Trip Highlights

• Visit to Taktshang
• Enjoy highest camp site at 5320 m.
• Camp at the base of snowcapped Jomolhari
• Experience nomadic lifestyle of Yak herders.
• Visit beautiful and clean lakes along the way to the very end of the trek.
• A beautiful sub alpine and alpine vegetation.
• Immerse in the lifestyle of remote villages.

Snow Man Trekking Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Paro, Bhutan
Board a flight into Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan from Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Dhaka, Guwahati or Bagdogra sector. On arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel. If you have arrived early and the time allows, a visit to Paro Museum (overlooking Paro valley), Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress) and a visit to Kichu Temple is offered as a relaxing sightseeing session.
Optional: You may also skip your local sightseeing if you wished to avoid jetlag.  

Day 02: Paro (Tiger’s Nest)
We start early, before dawn preferably for a pleasant day hike to Tiger’s Nest or locally known as Taktshang Goenpa(monastery). This is an uphill hike of about 2-3 hours and a slightly steep walk downhill of about 1-2 hours. This hike can serve as warm up for what to come on the snowman trek. A relaxed afternoon with leisure or you can stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03: Paro – Sharna Zampa(Trek Begins)
17 KM | 5-6 HOURS | 500M ASCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 2850M
Pack up your trekking gears and drive about 12km north of Paro valley from your hotel to the Drugyal Dzong ruins at 2,580m, and first day trek starts from here. You will meet our trekking crew at the Drukgyal ruins. After a walk passing through the wide valleys via apple orchards and typical Bhutanese farmhouses, we reach Gunitsawa at 2,850m. Our trekking permit will be checked and stamped here at the army check post. We cross Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa at 2,870m. Our first night stay will be around Shana Zampa with a warm dinner and adequate rest.

Day 04: Sharna Zampa – Thangthangka
22KM | 7-8 HOURS | 800M ASCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 3610M
After breakfast, we follow our trail along the Pachhu (Paro river) passing through pine, oak and spruce forests that leads to Shingkharap. We stop for a hot packed lunch at the river side. We continue our trek towards the many wooden bridges that could be found all along from then on at different junctures. As soon as the wooden bridge is crossed, the trail gently climbs uphill through rhododendron forest. Our camp site will be at 3,750m in Thangthangkha. Thangthangkha base offers you a spectacular view of the tip of the Jomolhari peak if it is a clear day. You can chill out with the yaks too.

Day 05: Thangthangkha – Jangothang base camp
19KM | 4-5 HOURS | 480M ASCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4080M
Unlike the previous day, today’s trek from Jangothang will be for 4-5 hours with a steady walk on gentle slopes and because this trail goes above the tree line, you walk with a stunning view of snowcapped peaks in front of you.We will stop for a hot packed lunch as we reach a Yak herder’s camp. Continuing the trek, we reach yak herder settlements of Soe a part of Thimphu district. We pass through a school of that community just below an amazing waterfall and fascinating number of not more than ten students in it. A little walk further and we reach our campsite just below the majestic Jomolhari.

Day 06: Exploration around Jangothang Campsite
We spend this exploring the many marvels of what Soe has to offer. Hiking in and around Jangothang areas. Take an opportunity to witness the Mt. Jichu Drake (6,989m) and lake Tshophu which is not known to many but its turquoise hue instilling a fresh motivation for the remaining trek. Walk towards Jomolhari and its glacial lakes. Interact with children of Soe School if you wish and if we are fortunate enough, spot herds of rare blue sheep, griffon vultures, golden eagles and the national flower of Bhutan called blue poppy.
The one day extra halt at Jangothang is for us to ease up incase anyone is experiencing or showing signs of mountain sickness at this altitude so it is recommended that all trekkers halt here. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.

Day 07: Jangothang – Lingshi
18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 780M ASCENT | 840M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4010M
With breakfast done and dusted, we continue our path for Lingshi. Crossing the wooden bridges which are now familiar to you, we would be crossing several ridges, while enjoying the majestic views of Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jiwchudrake followed by Mt. Tsherim Gang (6,789m). It is a pleasant walk along the flat valley until we come across Ngye La Pass. This is also the perfect time to keep an eye out for herds of Blue sheep. Crossing Ngye La Pass (4700m), we descend gradually to our next camp site. The highlight of today’s trek would be the view of Lingshi Dzong and surrounding peaks. Tserimgang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. The campsite is next to a stone hut you reach just before Lingshi Dzong. We camp and rest for the day.

Day 08: Lingshi – Chebisa
10KM | 5-6 HOURS | 280M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 3850M
As we continue this expedition, take an advantage of today’s short and easy walk to visit the Lingshi Dzong, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of green hills, the winding river and magnificent peaks. It is said that, for many centuries, the Lingzhi Dzong was a way station for weary Buddhist pilgrims and defense fort against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. Since, it is an easy day walk through villages and yak herders camp made from Yak wool, on reaching the campsite at Chebisa, a charming little village adorned with a beautiful crystal-clear waterfall. You will have plenty of time to visit the village houses if you feel up to it. Also, to a beautiful waterfall located behind the village that is worth visiting.

Day 09: Chebisa – Shoumuthang
17KM | 6-7 HOURS | 890M ASCENT | 540M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4200M
Today, the trek will begin with a stiff climb of approximately 3-4 hours from behind Chebisa village till we reach to Gobu La Pass(4500m).We descend from the pass crossing rhododendron bushes and stop for a lunch. After lunch, our trek will begin along the stream with thick rhododendron forest and followed by a yak herder’s camp which is a little climb after which we descend again until we reach Shakepasa (3,980m) a U shaped valley, another climb from there and we reach our camp site at Shomuthang.

Day 10: Shoumuthang – Robluthang
18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 700M ASCENT | 760M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4160M
After a good night’s rest, we continue our trek through an edelweiss bound trail with a 2 hour climb to Jari La pass at altitude 4,750m. You catch a glimpse of Shingchen La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. The big snow peak in the north is Gangchhenta (6,840 m), better known as the Great Tiger Mountain. The snowcapped peak visible to the south-east is Kangbum at 6,526m. Then descend to Tsarjathang valley, the summer residence of rare Himalayan Takins (national animal of Bhutan). From here we may have to cross the stream as most of the time the footbridge is washed away. After crossing the stream towards the left, the trail ascends till you reach Robluthang, a rocky meadow camp at an altitude of 4,200m.

Day 11: Rongluthang – Lingmithang
19KM | 7-8 HOURS | 850M ASCENT | 870M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4140M
Today, you will cross the highest pass of our entire trek. Climb all way up through boggy patches crossing stream, traversing marmot holes and moraine, you will reach at the top of Shingchen La pass (5,005m). The view of snow-covered Gangchhenta or the Tiger Mountain (6,840m) filling the northern horizon is simply stunning and a hard miss. After the pass, descend through rough rocky trail following moraine river valley to Kango Chhu River. The path is quite narrow and you may have to cross a stream and get wet. After walking through cedar forests we arrive at Lingmethang (4,140m), which is a beautiful scattered meadow by the river with Tiger Mountain towering behind your campsite.

Day 12: Lingmithang – Laya
10KM | 4-5 HOURS | ASCENT 60M CAMP | DESCENT 340M | ALTITUDE 3850M
In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchenta peak in front of you. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village shortly after, the second highest settlement in the country, at altitude of 3,800m which is also our campsite for today.

 Day 13: Rest Day at Laya, Acclimatization to High Altitude
Laya is a splendid place for a casual day of acclimatization. With mountains surrounding the village. Meet indigenous people of Laya called layaps with their unique attire and explore around Laya village. You can go and visit any of the houses around. Even to a perfect stranger, traditional Bhutanese hospitality is extended with a cup of tea or Chang (local wine). The people in this valley are very interesting especially the women. They wear traditional black wool kiras and conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise, silver ornaments and strings of beads.

Day 14: Laya – Rodophu
19KM | 7-8 HOURS | 1030M ASCENT | 750M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4160M
Saying goodbye to the layaps we descend to an army camp along the Lunana trail junction and then climb to hilltop with good views over the Mo Chhu and the Rhodo Chhu. The trail follows Rhodo Chhu valley, first through mixed conifers and then through rhododendron, above the tree line. From top of large rockslide, there is a view of the glacial valley and a massive glacier on Tsenda Gang (7100m). Our camp is at Rodophu at 4,160m just beyond a wooden bridge across the RhodoChhu River

Day 15: Rodophu – Narithang
17KM | 5-6 HOURS | 755M ASCENT | 15M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4900M
The trail today also follows the alpine grassland where yaks herd in plenty. The path follows the Rhodo Chu River through rhododendron shrubs before turning right up the hill. You will then climb to a high open valley through meadows to Tshomo La Pass (4,915m). The views of the Mount Jomolhari, its neighboring peaks and the Tibetan border are visible from this point. Next you will be hiking on the barren plateau intersecting several yak trails towards our campsite in Narithang (4900m).

Day 16: Narithang – Tarina
18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 270M ASCENT | 1000M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 3970M
Today we will be climbing Gangla Karchung Pass at an altitude of 5,120m which is ascent of 220m that takes about an hour. From the pass, you can view Mt. Kangbum (6,530m), Tsendhen Gang (7100m), Teri Gang (7300m) and Jejegangphu Gang (7120m) which are beautiful. You will descend through massive moraines to the edge of straight cliff with views of two turquoise-colored glacial lakes hanging from Teri Gang. The lake towards the left had caused an outburst flood in 1961 downstream towards Punakha destroying the Mochu Bridge. Descend through a thick rhododendron forest to a U-shaped valley following the Tangchu stream towards right to arrive at your camp in Tarina at 4,350m.

Day 17: Tarina – Woche
17KM | 6-7 HOURS | 270M ASCENT | 330M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 3910M
Today the descent is down the conifer forests along the Tangchu River with a backdrop of amazing waterfalls. After a gentle climb out of the valley for some time, you will be making a ascent and the drop to Woche Village, the first settlement in Lunana region at an altitude of 3,940m. The Woche village marks our entrance to the Lunana region and above the village, you will see tomorrow’s route to Ledhi. Campsite is usually an hour past Woche below Keche La pass.

Day 18: Woche – Lhedi
17KM | 6-7 HOURS | 980M ASCENT | 1190M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 3600M
It will be an early morning gradual climb from Woche valley and cross a small stream to go over a moraine. You will then descend to a wooden bridge across a Woche Chu River and climb up past a clear glacial lake to reach Keche La pass (4,650m) with magnificent views of nearby mountains including three-prong peaks of Jejegangphu Gang Mountain. The trail then steeply descends to Pochu Valley and reaches Thaga village at 4,050m, our usual lunch spot. In the late afternoons, one can expect bitterly cold winds at Thaga Village in autumn time. From the Thaga village, we descend passing few scattered settlements, beautiful waterfalls and reach Lhedi (3,600m) where we will be camping for the night.

Day 19: Lhedi – Thanza
17KM | 7-8 HOURS | 450M ASCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4150M
We are halfway through the trek and it calls for an easy day which is exactly what today’s trek would be. We will follow the north bank of Phochu River passing through several small farms and then reach Chozo Village (4,090m) around lunch time. On a clear day you can expect to view the Table Mountain that forms a great wall of ice behind the village. We can camp at Thanza or depending on feasibility and comfort, choose to camp some metres higher that it in Thoenche.

Day 20: Rest Day in Thanza
You have two optional activities for today. You can either visit the Thanza village or explore nearby glacial lakes. Thanza Village is virtually untouched, medieval-like society. Most people wear clothes they make by hand, weaving and dyeing their own material. They fashion their own unique hats, boots and jewelry. Their homes are built from stone walls, hand-hewn wood shingles and clay mortar. They survive on grains battered with yak meat and cheese from the lower valleys. On the other hand, you can hike through small moraine rocks to clusters of Raphstreng Tsho and Thorthormi Tsho. These lakes are the source of Phochu River of Punakha, which caused a flood in 1994 due to moraine outburst. The view of 7,100m Table Mountain (locally known as Zongphu Gang) is superb as it forms 3,000m high wall of ice and snow behind Thanza Village.

Day 21: Thanza – Tshochena
18KM | 7-8 HOURS | 750M ASCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 5000M
Because you have chosen route I of the Snowman Trek, our destination for today is Tshochena. You will climb to a large boulder hill towards south of Thanza that offers views of the Thanza village, Toencha and Choso village. Basically, after an easy walk of few hours we halt at Danji (4,500m), which is a summer grazing ground for the yaks. From Danji, we climb few hundred meters up to the top of the ridge, which offers excellent views of surrounding mountains. Walking for another 20 minutes, will reach at the junction of trails leading to Gangkar Phunsum (this route is a part of Snowman Trek II) and Tshochena. We take the trail to the right that leads to Jaze La pass towards Tshochena. The Jazela pass, which is at 5,200m, offers majestic views of surrounding mountains in all directions. From the pass, the trail descends through snow-capped peaks and several lakes to Tshochena lake (5,000m), on the shore of which, is our campsite for today.

Day 22: Tshochena – JichuDramo
14KM | 5-6 HOURS | 230M ASCENT | 150M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 5050M
Initial trail today is along the shore of the blue green lake arriving at the ridge at 5,150m, which offers panoramic views of snowy peaks in 360°. After a series of uphill and downhill walk we reach a glacial lake. The route descends first then ascends to reach Loju La pass (5140m). We take a trail that crosses a small saddle-like hill at 5,120m to a wide glacial valley. From then on the trail descends gradually to our campsite at Jichudramo (5,050m) – this is the highest campsite on our entire trek.

Day 23: JichuDramo – Chukarpo
18KM | 5-6 HOURS | 320M ASCENT | 730M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4400M
Our trek starts with a slow climb through a moraine to the picturesque Rinchen Zoe La pass (5,350m). This is the highest pass on this route. Spectacular view of mountains including Gangkar Puensum (7,520m) is the perks of this milestone of our journey. Further, the demarcation between the forests and the barren high altitude areas are remarkably seen from here. Descending through a broad marshy valley with strings of lakes, steep face of moraine and yak pastures, we reach Thampe Chu, which is amidst rhododendron and juniper forests that mark the actual thickening of vegetation since Lhedi. We camp at Thongsa Thang (4,400m) some distance away from Chukarpo.

Day 24: Chukarpo – Tampetsho
18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 700m DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 4320M
Another day of descent where we first reach Gala Pang yak pasture at 4,025m. From here the trail continues with a steep climb amidst silver fir forest towards Thampe Tsho, a beautiful clear turquoise-colored lake, which is set like in a bowl surrounded by steep ridges with a campsite next to it at 4,320m.

Day 25: Tampetsho – Maraothang
14 KM | 4-5 HOURS | 330M ASCENT | 1020M DESCENT | CAMP ALTITUDE 3610M
We are at the beginning of the end of our trek. Today, we ascend to the last pass of our journey, Thampe La Pass (4,600m) with a fair chance of spotting yet another herd of Blue sheep. We then descend to the sacred Om Tsho Lake. The legend has it that, in 15^th century, the famous saint Terton Pema Lingpa miraculously discovered a treasure from this lake. The trail goes toward the shore of the lake and reaches its outlet marked by the prayers flags and then descends steeply pass a waterfall to a smaller lake. The trail finally meets the left bank of Nikka Chu River. We reach to a large open area close to the confluence a major tributary flowing from east. We will then cross a wooden bridge and walk along mixed forests to reach Maraothang (3,620m), which is a wide clearing with yak herder’s camps and is also our last night camp in the wilderness.

Day 26: Maraothang – Sephu – Punakha
20KM | 6-7 HOURS | 990M DESCENT
This is the last day of our extra ordinary trek. We gradually descend downhill through mixed deciduous and bamboo forests. Through the rhododendron forest, deep mud pools and streams, over slippery boulders and tree roots, we come to a large grassy area overlooking the motor road and Sephu Village (2,650m). From the base your vehicle will commute you to Punakha, where the first hot showers are in order after nearly a month. Relax with warm dinner and sound sleep.

Day 27: Punakha – Thimphu Drive
We are in Punakha and cannot miss its beauty. In the morning we will be visiting the Punakha Dzong followed by a visit to Chimi Lhakhang. Both a relaxing and sacred experience at the same time. From the road here on it is blissful and reminiscent of your trek because of the mountains you see crossing the roads through Dochula pass, where we can stop for sightseeing.  While in Thimphu, we visit to Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten, Painting School, Traditional Paper factory, Art galleries and Tashichho Dzong.

Day 28: Thimphu – Paro (Departure)
After breakfast, our team will transfer you to Paro Airport for your onward flight back home. Your beautiful Bhutan Snowman Trek ends here physically and whereas in you, it stays forever.

For any Price related information do mail us at : bhutantravelmadness@gmail.com or Contact us  at : +975 17113852 

Service Included

1. 3* level accommodation on twin sharing basis during local sightseeing
2. Best tent on twin sharing basis during trek
3. All meals throughout the trip (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
4. Accompanied by a good experienced English speaking expedition guide throughout the trek / expedition
5. Necessary trekking permit
6. Boiled water during trek and bottled water during local sightseeing
7. Trekking cook during the trek / expedition
8. Pack and ponies / horse during the trek / expedition
9. Mattress and Pillion during trek / expedition
10. Trekking / Expedition crew / staff
11. All hotel taxes / service charge
12. Any required route permit
13. Entrance fees to various monuments during local sightseeing

Not Included

1. Any airfare to / from Bhutan
2. Any trekking gears such as sleeping bag, walking stick, sunglass, sunscreen & trekking shoe
3. Any laundry
4. Any tips to guide / driver and the expedition team members