Formidable Snow Man Trek (4) ( Gasa to Nikachu: 16 days trek)
Trip length: 21 nights and 22 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: 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 16: 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 17: 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 18: 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 19: 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 20: 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 2.5 hours and take rest in the hotel.
Day: 21: Punakha to Paro
On second day visit the punakha 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. Overnight at Hotel at Paro.
Day 22: Departure (Paro)
We will drive you to Paro airport for your flight and you bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan.