The Snowman Trek BHUTAN is an extension of the beautiful Laya Gasa Trek, and leads from Laya into high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas Adventure. It takes tough and enduring trekkers into the Lunana region and further on to Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Trongsa district, depending on which route you choose. The Snowman trek leads through the most remote areas up to very high altitudes. Trekkers have to camp in altitudes above 5,000m more than once, and depending on the seasonal temperatures, the camps are sometimes on snow. The Lonely Planet describes the Snowman Trek as one of the most difficult treks of the world. Many groups that attempt this tough trek do not actually finish it due to problems with the high altitude or snow blocked passes. Therefore, the best time for the Snowman Trek - unlike the other high altitude treks of Bhutan – is in summer time. Still, those who make it will remember this trek as an outstanding beautiful and maybe as the most rewarding trek of their life.

Trekking Duration: 25 Days, Max Elevation: 5,320m,Highest Camp: 5,050m,Standard: Hard, Season: Mid June to Mid October,Start: Drukgyel Dzong (Paro) Finish: Sephu (Trongsa)

Day 01
Fly into Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan's National Air Carrier. The green wall of hills known as doors, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continuously higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. Silver rivers thread the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountain sides and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up into the sky. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro Chu(river) with Ta Dzong, watch tower, now the national museum, above it. Your escort from Eagle Tours, who accompany you throughout the trip, will be waiting for you at the airport. After completion of airport formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to the hotel. In the Evening visit to Paro marker and take a stroll around town's main street. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro

Day 02
Full day sight seeing at Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, National Museum at The Ta Dzong

Day 03
Start: Drukgyel Dzong,End: Sharna Zampa,Walking Distance: 17 km,Walk Time: 4-5 hours,Ascent: 360m,Descent: 80m,Camp Altitude: 2,850m

Drive up to Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) where the road ends and the trek begins. With a gradual climb the trail follows the Paro Chhu passing beautiful meadows, paddy fields and impressive farm houses. After about four hours you will reach the army post at Gunitsawa village. At the army checkpost your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa.

Day 04
Start: Sharna Zampa,End: Thangthangkha<Walking Distance: 22 km Walk Time: 7-8 hours,Ascent: 770m,Descent: 10mCamp Altitude: 3,610m On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs. After going uphill through the river valley, you enter the Jigme Dorji National Park. The valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path, which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up. From here, if weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mount Jomolhari.

Day 05
Start: Thangthangkha,End: Jangothang,Walking Distance: 9 km,Walk Time: 5-6 hours, Ascent: 480m,Camp Altitude: 4,080m

If you did not see Mount Jomolhari last evening, you will have a great chance to get a great view this early morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. Cross an army outpost along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. Reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

Day 06
Jangothang Halt.
The day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views on lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatisation. Trek up to Tosoh or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jomolhari and it’s subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.

Day 07
Start: Jangothang,End: Lingshi,Walking Distance: 18 km,Walk Time: 6-7 hours,Ascent: 840mDescent: 870m,Camp Altitude: 4,010m

After 15 min. from the camp the trail climbs rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascend to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. While on the climb enjoy the surrounding. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains. From the pass you will have spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang, all of them rising above 7,000m. On the way down to the camp you will pass by some of the yak herder’s tent, made from yak wool, where the herders take shelter while on the move to various pastures for their yaks. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. 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.

Day 08
Start: Lingshi,End: Chebisa,Walking Distance: 10 km,Walk Time: 5-6 hours,Ascent: 280m Descent: 410m,Camp Altitude: 3,880m

Today is the shortest walking day, and you can really take it easy. Shortly after starting you will reach a chorten below Lingshi Dzong. Here, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking a diversion up to the Lingshi Dzong (4,220m), which sits right atop a ridge. Besides a very special atmosphere of mystic silence Lingshi Dzong provides a great view over the valley. After Lingshi Dzong you will be passing the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. In Goyul, the stone houses are clustered together to a small compact village that is unusual in Bhutan where village houses are normally scattered. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa with a beautiful waterfall behind the village, you will have plenty of time to visit the village houses if you feel up to it.

Day 09
Start: Chebisa,End: Shomuthang,Walking Distance: 17 km Walk Time: 6-7 hoursAscent: 890m,Descent: 540m Camp Altitude: 4,220m

You walk through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La (pass). On the way, you will see a few people herding yaks. There is also a great chance to spot large herds of blue sheep above the trail. After crossing the Gobu La (4,410m), you descend to the valley, then climb again a little bit, and descend again to Shakshepasa (3,980) where a helipad has been established. Climbing from here you will finally reach the campsite at Shomuthang, above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu River.

Day 10
Start: Shomuthang,End: Robluthang,Walking Distance: 18 km,Walk Time: 6-7 hours Ascent: 700m,Descent: 760m,Camp Altitude: 4,160m

As the walk is a little strenuous, it is advisable to start early with climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum (6,526 m) and some edelweiss. After two hours of climbing you will reach Jhari La (4,750m), from where you catch the first sight of Sinche 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. If weather is clear, Tserim Kang and the top of Jomolhari will be visible. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang. Herds of takin, the Bhutanese National Animal, migrate to this valley in summer and remain for about four months. The valley has been declared a takin sanctuary. Climb up a little bit and you will reach the campsite at Robluthang in a rocky meadow.

Day 11
Start: Robluthang,End: Limithang ,Walking Distance: 19 km,Walk Time: 6-7 hours Ascent: 850m,Descent: 870m,Camp Altitude: 4,140m

After crossing Sinche La (5,005m) - the last and highest pass on the trek in case you don’t intend to continue the Snowman trek from Laya onwards – you descend to a little stone house where a few Laya women - dressed in typical Laya costume with long pointed bamboo hats on their head - live and offer their weaving products. Right behind the stone house you will see an impressive terminal moraine and a glacial lake at the foot of the valley. You can see classic examples of the lateral moraines where the glacier has pushed rocks up both sides of the valley. Below the moraine, you cross the Kango Chhu and soon reach the Limithang campsite. The peak of Gangchhenta towers over the campsite even though it’s quite a distance away.

Day 12
Start: Limithang,End: Laya,Walking Distance: 10 km,Walk Time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 60m,Descent: 340m,Camp Altitude: 3,840m

Today, you walk all the way downhill along a narrow winding river valley. After a long time, you again trek partly through deep forest. The trail leads you to the west side of Laya village. From the west of the village you will view Gangchhenta again and catch a glimpse of Masagang. In the village centre is a community school and a basic health unit with telephone connection. The campsite is below the school.

Day 13
Rest/Acclimatisation day in Laya. If you have trekked from Drukgyel Dzong you should spend a day recuperating from the trek to Laya and preparing yourself for the rest of this hard but spectacular trek. If you have started from Tashitang/Damji (Punakha) you should also walk up to Laya to acclimatise and not just stay at the trail junction to Lunana. However, only for the great views from Laya and its extroadinary inhabitants it’s worthwhile to spend one day in Laya.

Day 14
Start: Laya,End: Rhoduphu,Walking Distance: 19 km Walk Time: 6-8 hours,Ascent: 1,030m,Descent: 750m Camp Altitude: 4,160m

From Laya we descend to an army camp and continue following the river till the turn off point to Rhoduphu. After lunch the climb continues through rhododendron bushes till you reach the camp at Roduphu just next to the Rhodu Chhu.

Day 15
Start: Rhodophu,End: Narethang,Walking Distance: 17 km,Walk Time: 5-6 hours Ascent: 740m,Camp Altitude: 4,900m,

After following the river for about half an hour you will have a steady climb to a high open valley at 4,600m and then further up to Tsomo La (4,900m). Tsomo La offers a superb view of Lunana, Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, and the Tibetan border. The route then crosses a flat, barren plateau at about 5,000m. The campsite at Narethang is towered by the peak of Gangla Karchung (6,395m).

Day 16
Start: Narethang,End: Tarina,Walking Distance: 18 km Walk Time: 5-6 hours,Ascent: 270m,Descent: 1,200m Camp Altitude: 3,970m

From the camp you will climb for about an hour to Gangla Karchung La (5,120m). The view from the pass is breathtaking and the whole range of mountains including Jekangphu Gang (7,100m), Tsenda Kang and Teri Gang (7,300m) can be seen. The pass descends along a large moraine. Again one has great views: a massive glacier descends from Teri Kang to a deep turquoise lake at its foot. Up here a glacial lake burst through its dam in the early 1960s, causing widespread damage and partially destroying Punakha Dzong. Finally, it is a very long descent through thick rhododendron to Tarina valley, where you will find several good campsites along the Tang Chhu.

Day 17
Start: Tarina End: Woche Walking Distance: 17 km Walk Time: 6-7 hours Ascent: 270m Descent: 330m Camp Altitude: 3,910m

The walk leads down through conifer forests following the upper ridges of the Pho Chhu, passing some impressive waterfalls. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche, a settlement of a few houses, the first village in the Lunana region.

Day 18
Start: Woche ,End: Lhedi,Walking Distance: 17 km,Walk Time: 6-7 hours' Ascent: 980m Descent: 1,190m ,Camp Altitude: 3,700m

The trek starts through juniper and fir forests, and further ahead, through rhododendron bushes. Climb up to Keche La pass (4,650m) where one can have the great view of surrounding mountains again. After the pass, descend to the riverside walking through a village with a stunning view of Table Mountain and others. Follow up the river till Lhedi Village. Lhedi has a basic health unit, a school and a wireless telephone connection

Day 19
Start: Lhedi End: Thanza Walking Distance: 17km Walk Time: 7-8 hours Ascent: 450m Camp Altitude: 4,150m

In clear weather , you will have great views of Table Mountain (7,100m).Around lunchtime you will pass the small village of Chozo (4,090m) which has a dzong still in use. Reaching Thanza again you will have a great view of Table Mountain which forms a 3,000m high wall of snow and ice behind the village. Although there are possibilities to camp directly at Thanza, most groups prefer to camp in Thoencha

Day 20
Rest day at Thanza.
In Thanza walk around and experience some village life or climb up the ridge for fascinating views of lakes and mountains. But as it takes time to arrange new yaks (the yaks from Laya will not go further than Thanza) you might have to spend one day at Thanza anyway.

Day 21
Start: Thanza End: Danji Walking Distance: 8 km Walk Time: 3-4 hours Ascent: 80m Camp Altitude: 4,230m

From Thoencha, the trail climbs up to a large boulder from where you will have excellent views of Thanza, Toencha and Choso village and the surrounding mountains. After a few hours of relatively flat and easy walking, you will reach a yak meadow with some yak herders’ huts. An excellent campsite with a great chance to spot some blue sheep is on the hills above. A trail junction near the campsite will give you the choice between the route up to Gangkhar Puensum base camp, and further on to Bumthang or to Sephu (Trongsa). Both routes are described in this website.

Day 22
Start: Danji End: Tshochena Walking Distance: 12 km Walk Time: 5-6 hours Ascent: 980m Descent: 240m Camp Altitude: 4,970m

Having chosen the route to Sephu, the trek crosses the creek and after a long climb, you will reach Jaze La (5,150m) with spectacular panoramic mountain views. The path then descends between snow covered peaks and a couple of small lakes to the campsite near the shore of Tshochena lake.

Day 23
Start: Tshochena End: Jichu Dramo Walking Distance: 14 km Walk Time: 4-5 hours Ascent: 230m Descent: 150m Camp Altitude: 5,050m

You follow the bank of the blue green lake before arriving at a ridge at 5,100m, where there is another spectacular view in all directions. After going up and down over small hills to reach a glacial lake, the route descends first before climbing again up the next pass, the Loju La (5,140m). Finally after crossing a small saddle (5,100m) you will enter a wide glacial valley from where the trail descends gradually to the campsite at Jichu Dramo

Day 24
Start: Jichu Dramo End: Chukarpo Walking Distance: 18 km Walk Time: 5-6 hours Ascent: 320m Descent: 730m Camp Altitude: 4,600m

Right after leaving the camp you will climb through a moraine to Rinchen Zoe La (5,320m). A spectacular mountain scenery with Gangkhar Puensum amongst the impressive mountains is the reward for climbing the highest pass on this trek route. Rinchen Zoe Peak (5,650) towers above the pass the west. Descending from the pass, the route leads into a wide valley with several lakes and goes steeply down along a moraine to the Thamphe Chhu. Here the vegetation begins to thicken again and you will see the first real trees since Lhedi. After a couple of hours you reach the campsite at Chukarpo.

Day 25
Start: Chukarpo End: Thampe Tsho Walking Distance: 18 km Walk Time: 5-6 hours Ascent: 400m Descent: 700m Camp Altitude: 4,300m

The descent continues along the river till you reach the yak herder huts at Gala Pang Chhu (4010m). From here the trail climbs steeply towards Thampe Tsho, a beautiful clear turquoise lake, with the campsite next to it.

Day 26
Start: Thampe Tsho End: Maurothang Walking Distance: 14km Walk Time: 5 hours Ascent: 330m Descent: 1,020m Camp Altitude: 3,610m

From the lake you climb steeply to the last pass on your trek, the Thampe La (4,600m) with a good chance to spot some blue sheep on the way. Then the path descends to the sacred lake Om Thso. Passing a waterfall you will reach another, smaller lake 100m below to descend steeply to the Nikka Chhu. The path finally leads through mixed forest to large clearing on the banks of the river with a few yak herder huts, Maurothang.

Day 27
Start: Maurothang,End: Sephu ,Walking Distance: 18 km Walk Time: 5-6 hours Ascent: 0m Descent: 990m

On the last day of this extraordinary trek you will have to change from yaks to horses as the yaks will not be willing to go further down. The path follows the Nikka Chhu to reach a large grassy area overlooking the road and the village of Sephu. You finally reach the road at the Nikka Chhu bridge at Sephu where you will find several stores (mainly selling bamboo products) and small restaurants.

Day 28
Drive to THIMPU and stay

Day 29
Full day sight seeing at Memorial Chorten, National Library, Tashichho Dzong, Simtokha Dzong, Handicrafts Emporium, etc.

Day 30
Afternoon drive to PARO and stay

Day 31
Fly to Katmandu or your forward Destination