Formidable Snow Man Trek (3) (Gasa to Bumthang: 17 days trek)
Trip length: 25 nights and 26 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 Thimphu
After breakfast drive to Thimphu and drive will takes us about 1 hour, after reaching at Thimphu, do the capital sightseeing viz, National memorial stupa, Buddha point, Chang gangkha lhakhang, motithang zoo to see national animal, nunnery, Tashi choedzong, weekend market and free time in the town later in the evening. Over night at Thimphu in hotel.
Day 4: Thimphu to Gasa
After breakfast start drive towards gasa. On the way stop at dochulla where there is 108 stupas built by queen of 4th king. After break at dochulla drive down to punakha to Gasa and after reaching to gasa, soak yourself to hotspring for the afternoon. The drive from Thimphu to Gasa will take approximately 6 hrs to reach Gasa. Over night at Camp.
Day 5: Gasa to Laya
After breakfast, drive for 3 hours until the end of the road where we start the trek to laya. Before reaching to Laya, you will be passing an army camp where the guide will do all your formalities. After army camp you will be climbing up to laya village for an hour. Overnight at Camp.
Day 6: 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 7: Laya (Halt-Day 2)
As we prepare for a long and very big and long next day, today we make some hikes to lake above laya village which is approximately 5-6 hours up and down. This is mainly for our lungs to get prepare for further high passes along the trek that are coming. Overnight at camp.
Day 8: 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 9: 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 10: 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 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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 17: Zanam to Menchung gang (six to seven hours, camp altitude 4,200m)
The trail further follows the Sha Chhu and descends gradually to menchugang. 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 18: Menchugang – Warathang (eight to nine hours, camp altitude 4,000m)
The 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 19: 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 20: 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 21: 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 22: 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. Over night at hotel.
Day 23: Bumthang to Punakha
Bumthang to Punakha take about 6 hours. On the way visit Trongsa dzong and hereditarily museum, Chendeepji chorten, etc., overnight at hotel at Punakha.
Day: 24: 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 25: 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 26: Departure (Paro)
We will drive you to Paro airport for your flight and you bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan.