SNOWMAN TREK

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

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.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

Day Activities Accommodation Meal Day 01 Arrival in Paro Hotel [-/L/D] Day 02 Paro Sightseeing Hotel [B/L/D] Day 03 Paro to Shana (trek begins) Hotel [B/L/D] Day 04 Shana to Thangthangkha Camp [B/L/D] Day 05 Thangthangkha to Jangothang Camp [B/L/D] Day 06 Jangothang Halt Camp [B/L/D] Day 07 Jangothang to Lingshi Camp [B/L/D] Day 08 Lingshi to Chebisa Camp [B/L/D] Day 09 Chebisa to Shakaypasa Camp [B/L/D] Day 10 Shakaypasa to Tsheringyangu Camp [B/L/D] Day 11 Tsheringyangu to Limithang Camp [B/L/D] Day 12 Limithang to Laya Camp [B/L/D] Day 13 Laya Halt Rest day to Explore Laya Camp [B/L/D] Day 14 Laya – Rodophu Camp [B/L/D] Day 15 Rodophu to Narithang Camp [B/L/D] Day 16 Narithang to Tarina Camp [B/L/D] Day 17 Tarina to Wochey Camp [B/L/D] Day 18 Wochey to Lhedi Camp [B/L/D] Day 19 Lhedi to Thanza Camp [B/L/D] Day 20 Thanza Halt Camp [B/L/D] Day 21 Thanza to Tshorim Camp [B/L/D] Day 22 Tshorim to Sarim (Gangkhar Puensum base camp) Camp [B/L/D] Day 23 Sarim to Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang Camp [B/L/D] Day 24 Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang to Uruthang Camp [B/L/D] Day 25 Uruthang to Dur Tsachu Hotel [B/L/D] Day 26 Dur Tsachu Halt Hotel [B/L/D] Day 27 Dur Tsachu to Tshochenchen Hotel [B/L/D] Day 28 Tshochenchen to Lunsum/Ghorsum Hotel [B/L/D] Day 29 Ghorsum to Jakar (Trek ends) Hotel [B/L/D] Day 30 Jakar sightseeing Hotel [B/L/D] Day 31 Jakar – Punakha (7 Hrs) Hotel [B/L/D] Day 32 Punakha – Thimphu (2 ½ Hrs) Hotel [B/L/D] Day 33 Thimphu – Paro (1 Hr) Hotel [B/L/D] Day 34 Departure Hotel [B/L/-]

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1:: 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. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 2:: 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 the 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 the hotel for the night. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 3:: Paro to Shana (trek begins) — Our journey unfolds by tracing the path of the Paro Chu, heading upstream through the quaint village of Tshento. The route, a dirt road, unfolds for approximately an hour before we pause for a well-deserved lunch. Shana, our first campsite, awaits us at a distance of roughly 15 kilometers from the trek's starting point. Perched at an altitude of 2,900 meters, this leg of the journey consumes approximately 6 hours. Before reaching our camp, we'll navigate through an army check post, where your tour guide will efficiently secure the necessary trekking permit, granting access to the ensuing adventure. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 4:: 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 you will reach a junction where the trail branches into two. One trek goes to Tibet (China) and the other to Thangthangkha. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 5:: Thangthangkha to Jangothang — Today you will come across small sparse settlements of yak herders. Jangothang is about 16km away and a walking distance of 6 Hrs at an alt. of 4,100M. The 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 6:: Jangothang Halt — Today has been designated as a day for acclimatization and rest. If you're up for some optional activity, consider embarking on a hike to the breathtaking Tshophu Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,300 meters. This scenic destination is just a short hour and a half's journey from our current location at Jangothang. It provides an excellent opportunity to acclimatize and soak in the stunning natural beauty of the area. Enjoy the serenity and the high-altitude surroundings before resuming the trekking adventure. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 7:: 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 8:: Lingshi to Chebisa — This distance is short and is about 12 and the walking time takes about 4 hours. We will start 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 the remote village of Gangyul surrounded by a natural amphitheater of cliffs. Our camp for the night is in the windy place called Chebisa. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 9:: 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 10:: Shakaypasa to Tsheringyangu — We'll kick off our day with an early morning start, setting out on the path towards the lofty Jari La pass, standing at an elevation of 4,747 meters. Once we reach this pass, our journey takes a downhill turn, leading us into the enchanting Tsharijatha valley, renowned for its herds of takin, Bhutan's national animal, often spotted during the summer season. Following this picturesque descent, a brief climb will bring us to our camp at Tsheringyangu. This leg of the journey spans roughly 17 kilometers and is estimated to take about 7 hours to reach our final destination. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 11:: Tsheringyangu to Limithang — This part of the trek is home to 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 about 18 km away and takes 7 hours to reach there. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 12:: Limithang to Laya — It will take around 5 hours to reach Laya and the people of Laya are called Layaps. They keep yaks as a source of livelihood including a beast of burden. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 14:: Laya – Rodophu — This route follows the river downstream for a while and heads east to reach Rodophu. It is about 21 km 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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. You can get the chance to see the blue sheep in this part of the trek route. This is also the territory of an elusive animal of the Himalayas the Snow Leopard. We can have the majestic view of Mount Ganglakarchung. It takes about 6 hours to get there from Rodophu. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 16:: Narithang to Tarina — Climb up from the campsite till Karchula passes off alt. 5,080M which is a long and tough trail. We can see a spectacular view of Tarina Lakes in the northeast flanked by Mount Masagang, Tsendagang, and Terigang. The 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 17:: Tarina to Wochey — This part of the 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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, to Lhedi village and camp there for the night. It is about 7 hours of trek journey to reach Lhedi. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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 16 km and takes 6 hours of trekking. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 21:: Thanza to Tshorim — The trek starts with a climb up to the ridge with a great view of Table Mountain and Thanza below. It is at an alt. of 5304M and takes about 7 hours to reach there. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 23:: Sarim to Geshey Woma/Menchu Gang — Now the trail will leave the beautiful mountains and follow the Sha Chu descending gradually to Geshey Woma. This journey will take 7 hours of traveling. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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 rhododendrons, juniper, and conifer forests. Our camp is at the Dur Tsachu (Dur hot spring) where the great tantric master Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have taken a bath in the 8th century. It will take 7 hours of traveling to reach Dur Tsachu. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 26:: Dur Tsachu Halt — A day’s halt is needed for a natural hot spring bath and to relax after a long tiring trekking in the deeper Himalayas. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day Day 28:: Tshochenchen to Lunsum/Ghorsum — This route is easier to walk down and there will be a change in beasts of burden from yaks to horses since yaks do not like the warm valleys below. It is 5 5-hour trekking duration to reach Lunsum. Overnight at Camp. [B/L/D] Day 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. Upon arrival at Tokyo Zam, we will drive towards the Jakar. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day 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 across 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 pancakes and noodles. Overnight stay at Jakar of altitude 2650M. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 31:: Jakar – Punakha (7 Hrs) — Enjoy your drive to Punakha through the Yotongla pass of alt 3400M and the Pelela pass of alt 3300M. On arrival in Punakha you can check into the hotel there. In the evening if time permits visit the Souvenir Making Center and the Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborate temple in the country. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 32:: Punakha – Thimphu (2 ½ Hrs) — Check out from the hotel and visit Chimi Lhakang - the temple of fertility associated with the religious art of phallus. Then drive to Thimphu and visit the school of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan. Drive past 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 at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day 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. The remaining part of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel. [B/L/D] Day Day 34:: Departure (B/L/-) — Early morning you’ll be driven to Paro airport and your guide will bid you farewell for your onward` journey.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: 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. +