Snow Man Trek

Day 01. Arrive Paro and drive to Thimphu.

Day 02. Thimphu:  Permit processing.

Day 03. Thimphu: Permit processing.

Day 04. Thimphu – Punakha –Tashithang -  Damji:

Tashithang(15kms), following the river all the way up. Trek starts from Tashithang and it is the first day of trekking. Continue following the Mo Chu River up through heavily forested areas till you reach Damji at an altitude of 2,200m. Walking time 5/6 hrs. Overnight at camp.

Day 05. Damji – Gasa Tshachu:

The path continues ascending and descending through heavily forested area and wild orchids. In this area, there are leeches so one must be careful to. Camp nearby village at an altitude of 2,70m. Walking time 5/6 hours. Overnight at camp.

Day 06. Gasa Tshachu – Chamsa:

Walk for about half an hour over flat land till the Bele La pass. Its down hill all the way to Gasa Tshachu. Lunch at Gasa village at an altitude of 2,700m. After lunch walk through the villages homes and watch beautiful Gasa dzong from the distance.  The Dzong was built in 17th century by the first religious King, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, to protect the village from the Tibetan invaders. The ascend through Juniper and Fir forests until you reach the camp at Chamsa at an altitude of 3,80m. Walking time 6/7 hours. Overnight at camp.

Day 07. Chamsa – Laya:

Ascend to army camp and join the Mo Chu( mother river of Punakha). Follow the river till you cross the bridge . After the bridge it is up and down several times, through Juniper and Fir forest. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through dense forests, filled with Moss and the Singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at altitude of 3,800m. Walking time: 6/7 hours. Overnight at camp.

Day 08. Rest Day at Laya (Acclimatization):

Explore around village. You can go and visit any of the houses around. Even to perfect stranger, traditional Bhutanese hospitality is extended and a cup of tea and Chang (local drink) is always offered. the people in this village are interesting especially the women. They wear conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments. In the evening witness the cultural programs (dance) performed by village girls by the campfire and enjoy the local alcohol (Ara & Chang), if you have a strong stomach. Overnight at camp.

DAY 09: 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 10: Rodufu to Narethang, Distance: 16km – 8 to 9 hours:
It is a long hike, first crossing the Tsimo La pass at 4950m (16,200 ft). Descending to Narethang we pass some dwarf rhododendron and hike in the shadow of Gangla Karchung peak (6395m). We camp at 4900m (16,000 ft).

DAY 11: Narethang to Tarina: Distance 18km – 5 to 6 hours
Climb to Karchung La pass at 5240m (17,187 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: REST DAY IN THANZA, 4080m (13,300 ft).
This day is a fantastic opportunity to interact with the hospitable local villagers, and explore the beautiful surrounding area, our farthest point in the Lunana valley. Alternatively you can relax around camp and rest up for some of the tough days ahead. As Thanza is a transfer point for horses and yaks, it is important to have a day here for our staff to ensure all the necessary yaks are rounded up by the local herders who do not operate on ‘Western time’!

DAY 16: Thanza to Danji : Distance: 8km – 4 hours.
Today is a relatively short, although somewhat steep, climb to a campsite called Danji, part way up to the Jaze la pass. It will allow us to have some extra time in the morning and make a later start. The camp is around 4600m/15,000ft, with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks! It is an important acclimatization spot.

DAY 17: Danji to Tso Chena: Distance: 12km – 5 hours
The first part of the day involves a climb up 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 18: 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 19: Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo: Distance: 18km – 5 to 6 hours
We start with a hard climb to Rinchen Zoe La pass at 5290m (17,350 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 20: 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 21: 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 22: Maurothang to Nikachu Chazam / Drive to Punakha: Distance: 23km – 7 to 8 hours
A long final day of trekking will descend through the lovely village of Sephu to finish at Nikachu Chazam, the road head. From there we will drive to a comfortable guest house near Trongsa. This beautiful Dzong is the centre of the region of Bhutan called “Bumthang” (central region). The Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive in the kingdom and can be see from a great distance in its strategic position high above the Mangde Chhu river.
Drive from Trongsa to Punakha. (Approximately 3 hours) In the mid-afternoon, there is a spectacular drive back west across the mountains to Punakha. 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). Overnight in Punakha at a very comfortable hotel.

DAY 23: Drive Punakha to Thimphu
We will have time in the morning to see 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. We will drive to Thimphu in the morning (about 2 hours) and have the afternoon to visit Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. We will visit the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, built as the symbol of the capital and then explore the shops along Norzin Lam, Thimphu’s main street.

DAY 24: Drive Thimphu to Paro airport and farewell.