Ultimate Snowman Trek Option 1

DAY 1

Arrive Paro. Transfer to Paro Hotel.

Arrive at Paro Airport. You’ll be met upon arrival and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the very small town of Paro. Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to enjoy a short sightseeing tour of Paro.

Accommodation: Tenzinling Hotel or similar Paro
Meals: Dinner

For detailed information, choices and advice for International flight options to Paro, Bhutan - please click here

DAY 2

Tigers Nest warm up hike

You can’t really come to Bhutan without seeing the Tiger's Nest, and the walk to the monastery is a good stretcher. It’s actually a stiff 2-hour walk up through woodland and a rather steep climb of around 350 m. Thankfully, there’s a teahouse at one of the classic Taktsang Monastery view points where you can rest and refresh before a further 30 minutes of climbing brings you to Takstang (3110m) itself. On the final climb, you pass what is probably the most famous view point, which looks directly across to the monastery. It’s usually possible to enter the monastery, but if there’s something going on at the monastery (religious or VIP visit), then it may not be possible. Heading steeply down, a descent of around 100m leads into a gorge before climbing back up to the main monastery gate, from which it’s down to the valley floor and your ride “home”. Walking time is around 4-5 hours, with around 750m of ascent and descent.

Accommodation: Tenzinling Hotel or similar, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Begin the Snowman trek at Shana

It’s usually a private vehicle transfer of just under 2 hours to reach the trailhead at Shana (2860m). From here, you walk up through the forest to a clearing, which is the site of tonight’s camp. Walking time is approximately 3 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, beyond Shana
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

Trek up to Soi Thangka

Following the course of a river upstream, you walk up through pine forests, with the occasional stream crossing. There are both ascents and descents during today’s walk, but more in the way of ascents. Reaching a bridge at around 3560 m, the trail becomes quite steep as you climb up to where two valleys meet. Passing a chorten and over another bridge camp (3575m) is by the Paro Chu River and is reached in a further 30 minutes.  Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Soi Thangka
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Trek to Jangothang-Chomolhari Base Camp

It’s around 5–6 hours of hiking today to reach Jangothang, sometimes referred to as Chomolhari Base Camp. It’s mostly a gradual ascent with some steeper sections to eventually emerge above the tree line and into open yak pastures. Camp (4104m) beneath Chomolhari is the most spectacular location so far. But there will be more. Walking time is approximately 5–6 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Jangothang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

Acclimatisation walk beneath Chomolhari

Before moving on, an acclimatisation day is essential. There are several walking options to aid with the acclimatisation process possible today, all with the aim of “climbing up to descend and sleeping low”.

Accommodation: Camp, Jangothang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Over the Nyele La to Lingshi

A hard, long day It’s a stiff climb out of camp, and this continues most of the way to reach Nyela La (4850m). There are good views of Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake to occupy your mind during this ascent. The descent is also steep to begin with, but eases a little as you head along a ridge and then drop down into the forest once more to camp (4150m) by a river. Walking time is approx. 6-7 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Lingshi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Trek to Chebisa

Walking up to Linsghi Dzong, you follow a path that contours the mountainside to reach the impressively located village of Gang Yul, with a 300-metre cliff hanging over it. There are views of the peaks of Basingthang, particularly Tserim Kang, before descending to Gang Yul. From this village of just 10–15 homes, a further hour leads you into a very scenic valley and passes an impressive waterfall. Camp at Chebisa (3850m) is by a river, and from here you could walk into Tibet in just a matter of a few hours. Walking time: approx. 5–6 hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Chebisa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Gobu La to Somothang

At 4405m, the Gobu La is your next pass to negotiate. It's an ascent all the way and takes around 4 hours to reach the pass. Needless to say, there are some great mountain views from the pass, from where you descend into rhododendron forests and to the Shagipasa River. Here the trail then heads along the hillside before rising sharply into a small, side valley to camp at Somothang (3985m). Walking time is approx. 6-7 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Somothang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10

Over the Jhari La to Robluthang

Although this is a long and challenging day, it is arguably one of the most stunning walking days too. It’s a long ascent all the way up to the Jhari La (4725m). From the pass you’ll see tomorrows objective the Shinge La, which looks a long way away. Dropping down steeply from the pass, it’s back into the forest once more and after wading across a small river, camp (4210m) is about 40mins further. A tough 7-8 hours of walking.

Accommodation: Camp, Robluthang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11

Across the Shinge La to Limithang

Another tough day It’s a slog of around 5 hours to reach the Shinge La (4900 m), initially following an obvious yak trail, and the final climb to the pass is rather a challenge. But there are good views of Gangchentak as compensation. Crossing the prayer-flagged pass, what goes up must come down (eventually), and you descend into the Laya region, all the way down into a valley and past a glacial moraine lake to camp by a river at around 4100m. Walking time is approx. 6–8 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Limithang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

Gradual descent to Laya

It's a bit shorter today and a particularly beautiful walk through forests of pine and juniper to reach Laya (3800m), the largest village you’ll encounter on the Snowman trek. Renowned for their pointed headwear and turquoise jewellery, as well as their welcoming nature, you should be able to explore this fascinating village in the afternoon. Walking time is approximately 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Laya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13

Rest day in Laya

A chance to rest up. Maybe do a little trekking laundry and try out a local hot stone bath. Today also serves as a contingency day should there have been any difficulties encountered so far.

Accommodation: Camp, Laya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14

Down & Up to Rodophu

Heading down the valley out of Laya, a couple of hours of walking bring you to a small army post at Taksaka. After a short while, you then begin to head in the direction of Lunana and climb up through forests and into a high valley to reach camp (4150m) above the tree line, close to a solitary yak herder's hut. Walking time is approximately 7-8 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Rodophu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15

Over the Tsome La to Narethang

It’s uphill all the way to the Tsome La (4900m), but rarely steep. With peaks lying on the border with Tibet visible, as well as Jitchu Drake and Chomolhari from the pass, you now drop down over a series of ridges into a very remote and barren plateau area. Camping locations are at a real premium here as you make your way towards Gangla Karchung, that rises almost vertically above you. Camp (4880m) beneath the almost sheer rock face is spectacular. Walking time: 6-7 hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Narethang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16

Karakachu La to Tarina

Continuing across the plateau, it’s then a relatively short but steep climb up to the Karakachu La (5075m) and then a very, very long descent all the way down to camp at Tarina (3975m). Walking time: approx. 8 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Tarina
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17

Trek to Woche

After several punishing days in succession, today's walk is a little bit more straightforward as you head down through an impossibly beautiful mountain valley. There’s a real sense of isolation in this Lunana region valley. The final part of today's walk is an ascent of around 300m through woodland to Woche (3800m), a collection of around 13–14 small homes.

Accommodation: Camp, Woche
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 18

Keche La to Lhedi

Up through the forest and then above the tree line, it takes around 3 hours of steepish ascent to reach Keche La (4485m). Descending steeply from the pass to Tegar, you continue all the way down to Lhedi (3650m). Walking time is approximately 7 hours.

Accommodation: Camp, Lhedi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 19

Hike to Thanza

Now in the heart of the upper valleys of Lunana, the trail follows the river for quite a good part of today's walk. Crossing the river further down by way of a bridge, you head to Chozo, which is the only village in Lunana with a Dzong, and rise up through a wide open valley to reach Thanza (3990m). Walking time: approx. 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Camp, Thanza
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 20

Rest day in Thanza

This part of Bhutan is somewhat isolated from the rest of the country. The locals have their own language and are rather different in appearance too. Few foreigners come here because it’s so remote. A walk up to the lakes beneath the very impressive Zongophu Gang (7095m) is a good day's walk for today. You’ll see why it’s also known as Table Mountain. Today may also be used as a contingency day.

Accommodation: Camp, Thanza
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 21

Trek to Danji

Hopefully rested and feeling strong, this challenging trek continues with a climb up the valley slopes. There are increasingly great views down to Thanza and things ease off as you head into magnificent mountain scenery to make camp (approx. 5000m) in a yak grazing area by a couple of herders huts. It’s here that the Snowman trek splits into two directions.

Accommodation: Camp, Danji
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 22

Jaze La to Tso Chena

Remaining above 5,000m today there’s the Jaze La (5150m) to cross and then a small descent passing a couple of small lakes to reach camp at the larger Tso Chena Lake (5050m). Walking time approx. 5-6hrs

Accommodation: Camp, Tso Chena
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 23

Loju La to Jichu Dramo

Still at very high altitude it’s a slight ascent to a ridge to follow a trail that undulates to another glacial lake. A small descent to then ascend to the Loju La (5145m), over a saddle and then a gentle drop into an open glacial valley and to camp at around 5050m. Walking time approx. 6hrs,

Accommodation: Camp, Jichu Dramo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 24

Rinchen Zoe La to Chukarpo

Straight from camp it’s up to the highest pass of this option of the Snowman trek (5320m), to then descend steeply to the Tampe Chu River passing several glacial lakes along the way to camp at Chukarpo (4600m) and back to the tree line once more. Walking time approx. 8hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Chukarpo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 25

Rest Day

A rest day that also serves as a contingency day.

Accommodation: Camp, Chukarpo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 26

Trek to Tampe Tsho

Descending as far as some herders huts following the Tampe Chu all the time, there’s a final sting in the tail as you must finally climb 300m steeply up to  Tampe Tsho (4300m). Walking time approx. 8hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Tampe Tsho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 27

Over the Tampe La to Maurothang

One final pass, the 4600-metre Tampe La. It’s a fairly gradual climb to the pass from camp, from which you drop down to sacred Om Tsho to then follow the downstream course of a river that ends with a final steep descent through dense forest to camp by the Nikka Chu at Maurothang (3610m). Walking time approx. 5hrs.

Accommodation: Camp, Maurothang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 28

Walk to Sephu and transfer to Gangtey

Mostly descend on the final day as you follow the river to the roadhead by Nikka Chu Bridge. Here you’ll transfer by private vehicle for the one-hour journey to Gangtey. Walking time is approximately 5 hours.

Accommodation: Dewachen Hotel or similar, Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 29

Drive to Paro

After a scrub at last night's hotel, it’s time to be a tourist as you head by private vehicle to Paro. It may be a road, but it’s not short of being spectacular

Accommodation: Tenzinling Hotel or similar, Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 30

Depart Paro

A private vehicle transfer to Paro Airport for your departing flight.

Meals: Breakfast