours
Starting at Lhedi we climb uphill following the main source of Pho-Chu river till you reach the Chozo village. Here we make a brief stop to explore the village and continue the journey to Thanza village placed below the snow capped peak of the Table Mountain locally known as Zonggophu Gang (7100m).

Day 20: Thanza halt

Trek Day 18 : Visit village houses and interact with the locals Raphstreng Tsho with a packed lunch (round trip of 4-5 hours).

Day 21: Thanza - Tshochena

Trek Day 19 : Distance 20 km and walking time 7-8 hours
We start early from Thanza to the base of Taze-la pass. Then trek to Jaze-la pass at 5050m and downhill until we reach the camp site.

Day 22: Tshochena - Jichu Dramo

Trek Day 20 : Distance 14 km and walking time 4-5 hours.
Today the trail raises and falls at regular intervals as we trek between the snow capped peaks and cross Loju-la pass at 4940m. We camp at Jichu Dramo

Day 23: Jichu Dramo - Chukarpo

Trek Day 21 : Distance 18 km and about 5-6 hours.
Starting from Jichu Dramo, we trek to Gang Rinchen-zoe la pass at 5140m and then its all the way down hill till you reach Chukarpo.

Day 24: Chukarpo - Thampe Tsho

Trek Day 22 : Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours
Starting from Chukarpo its mostly downhill till Um Tsho (lake) 4230m. This is where a lot of religious treasures were discovered. The camp is is bit further at Thampe Tsho.

Day 25: Thampe Tsho - Maurothang

Trek Day 23 : Distance 14 km and walking time 5 hours.
Starting at Thampe Tsho, the day's trek starts with a couple of hours walk to the base of Tampela and then on to the Tampela pass at 4580m. From here the trek goes all the way down hill through Rhododendron bushes till you reach a yak pastures. Day 26 Maurothang - Nikachu
Trek Day 24 End of Trek : Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours
Today is your last day of trek. The trail passes through bamboo thickets and fields following the Nikachu river and ends at the village of Sephu at 2500m by the Nikachu bridge. From here you can either drive to Trongsa (2hours) and then continue sightseeing of Trongsa and Bumthang , this will extend your itinerary by 3 more days or drive from Nikachu towards Thimphu. Night halt at Wangdue Phodrang.

Day 27: Wangdue Phodrang - Thimphu

Morning rest or visit Chhimi Lhakhang in Punakha and sightseeing of Punakha town. Afternoon drive to Thimphu.

Day 28: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast we visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late King. We also visit the Handicraft Emporium/Chokey handicraft and the National Painting School. After lunch we shall visit Simtokha Dzong and explore Thimphu town. If the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday then visit the weekend market.

Day 29: Thimphu - Paro

Continue sightseeing of Thimphu and afternoon to Paro (2 hours).

Day 30: Farewells and departure.