Snow man trek is considered as “the most difficult treks in the world” because of the extreme altitudes, distances, weather and remoteness. It starts from Drugyel Dzong, along Jumolhari, Laya and Lingzhi the highest district in the kingdom. Trek takes 23 or more depending on the ability of the trekkers. The average walk is six hours and the average campsite altitude is over 14,600 feet.
Some of the highlights of the trip are the amazing views on show including views of perpetual snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, the highest yak herder’s settlement, rare blue sheep, blue poppies, and varied flora and fauna.
Arrival at Paro by Air. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by our members. Afternoon or, evening time at leisure and visit Paro Dzong and the national museum.
Day hike to Taktsang Monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra US $ 5/- The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time.
Drive to Gunitshawa and walk along the river valley, gradually becomes narrower and closes in after some distance. The winding trail with frequent climb and descend leads us to our camp site in a meadow in tents at 3, 600m. By then, we will have trekked about 23km in 7 to 8 hours.
Continue the trail along the Pachhu and the valley opens again after crossing a small army outpost. Trekking through the open valley affords view of high ridges and the snow-capped mountains with yaks and Yak herder’s camp on the valley floor. Trekking 15km of trek within 5 to 6 hours will find us near the ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jomolhari at 4040m. Camp here for the night!
Hike to Tshophu which is 2 hours walk from Jangothang come back to the camp and take rest to prepare for next day
Climb gradually toward the Nelila (4890m) pass through a wide pastureland. On your way, depending on the season you are trekking, you will find some yak herder’s in their camps. Descending from the pass to Lingshi, you will have a beautiful view of Lingshi Dzong, the Valley, Tserim Kang (Mountain), and its glaciers. At 4150 m, camp in the tent! By then, we will have covered 19km of trail within 6 to 7hours of trek
Today is the shortest of all days on our trip. Upon reaching Chebisa at 3, 850 m, having trekked for 3 to 4 hours covering 12km of trail, camp alongside the village settlement. You can visit the village houses and feel the Bhutanese rural life experiences.
Trekking through a wide pastureland will lead up to Gobu La Pass 4400 m approximately . Along the way, you find some Yak herder’s. Conquering Gobu La Pass, descend down to the valley. The campsite will be above a river bank, a tributary of a Mochhu River at the elevation of 4, 260m. By then we will have trekked 17km in 5 to 6 hours of time.
We start early for the trek is little strenuous. Upon crossing the Jerela Pass at 4, 600m, descend to Tsharijathang Valley, where you can see the herds of Takin, the National Animal of Bhutan. Camp at Tsharijathang at 4, 390m after having trekked from 15km for 6 to 7 hours!
Cross the Shingela Pass at 4, 900m, you take a downhill trek following the valley. Lingmithang, a beautiful village under Laya Village offers an opportunity to see people dressed in typical Laya costume with long bamboo hats on their head. Camp at Lingmithang at the elevation of 4, 140m after a day long trek of 6 to 7 hours covering 19 km of the trail.
The trek for the day is downhill walk along the narrow winding river valley. The trail leads you to the west side of the Laya Village. At the elevation of 3, 850m, campsite is on a high flat bench above the village or in the village. The trek stretches for about 10 km requiring 3 to 4 hours of normal trekking.
Let’s rest and go around the villages and explore the houses and the people. Layap’s are ever welcoming and will readily pose for photographs if you aspire to have one. Their dress is very typical and particularly of women with bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments makes them more special. In the evening, you get to be part of the cultural event with local girls performing dances.
After descending a while, we reach to army camp. We continue following the river till the turn off point to Rhoduphu. After lunch, we pass through lush rhododendrons till we reach at camp at the height of 4, 350m. By then, we will have trekked for about 8 to 9 hours.
The trail leads most of the time up hills through draft rhododendrons bushes and barren areas with lots of ups and downs. We cross TSHOMO LA (4780m) and decent down to camp site at Narithang (4500m). Where we will also see the yak herders have their camp during their summer and it is just under or near to Gangla Karchung 6395m. over night at camp.
We start as early for today is the long stretch that we have got to trek. We climb to karchung la at 5150m and conquer the summit from where one can have a splendid view of Tari Gang 7300m. Karchung la or gangla Karchung is the point where the two main rivers are divided. Front part of the pass is the start point of the mochu (female) river at Punakha and the back side is the place where phochu (male) river is started. The trails are not easy as what we think, in morning sessation we climb and after crossing the karchung la we have to descent down very deep to the river bed and climb down are very steep and must be very care full. Trekking through this trail offers unique opportunity to have a thought how Bhutanese people are suffering through such paths without any proper path.
We trek downhill taking us through the coniferous forest following the upper ridges of the Phochhu. Then, the trail climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche at the elevation of 3, 800m. After 6 to 7 hours of walk, camp here for the night.
The trek starts through juniper and fir forests gradually entering into rhododendrons. Climb up to Keche La Pass at 4480m where one can have a great view of surrounding mountains. After the Pass, descend to the riverside walking through the village enjoying the scenic view of Mountains roofing the valley. Follow the river leading up to Lhedi Village, where one of the main sources of Phochhu begins. Camp at the altitude of 3, 650m!
The trek continues along the bank of the river ascending gradually to Choejung Village. Cross the bridge and after 7 to 8 hours of trek, we reach Thanza at 4, 000m for we camp there.
We take a rest for a day by exploring near by lakes and mountains. It will provide a refreshing break to rejuvenate you for rest of the trek.
Climb up for almost for 5 hours to cross Jazi La pass which is about 5090m. after crossing Jazi La descend down for almost 2 hours to camp site.
Jichu Damo is almost 7 hours walk from Tshochen. There is no pass on the way and see many beautiful lakes. On the way you can also see the beautiful flowers like micronopsis superba and many other medicinal plants. Camp at 5250m and will be highest camp site on the trek.
It takes approximately around 7 hour to reach the camp site. You have to climb up for almost 4 hours to reach Gangrinche zoy 5700mts app. Then climb down for 3-4 hours to reach camp site.
Tampa Tsho is 6 hours from Chukarpo and walk along the river side for approximately 3 and half hours. Climb up for almost 2 and half hour to reach the camp site. Near the camp site you see very beautiful lake and landscape
It takes almost 7 hours to reach Marothang, climb up for 2 hours to reach the pass which 4800m. Descend down for 5 hours where on the way you can find lakes and beautiful glacier landscape.
Fom Marothang to sephu it takes 3 hours to reach your end point of the trek. There your diver will be welcome you.
Drive to resort and rest.
Today after breakfast we will visit Punakha dzong and then drive to Thimphu via Dochula mountains pass. Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972;
Visit Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the Royal Government as well as the summer residence of the Head Abbot and the central monastic school. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu.
Visit the Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive. The Post office.
Visit the World’s tallest Buddha statue, The Art and craft centre, the paper factory and Kezang weaving centre at changzamtog.
You can wear Bhutanese traditional costumes which will be provided by the company and then attend the farewell in the evening with Bhutanese cultural program.
Overnight in Thimphu
After the breakfast drive to Paro airport for your departure.
we hope to provide the ultimate best value for all our guests. We choose some of the finest hotels, offer free upgrades to make our visitors feel the most welcomed and well-taken care of while traveling in Bhutan. We take pride in providing first class accommodations for our travelers.
A wide variety of accommodations are available ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to cozy little hotels, homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes to camping under the stars. Visitors can be assured of comfort, ambiance and hospitality.
The types of accommodations can be divided into:
Hotels in Bhutan are rated according to a National 5 Star rating System. All Tour Operators are required to provide their guests with Government Categorized Hotels and Resorts, a minimum of 3 Star accommodations so you can be assured of your comfort. Most hotels provide their guests with Basic Necessities, Room Service, Free Wi-fi, Television and some of them also have Fitness Centers and Spas
The luxury packages are based on 4 star luxury hotels and 5 star International Hotels Chain (Aman Kora, COMO Uma, Zhiwaling, Le Meridien and Taj Tashi) with extra charges in addition to the Mandatory Daily Tariff of USD $250/person/night.
Visitors also have the option of spending a night in a traditional Bhutanese Farm House with a Bhutanese family. Agriculture is still one of the major sources of livelihood among the Bhutanese people and a farm-stay will give you an excellent glimpse into the day-to-day life of a typical Bhutanese family. You’ll be able to observe age old Bhutanese farming traditions as the family goes about its daily tasks. You’ll enjoy delicious home-cooked meals and the unparalleled hospitality of a Bhutanese host.
There’s nothing like camping in some of the most breath taking landscapes of Bhutan. Visitors embarking on long treks will be provided with tents and whatever other camping equipment is deemed necessary. Regardless of where you stay, visitors can be assured of their comfort and traditional Bhutanese hospitality.
All visitors in Bhutan are advised to get their insurance coverage from their own country. Bhutan doesn’t have travel insurance facilities
Tourist can buy mobile sim cards. It can be activated within minutes and will cost only about USD$2. Internet connectivity of 3G-4G will be available. Yelha Bhutan tours will be providing free Wi-Fi access in the resorts for the guest
Bhutan is perhaps one of the most photogenic places in the world. The landscape, nature, architecture and the people make it a photographer’s paradise. People are generally happy to pose for pictures, but do ask before you do so if you are focusing on one person. Photography is not permitted inside Dzongs, monasteries and temples as they are considered living institutions.
The export of antiques is prohibited by law. Tourists should buy only artifacts that have been certified for sale and for export. The government provides an official seal to certify that artifacts can be taken out of Bhutan.
There is a ban on the sale of cigarettes in Bhutan. Smoking is also prohibited in public places, hotels and offices.
