| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival to Paro | Morning arrival to Paro. ➜ Visit of Paro dzong and National Museum. ➜ Program subject to time of arrival. |
| 2 | Paro – Thimphu | Climb to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), the highlight of the tour. While the hike may seem hard, it is very rewarding. You can consider hiking in the morning or early afternoon depending on weather, your fitness and preferences. It will also help your acclimatization if you climb even above the Tiger's Nest to Zangtopelri lhakhang. There are great views from here to enjoy. ➜ Descend and explore the calm Kyichu lhakhang, which also pins down the giant demoness body. ➜ Drive to the castle ruins of Drukyel dzong, from where you can see the top of the holy Jomolhari mountain. ➜ Drive to Thimphu in the evening. |
| 3 | Thimphu – Gasa | Morning drive over Dochu-la pass (3115 m). In clear weather, enjoy panoramic views of snowy peaks. ➜ After lunch in Wangdue or Punakha, continue the drive to Gasa. ➜ Camp (or stay in a local guest house) near Gasa Tsachu, the hot springs. Here you can get a hot bath, the last one for more than two weeks! Tomorrow the serious trekking starts. |
| 4 | Trek Gasa – Takshikha | Trek distance 12 km, 5-6 h, ➚ 700 m, ➘ 800 m, camp altitude 3350 m. ➜ Drive from Gasa over Bari-la pass to the trailhead. The road is rough, suitable only for 4WD vehicles. Once we reach the road end, the luggage will be loaded on horses and we start hiking. ➜ Descend through road construction to the Koina station and campsite. You can refresh here and then start ascending over the cliff and again back down to the river. ➜ Continue along the Mo Chhu river further with some gentle ups and downs. You might need to do another tiring up and down in case of high water level. ➜ Reach Takshikha military camp. This place doesn’t get too much sunlight, so be prepared for cold. |
| 5 | Halt: Excursion to Laya |
Distance 8 km, 4-5 h, ➚ 600 m, ➘ 600 m. ➜ Today we will do an acclimatization trip to the picturesque Laya village. Climbing 600 meters up will take about 4 hours. Here a large village with houses scattered between fields starts. Nice views of surrounding mountains are ubiquitous and local ladies, with their famous antenna hats, are always ready to pose for photos. ➜ We will have a traditional lunch in a local farmhouse. ➜ Then we will visit the local temple and walk around the village. ➜ If you feel like continuing, you can go on from Laya to Lungu village, which will take another 3-4 hours of good hiking. The trail first descends to the river before ascending to Lungu (3800 m). ➜ Descend back to Takshikha military camp and rest.
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| 6 | Trek Takshikha – Rhoduphu |
Distance 16 km, 6-7 h, ➚ 1030 m, ➘ 150 m, camp altitude 4160 m. From Takshikha we descend to an army camp and continue following the river till the turn-off point to Rhoduphu. ➜ After lunch the climb continues through rhododendron bushes till you reach the camp at Roduphu just next to the Rhodu Chhu.
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| 7 | Trek Rhodophu – Narethang | 17 km, 7-8 h, ➚ 740 m, camp altitude 4900 m. After following the river for about half an hour you will have a steady climb to a high open valley at 4600 m and then further up to Tsomo La (4900 m). Tsomo La offers a superb view of Lunana, Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, and the Tibetan border. ➜ The route then crosses a flat, barren plateau at about 5000 m. ➜ The campsite at Narethang is towered by the peak of Gangla Karchung (6395 m). |
| 8 | Trek Narethang – Dead Man’s Camp | 21 km, 6-7 h, ➚ 300 m, ➘ 1200 m, camp altitude 3970 m. From the camp you will climb for about an hour to Gangla Karchung La (5120 m). The view from the pass is breathtaking and the whole range of mountains including Jekangphu Gang (7100 m), Tsenda Kang and Teri Gang (7300 m) can be seen. ➜ The pass descends along a large moraine. Again one has great views: a massive glacier descends from Teri Kang to a deep turquoise lake at its foot. Up here a glacial lake burst through its dam in the early 1960s, causing widespread damage and partially destroying Punakha Dzong. ➜ Finally, it is a very long descent through thick rhododendron to Tarina valley, where you will find several good campsites along the Tang Chhu. As this day is not particularly long, you will continue about one hour further to a large boulder for camping. This place is called “Dead Man’s Camp” by the Bhutanese staff because a tourist once died here due to high altitude sickness. You should have good acclimatization though, so no need to worry. Your Bhutanese staff might still be afraid of ghosts! |
| 9 | Trek Dead Man’s Camp – Woche Chhu | 15 km, 4-5 h, ➚ 240 m, ➘ 330 m, camp altitude 3910 m. The walk leads down through conifer forests following the upper ridges of the Pho Chhu, passing some impressive waterfalls. ➜ The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche after about a 2.5-hour walk. This is a settlement of a few houses, the first village in the Lunana region. The trail leading south-west is the fastest way to reach Punakha valley and is used by locals when they need to go to “civilization”. ➜ Spend some time to explore the village or visit a local shop. ➜ In the afternoon continue some 1.5 hours to the campsite by the Woche Chhu riverside. |
| 10 | Trek Woche Chhu – Lhedi | 16 km, 7-8 h, ➚ 980 m, ➘ 1190 m, camp altitude 3700 m. This will be quite a hard and long day. The trek starts through juniper and fir forests, and further ahead through rhododendron bushes. ➜ Climb up to Keche La pass (4650 m) where one can have a great view of surrounding mountains again. ➜ After the pass, descend to the riverside walking through a village with a stunning view of Table Mountain and others. ➜ Follow the river till Lhedi village. Lhedi has a basic health unit and a school. ➜ Camp by the village. |
| 11 | Trek Lhedi – Thanza | 14 km, 6-7 h, ➚ 450 m, camp altitude 4150 m. In clear weather, you will have great views of Table Mountain (7100 m). ➜ Around lunchtime, you will pass the small village of Chozo (4090 m) which has a dzong still in use. ➜ Reaching Thanza again you will have a great view of Table Mountain which forms a 3000 m high wall of snow and ice behind the village. Although there are possibilities to camp directly at Thanza, most groups prefer to camp in Thoencha. |
| 12 | Halt in Thanza | Rest day in Thanza. You can either get well-deserved rest after a very difficult part of the trek or make a 1-2 hour hike to neighboring villages. Another option is the viewpoint at 4800 m with views of the surrounding mountains. Thanza has mobile phone network and even data connection, so you can check your emails and update social networks. |
| 13 | Trek Thanza – Tshorim | 8-9 h, camp altitude 5240 m. Having chosen the route to Bumthang, the trek starts by climbing a ridge with a great view of Table Mountain and Thanza valley below. The ridge altitude is 4500 m, and it rises gradually up to 4650 m. ➜ After lunch, walk upwards towards the left side of the bridge to enjoy the view of snow-capped mountains. ➜ You reach the campsite of Tshorim after climbing more ridges. This is the highest campsite of the trek. |
| 14 | Trek Tshorim – Geshe Wom | 7-8 h, camp altitude 4600 m. This is one of the highlights of the trek and the day starts with a short climb to the Tshorim Tsho lake, one of the most spectacular mountain lakes of Bhutan. You walk on the side of the lake enjoying a panoramic view of the Gophu La ranges. ➜ The last climb to the Gophu La pass (5455 m) is not long. ➜ After the pass, descend to the Zanam campsite, walking along the ridge to enjoy a great view of Gangkhar Puensum. We will not camp here though and will continue walking for another two hours to another good camping place by Sha Chhu, making the next day’s long stretch much more feasible. |
| 15 | Geshe Wom – Warathang | 7-8 h, camp altitude 4500 m. The trail further follows the Sha Chhu and descends gradually to Minchungang (4200 m). ➜ Here the very steep climb starts which will take you to Phrodhrang La pass (4660 m). ➜ Below that, there is a high campsite called Phrodhrang, which is used by parties trekking in the opposite direction. ➜ Continue descending until you start again climbing to Sake La pass (4950 m), reaching the summit approximately two hours after the first pass. ➜ From here it’s about one hour to descend to Warathang (4520 m). |
| 16 | Trek Warathang – Dur Tsachu | 4-5 h, camp altitude 3350 m. The day starts with a short climb to Urathang La (4600 m). ➜ After the pass, you have to undertake a long and uncomfortable descent to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper, and conifer forest. ➜ After the bridge, a short climb leads to Dur Tsachu. These hot springs, where Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have taken a bath, might be the most stunningly beautiful hot springs of the Himalayas. You will enjoy an afternoon bath to clean the sweat of the previous days! |
| 17 | Trek Dur Tsachu – Tshochenchen | 15 km, 8-9 h, ➚ 1500 m, ➘ 700 m, camp altitude 4150 m. Refreshed in the hot springs, you begin the last major climb of the trek. Mixed forest is changing to juniper forest. ➜ It will take about 3-4 hours to reach the Kutong-la pass (4420 m). ➜ Descend below the pass and have lunch. ➜ After that, you will need to undertake a 1.5-hour climb to the Juli La pass (4700 m). This is a good time for a small celebration as it’s the last pass of the trek! ➜ Finally descend to the beautiful Tshochenchen campsite by the small stream. |
| 18 | Trek Tshochenchen – Chochomey | 5-6 h, ➚ 300 m, ➘ 1100 m, camp altitude 3200 m. Follow the stream all day, reaching mixed forest of junipers and rhododendrons. ➜ Last camp at Gorsum after the last serious trekking day. |
| 19 | Trek Chochomey – Dur, drive to Jakar | 3.5 h, ➘ ➚ 200 m, 800 m. Continue descending through mixed pine forest, mostly descending steeply until you reach the roadhead at Dur village. ➜ Here the bus will be waiting for you! Enjoy the refreshments and say a proper goodbye to your trekking staff. ➜ Then drive to Jakar and accommodate in the hotel after 24 days of trekking! |
| 20 | Rest in Jakar | Enjoying the end of the trek in the beautiful valley of Bumthang. Easy sightseeing around and visiting temples like Jambey Lhakhang, Kurjey and Tamshing. ➜ Visit to Red Panda brewery with beer tasting. ➜ Explore the lively little town of Jakar. |
| 21 | Jakar – Wangdue / Punakha | In the early morning start drive back to the west. ➜ First reach Chummey where you can stop for traditional textile shopping. ➜ After crossing Yotung-la pass (3400 m), descend to Trongsa. ➜ Here you will visit one of the largest castles, called dzong, in Bhutan. From here, the royal family of Bhutan had risen. ➜ Continue the long drive on a winding road with a short stop at Chendebji stupa, which is designed after the Bouddhanath stupa of Kathmandu. ➜ Reach Pele-la pass (3450 m), which is the border of central and western Bhutan. ➜ Finally descend to the subtropical Wangdue valley, reaching there by the evening. |
| 22 | Wangdue – Paro | Morning climb to Khamsum monastery with wonderful views of the valley and its terraced paddy fields. ➜ Visit Punakha dzong, which counts as the most intricately decorated castle in the kingdom. ➜ Short walk to Chhimmi lhakhang temple, devoted to the 15th-century saint Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman”, who taught Buddhism by singing, drinking and scandalous sexual exploits. ➜ If time permits, also visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery with Bhutanese- and Nepali-style stupa, overlooking the valley from a high hill. ➜ Afternoon drive to Paro. ➜ Walk in town and enjoy the last day in Bhutan. |
| 23 | Departure from Bhutan | Drop to Paro airport and departure from Bhutan. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Full classical Snowman Trek with start in Paro (total 29 days): While starting in Paro results in longer trek, it's easier due to mild acclimatization on the beginning of the trek. See Snowman Trek itinerary for details.
- Extra days for cultural sightseeing (1 or more days): Apart from trekking, you also want to visit major sights of Bhutan? Extend your trip with longer stay in Jakar, Trongsa, Phobjikha, Punakha, Thimphu and more. Inquire for options.