The Snowman Trek is one of the most difficult and daunting treks in the world, with the trail cutting across high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas. An extension of the Gasa Laya Trek, the Snowman Trek leads further into the upper Himalayas, to Lunana region, Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Trongsa, depending on the route. The best time for this trek is summer.
Although very difficult, the trek offers a lifetime’s experience to trek through the Himalayas, across breathtaking landscapes and remote highland settlements of the country. At the end of the trek, you will be gripped by an intense feeling of conquest and joy.
The Snowman Trek is one of the most difficult and daunting treks in the world, with the trail cutting across high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas. An extension of the Gasa Laya Trek, the Snowman Trek leads further into the upper Himalayas, to Lunana region, Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Trongsa, depending on the route. The best time for this trek is summer.
Although very difficult, the trek offers a lifetime’s experience to trek through the Himalayas, across breathtaking landscapes and remote highland settlements of the country. At the end of the trek, you will be gripped by an intense feeling of conquest and joy.
Day 1 Arrival Paro
Day 2 Tiger Nest hike (for acclimatization)
Day 3 Drukgyel Dzong/Shana (trek commences)
Day 4 Shana/Soi Thangthangkha
Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha/Jangothang
Day 6 Rest day at Jangothang
Day 7 Jangothang/Lingshi
Day 8 Lingshi/Chebisa.
Day 9 Chebisa/Shomuthang.
Day 10 Shomuthang/Robluthang
Day 11 Robluthang/Lemithang
Day 12 Lemithang/Laya
Day 13 Rest day at Laya
Day 14 Laya /Rodophu
Day 15 Rodophu /Narethang
Day 16 Narethang/Tarina
Day 17 Tarina Woche
Day 18 Woche/ Lhedi
Day 19 Lhedi /Thanza
Day 20 Rest at Thanza
Day 21: Thanza- Tshorim
Day 22: Tshorim/Gangkhar Puensum Base Camp
Day 23: Gangkar Puensum Base Camp/Geshe Woma
Day 24: Geshe Woma/Warathang
Day 25: Warathang/Duer Tsachu
Day 26: Duer Tsachu/Tshochenchen
Day 27: Tshochenchen/Duer Village/Bumthang (trek ends)
Day 28: Bumthang sightseeing
Day 29: Bumthang/Thimphu
Day 30: Exit
Day 1 Arrival Paro
You local escort will receive you at the Paro airport and take you to the Hotel. After freshening up, you will be taken for a tour of Paro town including the ruins of Drukgyel dzong and Kyichu Lhakang.
Day 2 Tiger Nest hike
You will be taken for a hike to Taktshang or Tiger’s nest, an uphill walk of about three hours. This hike is basically done to accustom trekkers to the mountain altitude of the Himalaya. The Tiger nest, precariously perched on a cliff, will also offer a spectacular view of the Paro valley besides visiting the inner sanctum of one of the most religious sites of the country.
Day 3 Drukgyel Dzong/Shana:
The trek begins from the Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) road point. It is a gentle climb along the Parochhu. The trail passes through green meadows, paddy fields and traditional Bhutanese farm houses. After about four hours trekking, you will reach the army outpost at Gunitsawa village where your guide will provide permits. You will have to walk to the other side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa, to the campsite.
Day 4 Shana/Soi Thangthangkha
This is a long trek that involves walking uphill and downhill at short intervals. After climbing uphill through the river valley, you will enter the Jigme Dorji National Park. The valley narrows down to a single path that descends to a meadow. The camp will be set up here. This is a right spot for the camp as you will be able to see Mount Jomolhari on a clear day.
Day 5 Soi Thangthangkha/Jangothang
You resume the trek early in the morning. The trail continues uphill across alpine meadow and stunted vegetation. Along the trail, you will be able to view Mount Jomolhari. You will come across an army outpost on the way, yak herders homes, and will enjoy the view of beautiful snow clad mountain peaks and ridges. The trail passes through the highland villages of Soe, Takethang and Dangochang. Here you will be able to experience the typical lifestyle and culture of highlanders. You will continue till Jangothang, the campsite at the base of the majestic Mount Jhomolhari, the abode of the protective deity Jomo.
Day 6 Rest day at Jangothang
A day will be spent atJangothang. Short hikes offer the opportunity to see lakes and various other mountain peaks like Mount Jomolhari and Jyichu Drakey. There are also possibilities of sighting blue sheep. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jumolhari and it’s subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jyichu Drakey to the north and a number of unclimbed peaks to the east.
Day 7 Jangothang/Lingshi
After the day’s halt, you will resume the trek. The trail from the camp ascends through a steep ridge for about half an hour. After that it is a gradual downhill walk to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. From here, you will be able to view Mount Jomolhari, Mount Jyichu Drakey and Tsherimgang, all above 7,000m. Along the trail, you may also sight herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes. The downhill trek will take you to Lingshi basin. Along this trail you will also come across yak, yak herders and their homes. You will also see Lingshi dzong on a clear day. You will halt at the campsite before you reach Lingshi dzong.
Day 8 Lingshi/Chebisa
It is going to be an easy day of walking. So relax. Shortly after reaching the Chorten below Lingshi dzong, you have the choice of staying on the main trail or taking the diversion that leads to the Lingshi Dzong (4,220m), which sits right atop a ridge. Lingshi dzong offers a serene view of the valley. As you continue the trek, you will pass through the villages of Lingshi and Goyul. The campsite at Chebisa at the backdrop of the village and beautiful waterfall, you can get time to visit the village and interact with the communities.
Day 9 Chebisa/Shomuthang
The trail goes through a wide pastureland towards Gobu La pass at 4,410m. After crossing the pass, you will descend to the valley, from where you will again climb a little after which the trail descends to Shakshepasa (3,980m) where a helipad has been built. You will again climb till the campsite at Shomuthang located above a river, a tributary of the Nochu river.
Day 10 Shomuthang/Robluthang
You will start early as the going is quite tough along this trail. You will climb up the valley and almost after two hours, you will reach Jhari La at 4,750m. From here, you will be able to see Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the day after. You will also see Mount Gangchhenta (6,840 m) also known , the Great Tiger Mountain. On a clear day, you will also be able to see Tserimgang and the peak of Mount Jumolhari. You will walk down to Tsheri Jathang. This valley is the summer habitat of Takin and rightly declared as the Takin sanctuary. From here you will climb uphill to reach the campsite at Robluthang.
Day 11 Robluthang/Lmithang
After crossing Sinche La (5,005m) – the highest pass on the route, you will head towards Laya. On the way you will come across Laya women clad in their traditional attire weaving. From here you can catch the view of a glacial lake at the foot of the valley and a terminal moraine. The descent will continue, and after crossing Kango Chhu reach Limithang campsite. From the camp, the peak of Gangchhenta is visible.
Day 12 Lemithang/Laya
The trail continues to descend, along a narrow river valley and leads to a dense forest. The trail continues on the west side of Laya village from where you can view Gangchhenta and Masagang. The campsite is below the school in Laya.
Day 13 Rest day at Laya
You will take the day off and rest in Laya. You will engage in short hikes, visiting the community school and meeting layaps. The interaction would enrich your understanding and knowledge of these people’s lifestyle, culture and traditions.
Day 14 Laya /Rodophu
From Laya, the trail descends to an army camp and follows the river until the turn off point to Rhoduphu. After lunch, the climb continues through rhododendron bushes till you reach the camp at Roduphu, next to the Rhodu Chhu.
Day 15 Rodophu /Narethang
The trail follows the river for about half an hour after which it climbs up to an open valley at 4,600m and further up to Tsomo La at 4,900m. From here, you can have a spectacular view of Lunana, Mount Jomolhari and Jyichu Drakey, and the Tibetan border on the other side. The trail 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 Narethang/Tarina
From the campsite, the trail climbs up for about an hour to Gangla Karchung La. From this pass at 5,120m, you will have a magnificent view of the Jekangphu Gang (7,100m), Tsenda Kang and Teri Gang (7,300m). The trail then descends along a large moraine, and continues downward through thick rhododendron vegetation to Tarina valley. You camp along the Tang Chhu.
Day 17 Tarina / Woche
The trail runs through conifer forests on the upper ridges of the Pho Chhu. Along the way, you will come across beautiful waterfalls. The trail ascends over a ridge and then descends to Woche, the first village in the Lunana region.
Day 18 Woche/ Lhedi
The trail continues through juniper and fir forests, and further through rhododendron bushes. The route ascends to Keche La pass at 4,650m from where you can have spectacular view of the mountain ranges. The trail then descends to the riverside and through a village from where you can see the table mountain. The trek continues up the riverside till the village Lhedi.
Day 19 Lhedi/Thanza
You will walk few hours to reach Thanza village where you will take the day off.
Day 20 Rest at Thanza
Here you will be able to walk around the village, interact with local people and experience the highland culture.
Day 21 Thanza- Tshorim
This route takes you to Bumthang. The trail ascends a ridge at 4,500m from where you will have spectacular view of Table Mountain and Thanza valley below. The altitude rises gradually up to 4,650m. The upward climb continues to the campsite at Tshorim.
Day 22 Tshorim/Gangkhar Puensum Base Camp
A short climb takes you to the Tshorim Thso, and another short climb takes you to the Gophu La pass at 5,230m. After the pass, the trail descends to the base camp. Along the way, you will enjoy the great view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum.
Day 23 Gangkar Puensum Base Camp/Geshe Woma
The trail further follows the Sha Chhu and descends gradually to Geshe Woma.
Day 24 Geshe Woma/Warathang
The trail continues for two and half hours along the Sha Chhu. From then on, it is a steep climb to Saka La at 4,800m. After the pass, you will descend to a couple of lakes. After another short climb, you will have a scenic view of the mountains.
Day 25: Warathang/Dhur Tsachu
You will climb up for an hour to Juli La (4,700m). After the pass, the trail descends to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forests. After the bridge, a short climb leads to Dhur Tsachu or hot springs. You may want to spend an extra day here bathing in the hot springs that are believed to have medicinal values.
Day 26 Dhur Tsachu/Tshochenchen
The trail ascends from the hot springs. It is a long trekking day. Along the way, you will come across blue glacial lakes and yak herders huts. You will also be able to have spectacular views of mountains in Lunana.
Day 27: Tshochenchen/Duer Village/Bumthang
On this last day of the trek, the trail follows the Chamkhar Chhu that gradually descends, with few climbs, to the Dhur village. From here you will be driven to Bumthang town.
Day 28: Bumthang sightseeing
You will take the day off or if you may like, also visit certain religious sites in Bumthang.
Day 29: Bumthang/Thimphu
You will start the journey early and reach the capital after seven to eight hours. The journey takes you through beautiful landscapes and vegetations.
Day 30: Exit
Your tour executive will see you off at the airport.
High Season (March, April, May, September, October & November)
Low Season (June, July, August, December, January & February)