Snowman Trek

As your plane hits the Paro International Airport, TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE offices representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for the 23 days trek in Bhutan. Then after lunch you drive to Thimphu (1 hour) following Pa Chhu downstream. In Thimphu, drive on to the budhha terrace for a stunning view of the valley and take a drive to visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose! Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before circumventing the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Visit Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals, the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to our rooms and refreshing yourself you will be briefed about our daily activities. The rest of your time is free to take rest before you go on 23 days adventurous trekking in Bhutan.

• Place: Thimpu
• Altitude: 2350

After an early breakfast, You leave Thimphu in the morning in private jeep or land cruiser for Punakha. You the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples.

• Place: Punakha
• Altitude: 1310

Your trek starts from today, by the side of the river, following a well-made path through semitropical forests. This part of the area is quite wet and one has to watch out for leeches. There are also lots of wild orchids around for those who love flowers. The day walk is fairly gentle, climbing up to Damji village. 

• Place: Damji
• Altitude: 2250

The path continues through subtropical forests and villages up to Gasa Tsachu (Hot spring) The Tsachu is a famous place where many people from all over Bhutan come to bath for its curative powers. There are four pools, ranging from mild to hot. A Hot lunch will be served here. After lunch, the path stiffly climbs for about 2 hours to Gasa Dzong and camp below the Dzong

• Place: Gasa
• Altitude: 2900

After breakfast visit the Dzong which was built in the 17th century to protect the valley against Tibetan invaders. The path starts with a stiff climb up to Bele la pass (3,700m) through bamboo, rhododendron, juniper and fir forests. The climb up to the pass will take around 5 hours. The descent will be about half – hour to camp at Chamsa. You will get pleasure to experience culture and lifestyle of local people.

• Place: Chamsa
• Altitude: 3650

You starts your trail by descending to the bank of the Mo – Chu River. It goes up and down again to detour back up the hillside, to avoid the steep spur. Lunch will be served near the side of the bridge crossing the river. After lunch climb up gradually to Laya crossing the army camp

• Place: Laya
• Altitude: 3800

Today is the rest day at Laya for a short break from tiring trek. One can go around the village visiting the houses and people. The Laya people are very fascinating and friendly and will happily pose for photographs. The women in Laya wear a very special dress. In the evening there will be a cultural dance if the local people are around.

• Place: Laya
• Altitude: 3800

From Laya descend to the army camp and continue following the river until the turn off point to Rhodophu. After lunch continue the climb through rhododendron bushes until the camp.

• Place: Rhodophu
• Altitude: 4350

This is the longest day of the trip and therefore it is essential to start very early. So, the trek starts at 5AM by climbing to Tsimola (4,700 m). After crossing the first pass and at the little summit spot the superb view of Lunana, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake. The path is flat for another four hours till the climb to Gangla Karchung la pass (5,080 m). The view from the pass is breath taking. The whole range of mountains, including Masagang, Tsendegang, and Teri Gang can be observed. After the pass there is a very long descent to Tarina valley.

• Place: Tarina
• Altitude: 3980

This day is much easier as the path follows the river down the valley. Lunch will be served at the lowest point of today’s trek (3,500 m). After lunch climb up about 300 meters to the village of Wache

• Place: Wache
• Altitude: 3800

The trek starts through juniper & fir forests and then through rhododendron bushes. Then the trail climbs up to Keche la pass (4,480 m) where some great view of the mountains can be witnessed. After the pass, descend to the riverside, walking through the village with stunning views of Table Mountain and others. Follow the river (one of the main sources of the Pho- Chu) until reaching Lhedi village. 

• Place: Lhedi
• Altitude: 3650

The trek continues following the river, rising gradually to Choejong village. After lunch visit the Choejong Dzong and then continue towards the wide valley, crossing the bridge to reach Thanza.

• Place: Thanza
• Altitude: 4000

Today is rest day at Thanza. The day can be spent in walking around or climb up the ridge to see the view of the lakes and mountains.

• Place: Thanza
• Altitude: 4000

Today is a long trekking day so the trek is started as early as possible. The climb of three false summits will arrive at Jaze La (5050m), after this pass it will be less than an hours’ walk downhill to the camp near the lake of Tshochena.

• Place: Tshochena
• Altitude: 4900

Following the shore of the lake, climb up the ridge at 5100 meters from where witness the 360 degree panorama of the snowy peak; Dochula pass can also be spotted after short descend. Then the path makes several ups and downs descending past a glacial lake and climbs up to Loju La pass (5140m). Then it crosses a small saddle at 5100 meters into a wide glacial valley and descends gradually to camp at Jichu Dramo, a small pasture land.

• Place: Jichu Dramo
• Altitude: 4880

Climb through a moraine to Rinchen Zoe La pass (5320m) which divides the Pho Chhu& Mangde Chhu drainages. Spectacular view of mountains with Rinchen Zoe peak (5650m) towering over the pass to the west and many other major peaks stretch along the northern horizon can be seen from the pass. Towards the east spot the western flank of Gangkhar Puensum and down south the Thampe Chuu Valley. After the pass the trial descends broad, marshy valley with a strings of lakes. Then the valley narrows as the route lowers down and eventually descends steep down the face of a moraine to a yak pasture in the upper reaches of the Thampe Chhu. Cross the west bank and continue as the vegetation thickens from rhododendron to juniper shrubs and trees. It’s a welcoming sight after trekking through treeless area. Finally arrive at Chukarpo (4600m). 

• Place: Chukarpo
• Altitude: 4950

It is a long trek mostly downhill, walk along the Riverside and then climb back to the Um Tso at 4230M. The legend believed that Saint Pema Lingpa the reincarnation of Guru Rimpoche had discovered a number of religious treasures from this Lake. A bit further the camp can be reached near by the Thampe Tso. 

• Place: Thampe tsho
• Altitude: 4230

It is around two hours walk to the base of Thampe Tso and then a steep climb to the pass at 4230M. Then the trek route goes downhill through rhododendron to the Yak pasture of Maurothang. This is as far as the Yaks go and they won’t be willing to go further down, so yaks needs to be replaced with horses.  

• Place: Maurothang
• Altitude: 4000

The trail follows the Nikka Chhu to reach a large grassy area overlooking the road and the village of Sephu. 

• Place: Sephu
• Altitude: 2500

Drive from Sephu to Thimphu via Wangdue

• Place: Thimpu
• Altitude: 2350

After breakfast, drive back to Paro. 

• Place: Paro
• Altitude: 2250

After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. 

• Place: Tiger's Nest
• Altitude: 3120

After breakfast, you will take flight to Kathmandu. After arriving in Kathmandu you take a rest at your hotel or stroll in the streets of Thamel, a popular tourist hub for some souvenir shopping. In the evening, there will be a farewell dinner hosted by TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE to celebrate the successful completion of our 24 days trekking

• Place: Kathmandu
• Altitude: 1350

Your adventure in Bhutan comes to an end today! TOP OF THE WORLD ADVENTURE representative will drop you off at the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Bhutan and Say farewell to Bhutan and Nepal and its amazing people, mountains and nature. Until the next time!