Bhutan Snowman Trekking (29 Nights/ 30 Days)
This spectacular 30-day adventure in Bhutan begins with the 24-day Snowman trek into one of the country’s most remote valleys. This is probably one of the hardest high altitude treks, but an incredible experience for anyone who takes the challenge. Bhutan’s pristine landscape, wonderful people and fascinating Buddhist culture provide the ingredients for a memorable journey into one of the world’s most remote kingdoms.
Travelling into the Lunana district the Snowman trek is so named for the six mountains over 7000 metres (23,100 ft. ) which the trek passes beneath. Crossing nine passes over 4500m (15,850 ft. ) makes this not only one of the highest altitute treks, but also one of the most challenging. Starting in Drukgyel Dzong after a short drive from Paro, we will set out heading directly towards Jhomolhari at 7314m (24,135 ft. ) the third highest peak in Bhutan. Following the Paro Chhu river valley up into the mountains will be a prelude to the magnificent high altitude trekking which follows. Passing Buddhist monasteries and small villages we will witness a land unchanged for hundreds of years. By placing a strong emphasis on preserving its natural and cultural history, Bhutan has an aura of authenticity which engages your heart and mind while trekking. Glide past blue pine, juniper and rhododendron forests, and look for the famous Himalayan blue sheep, bearded vultures and Himalayan griffons flying overhead.
After a strenuous but tremendously rewarding 25 days of trekking we will turn our attention to learning more about Bhutan’s cultural heritage and Buddhist traditions as we cross the middle of Bhutan, known as the Inner Himalaya visiting Bumthang, Punakha, and Thimphu.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro Bhutan by Druk Air : Arrive Paro by Druk Air , the national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful views of mountains on your approach. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by our representatives and transferred to your very comfortable hotel.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore Paro town a little and visit Paro Dzong. A Dzong is part fortress, part castle, part monastery and part administration building. Paro Dzong is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture we’ll see. The inward-sloping walls form a massive structure that towers over the town and is visible as a great white monolith from vantage points throughout the valley. Paro is at 2280 metres (7500 ft).
Day 02: Day Hike to Taktsang Monastery: Day hike to Taktsang monastery, the famous “Tiger’s Nest”. Horses can be arranged for an extra $5 usd. The hike which is all up hill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters above the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the Buddhist saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century, a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to hotel.
Day 03: Drukgyel Dzong to Sharna: Distance: 17km - 5 to 6 hours
A short drive from Paro takes us to Drukgyel Dzong, and the start of our trekking route. Heading up the Paro Chhu river valley, the trail passes the small settlements of Chang Zampa and Mitshi Zampa where we will see excellent examples of Bhutanese farmhouses. We camp at Sharna (2800m / 9200 feet).
Day 04: Sharna to Thangkthanka: Distance: 22km - 7 to 8 hours
Leaving Sharna the trail continues upriver and the route winds in and out of rhododendron and blue pine forests. When we enter Jigme Dorji National Park keep your eyes open for wildlife and changes in vegitation as we continue to climb in elevation. Tonight we camp in Thangkthanka (3520m / 11545 ft. )
Day 05: Thangthanka to Jangothang: Distance: 19km - 5 to 6 hours
An hour out of camp this morning we leave the tree line and head into the high mountains. At the halfway point of our hike, we cross Tengethang, a winter home of the migratory yak herders. Arriving at Jangothang (4040m / 13,250 ft), we can watch the sun set on Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) and Mt. Jichu Drake (6989m).
Day 06: Rest Day in Jangothang: The first of our acclimatization Days, we have many Day-hiking options. The first is a three to four hour excursion up the ridge to the north for great views of Jichu Drake. The second is to hike up towards the head of the valley in the direction of Jhomolhari. The third is a trek up the main valley towards the last house and onward toward Jichu Drake, this gives a great view of where we will be going in the next few Days. The final alternative is a fishing expedition to Tshophu, a high-altitude lake about a two hour hike away.
Day 07: Jangothang to Lingshi: Distance: 20km - 6 to 7 hours
Heading uphill from Jangothang we cross the first of many major passes. The Nyile La pass at 4890m (16,135 ft) is about a four hour ascent. Descending the other side we will encounter sparce juniper and rhododendron and pass many yak herder camps. From this area on we start to see herds of blue sheep. Arriving in Lingshi we set up camp at 4150m (13,700 ft).
Day 8: Lingshi to Chebisa: Distance: 14km - 4 to 5 hours
This morning we will visit Lingshi Dzong, also known as Yugyel Dzong in the 17th century, it was used in the past to control travel between Tibet and Bhutan. Since toDay’s hike will not be as long, the pace will be more relaxed. Upon reaching the camp at Chebisa (3850m / 12,600 ft), we will have time to visit Chebisa village and see a slice of Bhutanese village life.
Day 9: Chebisa to Shakshepasa: Distance: 13km - 4 hours
Crossing the Gombu La pass at 4350m (14,300 ft), we descend into a rhododendron filled valley, and continue past some yak herder camps to Shakshepasa where we camp at 3980m (13,100 ft).
Day 10: Shakshepasa to Robluthang: Distance: 18km - 7 to 8 hours
An early morning start will get us on the way to Jhari La pass at 4747m (15,600 ft). Decending to Tsharijathang, the valley where herds of Takin (the national animal of Bhutan) are normally seen. From here we climb to our camp at Robluthang at 4160m (13,700 ft).
Day 11: Robluthang to Limithang: Distance: 19km - 7 to 8 hours
Starting early a strenuous hike leads to the Shinge La pass at 5005m (16,650 ft). Descending to Lemithang we’ll see Mt. Gangchenta (6840m) and the glacially carved Gangchhenta valley. Gangchhenta means Great Tiger Mountain. We camp at 4140m (13,650 ft).
Day 12: Limithang to Laya.: Distance: 10km - 4 to 5 hours
A shorter hike follows a trail in and out of a heavily wooded, uninhabited valley. Climbing up out of the forests we will be rewarded with some great views of Gangchhenta and Masang Gang (7165m) mountains. We camp at Laya at 3840m (12,650 ft).
Day 13: Rest Day in Laya: Staying in Laya for the Day we will get a chance to see the village with its community school, hospital, archery field and the first shop since the Paro Valley. Laya is a unique village of about 800 people with their own language, customs and distinct dress. The women keep their hair long and wear peculiar conical bamboo hats with a bamboo spike at the top. They wear a lot of silver jewellery on their backs, on many women this display includes an array of teaspoons.
Day 14: Laya to Rodufu : Distance: 19km - 6 to 7 hours
The trek leads gradually downhill to the Lunana trail junction, then makes a gradual climb to the camp through a forest of conifers, maple and rhododendron. The trail improves and becomes wider as we climb out of the river valley. We camp at Rodufu near a small stream at 4160m (13,645 ft).
Day 15: Rodufu to Narethang: Distance: 16km - 8 to 9 hours
It is a long hike, first crossing the Tsimo La pass at 4220m (13840 ft). Descding to Narethang we pass some dwarf rhododendron and hike in the shadow of Gangla Karchung peak (6395m). We camp at 4500m (14,850 ft).
Day 16: Narethang to Tarina: Distance 18km - 5 to 6 hours
Climb to Karchung La pass at 5120m (16,895 ft) and down to the glacial lakes that are the source of the Tang Chhu river. Above the lakes are the mighty peaks of Jejekangphu Gang (7300m) and Tsenda Kang (7100m). We camp at Tarina, 4020m (13,250 ft).
Day 17: Tarina to Woche: Distance: 15km - 5 to 6 hours
The walk leads down through conifer forests, following the upper reaches of the Pho Chhu river. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to the village of Woche at 3940m (13,000 ft). The trek has now entered the Lunana region.
Day 18: Woche to Lhedi: Distance: 19km - 7 to 8 hours
It’s a gradual climb from Woche to the Keche La pass at 4580m (15,100 ft), then downhill to Thega village. The hike continues to Lhedi village where we camp at 3600m (11,800 ft).
Day 19: Lhedi to Thanza: Distance: 19km - 6 to 7 hours
The trail climbs gradually following the main source of the Pho Chhu to Chozo village. At the small Chozo Dzong there are some lay monks. Above Chozo the valley opens as we approach Thanza village near the foot of 7100m Zogophu Gamp, which is also know as Table Mountain. We camp at Thanza, 4080m (13,300 ft).
Day 20: Thanza to Tso Chena: Distance: 18km - 7 to 8 hours
Starting early, it is a long trek over three false summits to Jaze La pass at 5050m (16,570ft). From the pass it is a short downhill trek to the campsite at the lake of Tso Chena at 4800m (15,740 ft). Keep your eyes open for blue sheep during the hike.
Day 21: Tso Chena to Jichu Dramo: Distance: 14km - 4 to 5 hours
The trail has a series of gradual ups and downs between the snow-capped peaks and across the Loju La pass at 4940m (16,300 ft) before descending to camp at Jichu Dramo at 4880m (16,000 ft).
Day 22: Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo: Distance: 18km - 5 to 6 hours
We start with a hard climb to Rinchen Zoe La pass at 5140m (16,950 ft), the highest on the trek. It is then all downhill to Chukarpo, which is just above the tree line at 4950m (16335 ft).
Day 23: Chukarpo to Thampe Tso: Distance: 18km - 5 to 6 hours
It is a long mostly downhill walk along the river, followed by a climb up to the Um So lake at 4230m (13,950 ft). In this lake Pema Lingpa found a number of religious treasures. Continuing downhill we camp by the lake of Thampe Tso at 4200m (13,860 ft).
Day 24: Thampe Tso to Maurothang: Distance: 14km - 5 hours
It is a short walk to the base of Thampe La and a steep climb to the pass at 4580m (15,100 ft). The trek is then all downhill through rhododendron bushes to the yak pasture of Maurothang where we camp at 3550m (11,640 ft).
Day 25: Maurothang to Nikachu Chazam:Distance: 23km - 7 to 8 hours
A long final Day will desend through the village of Sephu to finish at Nikachu Chazam. We will camp at Rukubji at 2650m (8690 ft).
Day 26: Drive to Bumthang: (5 hours approximately)
ToDay we visit some of the Bumthang (central Bhutan) region, with its centre at Trongsa. The Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive in the kingdom and can be seen from a great distance in its strategic position high above the Mangde Chhu river. We will stay in a hotel tonight.
Day 27: This morning we will have some time to see more of Bumthang and then embark on an afternoon drive to Punakha, (5 hours). We will probably stop along the way at Chendebji to visit the Chendebji Chorten, patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and built in the 19th century by Lama Shida from Tibet. We may also stop at the top of the Pele La pass (3400m). We will overnight in Punakha at a hotel.
Day 28: Visiting Punakha this morning we will get a chance to see the Punakha Dzong (the second of Bhutan’s dzongs to be built) which for many years served as the seat of government. The dzong was first built in 1637 and is still one of the largest in Bhutan. After visiting in Punakha we will drive to Thimphu in the afternoon (about 2 hours). Overnight in a hotel.
Day 29: This morning we will see more of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. We will get to visit the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, built as the symbol of the capital and then should have time to explore the shops along Norzin Lam, Thimpu’s main street. Once we have had a taste of Thimphu we will drive to Paro in the late afternoon (2 hour drive). Overnight in a hotel.
Day 30: Waking up in Paro, we’ll have time for one last walk through town before saying our goodbyes and heading to the airport for the Druk Air flight to Onward Destinations !
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