Lunana Snowman Trek (27 Days)

Trekking in Bhutan

Day – 1 Arrive Paro International Airport.
During the flight one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received and escorted to your hotel by our company representative.

Day – 2 Paro – Sightseeing
Morning : drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress – 16 kms away from Paro town). The dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means “The Victorious Bhutanese.” This spot unfolds a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, “Mountain of goddess” (Alt 7329 mtrs). Visit a typical Bhutanese farm house on the way back. Overnight at hotel.

Day – 3 Paro – Shana(trek starts)
Distance 17 kms. About 5 – 6 hours journey. Altitude of Shana – 2800 mtrs. Drive upto road end at Drugyal Dzong where the trek begins. The trail follows the river gently uphill through narrowing valley and agricultural fields. The night’s camp is just beyond an army outpost.

Day – 4 Shana – Soi Thangthangkha
 Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds up and down along the drainage.The camp site is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt.approx – 3400 mtrs. Distance 15 kms. Time 6-7 hrs.

Day – 5 Soi thangthangkha – Jangothang
Distance – 9 kms. About 5 hours journey. Altitude of Jangothang – 4040 mtrs. The trek starts up the Pa Chu. An army outpost is crossed along the way. The valley begins to widen again. All around high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks come into view. Yaks and yak herders’ winter homes become a regular feature of the landscape. The night camp is beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari.

Day – 6 Jangothang – Lingshi
Distance – 19 kms. About 5 – 6 hours journey. Altitude of Lingshi – 4150 mtrs.
Trek through wide yak pastures and passes. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tsarim Khang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut or the tent.

Day – 7 Lingshi – Chebisa
Distance : 12 kms. About 5 – 6 hours journey. Altitude of Chebisa – 3850 mtrs.
This stretch is the short walk and can be taken at a leisurely pace. On reaching camp at Chebisa, you can visit the village houses and meet local people.

Day – 8 Chebisa – Shomuthang
Distance : 17 kms. About 6 hours journey. Altitude of Shomuthang – 4260 mtrs. The trek is through wild high pastures. The area is sparsely inhabited. The trail leads across the Gobula, a pass at an altitude of 4350 mtrs. Camp is on a ledge of flat land overlooking a tributary to the Mo Chu.

Day – 9 Shomuthang – Robluthang
Distance : 15 Kms. About 5 hours journey. Altitude of Robluthang – 14400 ft. an early start is advisable as you have to cross the Jerela Pass at an altitude of 4600 mtrs. After crossing Jerela, the trail descends to Tsharijathang, the valley where herds of Takin are usually seen. Overnight in camp.

Day – 10 Robluthang – Lemithang.

After crossing Shingela Pass at an altitude of 4900 mtrs, the trail descends to the valley beyond.

Day – 11 Lemithang – Laya
Altitude of Laya is 12680ft. Campsite is on a flat piece of land overlooking the east                  end of the Laya village.

Day – 12 Laya halt
Visit the village houses and take short hikes around the area.

Day – 13 Laya – Roduphu
Distance – 19 Kms. About 6-7 hours journey. Altitude of Roduphu – 4610 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day – 14 Roduphu – Narithang
Distance – 17 kms. About 5-6 hours journey. Altitude of Narithang – 4220 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day – 15 Narithang – Tarina
Distance – 18 kms. About 6-7 hours journey.
The trek crosses Ganglakarchungla at an altitude of 5100 mtrs. Overngith at camp.

Day – 16 Tarina – Woche
Distance – 15 kms. About 5 hours journey. On arrival at camp, visit a village house. From this point, the Lunana area begins. Overnight at camp.

Day – 17 Woche – Lhedi
Distane – 19 kms. About 6-7 hours journey.
The trail crosses the Kechela at an altitude of 4550 mtrs. Stop at Thega village enroute. Overnight at camp.

Day – 18 Lhedi – Thanza
Distane – 19 Kms. About 5-6 hours journey. Altitude of Thanza – 4050 mtrs. Enroute visit Chezo Dzong. Overnight at camp.

Day – 19 Thanza – Halt
Spend the day visiting village houses and meeting the local people. Short hikes can be taken around the camp area. Overnight at camp.

Day – 20 Thanza – Tsochena
Distance – 18 Kms. About 6-7 hours journey. Altitude of Tsochena – 4500 mtrs.
The trail crosses Jezela Pass at an altitude of 5050 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day – 21 Tsochena – Jitchu dramo
Distance – 14 Kms. About 4-5 hours journey. Altitude of Jitfchu Dramo – 4880 mtrs. The trail crosses Lojula Pass at an altitude of 4940 mtrs. Overnight at camp.

Day – 22 Jitchu Dramo – Chukarpo
Distance – 15 Kms. About 4-5 hours journey. Altitude of Chukarpo 14,731 ft.
The trail crosses Rinchenzoe Pass at an altitude of 5140 mtrs. Overnight halt at camp.

Day – 23 Chukarpo – Tampetso
Distance – 20 Kms. About 7-8 hours journey. Altitude of Tempetso – 13,895 ft. The trail crosses Tampela Pass at an altitude of 4550 mtrs. And the Umtso Lake, which is famous for the religious treasures, that Terton Pamalingpa found there. Overnight halt at camp.
 
Day – 24 Tampetso – Maorothang
Distance – 14 Kms. About 5 hours journey. Altitude of Maorothang – 11,844 ft.The trek is downhill all the way through stunted Rhododendron trees. The camp is situated near the Nika Chu River. Overngith halt at camp.

Day – 25 Maorothang – Nika Chu Chazam
Distance 23 Kms. About 6-7 hours journey. Altitude of Nika Chu Chazam – 2650 mtrs.This is the last day of walking. The trail passes through the agricultural fields and the village of Sephu. Overnight halt at camp.

Day – 26 Nika Chu Chazam – Thimphu
Early morning drive to Thimphu. Halt for lunch at Wangdi. Overnight halt in Hotel at Thimphu.

Day – 27 Thimphu – Sightseeing
Visit Tashichho Dzong – the main Secretariat Building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the Central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Wander through the town, visit shops and the Handicrafts Emporium, where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are available. Visit the workshop where the handicrafts are made. Visit the painting and woodcrafts schools where traditional painting and other arts are kept alive. Visit the National Library and see the ancient manuscripts preserved there. Visit the Simtokha Dzong ( 6 Kms. From Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629 A.D. The Simtokha Dzong houses the largest monastic school in the country. Evening drive to Paro. Overnight in hotel..

Day – 28   Morning departure from Paro Airport.