The Snowman Trek is an extension of the beautiful Laya Gasa Trek and leads from Laya into high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas. … The Lonely Planet describes the Snowman Trek as one of the most difficult treks of the world. The best time for Snowman Trek is summer – unlike many other high altitude treks of Bhutan.
Paro International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Fly into Paro. If you are flying in from Kathmandu or Delhi the flight over the Himalayas is one of the most spectacular experiences one will ever experience. You will fly past Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and the entire Himalayan range visible on the left-hand side. On landing, at Paro, you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel-Dzong, the ruined Fort which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. Mt. Jumolhari, the sacred summit, can be viewed on a clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch, we arrive at Ta-Dzong to visit the National Museum and stroll in the Paro town.
Overnight at Hotel.
Snowman Trek Day 1: Distance 17 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Drukgyel(2580m) and camp near Sharna Zampa(2870m). Gradual climb following the Paro river through the agriculture valley and villages. The campsite is opposite the Gunyitsawa Army check post in a meadow.
Snowman Trek Day 2: Distance 22 km 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 conifer forest, ferns, and Rhododendrons. A magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari can be seen from your campsite on clear days.
Snowman Trek Day 3: Distance 19 km and walking distance 5-6 hours. Starting at Thangthangka (3630m) and camp at Jangothang (4090m). Today’s trail passes an army post and the village of Soe and a small settlement at Takethang. Yak herders live here . Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari.
Jhomolhari 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 at camp.
Jhomolhari Trek Day 5: Distance 18 km 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.
Snowman Trek Day 6: Distance 10 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Lingshi ( 4010m) and camp at Chebisa (3880m). Today 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.
Snowman Trek Day 7: Distance 17 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Chebisa (3880m) and camp at Shomuthang (4220m). Today’s walk is mostly through wild high pastures and yak pastures with few people & Yaks. You also encounter a pass ‘Gobula’ at 4440m. Camp is on a bench above a river, a tributary to the Mo Chu which comes out just below Gasa Tsachu.
Snowman 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 get views of Kang Bum(6526m). After crossing Jhari la pass at 4747m you get views of Gangchenta (6840m) , Tserim Kang and upper half of Jumolhari. You pass by Tsheri Jathang, a valley by the riverside where herds of Takin are normally seen during the summer months.
Snowman Trek Day 9: Distance 19 km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Robluthang (4160m) and camp at Limithang (4140m) Today is a hard day as you have to cross Sinche La (5005m) the highest point on your trek. The second half of today’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 the time it would be worthwhile to spend a rest and exploration day here.
Snowman Trek Day 10: Distance 10 km and walking time 4-5 hours. Starting at Limithang (4140m) and camp at Laya (3840m) Today is all the way downhill along a winding river valley with quite a closed-in feeling. The trail splits, one going down with the river to the campsite used by the army. The other stays high and brings you to the west side of Laya village. You can camp on a high flat bench above the east end of Laya village. The peak towering above Laya is Masagang (7165m)
Snowman 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)
Snowman Trek Day 12: Distance 19km and walking time 6-7 hours. Starting at Laya and camp at Rodophu (4160m) The trek starts with a gradual downhill, after an hour or so you start with a gradual climb to the camp through conifer, maple, and Rhododendron forest.
Campsite near a small lake.
Snowman Trek Day 13: Distance 17km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Rodophu and camp at Narethang (4500m) Today you start your walk with the trail leading uphill through dwarf Rhododendron bushes and non-vegetated area with ups and downs and cross a pass called Tsomola at 4780m. Camp at Narethang located on a small plateau beneath the 6395 m peak of Gangla Karchung.
Snowman Trek Day 14: Distance 18km and walking time 18km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Narethang and camp at Tarina (4020m). You start your trek by climbing up to the Karchung la at 5120m and then down to glacial lakes that are towered by the peaks of Jejekangphu (7300m) and Tsenda Kang (7100m). From here it is downhill to the camp.
Snowman Trek Day 15: Distance 17km and walking time 5-6 hours.Starting at Tarina and camp at Woche (3940m). The walk leads through conifer forest following the stream flowing from Tarina. 2 hours climb till you reach Woche village. From here the Lunana area begins.
Camp at Woche.
Snowman Trek Day 16: Distance 17 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Woche and camp at Lhedi (3700m). The trail is a gradual climb till you reach Kechela pass at 4580m and then downhill till Thega village where you stop for lunch and continue the journey till you reach Lhedi village, where government development body such as health centers and wireless station for Lunana have been built.
Snowman Trek Day 17: Distance 17 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Lhedi and camp at Thanza (4090m). The trail is a gradual climb uphill following the main source of the Pho-Chu river till you reach Chozo village. 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).
Camp at Thanza.
Snowman Trek Day 18: Visit village houses and mix around with the villagers or take a hike in or around the campsite or hike to Raphstreng Tsho with pack lunch (4-5 hours roundtrip). This lake created 2 major flash floods in Punakha districts in 1969 and 1996.
Snowman Trek Day 19: Distance 20 km and walking time 7-8 hours. Starting at Thanza and camp at Tshochena (4900m) Today you will be trekking for a longer duration so it is advisable to start early as possible. The trail is one and a half hours climb and then gradual all the way to the base of Taze-la. Then climb to Jaze-La pass at 5050m and downhill till the campsite.
Snowman Trek Day 20: Distance 14 km and walking time 4-5 hours. Starting at Tshochena and camp at Jichu Dramo (4880m). The trail is gradual ups and downs between the snow-capped peaks and cross Loju-la at 4940m.
Camp at Jichu Dramo.
Snowman Trek Day 21: Distance 18 km and about 5-6 hours. Starting at Jichu Dramo and camp at Chukarpo (4950m) The trek is a climb of Gang Rinchen-Zoe La pass at 5140m and all the way downhill till you reach Chukarpo.
Snowman Trek Day 22: Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Starting at Chukarpo and camp at Thampe Tsho (4230m). It’s mostly downhill for about 2 hours and then up for about an hour and then all the way downhill till Um Tsho (lake) 4230m. In this lake Terton, Pemalingpa found lots of religious treasures. The camp is a bit further at Thampe Tsho.
Snowman Trek Day 23: Distance 14 km and walking time 5 hours. Starting at Thampe Tsho and camp at Maurothang (4000m) You start your trek with about 2 hours downhill till the base of Tampela then climb till Tampela pass at 4580m. The trek is all the way downhill through Rhododendron bushes till you reach a yak pasture which will be your camp.
Snowman Trek Day 24 End of Trek: Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours. Today is your last day of the 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.
Morning rest or visit Chhimi Lhakhang in Punakha and sightseeing of Punakha town. Afternoon drive to Thimphu (3hours).
Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast visits to the National Memorial Chorten, built-in memory of the late King. Also, visit the Handicraft Emporium/Chokey handicraft and the National Painting School. After lunch visit the Simtokha Dzong and explore Thimphu town. If today is a Saturday or Sunday then a visit to the weekend market is a must.
Overnight at the hotel.
Continue sightseeing of Thimphu and afternoon to Paro (2 hours).
Overnight at the hotel.
Your Snowman Trek terminates today so after breakfast, our representative will help you with the exit formalities and bid you farewell and wish you a happy journey back home.
