SNOWMAN TREK 30 Days & 29 Nights
TOUR
OVERVIEW: - 29 Nights 30 Days Snowman Trek in Bhutan
DAY PLACE DATE ALTITUDE
1 Arrive Paro and Local Sightseeing 2000 m
2 Hike to tiger nest monastery 3120 m
3 Gunitsawa Village – Sharna Zampa 2850 m
4 Sharna Zampa - Thangthangkha 3610 m
5 Thangthangkha – Jangothang 4080 m
6 Rest day at Jangothang 4080 m
7 Jangothang – Lingshi 4010 m
8 Lingshi – Chebisa 3880 m
9 Chebisa – Shomuthang 4220 m
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10 Shomuthang – Robluthang 4160 m
11 Robluthang – Limithang 4140 m
12 Limithang – Laya 3840 m
13 Acclimatization day in Laya 3840 m
14 Laya – Rhoduphu 4160 m
15 Rhodophu – Narethang 4900 m
16 Narethang – Tarina 3970 m
17 Tarina – Woche 3910 m
18 Woche – Lhedi 3700 m
19 Lhedi – Thanza 4150 m
20 Rest day at Thanza 4150 m
21 Thanza – Tshorim 5120 m
22 Tshorim – Gangkhar Puensum 4970 m
23 Gangkar Puensum – Geshe Woma 4200 m
24 Geshe Woma – Warathang 4000 m
25 Warathang - Duer Tsachu 3590 m
26 Duer Tsachu – Tshochenchen 3850 m
27 Tshochenchen – Duer Village 3200 m
28 Bumthang – Punakha 1242 m
29 Punakha – Thimphu 2334 m
30 Depart from Paro Airport 2000 m
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DETAIL ITINERARY
LAND PARO - SIGHTSEEING
Day Fly into Paro by DrukAir / Bhutan Airline After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative who will be your tour guide throughout your 1 tour. On arrival at paro check into your hotel and visit the following places:
National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. It is also known as the Rinpung Dzong which means a “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. This imposing dzong located above the Paro River is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (who is regarded as the "second Buddha."). From the dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, an oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.
In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.
Day EXCURSION TO TIGER’S NEST MONASSATERY 2 After breakfast, drive to Paro which takes about 1 hr and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour.
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It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive back to hotel.
On the way visit Kyichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon. Day 3 GUNITSAWA VILLAGE – SHARNA ZAMPA This trek begins at Gunitsawa Village were you pass the army post. At the army check post your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa.
Time: 40 Min | Accents: Descent 80m | Camp Altitude: 2850 m
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SHARNA ZAMPA – THANGTHANGKHA Day The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro 4 river), ascending and descending through Distance 22 km pine, oak and spruce forest .After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop Time 7-8 hours for lunch. Then continue along the river, Ascent Ascent 770 m, descent 10 m climbing upwards through Rhododendron forest, and crossing the river once more Camp Altitude 3,610 m before reaching the campsite (3750m).
Day THANGTHANGKHA – JANGOTHANG 5
If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous Distance 19 km evening, you will still have a chance to get a
great view early this morning. This morning Time 5-6 hours the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley
which widens into patches of alpine meadow Ascent Ascent 480 m and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy Camp Altitude 4,080 m 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 Soe, 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 Jomolhari. Day JANGOTHANG – REST DAY 6 A rest day. A chance to acclimatize and walk up to the Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite direction.
JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI Day 7 This is one of the longest days of the Distance 18 km trek. A short distance from the camp the trail begins climbing rapidly for about Time 6-7 hours half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. Ascent Ascent 840 m, descent 870 m While on the climb enjoy the surroundings. Camp Altitude 4,010 m
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LINGSHI – CHEBISA Day Today is the shortest walking day, and Distance 10 km 8 you can really take it easy. Shortly after
starting you will reach a chorten below Time 5-6 hours Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the choice
of staying on the main trail or taking a Ascent Ascent 280 m, descent 410 m detour up to the Lingshi Dzong
(4,220m), which sits right atop a high Camp Altitude 3,880 m ridge. This Dzong is under reconstruction from a 2011 earthquake which damaged its central building. In addition to a very special atmosphere of mystic tranquility, Lingshi Dzong provides a great view over the valley.
Day CHEBISA – SHOMUTHANG 9 The morning starts with a long ascent Distance 17 km behind Chebisa Village (2-3 hours)
through a wide pastureland towards Time 6-7 hours Gobu La (pass). On the way, you will see
a few people herding yaks. There is also Ascent Ascent 890 m, descent 540 m a great chance to spot large herds of
blue sheep above the trail. After crossing Camp Altitude 4,220 m Gobu La (4,410m), you descend into the valley, then climb again a little bit, before descending again to Shakshepasa (3,980), 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 SHOMUTHANG – ROBLUTHANG 10 As the walk is a little strenuous, it is Distance 18 km advisable to start early. Climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6,526 m) and Time 6-7 hours some edelweiss. After two hours of climbing you will reach Jhari La Ascent Ascent 700 m, descent 760 m (4,750m), from where you catch the first sight of Sinche La, the pass you will have Camp Altitude 4,160 m to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta 6,840 m, better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. If weather is clear, Tserim Kang and the top of Jumolhari will be visible. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang. Herds of takin, the Bhutanese National Animal, migrate to this valley in summer and remain for about
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four months. The valley has been declared a takin sanctuary. Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow. Day 11 ROBLUTHANG - LIMITHANG
After crossing Sinche La (5,005m) – Distance 19 km the last and highest pass on the trek in case you don’t intend to continue Time 6-7 hours the Snowman trek from Laya onwards – you descend to a little Ascent stone house where a few Laya Ascent 850 m, descent 870 m women – dressed in typical Laya costume with long pointed bamboo Camp Altitude 4,140 m hats on their head – live and offer their weaving products. Right behind the stone house you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. You can see classic examples of the lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up both sides of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Limithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s quite a distance away.
Day LIMITHANG – LAYA 12 Today, you walk all the way Distance 10 km downhill along a narrow winding river valley. After a long time, you again trek partly through deep Time 4-5 hours forest. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the Ascent Ascent 60 m, descent 340 m west of the village you will view Gangchhenta again and catch a Camp Altitude 3,840 m glimpse of Masagang. In the village centre is a community school and a Day basic health unit with telephone connection. The campsite is below the school. 13 REST / ACCLIMATISATION DAY IN LAYA
Day LAYA – RHODUPHU 14 From Laya we descend to an army camp and continue following the river till the turn off point to Rhoduphu. After lunch the climb continues through rhododendron bushes till you reach the camp at Roduphu just next to the Rhodu Chhu.
Distance: 19 Km | Time: 6 – 8 Hours | Camp: 4160 m
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Day RHODUPHU – NARETHANG 15 After following the river for about half an hour you will have a steady climb to a high open valley at 4,600m and then further up to Tsomo La (4,900m). Tsomo La offers a superb view of Lunana, Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, and the Tibetan border. The route then crosses a flat, barren plateau at about 5,000m. The campsite at Narethang is towered by the peak of Gangla Karchung (6,395m).
Day Distance: 17 Km | Time: 5 – 6 Hours | Camp: 4900 m 16 NARETHANG – TARINA
From the camp you will climb for about Distance 18 km an hour to Gangla Karchung La (5,120m). The view from the pass is Time 5-6 hours breathtaking and the whole range of mountains including Jekangphu Gang Ascent Ascent 270 m, descent 1,200 m (7,100m), Tsenda Kang and Teri Gang (7,300m) can be seen. The pass Camp Altitude 3,970 m descends along a large moraine. Again one has great views: a massive glacier descends from Teri Kang to a deep turquoise lake at its foot. Up here a glacial lake burst through its dam in the early 1960s, causing widespread damage and partially destroying Punakha Dzong. Finally, it is a very long descent through thick rhododendron to Tarina Day valley, where you will find several good campsites along the Tang Chhu. 17 TARINA – WOCHE The walk leads down through conifer forests following the upper ridges of the Pho Chhu, passing some impressive waterfalls. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche, a settlement of a few houses, the first village in the Lunana region.
Distance: 17 Km | Time: 6 – 7 Hours | Camp: 3910 m Day WOCHE – LHEDI 18 The trek starts through juniper and fir forests, and further ahead, through rhododendron bushes. Climb up to Keche La pass (4,650m) where one can have the great view of surrounding mountains again. After the pass, descend to the riverside walking through a village with a stunning view of Table Mountain and others. Follow up the river till Lhedi Village. Lhedi has a basic health unit, a school and a wireless telephone connection.
Distance: 17 Km | Time: 6 – 7 Hours | Camp: 3700 m
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Day LHEDI – THANZA 19 In clear weather, you will have great views of Table Mountain (7,100m). Around lunchtime you will pass the small village of Chozo (4,090m), which has a dzong still in use. Reaching Thanza again you will have a great view of Table Mountain, which forms a 3,000m high wall of snow and ice behind the village. Although there are possibilities to camp directly at Thanza, most groups prefer to camp in Thoencha.
Day Distance: 17 Km | Time: 7 – 8 Hours | Camp: 4150 m 20 REST DAY AT THANZA
Day THANZA – TSHORIM 21 Having chosen the route to Bumthang the trek starts by climbing a ridge with a great view of Table Mountain and Thanza valley below. The ridge altitude is 4,500m and it rises gradually up to 4,650m. After lunch walk upwards towards the left side of the bridge to enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains. You reach the campsite of Tshorim after climbing more ridges.
Distance: 18 Km | Time: 7 – 8 Hours | Camp: 5120 m Day TSHORIM – GANGKHAR PHUENSUM BASE CAMP 22 This is one of the highlights of the trek and the day starts with a short climb to the Tshorim Thso. You walk on the side of the lake enjoying a panoramic view of the Gophu La ranges. The last climb to the Gophu La pass (5,230m) is very short. After the pass descend to the base camp, walking along the ridge to enjoy a great view of Gangkhar Puensum. If interested, one can divert to the left side to climb up the pyramid peak for a better view or you can go down to the base camp nearby Sha Chhu.
Day Distance: 17 Km | Time: 6 – 7 Hours | Camp: 4970 m 23 GANGKHAR PHUENSUM BASE CAMP – GESHE WOMA The trail further follows the Sha Chhu and descends gradually to Geshe Woma.
Distance: 17 Km | Time: 6 – 7 Hours | Camp: 4200 m
Day GESHE WOMA – WARATHANG
24 The path continues following Sha Chhu for two and a half hours until the stiff climb to Saka La begins. Visibility along the Saka La trail is poor so one must see top of the ridge for guidance. After having lunch nearby a yak herders’ camp you climb up to Saka La (4,800m). The path then descends to a couple of lakes and another short ascent is stunning. Scenery once again is beautiful with small lakes and the mountain peaks.
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Distance: 19 Km | Time: 7 – 8 Hours | Camp: 4000 m
Day WARATHANG – DUER TSACHU
25 An hour climb leads to Juli La (4,700m). After the pass, you descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forests. After the bridge a short climb leads to Duer Tsachu. These hot springs, where Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have taken bath, might be the most stunningly beautiful hot springs of the Himalayas. You might want to spend an extra day at Duer Tsachu.
Distance: 14 Km | Time: 5 – 6 Hours | Camp: 359 0 m
Day DUER TSACHU – TSHOCHENCHEN
26 From the hot springs it is a long and steady climb again with great views of mountains in Lunana. You will also come across blue lakes and yak herder huts.
Distance: 19 Km | Time: 8 – 9 Hours | Camp: 385 0 m
Day TSHOCHENCHEN – DUER VILLAGE
27 This is the last day of the trek and your porter change from yaks to horses. The path follows the Chamkhar Chhu, descending gradually with a few climbs in between. The trek ends here when you arrive at Duer village. From here you drive to Jakar (Bumthang). Over Night at Bumthang
Day BUMTHANG – PUNAKHA 28
This morning long drive to Punakha (210km, Approx. 7 hrs). This is a scenic drive, passing many small villages, waterfalls with spectacular landscape, crossing Black mountains, the ever- changing vegetation and finally arriving in the warm valley of Punakha. As the valley is at a lower elevation of about 1250m (4100 ft.) above sea level, it enjoys subtropical climate with warm summers and pleasant winters. After a short rest at the hotel, we guide you to today's highlight - Punakha Dzong. It is a very beautiful Bhutanese architecture located at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.
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Day PUNAKHA - THIMPHU 29 After breakfast, drive to thimphu via the Dochula pass. Around 3 hrs drive from punakha will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Also visit Druk Wangyel Temple which was built to honor His Majesty, the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the temple that tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distance future.
Drive to Kuensel Phodrang where you can see tallest Buddha status · Visit Buddha Point and offer your prayers to the largest Buddha statue in the country and walk around to enjoy the great view of Thimphu valley below.
The Tashichho Dzong, fortress of the glorious religion then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through examples of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other interesting items Day made from local materials. Over Night at Thimphu. 30 DEPART FROM PARO
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