Exotic Bhutan Tours and Treks

Snowman Trek

Preparing to leave in the morning.

Day 1: Arrive Paro. Receive by your tour representative. Transfer to Hotel Gangtey Palace. After lunch either visit the Paro National Museum or relax at hotel or take a stroll through Paro town.

Day 2: Morning. After an early breakfast hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (3 hours round trip) Afternoon visit:
- Rinpung Dzong (District Administration/monastic building)
- Kichu Monastery - oldest in Bhutan built in 7th century
- Visit a typical village house for a cup of butter tear or local wine

Day 3: Trek begins
After an early breakfast drive to Drugyel Dzong where ponies will be waiting. Trek to Shana (17 Km). The walk is about 5-6 hours following the Pachu River. The climb is very gradual through narrow cultivated valleys and villages. Campsite in Shana at alt. 2870 meters.

Day 4: Shana-Thangthangkha.
Trek starts around 8 a.m. distance 22 Km. 6-7 hours walk. Gradual climb through mixed conifer forest. Campsite is in a beautiful meadow surrounded by conifer forest. Also a great view of Jumolhari Mountain on a clear day. Camp at Thangthangkha at 3560 meters alt.
 
Thangthangkha - Jangothang. Distance 19 Km and about 6 hours walk. The trek provides a great view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains. You will also come across the main village of the Western Bhutan yak herders and their yaks. Campsite at the base of Jumolhari Mountain at an altitude of 4090 m.

Day 5: Halt at Jangothang - Jomulhari base camp. You can spend the day exploring the base of Mt. Jumolhari or do some trout fishing at Tsophu Lake.

Day 6: Jangothang - Lingshi. Distance 18 Km and about 5-6 hours walk. The hike leads through wide open yak pastures along the trek route crossing Neylela Pass (4800 meters). After the Pass, the walk is gradual down-hill upto Lingshi Valley. This is a very remote village inhabited mainly by yak herders. Chances of coming across the blue sheep and marmot as well as takins. Campsite at 4010 m.

Day 7: Lingshi-Chebisa. Distance 10 Km 5-6 hours walk. This is a short trek. En route you'll be visiting the Lingshi dzong built on a mountain ridge over-looking Lingshi Valley. Camp at Chebisa at 3880 m alt.

Day 8: Chebisa-Shomuthang. Distance 17 Km 6-7 hours walk. The route leads through wild high pastures/alpine flowers (blue poppy is Bhutan's national flower)crossing Gopula Pass (4350 m) camp at Shomuthang 4220 m.

Day 9: Shomuthang-Robluthang. Distance 18 Km. 6-7 hours walk. An early start in order to cross the Jarela Pass (4600 m). After crossing the pass, you descend to Sharijathang. This is one of the main habitats of tarkin (looks like a cross between cow and sheep) Camp alt. 4160 m.

Day 10: Robluthang-Lingmithang. Distance 19 Km 6-7 hours walk. After crossing Shinglela Pass, alt. 4900 m. the route descends to follow the Lingmithang valley. Camp alt. 4140 m.

Day 11: Lingmithang- Laya 10 Km 4-5 hours walk. The road descends along a closed and winding river valley. The people who live in Laya/Lingshi are quite distinct in their way of dressing and culture from those who live in lower western and eastern Bhutan. Their main livelihood is trading yak cheese, butter and meat. They also speak a different dialect. Camp at 3840 m.

Day 12: Laya
Halt the day in Laya. Visit village houses or hike in and around the camp.

Day 13: Laya-Roduphu. 19 Km. 6-7 hours walk. Alt. 4,160 m

Day 14: Rodphu-Narithang. 17 Km. 5-6 hours walk. Cross Tsimola pass. Overnight camp at alt. 4220 m.

Day 15: Narithang-Tarina. 18 Km, 6-7 hours walk. The trek crosses Ganglakarchungla at an alt. of 5100 m. Overnight at camp.

Day 16: Tarina-Woche. 15 Km, about 5 hours walk. On arrival at camp visit a village house of Woche. The Lunana area begins here. Overnight in camp.

Day 17: Woche-Lhedi. 19 Km 6- 7 hours walk. Cross Kechela Pass. Alt. 4550 m. Stop at Thega village en route. Overnight in camp.

Day 18: Lhedi-Thanza. 19 Km, 6-7 hours walk. Alt. 4050 m. En route visit Chezo Dzong.

Day 19: Thanza
Visit village houses and mingle with the people of Thanza.

Day 20: Thanza-Tschochena. 18 Km 5-6 hours walk. Cross Jazela pass, alt. 5050 m. Overnight in camp at alt. 4800.

Day 21: Tschochena-Jichu Dramo. 14 Km. 5-6 hours walk. Cross Lojula Pass. Alt. 4940 m. overnight in camp at alt. 4,800 m.

Day 22: Jichu Dramo-Chukarpo. 14 Km. 5 hours. Cross Rinchenzo Pass, alt. 5,140.

Day 23: Chukarpo-Tampetso. 20 Km. 7-8 hours walk. Cross Tampela Pass, alt. 4550 m. The route also passes Umtso lake where religious treasures were discovered by Terton pemalingpa. Overnight in camp at alt. 4,235 m.

Day 24: Tampetso-Maorothang. 14 Km. 5-6 hours walk. The trek is down hill through rhododendron bushes to the camp. The camp is near the Nikka Chu (river) at alt. 3610.

Day 25: Maorothang-Nikkachu Chazam. 23 Km. 7-8 hours walk. This is the last day of the trek. The trail passes through the fields and villages of Sephu. Overnight in camp at alt. 2650 m.

Day 26: Nikkachhu Chazam-Thimphu. Early morning drive to Thimphu.
Evening: dinner/reception at Soenam's place

Day 27: Thimphu sightseeing
Evening: drive to Paro

Day 28 Depart Paro

Tashi Delek!
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