The Snowman Trek is our most challenging trek in Bhutan and ranks amongst the very finest anywhere in the Himalaya. It is undertaken by only a handful of trekkers each season and accesses Lunana, the most remote region of Bhutan. The trek crosses ten high passes over 4,500m that define the borders of Bhutan and Tibet. Savouring views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, we follow trails through yak herders encampments and isolated farming settlements as we prepare for our trek to Lunana. Amid a constant backdrop of 7000m peaks we discover a region of tiny Buddhist monasteries and secluded villages that are isolated from the rest of Bhutan for many months of the year. A truly classic Himalayan trek, which we have operated successfully for many years, join us for a once in a lifetime adventure!

Bhutan Snowman Trek Trip highlights

• Challenge yourself on one of the greatest and most rewarding treks of the Himalaya
• Cross 11 high passes as you trek to the isolated region of Lunana
• Absorb magnificent mountain views, explore hidden valleys and bask in the serenity of high altitude lakes
• Explore Paro and surrounds including the impressive Takstang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
• Experience the culturally rich region of Bhutan

Itinerary
Day 1:  Paro
After clearing customs and immigration you will meet your Bhutanese leader and drive a short distance via the main street of Paro to our accommodation. At some stage in the afternoon we will visit the main part of town, and visit the National Museum.

Day 2: Paro Velley, Taktshang Monastry
The Paro valley is truly beautiful, being a location for various farming activities, including commercial quantities of asparagus, strawberries and shitake mushrooms for export, plus various grain and vegetable crops. It is a patchwork of colours delineated by well kept traditional design farm houses that are ornately decorated. All of the slopes surrounding the valley are forested and the hint of mountains beyond is alluring. Our morning is spent exploring and appreciating the Tigers Nest Monastery or Taktsang, as it is known in Bhutan, a short drive from our resort. It takes us about one and a half hours to walk up the winding trail steeply through chir pine forest to a tea house and excellent vantage point. Another half hour walk takes us almost directly opposite the cliffs where the monastery is set. The monastery is the divine resting place of the Guru Rinpoche, and although it was once accidentally burnt down, reconstruction is now finished, and the monastery restored. We return back to our resort for lunch and then some touring in the afternoon. This evening you will need to repack, leaving behind things you will not require on the trek for safe storage with our local partner.

Day 3: Drive past Drukyel Dzong (2580m) to Shana (2860m) 
We continue the drive to Shana (1-1.5h drive) from where our trek commences. On this scenic drive we pass through farm country made up of fields of rice, wheat, barley, mustard, potato, and radish as well as herds of cows. The traditional Bhutanese two storey, timber and stone houses can be seen here. We also gain our first views of the summit of Jomolhari (7314m) at the head of the valley. We get under way and take a break for lunch where it suits us, as we are carrying a packed lunch. Initially the trail is wide and flat, as it meanders steadily through lightly forested fields, which in recent years have been the site of the ongoing large-scale Bhutan Government project to bring electricity to the isolated villages further up the valley.

Day 4: Trek to Soi Thangthangkha (3620m) (12km, approx 5 hours)

We now embark on a trek within Jigme Dorji National Park, the largest protected area in Bhutan, spanning 4,350 square kilometers. This vast park stretches beyond Laya to Lunana in the east and covers the southern territory as well. Although it is a designated wilderness area, the park management, based in Gasa, must balance the needs of lowland farmers and semi-nomadic yak herders. The park boasts an incredible diversity of plant and animal species, thriving in both high and low altitudes.

As we journey through the park, we'll encounter tall, dense forests consisting of various species such as oak, maple, birch, larch pine, and alder. As we ascend, these trees will gradually give way to an increasing number of rhododendrons and pines. The rhododendrons, in particular, are plentiful and diverse. Depending on the season, you may witness these flowers in full bloom or just past their peak, as the lower altitudes bloom first. Higher up, the rhododendron species will shift from the common Rhododendron arboreum, Nepal's national flower, to Rhododendron griffithianum and Rhododendron cinnabarinum.

Many of our campsites will not be traditional settlements, despite having place names. Instead, they are clearings near water sources, ideal for camping. These sites are also frequented by seasonal yak herders and workers involved in the extensive electrification project, which aims to bring electricity to this region of Bhutan.

Day 5: Trek to Jangothang (4100m) (13.6kms, approx 4/5 hours)

We continue our ascent to the camp at the base of Jomolhari, situated in a stunning alpine setting. To our right, Jichu Drake (6,794 meters) towers above, with a graceful ridge extending toward the pass we will cross the following day. Our campsite is near the yak herders from the Paro Valley, who, similar to their counterparts in Southern Tibet, reside in woven yak wool tents during the summer months.

At this altitude, we are above the treeline, and the landscape is characterized by low tundra vegetation, including juniper and Rhododendron setosum. Additionally, blue sheep are occasionally seen in the higher rocky outcrops.

Day 6: At Jangothang (acclimatisation day) An important day is reserved for acclimatization. We can take a side trip up the small valley toward Jomolhari, leading to a dramatic viewpoint overlooking the glacier. Alternatively, we may choose a scenic excursion to Tshophu Lake, located near Nyile La pass; both options offer excellent photo opportunities. In terms of mountaineering, the peaks here, like those in the rest of Bhutan, have seen minimal expedition activity from outsiders. Notably, Doug Scott and Victor Saunders successfully climbed Jichu Drake in 1988 on their third attempt, highlighting the challenging conditions of this easternmost part of the Himalayas, which is the first to be affected by monsoonal influences.

Day 7: Cross Nyile La (4890m) to Lingshi village (4010m) (15kms, approx 7 hrs) From camp, we begin our ascent over gentle grassland slopes and small brush to Nyile La (4,850 meters). This stage is not overly demanding, but if it's your first Himalayan pass, take your time, especially on the steeper sections just below the pass, where grasses give way to scree and sand. The views of Jichu Drake along the way will inspire you. From Nyile La, we leave Jomolhari and Jichu Drake behind and descend steeply through pure rhododendron stands to the outskirts of Lingshi village. Of particular note is the Lingshi Dzong, built to protect this and other outlying Bhutanese villages from periodic raids from Tibet.
Day 8: Trek to Chebisa village (3880m) (11kms, approx 4-5 hrs) We continue northeastward, ascending past Lingshi Dzong and traversing high alpine pastures adorned with rhododendron and daphne until we reach Chebisa. This picturesque valley features pastures and stone houses with shingle roofs. A short stroll from our camp brings us to a tall waterfall cascading from a gap in rocky cliffs, possibly hiding a hanging lake behind it. Beneath the waterfall stand tall, gnarled juniper trees. Above Chebisa, the alpine pastures are home to blue sheep (bharal) that graze near the snowmelt margins during the summer and descend below the villages during the winter.

Day 9: Cross Jare La (4760m) to Robluthang (4140m) (9kms, approx 6/7 hours) From Chebisa, the trail undulates with a series of ups and downs as we ascend to Gombu La (4,440 meters). The views back to Lingshi and the surrounding peaks are spectacular. Along the way, we might spot hill partridges and see lammergeiers soaring above the alpine pastures. Our descent to the camp at Shomuthang, located near some yak herder camps, takes us through a forest of cypress, spruce, and birch with large stands of rhododendron griffithianum and campylocarpum. We may also see iris and edelweiss in bloom. Our camp will likely be beside the river, with soaring mountains at the head of the valley. Alternatively, we might hike an hour further up the valley to make tomorrow’s hike easier.

Day 10: Cross Jare La (4760m) to Robluthang (4140m) (9kms, approx 6/7 hours) This morning, our route ascends directly, traversing grassy slopes and windswept hills to reach Jare La. This area is often home to blue sheep and lammergeiers. At the gap, marked by flags and several cairns, we have a panoramic view of the adjacent valley and our next pass, Sinche La. The trail then winds down through forests of rhododendron, spruce, cypress, and birch toward a broad valley floor where yaks may be seen grazing.

Here, we may have our first encounter with the people of Laya, recognizable by their distinctive woven conical hats with a spike on top and colorful beads draped around the back. Like other high-altitude animal herders in this region, they live in heavy woven tents, typically made from yak wool. We continue by trekking several hundred meters up the opposite side of the valley to our camp in a hollow at Robluthang.

Day 11: Cross Sinche La (5005m) to Lemithang (4150m) (14kms, approx 7/8 hrs) Our ascent of Sinche La will take approximately four hours. Maintaining a slow and steady pace is essential for a comfortable climb and the long descent on the other side. At the pass, we catch glimpses of peaks to our left, including Gangchenta. As we descend through boulders and grassy slopes, unparalleled views open up before us. Glacial blue lakes and white ribbon streams lie beneath the dramatic peaks of Gangchenta, also known as the 'Tiger's Ears'.

Further down, we observe classic glacial erosion, with fresh lateral and terminal moraines filling the valley floor, along with an enormous milky grey lake. The forests here are thick, and our picturesque riverside camp is surrounded by very tall conifers, with the 'Tiger's Ears' as our backdrop.

Day 12: In Paro, trip concludes We aim for an early start for our drive from Punakha to Paro. Our first stop in town will be Paro Dzong. Like all Dzongs, this fortress serves as the center for civil and religious activities. The Dzong is situated just below the national museum and can be reached via an old cantilevered bridge. After lunch, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries, believed to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. Later additions to the temple were made by the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan, and the Royal Family. We will spend the night at a hotel.