Trekking

---

Difficulty Rating: Hard

Max. Elevation: 5,320 m

Preferred Season: Mid-June to Mid-October

 

The Snowman Trek is an extension of the beautiful Laya Gasa Trek, and leads from Laya into high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas. It takes tough and enduring trekkers into the Lunana region and further on to Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Trongsa district, depending on which route you choose. The Snowman trek leads through the most remote areas up to very high altitudes.

Trekkers have to camp in altitudes above 5,000m more than once, and depending on the seasonal temperatures, the camps are sometimes on snow.

The Lonely Planet describes the Snowman Trek as ‘one of the most difficult treks in the world’. The best time for Snowman Trek is summer – unlike many other high altitude treks of Bhutan.  Many groups that attempt this tough trek do not finish due to problems with the high altitude or snow blocked passes.  However, those who make it will remember this trek as an outstanding, beautiful and as one of the most rewarding trek of their life.  In this version of the Snowman Trek, one has the possibility of spending a day or two at perhaps one of the most beautiful hot springs of the Himalayas.

Time: 40mins

Camp Altitude: 2,850 m.

The trek commences at Gunitsawa. There is an old checkpost in the area which will check for your trekking permits before you can start your 7 days long journey through the beautiful terrain with varying vegetation. The campsite is nearby on the opposite side of the river not far from Gunitsawa. 

Distance: 22 kms

Time: 7-8 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,610 m

The trek on this day will be strenuous and exhilarating at the same time. You will be traversing along the valley up towards Mt. Jomolhari. After a few hours along the river valley, the valley narrows to a pathway which descends to a meadow where the Day 2 camp will be set. On a good day, you will have your first view of Mt Jomolhari. 

Distance: 19 kms

Time: 5-6 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

The early morning before you start your trek will be a good opportunity to view Mt. Jumolhari if you did not the previous evening. The trek continues up the Paro Chhu and as you trek along the valley wides, the once thick vegetation turns into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. Along this path you will enjoy beautiful views of mountains and snow-capped peaks. Yak Herders and their yaks are a coming sighting in the area. You will come across the villages of Soe, Takethang and Dangochang. Finally you reach your campsite for the day at Jangothang, the Mt. Jumolhari base camp from where you can get the best view of the mountain.

Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

This day will be spent at Jangothang and provides opportunities for short hikes around the area. There are lakes nearby and the view of the Mt. Jomolhari and Jichu Drake from a top the hill is beautiful. Blue sheep can be seen on the upper slopes of the area. This is a good day for acclimatizing for the next days trek to Lingzhi. There are also a few unclimbed peaks to the east. Mt Jomolhari lies to the west and Jichu Drake to the north. 

Distance: 16 kms 

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,800 m

Following the trail will lead to a last settlement before your ascending trek to Bhonte La pass (4,890m) via Tshophu lake (4,380m). It’s a gradual climb to Bhonte La pass and the scenery atop is very beautiful. Precautionary measures must be taken for strong winds atop the pass. It is a 45 minutes to an hour descent to the Dhumzo Chhu river. Then you traverse the terrain passing the few houses of Soi Yaktsa (Dhumzo) to arrive at your camp.

Day 6: Lingshi – Chebisa

Distance: 10 kms

Time: 5-6 hours 

Camp altitude: 3,880 m

Today is the shortest day of trekking so therefore you have the luxury of relaxing and moving at a leisurely pace. You will also have the option of either taking the main path or taking a detour to Lingzhi Dzong. It’s a half an hour trek uphill. Lingzhi Dzong sits on top of a hill overlooking the valley. You can get a good view of the surrounding area from the Dzong. From then on you continue your trek through the villages of Lingzhi and Goyul. The village of Goyul clustered together and compact unlike the other villages in Bhutan which are generally scattered. The village houses in Goyul are made of stone. Once you reach your campsite at Chebisa there is plenty of time to look around the villages and also visit the waterfall located behind the village. 

Distance: 17 kms

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,220 m

The trek commences with a long upward climb from Chebisa village towards Gobu La pass (4,410m). The trek time from Chebisa to Gobu La pass is around 3 hours. Yak herders with their yaks can be seen along the way. It is also possible to sight Blue sheep around the region. From then on it’s an up and down trail till you reach Shakshepasa (3,980m), a large U-shaped valley. Another climb leads on to the campsite at Shomuthang, situated on the banks a tributary of the Nochu river. 

Distance: 18 kms

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,160 m

You climb up the valley and at the top you will be able to view Kang Bum (6,526 m). Jhari La (4,750 m) will be a 2 hours trek from then onwards. From the pass you will be able to view Sinche La, the pass you will have to cross the next day. The big snow peak Gangchhenta (6,840 m), also known as Tiger Mountain stands in the north. If the weather permits, you will be able to view the Tserim Gang and the top of Mt. Jomolhari. Along the way you will come across a wide valley called Tsheri Jathang. This valley has been declared a Takin sanctuary. This valley is a migrating spot for Takins in the summer for 4 months. The Robluthang campsite is nearby in a rocky meadow.

Distance: 19 kms

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,140 m

The first part of the trek is an uphill way for 2 hours the latter part of which is through a boulder field. From there it is a steep ascent to the highest part of the trek, the Sinche La (5,005m). The view is beautiful during the descent from the pass and at the foot of the valley you will see a glacial lake. From there you cross the Kango Chhu and come to Limithang, your campsite. Gangchhenta supplements a beautiful view from the campsite. 

Distance: 10 kms

Time: 4-5 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,840 m

The trek starts off downhill along a winding river valley which eventually leads you through a dense forest region. You approach Laya from the west which provides views of Mt. Gangchhenta and Mt. Masagang. Laya has a community school, a basic health unit and a telephone connection. The campsite is located below the school. 

Camp Altitude: 3,840 m

This day will be spent acclimatizing to the climate conditions irrespective of whether you trekked from Paro or from Gasa. The extra day of rest and recuperation will give you plenty of time to enjoy the great views from Laya and meet it’s inhabitants with their own unique culture and traditions. 

Distance: 19km

Time: 6-8 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,160 m 

The day starts off with a descent to an army camp along the river till the turn off point to Rhoduphu. We take a lunch break and then continue the trek uphill till you reach your camp at Rhoduphu next to the Rhodu Chhu. Along the climb you will see Rhododendron bushes. 

Distance: 17 kms

Time: 5-6 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,900 m 

From your campsite you follow a river for half an hour. The trek is uphill and soon you will reach a high open valley at 4,600m. The trek climbs further to Tsomo La (4,900m). The surrounding view from the lake is spectacular. You will be able to see Lunana, Mount Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tibetan border. From then on you cross a flat, barren plateau. The campsite is at Narethang and you get a good view of Gangla Karchung (6,395m) 

Distance: 18 kms

Time: 5-6 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,970 m

 The trek today starts with an ascent to Gangla Karchung La (5,120m). You can see a range of mountains including Jekangphu Gang (7,100m), Tsenda Kang and Teri Gang (7,300m). From the pass on the descent you will see the Teri Gang glacier and a lake at the bottom of the glacier. The descent is a long trek to Tarina valley. The campsite for the day will be set along the Tang Chhu. 

Distance: 17 kms

Time: 6-7 hours 

Camp Altitude: 3,910 m

The trek follows the upper ridges of the Pho Chhu. Along the way you will see waterfalls. The trail then leads to Woche, the first village in the Lunana region. 

Distance: 17 kms 

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,700 m

The trek climbs up to Keche La (4,650 m) which provides a beautiful view of the mountain ranges. After the pass the descent leads to a riverside through a village with the Table Mountain in view. The trek follows the river to Lhedi village. The village has a basic health unit, a school and a wireless telephone connection. 

Distance: 17 kms 

Time: 7-8 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,150 m

Along the trek you will have great views of Table Mountain (7,100m). You will come across a small village of Chozo (4,090m). The village has a Dzong still in use. Once you reach the village of Thanza you will again have a great view of the Table Mountain which sits directly behind the village. You have the option of camping at Thanza or camp in Thoencha. 

Camp Altitude: 4,150 m

A day will be spent at Thanza due to arrangements for new yaks (The yaks from Laya will not go further than Thanza). You can walk around the village and get a taste of village life or walk up the ridge for a scenic view of mountains and lakes. 

Time: 8-9 hours

Camp Altitude: 5,120 m

The day’s trek starts off having chosen the diversion route to Bumthang instead of Sephu. You climb a ridge that stands at 4,500 m which eventually rises to 4,650 m. From the ridge you get a great view of the mountain range. You will be able to view the Table mountain and Thanza valley below. After climbing a few more ridges you reach your campsite at Tshorim.  

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,970 m 

The day’s trek is the highlight of the trek. You start off with a climb to the Tshorim Tsho. During the walk along the lake you will get a good view of the Gophu La range. The climb to the Gophu La (5,320 m) is short. You then descend to the base camp of Gangkhar Puensum. Along the descent you get a great view of the mountain. Along the way there is a diversion that leads up the pyramid peak for a better view of Gangkhar Puensum or you can continue to the base camp at Sha Chhu.

Time: 6-7 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,200 m 

It’s a gradual descent to Geshe Woma along the trail of the Sha Chhu.

Time: 8-9 hours

Camp Altitude: 4,000 m

The trail follows the Sha Chhu river till the steep ascent towards Saka La. The visibility is poor during the ascent. A yak herder’s camp provides a soothing lunch break. After lunch you continue the ascent to Saka La (4,800 m). The path then descends and along the way you will see beautiful lakes. It’s another short stunning ascent with beautiful scenery of the mountain ranges and lakes along the way. 

Time: 5 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,590 m 

A one hour ascent leads to the final pass of the long trek, Juli La (4,700 m). After the pass it’s a descent to the riverside through thick vegetation. You will come across a bridge which leads uphill to Duer Tsachu. These hot springs are beautiful and are a perfect place to relax from the long trek. These hot springs are believed to be used by Guru Padmasambhava.

Time: 8-9 hours

Camp Altitude: 3,850 m

It’s a long trek from the hot springs with great views of the mountains of Lunana. Along the way you will see yak herders, yaks and their huts. Beautiful blue lakes will be seen along the way.