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Snowman Trek Bhutan
Expedition trek to Chomolhari, Lingshi, Laya & Lunana, Gangkar Punsum
From the multitude of treks available in the Himalayas, Snowman trek is amongst the few that stand alone on the top. This will be an epic mountain trek with amazing wilderness and culture, an experience of a lifetime ! However this trek is not for everyone. It takes longtime and it is the most difficult trek in Bhutan and therefore in the world. We’ll cross dozen of high passes, many over 16,000ft, as we pass through the highest and wildest corner of Bhutan. If you are the kind of adventurer who wants to push your limits with the most challenging, most remote and most beautiful trek imaginable, then look no further than the snowman Trek.
It is extremely worthwhile objective and you can truly say that you have trekked to the very remotest parts of the world, if you have visited Laya and Lunana region of Bhutan. Snow capped peaks, Turquoise-tinted lakes, high altitude wildlife like the snow leopard, Takin and blue sheep, time-lost villages, meeting with nomadic yak herders round out this trek’s highlights.
Snowman is not an easy trek to organize because of several logistic problems such as arranging the Yaks and porters (especially in Lunana region), having the strong and ethical local Guide and team who has done the trek several times, pre-planning rescue in case of emergencies and providing good equipments and supplies for this long trek. Wind Horse has two guides in the team, who has done the snowman trek several times of the past 10 years and we are proud to have the connection and right equipment required for this trek. Several different ways of doing Snowman trek is listed.
Trip Facts
Trip Duration: 28 to 35 days in Bhutan.
Trek Difficulty:
(Strenuous/Expedition type). Although individual trekking days are not very difficult after first few days, but the mere fact that you are out in wilderness for about 3 weeks makes it challenging.
Altitude:
This is a true high altitude trek camping at or above 4,000m once you reach Jangothang or in Laya, if you are starting trek via Punakha/Gasa. The highest passes are Gangla Karchung La at 5230m; Jaze La at 5251m: Loju La at 5155m: Rinchenzoe La at 5332m. Highest campsite are Tshochena at 4975m; Jichhu Dramo at 5060m.
Trip Facts
Trip Duration:
29 to 35 days in Bhutan.
Trek Difficulty: (Strenuous/Expedition type). Although individual trekking days are not very difficult after first few days, but the mere fact that you are out in wilderness for about 3 weeks makes it challenging.
Altitude This is a true high altitude trek camping at or above 4,000m once you reach Jangothang or in Laya, if you are starting trek via Punakha/Gasa. The highest passes are Gangla Karchung La at 5230m; Jaze La at 5251m: Loju La at 5155m: Rinchenzoe La at 5332m. Highest campsite are Tshochena at 4975m; Jichhu Dramo at 5060m.
Group Size:
Private departures with your own group or singly. We are also able to try and form Join-in Groups
Best Season
The window for good trekking on the Snowman Trek via Chomolhari is extremely small as the trek is long. The best time to start in the spring is from last week in April and in the fall, it is best to start between last week in Sept till first week in October. For the trek starting from Gasa, because it is shorter, you can even begin bit later. If you go at any other time, you’ll either get very wet, snowed in, or both.
Departure Dates
Private Journeys for independent travel with your own dates. If you are single or two person and wish to invite like minded adventurer, we can post the trip and advertise for join-in.
Tour Costs
Cost is based on the group size and season. We will provide all the discounts applicable with long duration trek and make it as affordable and doable. Call or email for further information.
Included:
* Accommodation in hotel during the tour and in tent camps during the trek.
* All meals through-out.
* Transfers and road transportation by private vehicle.
* Sightseeing with entrance fees.
* Bhutan visa, taxes, all permits as required for the trip
* Experienced Trek leader /Guide (English speaking)
* Experienced Trekking Crews.
* Pack animals for carrying luggage during the trek.
* All trekking / Camping equipments including Altitude Pressure bags for emergencies
Not Included:
* Travel & Medical Insurance (recommended)
* Personal Gears (Sleeping bag, backpack, shoes and other personal gears)
* Flights into and out of Bhutan (extra charged separately).
* Tips and gratuities (optional).
* Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, beverages during the tour.
* Travel & Medical Insurance (purchased separately)
Private departures with your own group or singly. We are also able to try and form Join-in Groups
Snowman Trek via Chomolhari
Snowman Trek via Chomolhari, starting in Paro (Longer Version)
This is the longer trek starting from Paro, via Chomolhari, Lingshi and Laya. We have have listed two options a) via Gangkar Punsum Base camp to Dur and end the trek in Bumthang 2)or ending trek in Nikkachu without Gangkar Punsum base camp.
Day 1: Arrive in Paro, Bhutan by Druk Air (L/D)
Day 2: Paro valley sightseeing (B/L/D)
Day 3: Paro (Day hike to Takstang) (B/L/D)
Day 4: Drive to Shana (1-2hr) and begin trek to Thongduzam, just beyond Shingkharb (B/L/D)
Day 5: Trek to Soi Thangthangkha (B/L/D)
Day 6: Trek to Jangothang (B/L/D)
Day 7: Jangothang Rest or exploration day (B/L/D)
Day 8: Trek Jangothang – Lingshi (B/L/D)
Day 9: Trek Lingshi – Chebisa (B/L/D)
Day 10: Trek Chebisa – Shomuthang (B/L/D)
Day 11: Trek Shomuthang – Robluthang (B/L/D)
Day 12: Trek Robluthang – Lemithang (B/L/D)
Day 13: Trek Lemithang – Laya (B/L/D)
Day 14: Rest & Explore Laya Village (B/L/D)
Day 15: Trek Laya to Rodophu (B/L/D)
Day 16: Trek Rodophu to Narethang (B/L/D)
Day 17: Trek Narethang to Tarina (B/L/D)
Day 18: Trek Tarina to Woche (B/L/D)
Day 19: Trek Woche to Lhedi (B/L/D)
Day 20: Trek Lhedi to Thanza (B/L/D)
Day 21: Thanza Rest & Explore (B/L/D)
Day 22: Trek Thanza – Tsorim (B/L/D)
Day 23: Trek Tsorim – Gangkar Phunsum Base Camp (B/L/D)
Day 24: Rest & Explore Gangkar Phuensum (B/L/D)
Day 25: Trek to Geshe Woma (B/L/D)
Day 26: Trek Geshe Woma – Warathang (B/L/D)
Day 27: Trek Warathang – Dur Tshachu (B/L/D)
Day 28: Trek Dur Tshachu – Tshochenchen (B/L/D)
Day 29: Tshochenchen – Dur/Bumthang (Trek ends) (B/L/D)
Day 30: Bumthang Tour (around Jakar) (B/L/D)
Day 31: Drive from Jakar to Trongsa or Continue to Phobjikha (B/L/D)
Day 32: Drive to Wangdiphodrang -Punakha (B/L/D)
Day 33: Punakha Tour & drive to Thimphu (B/L/D)
Day 34: In Thimphu (Capital) Tour (B/L/D)
Day 35: Thimphu – Paro – Departure (B)
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Option B: Skip Gangkar Punsum Base Camp and end the trek in Nikka Chu.
Follow Snowman Trek via Chomolhari from Day 1 till Day 18 as above.
Day 19: Trek Thanza to Danji (B/L/D)
Day 20: Trek Danji to Tshochena (B/L/D)
Day 21: Trek Tshochena to Jichu Dramo (B/L/D)
Day 22: Trek Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo (B/L/D)
Day 23: Trek Chukarpo to Thampe Tsho (B/L/D)
Day 24: Trek Thampe Tsho to Maurothang (B/L/D)
Day 25: Maurothang to Sephu (trek Ends) (B/L/D)
Day 26: In Punakha & Wangdiphodrang Tour (B/L/D)
Day 27: Punakha – Thimphu (B/L/D)
Day 28: In Thimphu (Capital) Tour (B/L/D)
Day 29: Thimphu – Paro – Departure (B)
Snowman Trek via Gasa
Snowman Trek via Gasa to Laya, Lunana & Gangkar Punsum
This snowman trek is a shorter version starting via Gasa. Even this shorter version can be done with Gangkar Puensum Base camp or end the trek in Nikkachu.
Day 1: Arrive in Paro, Bhutan by Druk Air (L/D)
Day 2: Paro valley sightseeing (B/L/D)
Day 3: Paro (Day hike to Takstang) (B/L/D)
Day 4: Drive from Paro Punakha via Thimphu (B/L/D)
Day 5: Punakha – Drive to Gasa and stay near the hot Spring Gasa Tsachu (B/L/D)
Day 6: Trek Gasa – Koina (B/L/D)
Day 7: Trek Koina – Laya (B/L/D)
Day 8: Rest & Explore Laya Village (B/L/D)
Day 9: Trek Laya to Rodophu (B/L/D)
Day 10: Trek Rodophu to Narethang (B/L/D)
Day 11: Trek Narethang to Tarina (B/L/D)
Day 12: Trek Tarina to Woche (B/L/D)
Day 13: Trek Woche to Lhedi (B/L/D)
Day 14: Trek Lhedi to Thanza (B/L/D)
Day 15: Thanza rest day & Explore (B/L/D)
Day 16: Trek Thanza – Tsorim (B/L/D)
Day 17: Trek Tsorim – Gangkar Phunsum Base Camp (B/L/D)
Day 18: Rest & Explore Gangkar Phuensum (B/L/D)
Day 19: Trek to Geshe Woma (B/L/D)
Day 20: Trek Geshe Woma – Warathang (B/L/D)
Day 21: Trek Warathang – Dur Tshachu (B/L/D)
Day 22: Trek Dur Tshachu – Tshochenchen (B/L/D)
Day 23: Tshochenchen – Dur/Bumthang (Trek ends) (B/L/D)
Day 24: Bumthang Tour (around Jakar) (B/L/D)
Day 25: Jakar to Trongsa or Continue to Phobjikha (B/L/D)
Day 26: To Thimphu (B/L/D)
Day 27: In Thimphu (Capital) tour (B/L/D)
Day 28: Thimphu – Paro – Departure (B)
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Option B:Snownman via Gasa, trek ending in Nikka Chu
Follow Day 1 till 16 as per Snowman Trek via Gasa
Day 16: Trek Thanza to Danji (B/L/D)
Day 17: Trek Danji to Tshochena (B/L/D)
Day 18: Trek Tshochena to Jichu Dramo (B/L/D)
Day 19: Trek Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo (B/L/D)
Day 20: Trek Chukarpo to Thampe Tsho (B/L/D)
Day 21: Trek Thampe Tsho to Maurothang (B/L/D)
Day 22: Maurothang to Sephu- Gangtey (trek End) (B/L/D)
Day 23: Drive from Gangtey (Phobjikha) to Thimphu (B/L/D)
Day 24: In Thimphu (Capital) Tour (B/L/D)
Day 25: Thimphu – Paro – Departure (B)
Our Facebook Posts of this trek from Gasa to Nikkachu
Trek Photos
