Snowman Trek Bhutan

SNOWMAN TREK

ITINERARY - SNOWMAN TREK

Day 01 : Paro (By Druk Air)

The flight into Paro on Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, is a brilliant introduction to the spectacular beauty of Bhutan. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. On arrival you will be met and driven to your hotel. Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower which houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. Nearby, there is also one of the incredible archery grounds – a national sport of Bhutan. The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping district.

Day 02 : Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery

We start with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery and then head to Satsam Chorten followed by a 2 hour horse ride to the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance to Taktsang monastery. Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Return to the hotel.

Day 03 : Paro – Shana (Start of Trek)

Today we start our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the Paro river and we pass cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous birds and brightly coloured butterflies. Overnight at camp Shana.

Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.

Day 04 : Shana - Thangthangka

The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.

Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7 - 8 hours.

Day 05 : Thangthangka - Jangothang

In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jumolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude 4,115 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.

Day 06 : Jangothang - Lingshi

A good day’s walk today with spectacular views of the Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang. We start climbing straight away and after some 3 to 4 hours reach the Nyelela pass (4,700 m) . After the pass we descend to a circular hut just below Lingshi, where we camp. Coming down from Lingshi we obtain our first views of the truly mystical Dzong atop a high hill.

Altitude 4000m; Distance 17 kms; Time 6 - 7 hours.

Day 07: Lingshi - Chebisa

This is a magical day. Leaving Lingshi behind we gently climb to reach another delightful village, Gom Yu, set right below a 300 m cliff. Another hours walk brings us to a lovely little valley with a huge waterfall at one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa, where we camp by the side of the river. The walk is very leisurely.

Altitude 3,780m; Distance 12 kms; Time 4 - 5 hours.

Day 08: Chebisa - Shomuthang

We start with quite a stiff climb through high pastures up the Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop through forests of dwarf rhododendron. We climb gradually and head down to the camp near a riverbed.

Altitude 3,890 m; Distance 17 kms; Time 6 - 7 hours.

Day 09: Shomuthang - Robluthang

Today is a long haul over the Jarela pass at 4,640 m where we once again get stunning views of the Himalayan mountains above us. We drop steeply down a forest trail to the Tsarithang valley, where herds of takin roam, then cross a knee deep river before climbing up Robluthang where we camp. Altitude 4,100m ; Distance 22 kms; Time 7 - 8 hours.

Day 10: Robluthang - Lemithang

This is one of the hardest days of the trek. We climb slowly up to Shinchela pass at 4,870 m. and are rewarded with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. On a clear day practically all the mountains on the northern border are visible. Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep and yaks abound in this area. We descend down to camp on a lovely spot by the riverbank.

Altitude 4,040m; Distance 10kms; Time 6 - 7 hours.

Day 11 : Lemithang - Laya

We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mochu and through a forest of rhododendron and silver fir and then enter the village of Laya. The people of Laya are famous for they’re vertical stripe yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear their hair long and with great deal of turquoise and jade jewellery. The features of the people are even more Tibetan/ Mongolian than the Bhutanese who live in the central valleys The rest of the day is spent at leisure or visiting village houses and mixing with the villagers. Good views of the Masagang and the other peaks. Altitude 3,880m; Distance 10 kms; Time 4 - 5 hours.

Day 12 : Laya (Halt)

We have a rest day at Laya and an opportunity to meet the local people.

Day 13 : Laya - Roduphu

We descend down to Tashi Makhang (army camp) and climb stiffly for an hour and then follow the river until we reach Rodophu. If weather is clear we should have great views of the Tsendey Gang group. Altitude 4,100 m; Distance 17 kms; time 6 -7 hours.

Day 14 : Roduphu - Narithang

The climb to the Tsomala pass (4,720 m) is quite tough. From the pass we may lucky to see the spectacular Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. We then descend and finally climb to Narithang where we camp.

Altitude 4,150 m; distance 10 kms; time 4 - 5 hours.

Day 15: Narithang - Tarina

This is antoher hard day of trekking.We climb slowly up to the Ganglakarchung La pass(5,100-m) which takes 3 to 4 hours and are rewarded with stunning views of Ganglakarchung, Tsendey Gang, Jejekangphu and Terigang. Finally we drop steeply down to the Tarina valley where herds of takin roam. Great views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Altitude 3,900 m; distance 24 kms; time 8 - 9 hours.

Day 16: Tarina - Woche

For 3 to 4 hours we follow the river, a tributary of the Pho Chu, pass through a forest of silver pine and juniper and with a stiff climb reach Woche - the Lunana region begins from this village.

Altitude 3,830 m; distance 12 km; time 4 - 5 hours.

Day 17 : Woche - Lhedi

We climb gradually through juniper forests and then cross a river from where we have great views of Jejekangphu. A stiff climb takes us past the Yumtso and Setso lakes and up to the Keche La pass (4,490-m). We descend to Thraga village and finally reach Lhedi.

Altitude 3,640 m; distance 15 kms; time 5 - 6 hours.

Day 18 : Lhedi - Thanza

We follow the Pho Chu river through the village of Lhedi and to Chotsi dzong, which was built in the 17th century. After 3 to 4 hours we reach the beautiful village of Dhotey and Thanza where we set camp in a beautiful meadow with stunning views of Table mountain right in front of us.

Altitude 4,060 m; distance 15 kms; time 5 - 6 hours.

Day 19 : Thanza (Halt)

We explore the village and mix with the people of Thanza.

Day 20 : Thanza - Tsochena

This is a difficult trek. After crossing the Pho Chu river we climb stiffly up for 6 hours to Jazela pass (5,100m) before dropping down to Tsochena. We pass many lakes and on a clear day can see splendid views of many un-named Himalayan peaks. Altitude 4,840 m; distance 24 kms; time 8 - 9 hours.

Day 21: Tsochena - Jichu Dramo

A gradual climb to Lajula pass (5,000 m) and finally we reach Jichu Dramo. Altitude 4,840 m; distance 10 kms; time 4 - 5 hours.

Day 22 : Jichu Dramo- Chukarpo

We climb gradually to the Rinchenzoe pass (5115 m), the highest along the trek with spectacular views of mountains and turquoise coloured lakes. After the pass a 5 hour hike brings us to Chukarpo where we set camp. Altitude 4,450 m; distance 18 kms; time 7 - 8 hours.

Day 23 : Chukarpo - Tempetso

Today the trail gradually descends to the river and after a stiff climb through rhododendron, silver fir and juniper forests we reach Tempetso lake where we set camp. Altitude 4,190 m; distance 18 kms; time 7 - 8 hours.

Day 24 : Tempetso - Maorothang

We walk along the lake, climb up to Tampela pass (4,500 m) and finally descend to Umtso lake and Maorothang where we set camp. Altitude 4,190 m; distance 18 kms; time 7 - 8 hours.

Day 25 : Maorothang – Nikachu (End of Trek)

We follow the Nikachu through dense forests of rhododendron, silver fir and bamboo and emerge at Nikachu bridge. Altitude 2,670 m; distance 19 kms; time 7 - 8 hours.

Day 26 : Nikachu – Wangdue - Thimphu

Early morning drive to Thimphu. We stop for lunch at Wangdue guesthouse. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 27 : Thimphu - Paro

After breakfast we visit the National Library, stocked with ancient manuscripts and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). In the afternoon we visit the Dupthop Lakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan and then the Tashichho Dzong seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body move to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Other highlights include a visit to the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Handicrafts Emporium.

Day 28: Depart

We leave Thimphu early to catch your onward flight from Paro airport where our representative will bid you farewell.

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SNOWMAN TREK

ITINERARY - SNOWMAN TREK