Formidable Snow Man Trek (1) (paro to Bumthang: 25 days trek)
Trip length: 32 nights and 33 days
Level: Difficult
Maximum altitude: 5700m approximately
Suitable month: Season: Mid June – October
Snow man trek is considered as “the most difficult treks in the world” because of the extreme altitudes, distances, weather and remoteness. It starts from Drugyel Dzong, along Jumolhari, Laya and Lingzhi the highest district in the kingdom. Trek takes 24 or more depending on the ability of the trekkers. The average walk is six hours and the average campsite altitude is over 14,600 feet.
Day 1: Paro
Aboard on flight to Paro, the sight of Mt. Everest and Mt. Jomolhari and Jichu Drake is a welcoming note for you. Upon landing, you will be received and transferred to the Hotel by our representative. After lunch, visit the Paro Dzong built in 1646 housing the monastic body and administrative machinery. Later, you visit Kyichhu Lhakhang one of the oldest lhakhangs in the country built in the 7th century. In the evening, walk freely in the town! Overnight hotel will be in Paro.
Day 2: Hike to Taktshang
After breakfast, start the day’s excursion to Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched on a vertical granite rock, 900m above the Paro Valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpochhe came to the site of the Monastery on the back of a Tigress to meditate. Have the spectacular view of Paro Valley from the temple. Descend for the lunch at Taktshang Cafeteria. Return to Paro in the evening for the night will be in the Hotel in Paro.
Day 3: Paro to Shingkharab (13-14 km, 5-6 hours) Trek starts
After breakfast at the hotel, drive about an hour to Zangkey pang (2700masl), meet with trekking crews, and start your trek. First few hours, walk on the road where you will pass by the army checkpoint. Gradually after some time, we will cross the bridge and walk into trekking trails. About 5kms, we will reach to camp at 3100masl.
Note: Today’s trek is mainly for acclimatization, so we go slow.
Day 4: Shingkhrab – Sio Thangkha (13-14 km, 5-6 hours)
The trek follows Pa Chhu, climbing and descending through pine, oak, and spruce forests. After crossing the bridge, the team stops for a hot lunch. After lunch, we climb along the river bank through the rhododendron forest. We cross the river again and that will take us to the campsite at 3,650 masl.
Day 5: Thangthangkha – Jangothang
Continue the trail along the Pachhu and the valley opens again after crossing a small army outpost. Trekking through the open valley affords view of high ridges and the snow-capped mountains with yaks and Yak herder’s camp on the valley floor. Trekking 15km of trek within 5 to 6 hours will find us near the ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jomolhari at 4040m. Camp here for the night!
Day 6: Jangothang Halt
Hike to Tshophu which is 2 hours walk from Jangothang come back to the camp and take rest to prepare for next day.
Day 7: Jangothang – Lingshi
Climb gradually toward the Nelila (4890m) pass through a wide pastureland. On your way, depending on the season you are trekking, you will find some yak herder’s in their camps. Descending from the pass to Lingshi, you will have a beautiful view of Lingshi Dzong, the Valley, Tserim Kang (Mountain), and its glaciers. At 4150 m, camp in the tent! By then, we will have covered 19km of trail within 6 to 7hours of trek.
Day 8: Lingshi – Chebisa
Today is the shortest of all days on our trip. Upon reaching Chebisa at 3, 850 m, having trekked for 3 to 4 hours covering 12km of trail, camp alongside the village settlement. You can visit the village houses and feel the Bhutanese rural life experiences.
Day 9: Chebisa – Shomuthang
Trekking through a wide pastureland will lead up to Gobu La Pass 4400 m approximately . Along the way, you find some Yak herder’s. Conquering Gobu La Pass, descend down to the valley. The campsite will be above a river bank, a tributary of a Mochhu River at the elevation of 4, 260m. By then we will have trekked 17km in 5 to 6 hours of time.
Day 10: Shomuthang – Robluthang
we start early for the trek is little strenuous. Upon crossing the Jerela Pass at 4, 600m, descend to Tsharijathang Valley, where you can see the herds of Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan. Camp at Tsharijathang at 4, 390m after having trekked from 15km for 6 to 7 hours!
Day 11: Robluthang – Lingmithang
Cross the Shingela Pass at 4, 900m, you take a downhill trek following the valley. Lingmithang, a beautiful village under Laya Village offers an opportunity to see people dressed in typical Laya costume with long bamboo hats on their head. Camp at Lingmithang at the elevation of 4, 140m after a day long trek of 6 to 7 hours covering 19 km of the trail.
Day 12: Lingmithang – Laya
The trek for the day is downhill walk along the narrow winding river valley. The trail leads you to the west side of the Laya Village. At the elevation of 3, 850m, campsite is on a high flat bench above the village or in the village. The trek stretches for about 10 km requiring 3 to 4 hours of normal trekking.
Day 13: Laya (Halt)
Let’s rest and go around the villages and explore the houses and the people. Layap’s are ever welcoming and will readily pose for photographs if you aspire to have one. Their dress is very typical and particularly of women with bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments makes them more special. In the evening, you get to be part of the cultural event with local girls performing dances.
Day 14: Laya – Rodhuphu
After descending a while, we reach to army camp. We continue following the river till the turn off point to Rhoduphu. After lunch, we pass through lush rhododendrons till we reach at camp at the height of 4, 350m. By then, we will have trekked for about 8 to 9 hours.
Day 15: Rodhuphu – Narithang
the trail leads most of the time up hills through draft rhododendrons bushes and barren areas with lots of ups and downs. We cross TSHOMO LA (4780m) and decent down to camp site at Narithang (4500m). Where we will also see the yak herders have their camp during their summer and it is just under or near to Gangla Karchung 6395m. Overnight at camp.
Day 16: Narithang to Tarina
We start as early for today is the long stretch that we have got to trek. We climb to karchung la at 5150m and conquer the summit from where one can have a splendid view of Tari Gang 7300m. Karchung la or gangla Karchung is the point where the two main rivers are divided. Front part of the pass is the start point of the mochu (female) river at Punakha and the back side is the place where phochu (male) river is started. The trails are not easy as what we think, in morning sessation we climb and after crossing the karchung la we have to descent down very deep to the river bed and climb down are very steep and must be very care full. Trekking through this trail offers unique opportunity to have a thought how Bhutanese people are suffering through such paths without any proper path.
Day 17: Tarina – Woche
We trek downhill taking us through the coniferous forest following the upper ridges of the Phochhu. Then, the trail climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche at the elevation of 3, 800m. After 6 to 7 hours of walk, camp here for the night.
Day 18: Woche – Lhedi
The trek starts through juniper and fir forests gradually entering into rhododendrons. Climb up to Keche La Pass at 4480m where one can have a great view of surrounding mountains. After the Pass, descend to the riverside walking through the village enjoying the scenic view of Mountains roofing the valley. Follow the river leading up to Lhedi Village, where one of the main sources of Phochhu begins. Camp at the altitude of 3, 650m!
Day 19: Lhedi – Thanza
The trek continues along the bank of the river ascending gradually to Choejung Village. Cross the bridge and after 7 to 8 hours of trek, we reach Thanza at 4, 000m for we camp there.
Day 20: Thanza (Halt)
We take a rest for a day by exploring near by lakes and mountains. It will provide a refreshing break to rejuvenate you for rest of the trek.
Day 21: Thanza- Tshorim
(eight to nine hours, camp altitude 5,120m).
Having chosen the route to Bumthang the trek starts by climbing a ridge with a great view of Table Mountain and Thanza valley below. The ridge altitude is 4,500m and it rises gradually up to 4,650m. After lunch walk upwards towards the left side of the bridge to enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains. You reach the campsite of Tshorim after climbing more ridges.
Day 22: Tshorim – Zanam (six to seven hours, camp altitude 4,970m).
This is one of the highlights of the trek and the day starts with a short climb to the Tshorim Thso. You walk on the side of the lake enjoying a panoramic view of the Gophu La ranges. The last climb to the Gophu La pass (5,230m) is very short. After the pass descend to the base camp, walking along the ridge to enjoy a great view of Gangkhar Puensum. If interested, one can divert to the left side to climb up the Pyramid Peak for a better view or you can go down to the base camp nearby Sha Chhu.
Day 23: Zanam to Menchugang – (six to seven hours, camp altitude 4,200m)
The trail further follows the Sha Chhu and the path continues following Sha Chhu for two and a half hours until the stiff climb to Saka La begins where we will camp for the night.
Day 24: Menchugang – Warathang (eight to nine hours, camp altitude 4,000m)
The trail Visibility along the Saka La trail is poor so one must see top of the ridge for guidance. After having lunch nearby a yak herders’ camp you climb up to Saka La (4,800m). The path then descends to a couple of lakes and another short ascent is stunning. Scenery once again is beautiful with small lakes and the mountain peaks.
Day 25: Warathang -Duer Tsachu (five hours, camp altitude 3,590m)
An hour climb leads to Juli La (4,700m). After the pass, you descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forests. After the bridge a short climb leads to Duer Tsachu. These hot springs, where Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have taken bath, might be the most stunningly beautiful hot springs of the Himalayas. You might want to spend an extra day at Duer Tsachu.
Day 26: Duer Tsachu – Tshochenchen (eight to nine hours, camp altitude 3,850m).
From the hot springs it is a long and steady climb again with great views of mountains in Lunana. You will also come across blue lakes and yak herder huts.
Day 27: Tshochenchen – Duer Village
This is the last day of the trek and your porter change from yaks to horses. The path follows the Chamkhar Chhu, descending gradually with a few climbs in between. The trek ends here when you arrive at Duer village. From here you drive to Jakar (Bumthang).
Day 28: bumthang Halt.
Bumthang local sightseeing Jakar Dzong, kurjey lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Tamzhing Lhakhang, wangdue choeling palace and free time in town later in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 29: Bumthang to Trongsa
Bumthang to trongsa take about 3 hours. After lunch trongsa local sightseeing, trong dzong and hereditarily museum. Free time in town. Over night at Hotel.
Day 30: Trongsa to Punakha
Drive will takes around 6 hours. On the way visit Chendeepji chorten, etc., over night at Hotel.
Day: 31: Punakha to Thimphu
On second day visit the Dzong built in 1637 at the confluence of Mochhu and Phochhu. The fort symbolizes the master piece and uniqueness of Bhutanese architecture. Visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. On the way to Thimphu, we will stop for a while for Dochula Pass affords scenic view of the Himalayas aside it’s 108 chortens built by Royal Mother Ashi Droji Wangmo Wanchuck to commemorate victory over Indian militants in 2003 and pay tribute to soldiers who lost lives.
Day 32: Thimphu to Paro
Visit and circumambulate the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the Third King, the Father of Modern Bhutan. Make a short trip to Indigenous Hospital, the School of Arts and Crafts and see the living arts of Bhutan. Visit Trashichodzong, the Throne Room and the seat of the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. Pay visit to Changgang Kha Monastery, Traditional Paper Making Factory and Takin Enclosure to have the view of Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan. Drive to Sangaygang and have the panoramic view of Thimphu town in its entirety. In the evening drive to Paro.
Day 33: Departure (Paro)
We will drive you to Paro airport for your flight and you bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan.