Expedition trek to Chomolhari, Lingshi, Laya & Lunana, Gangkar Punsum From the multitude of treks available in the Himalayas, Snowman trek is amongst the few that stand alone on the top. This will be an epic mountain trek with amazing wilderness and culture, an experience of a life time ! However this trek is not for everyone. It takes longtime and it is the most difficult trek in Bhutan.
And therefore 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 snow leopard, Takin and blue sheep, time-lost villages, meeting with nomadic yak herders round out this trek’s highlights.
This trek is not easy to organize because of several logistic problems such as arranging the ponies and porters (especially in Lunana region), having the strong and ethical local Guide and team who has done the trek several times, pre-planning rescue in case of emergencies and providing good equipments and supplies for this long trek. Almost Heaven Travels is being operated by experienced guide, who has done the snowman trek several times in the past 10 years and we are proud to have the tour operator who has been in the tourism
Trip Facts
Trip Duration: 28 to 35 days in Bhutan.
Trek Difficulty:
(Strenuous/Expedition type). Although individual trekking days are not very difficult after first few days, but the mere fact that you are out in wilderness for about 3 weeks makes it challenging.
Altitude:
This is a true high altitude trek camping at or above 4,000m once you reach Jangothang or in Laya, if you are starting trek via Punakha/Gasa. The highest passes are Gangla Karchung La at 5230m; Jaze La at 5251m: Loju La at 5155m: Rinchenzoe La at 5332m. Highest campsite are Tshochena at 4975m; Jichhu
Dramo at 5060m.
Best Season
The window for good trekking on the Snowman Trek via Chomolhari is extremely small as the trek is long.
The best time to start in the spring is from last week in April and in the fall, it is best to start between last week in Sept till first week in October. For the trek starting from Gasa, because it is shorter, you can even begin bit later. If you go at any other time, you’ll either get very wet, snowed in, or both.
Tour Costs
Included:
- Accommodation in hotel during the tour and in tent camps during the trek.
- All meals through-out.
- Transfers and road transportation by private vehicle.
- Sightseeing with entrance fees.
- Bhutan visa, taxes, all permits as required for the trip
- Experienced Trek leader /Guide (English speaking)
- Experienced Trekking Crews.
- Pack animals for carrying luggage during the trek.
- All trekking / Camping equipments including Altitude Pressure bags for emergencies
Not Included:
- Travel & Medical Insurance (recommended)
- Personal Gears (Sleeping bag, backpack, shoes and other personal gears)
- Flights into and out of Bhutan (extra charged separately).
- Tips and gratuities (optional).
- Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, beverages during the tour.
- Travel & Medical Insurance (purchased separately)
Snowman Trek via Chomolhari
Snowman Trek via Chomolhari, starting in Paro (Longer Version)
This is the longer trek starting from Paro, via Chomolhari, Lingshi and Laya. We have have listed two options a) via Gangkar Punsum Base camp to Dur and end the trek in Bumthang 2)or ending trek in
Nikkachu without Gangkar Punsum base camp.
Option A: complete snowman trek
Day 1: Arrive in Paro, Bhutan by Druk Air
Day 2: Paro valley sightseeing
Day 3: Paro (Day hike to Takstang)
Day 4: Drive to Shana (1-2hr) and begin trek to Thongduzam, just beyond Shingkharb
Day 5: Trek to Soi Thangthangkha
Day 6: Trek to Jangothang
Day 7: Jangothang Rest or exploration day
Day 8: Trek Jangothang – Lingshi
Day 9: Trek Lingshi – Chebisa
Day 10: Trek Chebisa – Shomuthang
Day 11: Trek Shomuthang – Robluthang
Day 12: Trek Robluthang – Lemithang
Day 13: Trek Lemithang – Laya
Day 14: Rest & Explore Laya Village
Day 15: Trek Laya to Rodophu
Day 16: Trek Rodophu to Narethang
Day 17: Trek Narethang to Tarina
Day 18: Trek Tarina to Woche
Day 19: Trek Woche to Lhedi
Day 20: Trek Lhedi to Thanza
Day 21: Thanza Rest & Explore
Day 22: Trek Thanza – Tsorim
Day 23: Trek Tsorim – Gangkar Phunsum Base Camp
Day 24: Rest & Explore Gangkar Phuensum
Day 25: Trek to Geshe Woma
Day 26: Trek Geshe Woma – Warathang
Day 27: Trek Warathang – Dur Tshachu
Day 28: Trek Dur Tshachu – Tshochenchen
Day 29: Tshochenchen – Dur/Bumthang
Day 30: Bumthang Tour (around Jakar)
Day 31: Drive from Jakar to Trongsa or Continue to Phobjikha
Day 32: Drive to Wangdiphodrang -Punakha
Day 33: Punakha Tour & drive to Thimphu
Day 34: In Thimphu (Capital) Tour
Day 35: Thimphu – Paro – Departure
Option B: Skip Gangkar Punsum Base Camp and end the trek in Nikka Chu.
Follow Snowman Trek via Chomolhari from Day 1 till Day 18 as above.
Day 19: Trek Thanza to Danji
Day 20: Trek Danji to Tshochena
Day 21: Trek Tshochena to Jichu Dramo
Day 22: Trek Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo
Day 23: Trek Chukarpo to Thampe Tsho
Day 24: Trek Thampe Tsho to Maurothang
Day 25: Maurothang to Sephu (trek Ends)
Day 26: In Punakha & Wangdiphodrang Tour
Day 27: Punakha – Thimphu
Day 28: In Thimphu (Capital) Tour
Day 29: Thimphu – Paro – Departure
Option C: Snowman Trek via Gasa
Snowman Trek via Gasa to Laya, Lunana & Gangkar Punsum
This snowman trek is a shorter version starting via Gasa. Even this shorter version can be done with
Gangkar Puensum Base camp or end the trek in Nikkachu.
Day 1: Arrive in Paro, Bhutan by Druk Air
Day 2: Paro valley sightseeing
Day 3: Paro (Day hike to Takstang)
Day 4: Drive from Paro Punakha via Thimphu
Day 5: Punakha – Drive to Gasa and stay near the hot Spring Gasa Tsachu
Day 6: Trek Gasa – Koina
Day 7: Trek Koina – Laya
Day 8: Rest & Explore Laya Village
Day 9: Trek Laya to Rodophu
Day 10: Trek Rodophu to Narethang
Day 11: Trek Narethang to Tarina
Day 12: Trek Tarina to Woche
Day 13: Trek Woche to Lhedi
Day 14: Trek Lhedi to Thanza
Day 15: Thanza rest day & Explore
Day 16: Trek Thanza – Tsorim
Day 17: Trek Tsorim – Gangkar Phunsum Base Camp
Day 18: Rest & Explore Gangkar Phuensum
Day 19: Trek to Geshe Woma
Day 20: Trek Geshe Woma – Warathang
Day 21: Trek Warathang – Dur Tshachu
Day 22: Trek Dur Tshachu – Tshochenchen
Day 23: Tshochenchen – Dur/Bumthang (Trek ends)
Day 24: Bumthang Tour (around Jakar)
Day 25: Jakar to Trongsa or Continue to Phobjikha
Day 26: To Thimphu
Day 27: In Thimphu (Capital) tour
Day 28: Thimphu – Paro – Departure
Option D: Snownman via Gasa, trek ending in Nikka Chu
Follow Day 1 till 16 as per Snowman Trek via Gasa
Day 16: Trek Thanza to Danji
Day 17: Trek Danji to Tshochena
Day 18: Trek Tshochena to Jichu Dramo
Day 19: Trek Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo
Day 20: Trek Chukarpo to Thampe Tsho
Day 21: Trek Thampe Tsho to Maurothang
Day 22: Maurothang to Sephu- Gangtey (trek End)
Day 23: Drive from Gangtey (Phobjikha) to Thimphu
Day 24: In Thimphu (Capital) Tour
Day 25: Thimphu – Paro – Departure
This is one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas, often compared to mountaineering expedition in some sense. Apart from difficulties of terrain, weather etc, the trek is very challenging to organize because it is difficult to find pack animals and porters in the area. The local nomads are more happy finding more lucrative Yartsa Gunbu (Cordyceps)"caterpillar fungus" .
