Snowman Trek Bhutan – Full Circuit

Snowman Trek Bhutan – Full Circuit

Bhutan's Last Frontier - Laya and Lunana - Explore remote alpine wilderness and natural landscapes as it lives and breathes.

Trip Overview

cultural_tour Duration 35 Days
Tough Trip Level Tough
trekking Trip Type Trekking
Activities Included Activities Included
Trekking
accommodations Accommodation For culture portion we use best tourist standard hotels, even relative upgrade wherever possible. For trek portion, we use best trekking equipment and gears. Moreover we constantly upgrade our trekking gears, so we are fairly updated. Since this trek is a long one, it becomes a priority to provide best equipment, including brand new tent.
meals Meals Full Board
seasons Best Seasons The window to do this trek is particularly very small. Ideal only in April, May, Sept and October. Summer is quite good actually as lots of flowers bloom in high alpine areas, although lower areas may be wet due to rainfalls.

Trip Highlights

    Snowman trek exposes you into the perpetual expanses of temperate, alpine, tundra wilderness at the world’s most remote region of Lunana and traversing many high passes above 5000 m threw greater challenges than its technical level gradation unlike others. It tests your physiological as well psychological elements, passes above 5000m with rugged, hostile & weather beaten terrain stretches your physical limits, relative longer trekking days and remoteness – bereft of civilization put to test your psychological boundaries, these attributes are what makes even to the legions of seasoned trekkers inspires a sense of trepidation bordering with the respect – Snowman Trek.

    Some of the highlights:

    • Challenge yourself on one of the greatest treks crossing over 11 high passes
    • Absorb magnificent mountain views including peaks such as Chomolari, Jichu Drake, Gangchen Ta, Table mountain, Gangkar Phuensum, etc.
    • From pristine temperate forests, to alpine valleys and tundra landscapes
    • Opportunity to see wildlife such as Blue sheep, Takin, Marmot, and elusive Snowleopard
    • Explore and interact with yak herders, see the isolated communities of Laya and Lunana districts.
    • Camping at high altitude on the base of beautiful mountain peaks.
    • Soak in hot springs (Dur Chachu) which is believed to have therapeutic benefits.
    • Share your trekking experience with an outstanding team of local guides and support staff
    • Visit historic dzongs and monasteries whilst on Culture trip.
    • Get an insight about Buddhists tradition and culture with interaction with local and farmhouse visit.

Trip Description

From the multitude of treks available in the Himalayas, Snowman trek is among the few that stand alone on the top. This is 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 one of the most difficult one 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 elusive 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 strong and ethical local Guides and team who has done the trek several times, pre-planning rescue in case of emergencies and providing good equipment and supplies for this long trek, Wind Horse has the most successful track record of completing Snowman Trek. Most of partners in the company and several senior Guides have completed Snowman trek successfully several times. We are proud to have the connection and right equipment required for this trek.  Our itineraries are carefully planned, allowing adequate time for acclimatisation as well as for logistical issues.

Outline Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive in Paro 
Overnight Hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Acclimatization and tour in Paro Valley.
Overnight Hotel  in Paro.

Day 3: Hike to iconic Takstang (Tigers Nest)Monastery.
Overnight Hotel in Paro.

Day 4,5,& 6: Trek from Shana Zam to Thongduzam, then to Thangthangka & Jangothang (Chomolhari Base Camp).
Overnight in tented Camp.

Day 7: Rest day in Jangothang.
Overnight in tented Camp.

Day 8-13: Trek to Laya via Lingshi , Chebisa, Shomulthang. Robluthang, Lemithang & arrive in Laya.
Overnight in tented Camp.

Day 14: Rest day in Laya
Overnight in community school area (tent camp or a local home) .

Day 15-20: Trek to Lunana region via Rodophu, Cross Tsome la to Narethang, Cross Karchungla to Tarina, to Woche,cross keshe la to Lhedi, and then to Thanza.
Overnight in Tented camp.

Day 21: Rest day in Thanza.
Campsite at Thanza or Tochena

Day 22-29. Trek to Bumthang via Danje, Tsorim Lake, cross Gophula to Geshe Woma, Mischugang, Worithangla, Dur Tsachu(Hot spring), Tsochenchen and end the trek near Jakar.(Bumthang)
Overnight in Tented camp along the way and hotel in Bumthang

Day 30: In Bumthang ( A contingent day in case of delays. A full day tour if everything works as per schedule)
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang

Day 31: Visit Chumey Valley, drive and visit Trongsa.
Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

Day 32: Drive through Central Bhutan to (Punakha & Wangdue)
Overnight hotel in Punakha valley.

Day 33 & 34 : Drive from Punakha to Thimphu
After visiting Punakha valley, drive to the capital where you spend two nights with one full day for sightseeing tour. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Day 35: Departure
Departure transfer to the airport in time for the flight

Details of day by day trip is available upon request.
This itinerary is the full circuit of Snowman Trek and it is the best version. However there are slightly shorter versions as well. 

For more information on Snowman Trek, visit our Blog.

https://www.windhorsetours.com/blog/snowman-trek-bhutan/

 

Included

    •    Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes.
    •    Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) during the tour and in tents during the trek.
    •    All meals, including evening tea/coffee etc through-out the trip.
    •    All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees.
    •    Experienced English Speaking Bhutanese Tour Guide.
    •    Bottled water in the vehicle and other Comp. services.
    •    During the trek:
    •    Fully-serviced camping trek
    •    Provided during the trek: tents (sleeping, dining Kitchen and toilet tents), trekking mattresses, small air pillow, Hot-water bag, Pressured Altitude Bag for altitude emergencies, Pack animals to carry luggage and additional riding pony for emergency. Basic Medical Kit. Trekking Guide, Cook and assistants accompany the group. All meals, beverages and snacks are provided.
    •    Sleeping bag is available for nominal cleaning charges.
    •    Also available to borrow for free: Walking Sticks (trekking poles), Umbrella/Pancho, Water Bottle
    •    We are constantly upgrading our trekking equipment and gears, so you can be assured that you will receive the best and latest. We use the best sleeping tents available out there for this trek.

Not included

    •    Flights in and out of Bhutan.
    •    Personal trekking gears such as sleeping bag, clothing, shoes etc.
    •    Sleeping bags are available for rental.
    Any Item not listed in included section