Snowman trek in Bhutan
The most difficult trek in the world
Snowman Trek in Bhutan is one of the most beautiful treks in the whole Himalayas. Billed as the most difficult trek in the world due to altitude, duration and distance, far more people climb Mount Everest in Nepal than completing this alpine quest. Many return incomplete due to altitude sickness. The trek goes on northern Bhutan along the border with Tibet crossing thirteen Himalayan mountain passes some as high as 5000m. You will have spectacular mountain views of Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, Masangang, Tiger Mountain and Gangkar Puensum and other conspicuous peaks along the norther border.
Pre- Departure Check list
Camping in extreme weather such as cold temperatures and snowy conditions can be expected and extremely enjoyable; Camping on the snow can be peaceful, picturesque and an out door adventure.
All the accommodation while on Trek is twin sharing, double occupancy. Single occupancy in tents can be arranged on demand at an additional charge. All tents are Cold Weather Tents and designed for harsh weather and snowy conditions. Separate tents will be pitched for dinning, kitchen and rest room.
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Check for the following Essential Trekking Gears:
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Trekking Boots (broken in)
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Waterproof 3/4 season jacket and trousers
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Camp Footwear (light shoes/sandles/trainers)
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Several pairs of good quality socks
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T-Shirts - Highly recommended are synthetic T shirt styles that wick away moisture
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Thermal Underwear / layers
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Down jackets
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Warm mid layers (fleece/micro fibre)
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Trousers - Lightweight, loose fitting, trekking trousers, pants with zip-off bottoms
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Shorts
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Gaiters
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Tracksuit or fleece pants for evenings
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Sleeveless fleece and extra layers for winter departures
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Warm Hat and sun Hat
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Scarf/neck warmer
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Gloves and Mitts - waterproof and warm
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Sunglasses with UV protection
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Head Torch (spare batteries)
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Sunscreen and Lip Balm
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Light weight towel
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Hand sanitizer gel
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Trail mix / nuts/ muesli bars
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Whistle
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Daypack - The daypack you select must have the capacity for the items you may be carrying on a day's walk: rain jacket, trousers, warm clothing, water bottle, camera equipment, washing items and other personal effects. A hip/waist strap provides additional comfort. You should consider daypacks of at least a 30 to 40-litre capacity. Horses will be carrying the rest of your luggage.
Day 1
Arrival in Paro
Elevation 2734.00m 8969.82ft
As you descend into Paro, you’ll get your first good look at the stunning Himalaya Mountains. Once you land, one of our Bhutanese specialists will be waiting to take you to the Mandala resort. We will then show you the town and visit the National Museum.
Day 2
Entering the Paro Valley
Elevation 2734.00m 8969.82ft
For your first introduction to the Bhutanese countryside, we will take you to Paro Valley. With the Himalayas in the background, you can see the variety of Bhutanese crops, colors, and architectural styles. We first take a walk to the recently-reconstructed Taktsang, or Tigers Nest, Monastery, which is the resting place of renowned Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche. We then return to the Mandala Resort for lunch before touring the area during the afternoon we will visit kyichu temple which is one of oldest temple in Bhutan.
Day 3
The Trek Begins
Elevation
We start the day by driving to Drukyel Dzong, a 17th-century fortress built to defend Bhutan from Tibetan invaders. We continue to Shana, passing by lush farms and traditional Bhutanese stone and timber houses. We begin the trek, taking a brief break for lunch before continuing to our overnight camp at ThonduZampa. On the way, you'll catch your first sights of Jhomolhari’s7,314-meter-high peak.
Day 4
Shana:Thangthangkha(8:9H)
Elevation 3,610m
Our trail now takes us through the Jigme Dorje National Park, the country’s largest protected region. This lets you experience the country’s wealth of flora and fauna, particularly its wide variety of rhododendron species. The camps we stop at are mostly not permanent settlements, but rather temporary resting places for local construction workers and yak herders. Camp at Thangthangkha @ 3800 meter
Day 5
Thangthangkha:Jangothang(5:6H)
Elevation 4,080m
As we continue towards our camp at the base of Jhomolhari, we rise above the treeline and experience the country’s stunning low tundra environment. Our camps are close to those of local yak herders, giving you a chance to learn about their lifestyles. Camp at Jangothang (Jhomolhari base camp) at 4040 meters
Day 6
Acclimatizing
This day is reserved for adjusting to the local climate. You can explore the valley around Jhomolhari or travel toward the Nylie La pass and see scenic Tshophu lake.
Day 7
Jangothang :Lingshi( 6 – 8 hours)
Elevation 4,010m
Today’s trek will start with a three- to four-hour-long climb before reaching Nyile La Pass at4700 meter. Expect spectacular views of Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drake and Tsheri Kang.Also in the distance will be Tiger Mountain.
After the pass, we’ll descend to a circular hut just below Lingshi, where we’ll make camp. Coming down from Lingshi, we’ll have our first views of the truly mystical dzong atop a high hill.
Altitude 3880 M. Distance 10.5 miles. Time 6 – 7 hours.
Day 8
Lingshi – Chebisa(4:5H)
Elevation 3,990m
As we move northeast, we ascend through pastures of daphne and rhododendron until we reach the village of Chebisa. From here, you can take in the cascading waterfall, juniper trees, and other natural wonders.
Camp at Chebisa @ 3750 M.
Day 9
Chebisa – Shomuthang(7:8H)
Elevation 4000m
Today, we’ll start with quite a stiff climb through high pastures up the Gombu La Pass (4440M) before dropping through forests of dwarf rhododendron, where the ground can be slippery.
We’ll then head down to our camp situated near a riverbed. This valley is one of the most beautiful on the Snowman Trek.
Camp at Shomuthang at 3960M.
Day 10
Shomuthang – Robluthang(7:8H)
Elevation 4,160m
Today, we’ll spend at least three hours climbing before reaching Jare La Pass (4750 M) where, once again, we’ll take in some stunning views of the Himalayas including Sinche La, Tiger Mountain and Jitchu Drake. We’ll then drop steeply down a forest trail to the Tsharijathang Valley where herds of takin (the national animal) and many yaks roam.
We’ll then cross a knee-deep river (there may or may not be a bridge) before climbing up to Robluthang to our camp for the night.
Altitude 4070M Distance 13.6 miles.
Day 11
Robluthang – Lemithang(8:9H)
Elevation 4,160m
Climbing Sinche La on the Way to Lemithang, we spend 4 hours climbing Sinche La Pass(5005M) a steady pace, and then descend through dense forests and valleys of boulders and grass. Today’s stunning sights include the peak of Gangchenta, as well as white streams and blue glacial lakes.
Camp at Lemithang at 4000M.
Day 12
Lemithang: Laya(4:5H)
Elevation 3,800m
We’ll spend today walking along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mo Chu (Mother River), through a forest of rhododendron and silver fir, and then enter the village of Laya. The people of Laya are famous for their vertical stripe yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear their hair long and with a great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry. The features of the people are more Tibetan/Mongolian than the Bhutanese who live in the central valleys.
We’ll enjoy more views of the surrounding mountains. The afternoon may be spent at leisure or visiting village houses and chatting with villagers.
Camp at Laya @3700M.
Day 13
Explore the Laya Valley
Elevation 3,800m
Today we take a break from our trek to experience Laya. You can shop, visit the local school and temple, practice threshing wheat, and learn all about this unique community.
Day 14
Laya – Rodophu(9:10)
Elevation 4,215m
We wake up early to get a jump on today’s steep uphill path, moving through the Army camp and across the river. We pass through a thick forest of oak, pine, and rhododendron toward the river valley, where mountains cover the horizon. If the weather is clear, we should have great views of the Tsenda Gang group of mountains.
Camp at Rodophu at 4070M.
Day 15
Roduphu – Narethang(7:8h)
Elevation 4,940m
We’ll tackle the approximately three-hour climb to Tsemo La Pass (4900 M), which starts out with a gentle ascent and gets steeper closer to the pass. But from the pass we may be lucky enough to see the spectacular GanglaKarchung as well as Jitchu Drake and Jhomolhari.
We’ll then descend and finally climb to Narethang, where we’ll camp at 16,200 feet, the first high camp on the trek.
Altitude 4900M. Distance 6.2 miles.
Day 16
Narethang – Tarina(8:9h)
Elevation 4,350m
We’ll start the day with a slow climb up to the Karakachu La Pass (16,465 feet), which will take two to three hours. At the pass, we’ll be greeted by views of Karakachu, Tsenda Gang, Jejekangphu, and Teri Kang. The descent into the Tarina Valley is steep and long, perhaps taking 3.5 hours before hitting the valley floor where herds of takin roam.
From there, we’ll have an easier two to three hour walk to camp. It will be a day of great views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Camp at Tarina 3800 M.
Day 17
Tarina – Woche(5:6h)
Elevation 4,350m
Today will be a relatively short trekking day. During the early part of the day, we’ll follow a river for about an hour before ascending up a steep and muddy trail.
There will then be a rigorous climb to reach camp near Woche. This area is where the beautiful Lunana region begins
Camp at Woche at 3800 M.
Day 18
Woche – Lhedi(5:6h)
Elevation 3,900m
Across the Gap of Keche La(4700M), we begin by traveling another 200 meters through a stiff climb then takes us to Yumtso and Setso lake the gap of Keche La, and then break briefly to take photos. We start to descend, enjoying the warmer weather as we pass by the villages of Thega and Lhedi. We end in the village of Lhedi, one of the principal communities of Lunana and an ideal place to learn about the region’s culture.
Camp at Lhedi at 3650M.
Day 19
Lhedi – Thanza(6:7 Hours)
Elevation 4,250m
We’ll set out this morning by following the Pho Chu through the village of Lhedi before we climb for about 30 to 45 minutes to Chozo Dzong, which was built in the 17th century.
After three or four hours, we’ll reach the beautiful villages of Dyotta and Thanza, where we’ll camp in a meadow with views of Table Mountain in front of us.
Camp at Thanza at 4040M.
Day 20
Rest Day
Elevation 4,250m
Explore the Thanza Valley and enjoy the view of Table Mountain
Day 21
Thanza:Tshochena( 8:9H)
Elevation 5,120m
Today we trek a full 18 miles in the direction of Tshochena. The landscape on this path is one of the most intriguing parts of an already stunning area, with glacial lakes, rocky expanses, blue sheep, snow leopards, and an array of other wonders, both living and inanimate. Just be wary of the weather; in this region, it can change from sunny to snowy at a moment’s notice.
Camp at Tsochena at 4960M.
Day 22
Tsochena:Jichudramo(7:8H)
Through LojuLa, today we go through the Loju La and trek around a number of mountain ridges. Because few of the peaks in this area have been climbed, you can enjoy nature’s unspoiled beauty. The day ends at a camp in the grassy tundra, with rocky expanses on one side and streams on another.
Camp at Jichudramo at 5060M.
Day 23
Jichudramo:Chukarpo(7:8H)
On this day, we cross the highest pass on the trek: Rinchen Zoe La, which reaches 5,326 meters. We then move across a plateau and into a forest clearing, where our camp is located— taking photos of the stunning scene along the way.
Camp at Chukarpo at 4850 M.
Day 25
TampoeTshoe to Maurothang(6:7H)
Elevation 4,665m
We begin by moving through the Tempe La, the last mountain pass we will see on this trek. We then descend a steep hill toward our camp, viewing the Om Tsho lake, the Nikka Chhu, and other sights along the way.
Camp at MAurothang at 3698M.
Day 26
Maurothsng to Nikka chhu
Today, we follow the Nikka Chhu river through a dense, cool forest toward the settlements of the Sephu district. Our ride will then drive us to our lodgings in Gangetey, bringing an end to the trek.
Day 27
Returning to Paro
We wake up early for the drive back to Paro, and then spend the day getting reacquainted with the town. We will visit the Paro Dzong fortress, eat lunch, and go to one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan, the Kyichu Lhakhang. We will then spend the night at the Mandala Resort.
Day 28
A Farewell Breakfast
We will eat one final breakfast together to mark the end of the trip, and then bid each other farewell.
KadrenCheyLa & ThankYou
