27 Days “In search of Yeti Snowman Trek”

Enthusiasts recognize this trek as the toughest trek in the world because of its altitude, distance, climate and remoteness. At the same time, the Lunana region of Bhutan is one of the most beautiful areas of the world and the least visited. Though many do not finish the entire trek, we have developed a plan that will help anyone complete the entire distance in 27 days. We have included acclimatization (first few days in Paro Bhutan), rest days, and cultural experiences that will refresh and encourage you along the way. Crossing dozens of high passes, many over 4800 mtr., this tough trek includes challenges of long distances, altitude, difficult weather conditions and remoteness. It however also affords some of the most magnificent views in the Himalayas, and traverses through some unforgettable landscapes.

Season: The Snowman Trek is frequently closed because of snow and is almost impossible during winter. The recommended season for this is end of June to end of October. Please note that the Snowman trek is only for the experienced, and due to its nature is only being offered to groups of 6 people or more.

DESTINATION:

PARO, THIMPHU, PUNAKHA, GASA, WANGDUE, TRONGSA, BUMTHANG

TRAVELING

Style: Easy car travel, any day departure, regular small group or private tour
Theme: Adventure, long trek, hot springs, scenery, monuments, village visits, and camp

TREK HIGHLIGHT

Traverse beautiful landscapes from lush valleys and dense forests to high mountain passes.
Explore the isolated community of Laya and the remote Lunana district.
Soak in the therapeutic waters of the Gasa & Dhur Hot Springs.
Experience fabulous views of snow-capped mountains such as Mt. Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake. Camp overnight beneath some of Bhutan’s most impressive mountain peaks.
Spend time marveling at the ancient wall paintings and carvings in Dzongs and temples.
Discover some of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples in the Himalaya.
Visit many cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), markets and museums.
Hike up to the famous Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliff 900m above the valley floor

Map of Tour

INTRODUCTION

You do not have to be brave; you just have to be determined. Your experienced guide will help you set the needed pace for each day of the trek. Careful planning for each trek to the Lunana region includes our expert local guide, packhorses, cold weather equipment, and a cook. From the time you arrive you will be cared for and know exactly what to expect. Your guides are also prepared for any emergency that could happen

PLACES TO BE SEEN

All the pictures of the places we will see with name on the pictures of the places

Itinerary

OVERVIEW

Day 1: Paro

Day 2: Thimphu

Day 3: Punakha

Day 4: Gasa (Tashithang-Damji)

Day 5: Gasa (Damji-Gasa)

Day 6: Gasa (Chamsa)

Day 7: Gasa (Laya)

Day 8: Gasa (Rest day at Laya)

Day 9: Gasa (Rodophu)

Day 10: Gasa (Tarina)

Day 11: Gasa (Woche)

Day 12: Gasa (Lhadi)

Day 13: Gasa (Thangza)

Day 14: Gasa (Rest day at Thangza)

Day 15: Gasa (Tsorim)

Day 16: Gasa (Gangkar Puensum Base Camp)

Day 17: Gasa (Rest day at Gangkar Puensum Base Camp)

Day 18: Bumthang (Geche Woma)

Day 19:Bumthang (Warthang)

Day 20: Bumthang (Dhur Tsachu)

Day 21: Bumthang (Tsho Chen Chen)

Day 22: Bumthang (Dhur village)

Day 23: Bumthang

Day 24: Trongsa

Day 25: Paro

Day 26: Paro

Day 27: Tour end and depart.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL to PARO

Arrive at Paro International Airport (2300 mtr. a.s.l)
Check in hotel for rest and acclimatization
After lunch, explore interesting sights in Paro valley
Visit the Paro Ta Dzong (National Museum) and the Rinpung Dzong (Fortress)

Overnight in Paro.

Accomodations

Tenzinling Resort

DAY 2: PARO to THIMPHU

After breakfast, depart to Thimphu valley (2200 mtr. a.s.l)
Check in hotel for tea and refreshments
Visit the National Memorial Choeten (Stupa) and Changangkha Lhakhang
Visit the Drupthob Thangtong Nunnery and Trashichhoe Dzong (Fortress)
After late lunch, explore the weekend Thimphu market

Overnight in Thimphu.

Accomodations

Capital Hotel

DAY 3: THIMPHU to PUNAKHA

After breakfast, depart to Punakha valley (1200 mtr. a.s.l)
Enroute, halt at Dochula pass (3150 mtr. a.s.l) to visit Druk Wangyel Complex
Hike and visit to the Fertility temple (Chimi Lhakhang) at Lobeysa
On arrival, visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong (Fortress)

Overnight in Punakha.

Accomodations

Pemako,

DAY 4: PUNAKHA to DAMJI (GASA)

After breakfast, depart from Punakha to Tashithang in Gasa
On arrival at Tashithang, begin trek by the riverside, following a well marked path through subtropical forest
Continue with a fairly gentle climb of 8 km (5 hrs.) upto Damji village
Campsite at Damji village (2400 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Damji, Gasa

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 5: DAMJI to GASA TSHACHU (GASA)

Morning, hike from Damji village towards Gasa Tshachu (15 km.) (6 hrs.)
Continue walk through subtropical forested area and villages up to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring)
Halt for lunch near the hot spring at Gasa
After lunch, climb up to Gasa Dzong (2900 mtr. a.s.l) where we camp overnight

Overnight in Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 6: GASA TSHACHU to CHAMSA (GASA)

After breakfast, visit and tour the Gasa Dzong
Begin trek with a steep climb up to Berila pass (3700 mtr. a.s.l) through mixed forests (6 hrs.)
Descend down towards the forest at Chamsa (3650 mtr. a.s.l) to halt for the night (13 km.)

Overnight in Chamsa, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 7: CHAMSA to LAYA (GASA)

Morning, head from Chamsa to Laya viallge (22 kms.) (8 hrs.)
Continue trek descending to the bank of the Mo Chu
Cross the river and halt for lunch by the bridge
After lunch, continue with a gradual climb up towards Laya (3800 mtr. a.s.l) via army camp
On arrival, camp at campsite in Laya village

Overnight in Laya, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 8: LAYA SIGHTSEEING

Morning, rest and relaxation at Laya village
Explore Laya and visit to one of the local homes to experience Bhutanese hospitality
Meet and interact with indiegenous people and yak herders

Overnight in Laya, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 9: LAYA to RODUPHU (GASA)

From Laya, descend to the army camp towards Rodophu (19 kms.) (8 hrs.)
Continue following the trail along the river till the turn off point for Rodophu
Enroute, halt for lunch on the yak meadows
After lunch, continue climbing upwards through rhododendrons upon reaching a hanging valley where there are yaks grazing (4350 mtr. a.s.l)
On arrival, camp by the riverside

Overnight in Rodophu, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 10: RODUPHU to TARINA (GASA)

Early morning, begin the longest of the trek via Tsomola pass (25 kms.) (10 hrs)
Ascend to Tsomola pass (4700 mtr. a.s.l) to get a superb view of Lunana
Continuing 4 hours of level walking, climb upto Ganglakarchungla pass (5080 mtr. a.s.l)
Traverse the pass to continue a very long descent to the Tarina valley (3980 mtr. a.s.l)
Camp and halt for the night at Tarina valley (3980 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Tarina, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 11: TARINA to WOCHE (GASA)

After breakfast, head from Tarina towards Woche (17 kms.) (7 hrs.)
Continue trek descending through coniferous forest following upper reaches of the Pho Chu
Climb the trail over a ridge to descend to Woche (3800 mtr. a.s.l)
Camp at Woche for the night (3800 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Woche, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 12: WOCHE to LHADI (GASA)

Morning, begin trek from Woche to Lhadi via Kechala pass (17 kms.) (7 hrs.)
Walk through mixed forests and further ahead through rhododendron shrubs to reach Kechala pass (4480 mtr. a.s.l)
Descend enjoying magnificent views of mountains en route to walk upstream to reach Lhadi village (3650 mtr. a.s.l)
Camp for the night at Lhadi village (3650 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Lhadi, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 13: LHADI to THANGZA (GASA)

Morning, begin trek from Lhadi to Thangza via Chozo village (17 kms.) (7 hrs.)
Continue trek to follow the river, rising gradually to Chozo village
Halt for lunch at Chozo village (the biggest village in Lunana)
After lunch, visit the village temple and continue walk to a suspension bridge to cross the river to reach Thangza
Camp for the night at Thangza (4000 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Thangza, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 14: THANGZA SIGHTSEEING

Rest and relaxation at Thangza
Explore Thangza to get splendid view of the mountains
Climb ridges to get panoramic view of the himalayan peaks

Overnight in Thangza, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 15: THANGZA to TSORIM (GASA)

Morning, begin trek from Thangza to Tsorim (19 kms.) (8 hrs.)
Continue trek to climb up the ridge to get a great view of Table Mountain and Thangza valley below
Follow a stream through a small valley, enjoying the view of snowcapped mountains
Climb out of the valley to reach campsite at Tsorim (5125 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Tsorim, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 16: TSORIM to GANGKAR PUENSUM BASE CAMP (GASA)

Morning, begin trek from Tsorim to Gangkar Puensum base camp (16 kms.) (6 hrs.)
Continue trek with a short climb upto the Tsorim lake
Walk around the side of the lake, enjoying a panoramic view of the Gophula ranges
Continue a short walk towards Gophula pass (5230 mtr. a.s.l)
After crossing the pass, descend to the base camp, walk further along the ridge to enjoy a great view of Gangkar Puensum
Arrive at base camp (4970 mtr. a.s.l) near the Shachu

Overnight in Gangkar Puensum base camp, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 17: GANGKAR PUENSUM BASE CAMP SIGHTSEEING

Rest and relaxation at the base camp
Explore surrounding areas to enjoy great views and take superb photos

Overnight in Gangkar Puensum base camp, Gasa.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 18: GANGKAR PUENSUM BASE CAMP to GECHE WOMA (BUMTHANG)

Morning, begin trek from base camp towards Geche Woma (14 kms.)(6 hrs.)
Follow the trail along the Sha Chu and descend to Geche Woma (4200 mtr. a.s.l)
Halt for the night at campsite in Geche Woma, Bumthang

Overnight in Geche Woma, Bumthang.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 19: GECHE WOMA to WARTHANG (BUMTHANG)

Morning, continue trek from Geche Woma to Warthang via Sakala pass (18 kms.) (8 hrs.)
Continue along the course of the Sha Chu until the climb to Sakala pass (4800 mtr.a.s.l)
Enroute, enjoy stunning views of small lakes spread below towering peaks
Arrive at campsite in Warthang (4000 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Warthang, Bumthang.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 20: WARTHANG to DHUR TSACHU (BUMTHANG

Morning, begin trek from Warthang to Dhur Tsachu via Julila pass (14 kms.) (5 hrs.)
Ascend to Julila pass (4400 mtr. a.s.l) and descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, Juniper and conifer forests
Cross the bridge with a short climb to reach Dhur Tsachu hot spring
Camp at Dhur Tsachu for the night

Overnight in Dhur Tsachu, Bumthang.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 21: DHUR TSACHU to TSHO CHEN CHEN (BUMTHANG)

Morning, begin trek from Dhur Tsachu to Tsho Chen Chen (16 kms.)(8 hrs.)
Continue a long and steady climb upwards from hot spring glimpsing great views of the mountains in Lunana
Walk further to see several beautiful deep blue lakes, yaks grazing on the surrounding pasture, and yak herder’s camp
Camp for the night at Tsho Chen Chen (3850 mtr. a.s.l)

Overnight in Tsho Chen Chen, Bumthang.

Accomodations

Full service camping

DAY 22: TSHO CHEN CHEN to DHUR (BUMTHANG)

Early morning, begin trek from Tsho Chen Chen to Dhur village (21 kms.)(13 hrs.)
Continue the last and longest day of the trek to reach Bumthang valley before dark along the Chamkhar chu descending gradually with few climbs
End the trek upon reaching Dhur village to board the vehicle waiting at the road
Drive to the lodge in Bumthang valley (Jakar)

Overnight in Bumthang.

Accomodations

Jakar Lodge

DAY 23: BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, begin with sightseeing visits to holy places in Bumthang valley
Visit and tour Kurjey Lhakhang and Jambey Lhakhang
Visit and tour Jakar Dzong (Fortress) and Tamshing Lhakhang
Return back to hotel for rest and relaxation

Overnight in Bumthang.

Accomodations

Jakar View Hotel

DAY 24: BUMTHANG to TRONGSA

After breakfast, depart from Bumthang valley to Trongsa district via Yutogla pass
On arrival, have lunch and visit the Trongsa Dzong (Fortress)
Visit and explore Trongsa town and the Ta Dzong (Watch tower) located on a hill
Check in a hotel at Trongsa

Overnight in Trongsa.

Accomodations

GakyilLodge

DAY 25: TRONGSA to PARO