Bhutan Lunana Snowman Trek
 

 

The ultimate in trekking  in the high mountains of exotic Buddhist Kindgom of Bhutan, the Lunana Snowman trek is considered the most difficult in Bhutan and a real adventure.

Beginning in Paro, the hike initially leads to the Chomolhari Base camp. Chomolhari is one of the largest, most renowned mountains in Bhutan. From there, the trail begins to parallel the Tibetan border as it climbs over the first of its passes, Nyele La. It then descends to the first of the remote villages on the trek, Lingshi. This village is home to the 500 year old Lingshi Dzong and over a dozen monks. From here, the trail continues for several days in the same manner, crossing high passes and following along narrow ridges and steep valleys until it reaches Sinchey La, the highest pass on the trek. At 5005 meters, the effects of altitude are definitely felt here. From Sinchey La, the trail begins a gradual descent to the village of Laya. Laya is the one of the largest and most unique mountain villages in Bhutan. It has its own style of dress and a very unique pointed hat worn by the women.

From Laya we leave the Laya Lingshi route and our trek continues to cross high, snow-covered passes for over two more weeks of strenuous trekking and remote routes. The passes are often blocked by snowfall and the trek is difficult, so be prepared for lots of adventure and great rewards!

Enjoy this adventurous trek  in the Land of the Thunder Dragon!

*** For experienced trekkers only ***

ITINERARY

Day 1  - Arrive Paro

Day 2 - Paro Sightseeing

Day 3 - Trek to Shana 2800m

Day 4 - Trek to Thangthangkha 3630m

Day 5 - Trek to Jangothang 4090m

Day 6 - Jangothang

Day 7 - Trek to Lingshi 4010m

Day 8 - Trek to Chebisa 3880m

Day 9 - Trek to Shakaypasa 3880m

Day 10 - Trek to Tsheringyangu 4000m

Day 11 - Trek to Limithang 3890m

Day 12 - Trek to Laya 3840m

Day 13 - Laya

Day 14 - Trek to Rodophu 4160m

Day 15 - Trek to Narithang 4500m

Day 16 - Trek to Tarina 4020m

Day 17 - Trek to Wochey 3940m

Day 18 - Trek to Lhedi 3700m

Day 19 - Trek to Thanza 4090m

Day 20 - Thanza

Day 21- Trek to Tshorim 5125m

Day 22 - Trek to Sarim
(Gangkhar Puensum Base Camp) 4970m

Day 23 - Sarim

Day 24 - Trek to Geshey Woma/Menchu 4200m

Day 25 - Trek to Waruthang 4000m

Day 26 - Trek to Dur Tsachu 3900m

Day 27 - Trek to Tshochenchen 3850m

Day 28 - Trek to Lunsum/Ghorsum 3200m

Day 29 - Trek to Jakar 2700m

Day 30 - Sightseeing in Jakar

Day 31 - Drive Jakar – Punakha 1250m

Day 32 - Drive Punakha to Paro 2200m

Day 33 - Depart

 

Bhutan
Shrouded for centuries in the misty serenity of the great Himalayas, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, or Bhutan, as now known to the rest of the world, developed its own distinct civilization. This deeply spiritual land is home to a unique identity, derived essentially from a fertile religious and cultural heritage. Bhutan brims with myth and legend. As a befitting testimony, a great Buddhist heritage of over 2000 monasteries and 10,000 monuments dot its peaceful open space and regal mountains. An ambience of near sacred tranquility permeates the land, fostering an environment of spiritual affluence that has shaped the foundation of that rarity that we know as Bhutanese life.

The Bhutanese have deliberately and zealously safeguarded and preserved their rich culture and traditions, its ancient way of life, in all its aspects. And it is perhaps one of the world’s last strongholds of unspoiled wilderness. It is a part of the earth that represents a fabled realm. Bhutan is a land where the past and the contemporary co-exist in harmony, a recipe that makes a journey undeniably amazing. A trip through Bhutan, in many ways, is still a journey into the past. In this small tract of land, one of the most rugged terrains in the world frames one of the world’s richest vegetations. It is a land of about 700,000 people who believe that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. Bhutan is a country with a different face. And a different story to tell.

Apart from trekking along the northern frontier, you will be also visiting the main western towns of Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. Western Bhutan is comparatively more developed than the rest of the country. Thimphu, the capital, has all the important government offices, including the King’s Secretariat. Paro has the only airport and Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan

Day 1 - Arrive Paro 2200m
Upon your arrival, drive to the hotel. After lunch explore the charming town, visiting the many small shops that sell everything from beetle-nut to exquisite traditional fabric. Evening you will get the chance to watch the locals playing the traditional game, archery. Evening tea in a local restaurant. Dinner at hotel. Overnight: Gangtey Palace

Day 2 - Paro Sightseeing
Early morning hike to the Tiger’s nest which will take about 1 ½ hrs to reach. Visit the sacred temple of tiger nest. Lunch on the way back in cafeteria. Afternoon back to town. Visit the national museum and the fortress of Paro. Evening back to hotel. Overnight: Gangtey Palace

Day 3 - Trek to Shana 2800m
We start the Snowman trek today! The Drugyal Dzong was built in 1654 by the Shabdrung to commemorate one of the many war victories against the Tibetans. Over the centuries, it guarded the trail from Tibet into the Paro valley. We will be met at this historic site by our trekking crew for the start of our trek. Follow the Paro Chu upstream through the village of Tshento on a dirt road for about an hour. We will have lunch in a friend’s house on the trail. Just before reaching our camp, we will have to pass through an army check post, where your guide will produce your trekking permit. (Distance - 15 km/Walking time - 6 hours)

Day 4 - Trek to Thangthangkha 3630m
The trail from Shana to Thangthangkha is a very rocky series of small ups and downs along the Paro Chu and can be very muddy if it rains. About 2 ½ hours into the trek, you will come at a junction where a trail branches to go to Tibet. Don’t go to Tibet! (Distance - 21 km/Walking time - 8 hours)

Day 5 - Trek to Jangothang 4090m
Today you will come across small sparse settlements, and herds of yaks. You will also be crossing the tree line (4000m). Our camp at Jangothang will bring us face to face with the majestic Chomolhari. Jangothang means the land of ruins; you will see ruins of some old settlements, which no one seems to know much about. (Distance - 16 km/Walking time - 6 hours)

Day 6 - Jangothang
Acclimatization and rest day. A good optional hike is to climb to the Tshophu Lake at 4300m, which is about 2 hours from Jangothang.

Day 7 - Trek to Lingshi 4010m
Heading uphill from Jangothang we cross the first of the many passes. 4 hours of uphill climbing will take us over the very windy Nyele La pass at 4890m. Scree makes it a little tricky to go down the pass on the other side. Lingshi dzong will soon be visible in a distance.(Distance - 17 km/Walking time - 7 hours).

Day 8 - Trek to Chebisa 3880m
Since today’s hike will not be as long, we can afford to wander around a bit. We will start off by visiting the Lingshi dzong, built on a commanding hill by the Shabdrung in the 1600s. About 3 hours into our trek is the dramatic village of Gangyul, surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of cliffs. Our camp is in windy Chebisa, a small village with 2 storey stone houses.(Distance 12 km/Walking time - 5 hours)

Day 9 - Trek to Shakaypasa 3880m
Two hours of climbing from Chebisa will get us over the Goku La pass at 4350m. From the pass we descend into a rhododendron filled valley, and continue past some yak herder camps to Shakaypasa.(Distance - 16 km/Walking time - 6 hours)

Day 10 - Trek to Tsheringyangu 4000m
An early morning start will get us on the way to Jari La pass at 4747m. From the pass, its all the way downhill into the picturesque valley of Tsharijatha where herds of takin (the national animal of Bhutan) are normally seen in the summers. From here a small climb will take us to our camp at Tsheringyangu.(Distance - 17 km/Walking time - 7 hours)

Day 11 - Trek to Limithang 3890m
Snow Leopard country. Being highly elusive animals, it is very rare to spot one but their paw marks can be seen occasionally. Starting early, a strenuous hike will get us over the Sinchey La, the highest pass on our trek at 5005 meters. Descending to Limithang we’ll see the snow covered peak of Gangchenta (6840m) and the glacially carved Gangchenta valley. Gangchenta means Great Tiger Mountain.(Distance - 18 km/Walking time - 7 hours)

Day 12 - Trek to Laya 3840m
Since we are nearing Laya, we will come across Layaps going to tend to their yaks. We will be entering Laya from the west, through narrow cobble stone paths between houses, to camp in the wheat field that belongs to a friend.(Distance - 10 km/Walking time - 5 hours)

Day 13 - Laya
We have a rest day to explore Laya. One can go up to the village of Laya at 3800 m or just laze around at camp. This day will help us acclimatize before crossing the tree line

Day 14 - Trek to Rodophu 4160m
Following the river downstream for a while and heading east will lead us to Rodophu. Certain sections of the trail are washed away by frequent landslide making us negotiate the trail over huge boulders. Rodophu is a small, narrow and rocky valley used by the people of Laya when they migrate with their Yaks.(Distance - 21 km/Walking time - 8 hours)

Day 15 - Trek to Narithang 4500m
Climbing out of the Rodophu valley, we will be out in the open. There is no vegetation except sparse short grass. Keep your eyes on the look out for Blue sheep. This is also snow leopard territory. At our camp, we come face to face with the Ganglakarchung, the sight overwhelming.(Distance - 16 km/Walking time - 6 hours)

Day 16 - Trek to Tarina 4020m
From our camp, the climb up to the Karchula pass (5,080 m) is long and hard. From the pass, the view is spectacular with the Tarina lakes in the north east flanked by Masagang, Tsendagang and Terigang. It is steep downhill from the pass, so if you have bad knees, be careful and remember to go slow. Our camp is in the valley on the banks of the Tarina stream.(Distance - 18 km/Walking time - 7 hours)

Day 17 - Trek to Wochey 3940m
The day is much easier as the path follows the river down stream along the valley. A climb of about 400 m uphill after lunch will take us to the village of Wochey.(Distance 12 km/Walking time - 5 hours)

Day 18 - Trek to Lhedi 3700m
The trek starts through juniper and fir forests and then through rhododendron gushes. We climb up to Kechey La pass (4,580 m) where one can have a great view of the mountains. From the pass, we climb down to the village of Tega made up of 2 houses. Walking along the sandy riverside, we can see stunning views of Table Mountain. Follow the river, the main tributary of Pho Chu, until Lhedi village, where we will camp in from of the community school.(Distance - 18 km/Walking time - 7 hours)

Day 19 - Trek to Thanza 4090m
The trek continues following the river, rising gradually to Choezo village. The valley was washed away by the glacial flood of 1994, forming dramatic landscape. A bridge will finally take us to Thanza at 4,000 m on of the remotest human settlements on the face of earth.(Distance -  16 km/Walking time 6 hours)

Day 20 - Thanza
A rest day, finally! You can walk around or climb up the ridge to see the view of the lakes and mountains.

Day 21- Trek to Tshorim 5125m
The trek starts with a climb up to the ridge with great view of the Table Mountain and Thanza below (Distance - 20 km/Walking time - 8 hours)

Day 22 - Trek to Sarim (Gangkhar Puensum Base Camp) 4970m
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 range. The last climb to Gophu La pass (5,230 m) is very short. After crossing the pass at 5230 m, the trail descends down to our camp, on the banks of the Sha Chu 4,970 m.(Distnace - 17 km/Walking time - 6 hours)

Day 23 - Sarim
A rest day, so enjoy the great view. Reorganize your trekking gear and revitalize yourself for the final leg of the trek. A great place to reflect upon your life.

Day 24 - Trek to Geshey Woma/Menchu 4200m
Time to leave the beautiful mountains, but the trek is far from over. The trail follows the Sha Chu and descends gradually to Geshey Woma.(Distance - 18 km/Walking time - 7 hours)

Day 25 - Trek to Waruthang 4000m
Our trail continues to follow the Sha Chu for about three hours this morning. A long climb will take us over the steep Shaka La pass at 4800 meters. From the pass we have to climb down to the lakes and trek over another pass, the Waruthang pass at 4590 m before reaching our campsite at Waruthang.(Distance - 20 km/Walking time - 8 hours)

Day 26 - Trek to Dur Tsachu 3900m
A short climb will take us over the Juele La pass at 4,400m. After the pass the trail winds down to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and conifer forest. Our camp is at the Dur Tsachu hot spring, where the great tantric master Guru Padmasambava is supposed to have bathed in the 8th century.(Distance - 11 km/Walking time - 5 hours)

Day 27 - Trek to Tshochenchen 3850m
Today we cross our last pass of the trek. It is a long and steep climb with great views of the mountains in Lunana. We will be passing turquoise lakes and yak herders tents before arriving at our camp.(Distance - 20 km/Walking time - 8 hours)

Day 28 - Trek to Lunsum/Ghorsum 3200m
Today walk is much easier descending down. We change from yak to horses and mules because the yaks do not like the warm valleys below.(Distance - 11 km/Walking time - 5 hours)

Day 29 - Trek to Jakar 2700m
Sadly, today is the last day of our wonderful trek. It’s an easy and short walk. We will be met by our bus at Tokto Zam and driven to our hotel in Jakar.(Distance - 9 km/Walking time - 4 hours). Overnight: Jakar

Day 30 - Sightseeing in Jakar
Visit the Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. Overnight: Jakar

Day 31 - Drive Jakar – Punakha 1250m
Early morning drive for the warm valley of Punakha, enroute visit the winter Phobjikha valley, the home for the endangered Back Necked Cranes which visit Bhutan from November to February. Drive further down through Wangdue town till your reach Punakha, a seven hour drive from Jakar.Overnight: Hotel Meri Puensum

Day 32 - Drive Punakha to Paro 2200m
Morning hike to the hill top temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang. Meet with the local of the village around. Drive back to the hotel. After lunch drive to Paro, a very scenic five hour drive.Overnight: Gangtey Palace

Day 33 - Depart
You have an early morning flight out of Paro. Your guide will bid you farewell at the airport ...