Snowman Trek

Arrive Paro by Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, and it’s a scenic flight as the plane touch down the lush green Paro Valley flying past the world’s highest mountains. Steeping down from the plane, cool, clean and fresh air welcomes the visitor, the first gift of Bhutan. After clearing the customs and visa formalities met by the representatives and transfer to Paro for lunch. Afterwards, visit Rinpung Dzongbuilt in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Then drive to Thimphu (1 hour) following Pa Chhu downstream.

In Thimphu, drive on to the Buddha Terrance 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. Overnight at Hotel. (Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, drive for about 1 & half hour to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochula La at 3140m. On clear weather, 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. Overnight at Hotel (Lunch/Dinner included) Afterwards, drive to Tashithang to the camp-site following the Mo Chu River. Overnight in Camp. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

The trek starts 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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration 5-6 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 6-7 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 6-7 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

The path starts 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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 8-9 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Today is the rest day at Laya for acclimatization. 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. Overnight in Camp.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking time: 8-9 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 10-11 hours) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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 Woche. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 6-7 hrs) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 7-8 hours)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 7-8 hrs)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 4-5 hrs)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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 theThampe 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). Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 5-6 hrs)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight Camp. (Walking Duration: 5-6 hrs)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Overnight Camp. (Walking Duration: 5 hrs)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

The trail follows the Nikka Chhu to reach a large grassy area overlooking the road and the village of Sephu. Overnight in Camp. (Walking Duration: 5-6 hrs)(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Drive from Sephu to Thimphu via Wangdue. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, drive to Paro. PM: Free/At leisure. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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. Later on, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and bid farewell to the Breakfree representatives and journey back home.(Breakfast only included)