SNOWMAN
TREKKING - 30
DAYS
Trip Profile:
12 Days Trip
03 Nights in Paro
24 Days Snowman Trekking
01 Night in Trongsa
02 Nights in Thimphu |
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 The
snowman trek travels to the remote Lunana district and is said
to be the most difficult trek in the world. The combination
of distance, altitude, remoteness and weather makes this a tough
journey. About fifty percent of people who attempt this trek
have managed to complete. The failure was either because of
altitude sickness or due to unexpected early snowfall. Another
obstacle that hampers this trek is the bridges in the remote
region which often get washed away. We suggest that before you
sign up for this trek you should have your emergency evacuation
insurance.
The Legendary Snowman Trek, traversing through
the foothills of the Snowcapped Mountains to remote district
of Lunana is considered as the most difficult trek in the world.
Crossing the high pass of Karchung La at an elevation of 5120
meters / 16800feet and campsites at an average elevation of
4500 meters /14,800 ft. with weather unpredictable makes this
a tough journey. You may encounter wildlife such as Takin, Blue
Sheep, musk Deer and Snow leopard with many medicinal plants
and alpine flowers.
ITINERARY:
DAY 01: ARRIVE IN PARO
After arrival you will be met by our representative and transfer
to hotel.
DAY 02: SIGHTSEEING IN PARO
After breakfast visit the National Museum (Taa Dzong), Paro
Rimpung Dzong, Kyichu Temple, and other places of interest.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 03: PARO SHANA ZAMPA -17Kms, 5-6
hours
After early breakfast we will drive to the ruins of Drukgyal
Dzong (2,580m / 8,591 ft) 16 Kms from Paro town. Explore the
ramparts, village and on a clear day experience the spectacular
view of Mt. Chomolhari (7,314 m / 23990ft). The trek starts
from here,Overnight camp will be at Shana Zampa, Alt 2,870 m
/9,557 ft, Overnight at camp.
DAY
04: SHANA ZAMPA - THANGTHANGKHA, 22 Kms, 6-7 hours.
The trail continues its gradual climb alongside the Paro Chhu through conifers
and rhododendron and entering into Jigme Dorji National Park. Your camp for
tonight will be at Thangthangkha, elevation 3,630 m /12,088 ft.
DAY
05: THANGTHANGKHA - JANGOTHANG, 19 Kms, 5-6 hours
This is not a long day, but there is 450 m /1,498 ft elevation gain, and you
will be comfortably worn out when you reach camp. Your camp will be at
Jangothang, Chomolhari base camp, alt. 4,090 m /13,415 ft.
DAY
06: JANGOTHANG
A day halt & exploration in Jangothang.Trek up to Tsophu Lake for trout
fishing or there is stupendous day-hike in three directions-Chomolhari and its
subsidiary is directly west, Jichu Drake to the north, un-climbed summits and
ridges to the east.
DAY
07: JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI, 18 Kms, 5-6 hours
Wide Yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, great views of Lingshi Dzong
as you come down into the Lingshi basin. If the weather is clear Mt. Tserim Kang
(6789m / 22268ft) and it's descending glaciers at the north end of the valley
can be vividly seen. Today, the highest point you will be crossing is the Nyile
La Pass, alt. 4890m/16050ft). The camp is at 4010 m / 13,153 ft.
DAY
08: LINGSHI – CHEBISA, 10 Kms, 5-6 hrs.
Cross the stream below the camp on a wooden bridge and climb up the opposite
side to a Chorten just below Lingshi Dzong. In the valley to the east is a
cluster of wood shingled houses which is one part of Lingshi village. If you
look back at Mt. Tserim Kang you can see a very distinct rock pinnacle sticking
up at the end of the east ridge. The climb is gradual and easy. The camp site is
on a meadow just opposite the Chebisa village (3880 m /12,920 ft.).
DAY
09: CHEBISA - SHOMUTHANG, 17 Kms, 6-7 hrs.
The walk is through wild high pastures with few nomads and yaks. Cross Gobula
Pass (4440m / 14564ft). The camp will be at a yak pasture, alt 4260 m /13973ft.
DAY
10: SHOMUTHANG – ROBMUTHANG, 18 Kms, 6-7 hrs.
The trail climbs from the camp up the valley, the white flowers are edelweiss
and the snow peak visible to the south-east is Kang Bum (6526 m / 21,731 ft).
The trail climbs out of the valley through pretty desolate country up to Jhari
La (4747 m /15,807 ft), about two hours from camp. During clear weather you will
also see the Mt. Gangchentag, Mt. Tserim Kang and Chomolhari. Normally you will
witness herds of Takin grazing on the slopes of the nearby hills. You will be
camped in a rocky meadow named Robluthang at 4160m/13,645ft.
DAY
11: ROBLUTHANG -LIMITHANG, 19Kms, 6-7 hrs.
This is a long, hard day, crossing Sinchu La, the highest pass on the trek. It's
a tough climb from here to the Sinchu La Pass (5005m / 16,417ft), about five
hours from camp. The snow covered peak of Gangchentag fills the horizon to the
north. It's then a short walk on a good trail through a cedar forest
interspersed with small meadows to Limithang (4140m /13,786ft), a lovely camp
site in a big meadow by the river. The peak of Gangchentag towers over the
campsite, even though it's quite a distance away.
DAY
12: LIMITHANG – LAYA , 10 Kms, 4-5 hrs.
Today its mostly downhill along a winding river, the trail splits, one going
down with the river to the camp site used by the army. The other stays high and
takes you into the West Side of Laya Village. We will camp on a high flat bench
above the East End of the Laya village (3800m/12464ft).
DAY
13: LAYA
Halt in Laya. You should spend a day recuperating from the trek to Laya and
preparing for the rest of rigorous trek. Also you can visit the Laya village and
mingle with the natives.
DAY
14: LAYA - RODUPHU, 19 Kms, 6-7hrs.
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 campsite is in a pasture near a small stream at an altitude of 4160m /
13,853ft.
DAY
15: RODUPHU - NARETHANG 17 Kms, 5-6hrs.
The trail leads uphill through dwarf rhododendron bushes and a barren area with
ups and downs across great boulders to Tsomo La (4780m / 15,917ft). Descend
through more boulders to a camp at Narethang, a yak pasture used by Laya people.
It's about 4500m / 14,985ft on a small plateau beneath the 6395m / 21,295ft peak
of Gangla Karchung.
DAY
16: NARETHANG - TARINA, 18Kms, 5-6hrs.
Climb to Karchung La (5120m /17,050 ft, then down to glacial lakes that are the
source of the Tang Chhu. Above the lakes tower the mighty peaks of Jejekangphu
Gang (7300m / 24,309ft) and Tsenda Gang (7100m / 23,643ft). Camp at Tarina,
4020m / 13,387ft.
DAY
17: TARINA - WOCHE, 17 Kms, 5 hrs.
The walk leads down through conifer forest, following the upper reaches of the
Pho Chhu. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche at
3940m/13,120ft, the first village since Laya. The trek has now entered the
Lunana region or territory of Snow leopard. If you you are lucky you might be
able to see the invisible Snow leopard.
DAY
18: WOCHE – LHEDI
5-6 hrs. Make a gradual climb through juniper forests and then cross a river
from where we have great views of Jejegangphu (7100m /23,643ft). A stiff climb
takes you past the Yumtso and Setso lakes and up to the Keche La (4580m
/15,251ft.), descend to Thraga village and finally reach Lhedi village (3700m /
12,321ft).
DAY
19: LHEDI – THANZA, 17 Kms, 5-6 hrs.
The trail climb gradually following the main source of the Pho Chhu to Chozo
village. At the small Chozo Dzong there are some lay monks (gomchens). Above
Chozo the valley opens as you approach Thanza village, near the foot of 7100m /
23,643ft Zongophu Gang, which is also known as Table mountain. Camp at Thanza,
4090m / 13,620ft. t
DAY
20: THANZA
Halt at Thanza. This is as far as the Laya horses go, and it takes time to round
up enough yaks for the rest of the trek. Explore the village meet people and
experience the life of the people who live in this remote area in harmony with
the wilderness.
DAY
21: THANZA – TSHOCHENA, 20 Kms, 7-8hrs.
Today is a long trek. Yak drivers willing, you should start as early as
possible. It's a long climb over three false summits to Jaze la (5050m /
16816ft). It's then less than an hour down to the camp site at the lake of
Tsochena.
DAY
22: TSOCHENA – JICHU DRAMO, 14 Kms, 4-5hrs.
The trail is gradual ups and downs between the snowcapped peaks and across Laju
La (4940m / 16,450 ft). Camp at Jichu Dramo (4880m / 16,250ft).
DAY
23: JICHU DRAMO - CHUKARPO, 18 Kms, 5-6 hrs.
Ascending to Rinchen Zoe La (5140m / 17,116ft), the highest point on the trek,
you arrive at Chukarpo, at 4950m / 16,483ft.
DAY
24: CHUKARPO - TEMPETSHO, 18 Kms, 5-6 hrs.
It's a long, mostly downhill, walk along the river, then a climb back to Um Tsho
lake at 4230m / 14,086ft. In this lake Saint Pema Lingpa found a number of
religious treasures. A bit farther is a camp by the lake of Tempetsho.
DAY
25: TEMPETSHO – MAUROTHANG, 14 Kms, 5 hrs.
It's a two hour walk to the base of Tempe La and then a steep climb to the pass
at 4580m / 15,251ft. The trek is then all downhill through rhododendron bushes
to the yak pastures of Maurothang at 4000m / 13,320ft.
DAY
26: MAUROTHANG – SEPHU - TRONGSA
The trail follows the Nikka Chhu through bamboo thickets and fields to the road
at the Nikachu bridge 2670m / 8,891. Drive to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
27: TRONGSA - THIMPHU, 200 Kms, 7 hrs
After couple hour of sightseeing in Trongsa you will resume your journey to
Thimphu, the capital city. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
28: SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, Dupthop Lhakhang (
Monastery for the nuns), National Library, painting school, Indigenous Hospital
and other places of interest. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY
29: THIMPHU – PARO
Two hours of driving will take us to Paro from where we will start our excursion
to view the spectacular Taktsang monastery (Tiger's lair).
DAY
30: DEPARTURE
Fly back to your destination.MINIMUM GROUP SIZE 4 PEOPLE
Note:
This program can be extended for more then 30 days and is arranged only as
customized trek.Season Mid June - Mid October.
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