The Snowman Trek

Fly to Paro, the land of gods. You can enjoy this scenic flight to Paro with stunning views of the Himalayas. After landing, you can complete your Bhutan Visa and collecting your luggage. You will be received by your Bhutan Nomad Adventures Guide. Drive to check in to your hotel. If time permits stroll around Paro.

Early breakfast and hike to Taktshang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest. This monastery is a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site located on a cliffside and is the most popular cultural icon for Bhutan.

Taktshang (Tiger’s nest) Monastery Hike.

Altitude 9810 ftMedium hike, 4 hours, 5.6 kms.

Early breakfast and drive 12 kms to the north of Paro valley to the trek start point at the Shana Zampa, where you will meet up with your trekking team. After a brief meeting, you will walk downhill on a wide trail following the Pachhu (river) and then gently climbing the valley. You will reach the army check post of Gunitsawa (9819 ft), where your trekking permit will be processed. You will cross the Pachu River on a wooden bridge and then climb to Sharna Zampa (9416 ft).The trail will start from Shana to Soi Thangthangkha. On this long day, the trail continues with lots of small ups and downs through beautiful thick forests of oak, rhododendron, bamboo and ferns. After going uphill through the river valley, you will enter the Jigme Dorji National Park. You will be trekking pass Thongo Samba campsite (10,695 ft), after which your campsite will be another 12 kms away. The valley finally narrows gradually to a mere path, which descends to a meadow where you camp will be set up. From here, if the weather permits, you will have the first great view of Mount Jomolhari (24,035 ft).

If you missed Mountain Jomolhari (24,035 ft) view last evening, you will have a great chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up on the westside of the Paro Chhu valley, which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. Cross an army outpost along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. Reaching Jangothang (Jomolhari Base Camp), one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

There are many exploration options and recommended would be an easy day hike up the valley towards the foot of the Mountain Jhomolhari; there are several yak trails. Watch out for herd of Himalayan blue sheep in this valley. Jomolhari means the Goddess of the Mountain Passes. The summit is considered to the abode of the goddess Jomo Lhari. It is the perfect mountain, symmetrical and a real throne for a goddess.

It is a long climb of 3 to 3.5 hours to reach the first high and very windy pass of this trail, Nyile La (16,043 ft). The Nyilele Peak (5090m) can be ascended to the west to have a nice view. From Nyile la, you can see far towards the east-northeast to the trekking area going to Lingshi. You will also be able to see a great view in the distance of the Great Tiger Mountain aka Mount Gangcheta (22,440 ft).
From the pass, the descend will start leading you to a viewing point, where Lingshi Dzong can be seen on a cone shaped hilltop. There is a steep drop of 984 ft, after which you will reach your campsite.

The trail starts by leaving Lingshi Village. The most pleasant walk of the whole trek started on a wide trail located high above the valley floor. The hillsides are partly covered with medicinal plants. 393 feet from the ridge and you will pass through Goyok Village and see the Jagoe Dzong (one of the oldest and most sacred) located above the village of Goyuk, before reaching your campsite near Chebisa village. During the trek, one might see the raven bird and more blue sheep.

You will start climbing after crossing a village and could spot more Himalayan blue sheep, and possibly the bearded vulture in connection with sky burials. After a steady ascent of 1804 ft, you will reach Gombula Pass. You will pass some rock cliffs containing salt minerals and then descend through a forest of wet trail before reaching your campsite.

The trail levels and changes from south to east direction. Three hours of trail should bring you to Jare la pass marking the border for Laya and Lingshi for grazing yaks. You can a good view of the many high mountains including Jitchu Drake from the Jare la pass. The descent starts steeply on a zig zag trail and after will lead you all the way down. A steep 40 mins climb will lead you to your campsite near the meadows. 

The trail is a 4 to 5 hour climb before reaching Sinche La pass and you will be able to see the Mountain Gangcheta (22,440 ft) to the northwest on the Bhutan-Tibet border. The trail down is rocky and steep before reaching your campsite.  

The trail is a 4 to 5 hour climb before reaching Sinche La pass and you will be able to see the Mountain Gangcheta (22,440 ft) to the northwest on the Bhutan-Tibet border. The trail down is rocky and steep before reaching your campsite.  

Attend the Royal Highland Festival if your rest day coincides with the festival; or you can go above Laya to look at some holy lakes and explore the valley.  

Say goodbye to Laya and exit a stone archway with prayer flags. The starting trails is through the fields and clusters of houses. Permits will have to checked at the Bhutan Takchenkhar Army checkpoint on the eastside of Mo chhu. The trails today through the forested areas will be muddy. Sometimes, you will also be trekking closer to the Rodo chhu.  

It’s a steep climb today to Tshemo la pass and then the remaining distance is on the same level. You can enjoy breathtaking views of Gangcheta mountain (22,440 ft) and Jomolhari mountain (24,035 ft).  

After an hour’s trail, you will reach Karakachu La pass (16,470 ft), which is the second highest mountain pass of the snowman trek. To the north, you will see the Bhutan Tibet border and a snowcapped string of almost 23,000 ft peaks and the west branch of Pho chhu. You will descent around 3740 ft for around an hour and continue walking until you cross a river and after you will reach your campsite. 

On the trail today, you will find rocks in red texture because of the erosion and landslides. There will be numerous waterfalls on both sides of the Tarina valley. It is two hours from Tarina to end of Tarina valley. It will be one-hour steep climb steep as you approach the Woche village, which is the first settlement from Gasa towards Lunana region. You will find fresh and juicy raspberries. The trail will be wide and sandy, with many small flowers and herbs. You will come across people from Lunana since the the trek route remains busy as they stock goods for six months.

After an hour, you will reach the Kesha La pass and, on your descent, will enter the heart of Lunana. This pass is the mountain range between Woche and Lhedi. Down the valley, you will arrive at a Thaga village. From there, the trail heads east alongside the Pho Chhu and then you will reach Lhedi. Lhedi has a village with a small primary school and Gewog administration center. After some riverbed walking and careful maneuvering of steps on the stones and crossing a stone bridge, you will reach your campsite.

You can visit the Chozo village, which is famous for Mendrelthang ECR, where the Bhutanese Oscar nominated movie: Lunana Yak in a classroom was shot; and Chozo Dzong. Alternatively, you can also take a hike of around 1.5 to 2 hours to Thanza (five kms at the top of Pho Chhu valley) where you can check few settlements there.

You will be crossing three of the highest passes of the trek all above 16,400 ft in the next three days. You will enjoy many great views of the Table Mountain. It’s a steep climb to Shintia La pass of 12 kms. After, it is a gradual descent to Tshochena.

You will pass by glacial lakes and puddles, which are shrinking in sizes. There is a beautiful 360-degree panorama with many snowy peaks. Several trails lead to a big lake and then it is a 492 ft climb to the Loju La pass.

It is a 1148 ft and around two hours climb to Rinchen Zoe la, which is the highest mountain pass of the snow man trek. A long descent starts into the broad sometimes marshy U shaped Thampu Chhu valley. You will reach the campsite after a steep descent.

The trails in the morning will be down a broad valley and then heavily forested mountainside in the afternoon. It is a steep climb in the afternoon next to the waterfall and a short walk into a side valley, leads to the beautiful hidden lake, Tampetsho.

It is a 1148 ft climb to Tempe La and this is the last mountain pass of the snowman trek. You will be able to see a wonderful view of the Om Tsho. The 3-hour 3166 ft descent to Nikka Chhu may have some tricky sections for you to manage. Tonight, will be your last night at the campsite.

The trail will start on the west side trail down the Nikka Chhu across relatively flat and open terrain. You will finally descent below 9842 ft today. Your transport will be waiting, and you will say goodbye to your trekking staff, before driving towards Punakha to check into your hotel. 

Early Breakfast, visit the Punakha Dzong and Chimmi Lhakhang. Enroute make a quick visit to Dochhula and then arrive in Thimphu and check into your hotel in the afternoon. If time permits, stroll around Thimphu city and do some shopping. 

Early breakfast, check out from hotel; drive to Paro and then catch your flight, where your tour guide will help you with your luggage and bid you farewell.