Snowman trek i tour

1. 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.
Duration: 27 days, Max. Elevation: 5,320m
Highest Camp: 5,050m
Standard: Hard
Best Seasons: Mid June to Mid October
Start: Gunitsawa Village, Paro Valley
Finish: Sephu (Trongsa)
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly
changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. After passing through customs,
enjoy some lunch before afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong
Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts. Next, visit the Rimpong
Dzong. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once
strategic forts. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 02: THIMPHU
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, 12th century
Changangkha Temple, the Zilukha Nunnery and Tashichhodzong. If your visit to Thimphu
coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market. Overnight at your hotel
in Thimphu.
DAY 03: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. Visit spectacular Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by
the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of
Drukpa Kuenly. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
DAY 04: PUNAKHA/TASHITHANG – DAMJI
8km, 5-6 hours
The trek starts by the riverside, following a well marked path through subtropical forest. There

2. are many wild orchids growing in this rather damp area, but be on the lookout for leeches also!
Today’s walk is fairly gentle climb up to Damji village (2,400), where we camp for the night.
DAY 05: DAMJI – GASA
15 km, 6-7 hours
The path continues on through subtropical forested area and villages up to Gasa Tshachu (hot
spring). The Tshachu is famous for its curative powers, and people come from all over the
country to bathe here. After lunch near the spring, we have a climb up to Gasa Dzong (2,900m)
where we camp overnight.
DAY 06: GASA – CHAMSA
13km, 6-7 hours
After breakfast, we visit the Gasa Dzong. Today’s trek begins with a steep climb up to Bele-La
Pass (3,700m) through mixed forests. We then descend for about to our forest camp at chamsa
(3,650m).
DAY 07: CHAMSA – LAYA
22 km, 8-9 hours
The trail descends to the bank of the Mo Chu. After crossing the river we have lunch by the
bridge. From here it is a gradual climb up to Laya (3,800m) passing by an army camp en route.
We camp at Laya.
DAY 08: LAYA
Rest Day
Explore Laya village. You can go and visit one of the local houses. Traditional Bhutanese
hospitality is extended even to a stranger, and a cup of tea and chang (alcohol brewed from
barley) is always offered.
DAY 09: LAYA – RHODOPHU
19 km, 8-9 hours
From Laya we descend to the army camp and continue following the trail along the river till the
turn off point for Rhodophu. After lunch we continue climbing upwards through rhododendrons
till we reach a hanging valley where there are yaks grazing (4,350m). We camp here by the river.
DAY 10: RHODOPHU – TARINA
25km, 10-11 hours
Today’s trek is the longest of the trip and it is important to start early, around 5 am. We first
climb up to Tsimo-La Pass (4,700m) where we can enjoy a superb view of Lunana, and the
peaks of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake. Following 4 hours of level walking, we climb up to
Ganglakarchung-La Pass (5, 080). The view from the pass is breathtaking, encompassing the
whole mountain range. After crossing the pass, it is a very long descent to the Tarina valley,
where we camp at 3,980m.
DAY 11: TARINA – WOCHEY
17 km, 6-7 hours
The path descends through coniferous forest, following the upper reaches of the Pho Chu .The

3. trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Wochey at 3,800m, the first village since Gasa. Camp
at alt 3, 800m.
DAY 12: WOCHEY – LHEDI
17 km, 6-7 hours
Today’s trek begins with a walk through mixed forests and further ahead through rhododendron
bushes. We climb up to Keche-La Pass (4,480m). We then descend enjoy mountainous views en
route. We walk upstream as far as Lhedi village (3,650), where we camp overnight.
DAY 13: LHEDI – THANZA
17 km, 7-8 hours
The route continues to follow the river, rising gradually to Choejong village (the biggest village
in Lunana) where we stop for lunch. After lunch, we visit the village temple, then walk for some
timeto a suspension bridge to cross the river. Soon we reach our campsite at Thanza (4,000m).
DAY 14: THANZA
Rest Day
A welcome day of leisure, or if you are feeling really energetic, you can climb up to the ridge for
yet another splendid view of the mountains.
DAY 15: THANZA – TSHORIM
19 km, 8-9 hours
Today’s trek starts with a climb up to the ridge, from where there is a great view of Table
Mountain and Thanza valley below. We follow a stream through a small valley, enjoying the
view of snowcapped Mountains. We then climb up out of the valley to reach our campsite at
Tshorim (5,125m).
DAY 16: TSHORIM – GANGKAR PUENSUM BASE CAMP
16 km, 6-7 hours
Today’s Trek is one of the highlights of the Trip. The day starts with a short climb up to Tshorim
Lake. We walk around the side of the lake, enjoying a panoramic view of the Gophula Ranges.
The final stretch up to Gophu-La Pass (5,230m) is very short. After crossing the pass, we
descend to the base camp, walking along the ridge and enjoying a great view of Gangkar
Puensum. Climb up a pyramid shaped peak for a better view or you can go directly to the base
camp (4,970m) near the Sha Chu.
DAY 17: GANGKAR PUENSUM BASE CAMP
Rest day at the base camp, enjoying the great views.
DAY 18: GANGKAR PUENSUM CAMP – GESHE WOMA
14 km, 6-7 hours
Today’s trail follows along the Sha Chu and descends to Geshe Woma (4,200m) where we camp.
DAY 19: GESHE WOMA – WARATHANG
18 km, 8-9 hours
The path continues along the course of the Sha Chu until the climb to Saka-La Pass (4,800m).

4. Visibility is poor along this part of the trail, so we must keep watching the top of the ridge in
order to stay on course. Enjoy stunning views of small lakes spread below towering peaks. We
camp at 4,000m.
DAY 20: WARATHANG – DHUR TSHACHU
14 km, 5 hours
A short half hour climb take us up to Juli-La (4,400m) before descending to the riverside through
dense rhododendron, Juniper and conifer forests. We then cross a bridge and after a short climb
reach Dhur Tshachu hot spring, where legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava bathed in the 8th
century.
DAY 21: DHUR TSHACHU – TSHOCHEMCHEM
16 km, 8-9 hours
From the spring, it is a long and steady climb upwards, with great views of the mountains in
Lunana. Eventually the ground levels out, and we see several beautiful deep blue lakes, yaks
grazing on the surrounding Pasture, and yak herder’s camp (3,850m).
DAY 22: TSHOCHEMCHEM – DHUR (MOTOR ROAD) – BUMTHANG (JAKAR)
21 km, 13 hours
This is the last day of the trek. We must set off very early in order to reach Bumthang before
dark. The path follows the Chamkhar Chu, descending gradually with few climbs. The trek ends
when we reach Dhur village, where transport will meet us and drive us to the lodge in Bumthang
(Jakar).
Note: Unless very fit, it is best to spread this final stage over 2 Days.
DAY 23: BUMTHANG
Bumthang is the spiritual and cultural heartland of Bhutan. Spend the day exploring the some of
Bumthang’s sacred sights including Kurje Lhakhang, home to a rock featuring the imprint of
Guru Rimpoche’s body, Jambay Lhakhang (7th century) and Jakar Dzong. Also visit Tamshing
Monastery housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan. Overnight at your guesthouse in
Bumthang.
DAY 24: BUMTHANG – TRONGSA
The journey to Trongsa takes approximately 3 hours. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s
ruling dynasty. After lunch on arrival, visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese
architecture. Trongsa is the largest Dzong in Bhutan and the location of where the institution of
monarchy in Bhutan began. Also visit the Ta Dzong located on the hill overlooking the Dzong.
Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.
DAY 25: TRONGSA – PARO
After breakfast, depart for Paro. On arrival, enjoy a stroll through the Paro township. Overnight
at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 26: PARO
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery, walking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill. The

5. view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is
spectacular. Afterwards visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
DAY 27: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Tashi
Delek!
BHUTAN TREK DATES:
All of our Bhutan tours and treks are private, tailor-made journeys for independent travel on
dates of your choosing, subject to the trek taking place during the trekking season as identified in
the itinerary overview above. We can easily customise your Bhutan tour and trek’ tab above to
begin customising this tour to your requirements.
Travel Time. 4 pax 6 Pax & above
1. April, May,Septemberand
November. 2. USD 7540 3. USD 7280
WHAT WE INCLUDE IN OUR TAILOR MADE BHUTAN TREKS:
 Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees.
 All private excursions and transfers in superior air-conditioned vehicle.
 Local English speaking trekking guide/tour leader.
 Cook and camp hand who will take care of camp chores and provide wholesome meals.
 Services of horsemen who will look after the yaks & ponies that transport luggage and
camp gear.
 Experienced driver.
 Accommodation in carefully selected, highest standard goverment approved hotels &
guesthouses.
 All meals in Bhutan.
 All entrance fees and permits.
NOT INCLUDED:
 All personal expenses such as bars, beverages, laundry, telephone and tips.
 Medical / Travel Insurance.
VALUE-ADDED OPTIONS
In addition to offering independent, flexible tour options, National Adventure can also arrange a
variety of “add on” options to provide a more in-depth experience of Bhutan. These include:

6.  Cooking lessons
 A farmhouse stay
 “Ara” (rice liquor) brewing lessons
 Monastery experience
 Evening dinner & culture show
Alternatively, you can awaken your senses with a range of wellbeing and spa retreats offering
yoga, pilates, meditation, healing bodywork, hot stone baths and massage.
These activities can easily be incorporated into any itinerary. Please note that some activities
may attract additional fees.