Formidable Snow Man Trek II ( Paro to Nikachu: 24 days trek)
Trip length: 29 nights and 30 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: Paro – Thangthangkha
Drive to Gunitshawa and walk along the river valley, gradually becomes narrower and closes in after some distance. The winding trail with frequent climb and descend leads us to our camp site in a meadow in tents at 3, 600m. By then, we will have trekked about 23km in 7 to 8 hours.
Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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. over night at camp.
Day 17: 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 18: 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 19: 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 20: 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 21: 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 22: Thangza to Tshochena
Climb up for almost for 5 hours to cross Jazi La pass which is about 5090m. after crossing Jazi La descend down for almost 2 hours to camp site.
Day 23: Tshochen to Jichu Damo
Jichu Damo is almost 7 hours walk from Tshochen. There is no pass on the way and see many beautiful lakes. On the way you can also see the beautiful flowers like micronopsis superba and many other medicinal plants. Camp at 5250m and will be highest camp site on the trek.
Day 24: Jichu Damo to Chukarpo
It takes approximately around 7 hour to reach the camp site. You have to climb up for almost 4 hours to reach Gangrinche zoy 5700mts app. Then climb down for 3-4 hours to reach camp site.
Day 25: Chukarpo to Tampa Tsho
Tampa Tsho is 6 hours from Chukarpo and walk along the river side for approximately 3 and half hours. Climb up for almost 2 and half hour to reach the camp site. Near the camp site you see very beautiful lake and landscape.
Day 26: Tampa Tsho to Marothang
It takes almost 7 hours to reach Marothang, climb up for 2 hours to reach the pass which 4800m. Descend down for 5 hours where on the way you can find lakes and beautiful glacier landscape.
Day 27: Marothang to Punakha
Fom Marothang to sephu it takes 3 hours to reach your end point of the trek. There your diver will be welcoming you with refreshment. Dive to Punakha for 2 hours and take rest in the hotel.
Day: 28: 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.
29: 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 30: Departure (Paro)
We will drive you to Paro airport for your flight and you bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan.