The Snowman Trek is considered the most difficult trek in the world because the trekkers have to go through all kinds of challenges up in the mountains for almost a month. But this trek is also very attractive and appealing because it offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, see the majestic Himalayas, and push your body to its limits. The trail will lead you through the belt of the borders of Bhutan and Tibet, going through eleven passes that exceed 4,500 meters in height. From here, you can see unconquered peaks such as Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt.Jichu Drake, and other stunning mountains with peaks that stand above 7,000 meters. Initially created by the country’s yak herders, the trail lets you visit Bhutan’s most remote villages, farms, monasteries, and communities. Between these enriching experiences and the physical challenge of the endeavor, the Snowman Trek expands both your body and your mind while offering an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Schedule for the Snowman Trek.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PARO
As you descend into Paro, our guide will be waiting to take you to the Mandala Resort.
After lunch, visit the National Museum and Paro Rimpung Dzong.
DAY 2: HIKE TO TAKTSANG
Right after breakfast, we will hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It will take about five hours to complete the round.
On our way back, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th century.
DAY 3:Paro to Thondu Zampa (THE TREK BEGINS)
We start the day by driving to Drukyel Dzong, a 17th-century fortress built to defend Bhutan from Tibetan invaders. We will begin our trek by walking toward Shana. On the way, you’ll catch your first sight of Mt. Jhomolhari’s 7,314-meter-high peak.
DAY 4: SHANA to THANGTHANGKHA (8/9 hours)
We will begin trekking toward Thangthangka
After about nine trekking, we will call it a day at the campsite at Thangthangkha, 3800 meters.
DAY 5: THANGTHANGKHA to JANGOTHANG (5/6 hours)
Our destination today is Jangothang which will take at least five hours if we move fast. As we proceed, we rise above the treeline and experience the country’s stunning low tundra environment. We will camp at Jangothang (Jhomolhari base camp) at 4040 meters.
DAY 6: ACCLIMATIZING
This day is reserved for adjusting to the local climate. You can explore the valley around Jhomolhari or travel toward the Nylie La pass and see the scenic Tshophu lake.
DAY 7: JANGOTHANG to LINGSHI( 6/8 Hours)
Today, we will trek through Nile La Pass at 4700 meters from where we can have spectacular views of Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drake, and TsheriKang. Also in the distance will be Tiger Mountain.
We will prepare our camp at Lingshi.
DAY 8: LINGSHI to CHEBISA (4/5 hours)
We have to trek northeast, today. We will ascend through pastures of daphne and rhododendron until we reach the village of Chebisa. From there, you can take in the cascading waterfall, juniper trees, and other natural wonders.
Our camp will be at Chebisa at 3750 meters.
DAY 9: CHEBISA to SHOMUTHANG (7/8 hours)
Today, we will cross the Gombu La Pass (4440M) before dropping through forests of dwarf rhododendron, where the ground can be slippery.
We’ll then head down to our camp situated near a riverbed. This valley is one of the most beautiful on the Snowman Trek.
Camp at Shomuthang at 3960M
DAY 10: SHOMUTHANG to ROBLUTHANG (7/8 hours)
Out trekking will begin with three hours of climbing before reaching Jare La Pass (4750 M). We’ll then drop steeply down a forest trail to the Tsharijathang Valley where herds of takin (the national animal) and many yaks roam.
Robluthang will be the place where we will have to camp for the night.
DAY 11: ROBLUTHANG to LEMITHANG (8/9 hours)
It’s again a long day trek. So we will resume our journey a little early. We will Cross the Shingela Pass at 4, 900m, then Lingmithang village.
We will call it a day at Lingmithang which stands at an elevation of 4, 140m. Today, we would have trekked for 6 to 7 hours covering 19 km of the trail.
DAY 12: LEMITHANG to LAYA (4/5 hours)
Today’s trek will shorter. We’ll spend today walking along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mo Chu (Mother River).
In the afternoon, you may go around the village meeting the houses and residents.
Camp at Laya, 3700M
DAY 13: EXPLORE THE LAYA VALLEY
Today we take a break from our trek to experience Laya. You can shop, visit the local school and temple, practice threshing wheat, and learn all about this unique community.
DAY 14: LAYA to RODOPHU (9/10 hours)
We wake up early to get jump on today’s steep uphill path, moving through the Army camp and across the river. We pass through a thick forest of oak, pine, and rhododendron toward the river valley, where mountains cover the horizon. If the weather is clear, we should have great views of the Tienda Gang group of mountains.
Camp at Rodophu at 4070M
DAY 15: RODUPHU to NARETHANG (7/8 hours)
We will trek through Tsemo La Pass (4900 M), which starts with a gentle ascent and gets steeper closer to the pass. We’ll then descend and finally climb to Narethang, where we’ll camp at 16,200 feet.
DAY 16: NARETHANG to TARINA (8/9 hours)
Again, we will have to cross another pass known as the Karakachu La Pass (16,465 feet). The descent into the Tarina Valley is steep and long, perhaps taking 3.5 hours before hitting the valley floor where herds of takin roam.
Camp at Tarina, 3800 M
DAY 17 TARINA to WOCHE (5/6 hours)
Today will be a relatively short trekking day. During the early part of the day, we’ll follow a river for about an hour before ascending a steep and muddy trail.
There will then be a rigorous climb to reach camp near Woche.
We will camp at Woche at 3800 meters.
DAY 18 WOCHE – LHEDI (5/6 hours)
Across the Gap of Keche La (4700M), we begin by traveling another 200 meters through a stiff climb then takes us to Yumtso and Setso lake the gap of Keche La, and then break briefly to take photos. We start to descend, enjoying the warmer weather as we pass by the villages of Thega and Lhedi. We end in the village of Lhedi, one of the principal communities of Lunana and an ideal place to learn about the region’s culture.Camp at Lhedi at 3650M
DAY 19:LHEDI – THANZA (6/7 hours)
We’ll set out this morning by following the Pho Chu through the village of Lhedi before we climb for about 30 to 45 minutes to Chozo Dzong, which was built in the 17th century.
After three or four hours, we’ll reach the beautiful villages of Dyotta and Thanza, where we’ll camp in a meadow with views of Table Mountain in front of us.
Camp at Thanza at 4040M
DAY 20: REST DAY
Explore the Thanza Valley and enjoy the view of Table Mountain
DAY 21 : THANZA to TSHOCHENA (8/9 hours)
Today, we will trek a full 18 miles in the direction of Tshochena. Just be wary of the weather in this region; it can change from sunny to snowy at a moment’s notice.
We will have to camp at Tsochena at 4960M
DAY 22:TSOCHENA to JICHUDRAMO (7/8 hours)
Through LojuLa, today we go through the Loju La and trek around several mountain ridges. The day ends at a camp in the grassy tundra, with rocky expanses on one side and streams on another. Our camp will be at Jichudramo at 5060M.
DAY 23: JICHUDRAMO to CHUKARPO (7/8 hours)
On this day, we cross the highest pass on the trek: Rinchen Zoe La, which reaches 5,326 meters. We then move across a plateau and into a forest clearing, where our camp is located— taking photos of the stunning scenery along the way. We will have to spend a night in our camp at Chukarpo, 4850 M.
DAY 24 : CHUKARPO to TAMPOETSHOE (7/8 hours)
Today, we weave around boulders and along a river before crossing a forest packed densely with birch, pine, maple, and rhododendron. We end the day at our final mountain camp.
Camp at TampoeTshoe at 4350
DAY 25 :TAMPOETSHOE to MAUROTHANG (6/7 hours)
We begin by moving through Tempe La, the last mountain pass we will see on this trek. We then descend a steep hill toward our camp, viewing the Om Tsho lake, the Nikka Chhu, and other sights along the way.
Camp at Maurothang at 3698M
DAY 26 : MAUROTHSNG TO NIKKA CHHU
Today, we follow the Nikka Chhu river through a dense, cool forest toward the settlements of the Sephu district. Our ride will then drive us to our lodgings in Gangetey, bringing an end to the trek.
DAY 27:RETURNING TO PARO
We wake up early for the drive back to Paro and then spend the day getting reacquainted with the town. We will visit the Paro Dzong fortress, eat lunch, and go to one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Bhutan, the Kyichu Lhakhang. We will then spend the night at the Mandala Resort
DAY 28:A FAREWELL BREAKFAST
Today, your journey with us ends. We will drop you at the airport and bid you farewell there.