Bhutan Snowman Trek

Trip Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu & transfer to hotel
• Day 02: Full day guide sightseeing Kathmandu valley
• Day 03: Arrive at Paro: Upon arrival at Paro airport, received by representative of yak adventures travel, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro (Bhutan)
• Day 04: Paro Sightseeing:After breakfast, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong, now in ruins was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the dzong name's means indeed " victorious Druk ". The Dzong was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. 
  
  Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century and then visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices. After lunch visit the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the national museum of Bhutan, dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
• Day 05: Paro – Shana (Start of Trek): Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the Paro River and we pass cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous birds and brightly colored butterflies, overnight at camp Shana, Altitude of 2,820 m; Distance 14 K. M. Time 5 - 6 hours.
• Day 06:  Shana – Thangthangka: The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction enroute, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. Altitude of 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7 - 8 hours
• Day 07: Thangthangka – Jangothang: In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude of 4,115 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours
• Day 08: Jangothang (Acclimatization):Rest day at Jangothang, enjoy the superb view all around.
• Day 09: Jangothang – Lingshi: The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari, Jichu Drakey and Tsrim Ghang. Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to the Nyeley la pass at an altitude of 4,700 meters. After the pass it's a gradual descent to the Lingshi camp, enjoying the panorama view of the peaks and Lingshi dzong. Camp altitude is 4000 meters. Walking time 7-8 hours
• Day 10: Lingshi – Chebisa:Walk past the Lingshi dzong, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view of green hill, the Winding River and magnificent peaks. This is a very easy day and a pleasant walk, through villages and yak herders camps. Lunch will be at scenic Goyuna village. After lunch, a short walk will reach you to Chebisa village. We camp here by the side of stream at an altitude of 3,850 meters. Walking time 5-6 hours
• Day 11: Chebisa – Shomuthang: Today begins with a stiff climb up a ridge to Gubula pass at an altitude of 4,500 meters, taking nearly 4 hours to the top. After the pass descend to a lunch spot, through rhododendron bushes. Afternoon continue along the up and down path, after crossing the stream, through rhododendron forests and yak herders camps. You may see herds of Blue sheep now and then. Arrive at camp. Walking time 7-8 hours
• Day 12: Shomuthang – Robluthang: The trek starts with a climb to Jari la pass at the altitude of 4,600 meters. Then descend to Tsharijathang valley, the summer residence of the rare Himalayan Takin (national animal of Bhutan). From here we may have to cross the stream and get wet, as most of the time the foot bridge is washed away, After crossing the stream towards the left the trail ascends till you reach Robluthang camp at an altitude of 4400meters, walking time 8-9 hours.
• Day 13: Robluthang - Lemithang: A long climb up to the Shinje la pass (altitude 4900meters). The views of the mountains from the pass are breathtaking. After the pass descend to Lemithang. The path is quit narrow and you may have to cross the stream and get wet again. The last part of the trek is very interesting, with the view of Mount Gangchey Ta peak. Arrive at camp at an altitude 4100 meters.
• Day 14: Lemithang – Laya: In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchey Ta peak in front of you. The walk to laya is very pleasant with wonderful views. You will pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at an altitude of 3,800 meters, walking time 5-6 hours
• Day 15: Rest day at Laya: Explore around the village. You can go and visit any of the houses around. By tradition one can go to any house without an invitation. A cup of tea or Chang (local drink) is always offered. The people in this village are very interesting with a unique dress, language and ornaments.
• Day 16: Laya – Rhodophu: From Laya descends to army camp and continues following the river till the turn off point to Rhodophu. After lunch continue the climb through rhododendron bushes until the camp. Altitude of 4,350m, walking time 8-9 hours
• Day 17: Rhodophu – Tarina: This is the longest day of the trip and therefore very essential to start very early. We start at 5 am by climbing to Tsimola (4700m) after crossing the first pass and at the little summit one can have a superb view of Lunana, Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. This path is flat for another four hours till the climb to Gangla Karchula pass (5,080m). The view from the pass is breathtaking. The whole range of mountains, including Masagang, Tsendegang, Teri Gang can be seen, after the pass there is a very long descent to Tarina valley. Altitude of 3,980m, walking time 10-11 hours
• Day 18: Tarina – Woche: The day is much easier as the path follows the river down valley, Lunch at the lowest point (3500m) after lunch climb up about 300 meters to the village of Woche, Altitude of 3,800m; Walking time 6-7 hours
• Day 19. Woche – Lhedi: The Trek starts through juniper and fir forests and then through rhododendron bushes. We climb up to Keche la pass (4,480m) where one can have a great view of the mountains. After the pass, descend to the river walking through the village with stunning views of Table Mountain and others. Follow the river, one of the main sources of Phochu, till Lhedi village, altitude of 3,650m.
• Day 20: Lhedi – Thanza: The trek continues following the river, rising gradually to Choejong village. After lunch visit the Choejong dzong and continue towards the wide valley. Cross the bridge to reach Thanza camp 4,000m; walking time 7/8 hours
• Day 21. Thanza – Tsorim:The trek starts with climb up to the ridge with great view of the Table Mountain and Thanza valley below, The ridge altitude is 4,500 m and rises gradually up to 4,650m near by the foot bridge. After lunch walk up towards the left side of the bridge enjoying the views of the snow peak Mountains. Climb up ridge after ridge until you reach the camp at Tsorim at the altitude of 5, 150m. Then down to the camp at 5125m. Walking time 8-9 hours
• Day 22: Tshorim - Gangkar Puensum base camp: This is the highest of the trip and we start the day with a short climb to the Tshorim lakes. Walk on the side of the lake enjoying the panoramic views of the Gophula ranges. The last climb to Gophula pass (5,230m) is very short. After the pass descend to the base camp walking along the ridge. Enjoy the great view of Gangkar Puensum. Those with a lot of energy can divert to the left side to climb up the Pyramid Peak for better view. Others can go down to the base camp nearly Sha Chu at the altitude of 4,970m; Walking times 6-7 hours.
• Day 23:Rest day at the base camp, enjoy the great view.
• Day 24: Base camp - Geshe woma:Time to leave the beautiful mountains, but the trek is far from over. The path follows the Sha Chu and descends gradually to Geshe woma at the altitude of 4,200m; Walking time 6-8 hours
• Day 25: Geshe woma – Warathang: The path continues following shachu for two and a half hours until the stiff climb to Sakala begins. Visibility along the Sakala trail is poor so one must watch the top of the ridge for guidance, Lunch nearby a yak herder's camp. After lunch climb up to Sakala pass at the altitude 4,800m. Descend to the lakes and another short ascent to Wartangle pass (4,590m). The scenery once again is stunning with small lakes and mountain peaks, Camp at the altitude of 4,000m; Walking time 8-9 hours.
• Day 26: Warathang - Dur Tsachu: A short half hour climb to Juelela (4,400m). After the pass descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forest. After the bridge a little climbs to Dur Tsachu hot spring, where Guru Padmasambava is supposed to have bathed in the 8th hot spring; Walking time 5 hours.
• Day 27: Dur Tsachu –Tshochenchen: Today we go across the last pass of the trip (Juelela pass). From the stream it is along and steady climb again with great views of the mountains in Lunana. Once comes blue lakes and yak herder camps to arrive at the Thochechen camp at an altitude of 3,850m. Walking time 8-9 hours
• Day 28: Tshochenchen – Dur – Jakar:This is the last day of the trek. Here we change from yak to pack ponies for carting trekking gear. The path follows the Chamkhar Chu, descending gradually with few climbs. The trek ends when you arrive at Dhur village.
• Day 29: Jakar – Wangdi: Start early to visit some of the famous monasteries in Bumthang and drive to Trongsa (70km) for lunch at local hotel. After lunch drive to Wangdi (130km) via Pelela, Overnight at the lodge.
• Day 30: Drive to Thimphu: (68km) Afternoon free time for shopping.
• Day 31: Paro (Departure): Drive to Airport and farewell. Arrival Kathmandu & transfer to hotel
• Day 32: Final departure from Kathmandu