Snowman Trek is an extension of Laya-Gasa Trek, and it takes the trekker beyond Laya to Lunana and further on to Gangkar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Trongsa District, depending on which route we choose. It takes tough trekkers who can camp at 5,000 m and above. The trekkers have to sometimes camp on snow.
Duration: 25 days
Maximum Elevation: 5,320 m
Highest Camp: 5,050 m
Standard: Hard
Best Seasons: Mid-June to Mid-October
Start: Gunyitsawa Village, Paro Valley
Finish: Sephu (Trongsa)

Day 1
Gunyitsawa Village to Sharna Zampa
Time: 40 mins
Trail: 80 m descent
Campsite altitude: 2,850 m
This trek begins at Gunyitsawa and passes by the army check post where the trek permit is checked and endorsed.

Day 2
Sharna Zampa to Thangthangkha (this is a day-long trek)
Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance: 22 km
Trail: 770 m ascent, 10 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,610 m

Day 3
Thangthangkha to Jangothang
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 19 km
Trail: 480 m ascent
Campsite altitude: 4,080 m
If we arrive at the campsite early in the evening, we will be able to see Mt. Jomolhari. If not, we will see the mountain early in the morning. From here, the trek continues up the Pachhu river valley.

Day 4
Halt at Jangothang
The halt at Jangothang provides plenty of time for hikes that provides resplendent views of lakes and snow-capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. Here, if we are lucky, we can spot the blue sheep on the upper slopes.

Day 5
Jangothang to Lingzhi
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance: 18 km
Trail: 840 m ascent, 870 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,010 m
At a short distance from the camp, the trail climbs steeply for about half an hour and then gradually climbs to Nyilila pass at 4,870 m.

Day 6
Lingzhi to Chebisa
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 10 km
Trail: 280 m ascent, 410 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,880 m
Shortly after starting the trek, we reach a choeten below Lingzhi Dzong from where we can choose to stay on the main trail or take a detour.

Day 7
Chebisa to Shomuthang
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance 17 km
Trail: 890 m ascent, 540 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,220 m
The trek starts with a long (2-3 hrs) ascent behind Chebisa Village across a wide pastureland towards Gobula Pass. A few yak herders can be seen along the route.

Day 8
Shomuthang to Robluthang
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance 18 km
Trail: 700 m ascent, 760 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,160 m
The trek begins by climbing up the valley to view Kang Bum at 6,526 m and some edelweiss. After two hours, we arrive at Jhari La at 4,750 m from where we catch the first sight of Sinche La.

Day 9
Robluthang to Limithang
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance 19 km
Trail: 850 m ascent, 870 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,140 m
The trek starts with 40-60 minutes ascent before the climb becomes gradual across a field of boulders for one and a half hours. Then, the trail climbs steeply for an hour before reaching Sinche La at 5,005 m.

Day 10
Limithang to Laya
Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance 10 km
Trail: 60 m ascent, 340 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,840 m
The trail today takes us downhill across a narrow, winding river valley. The trail takes us through a densely forested area to the western side of Laya village.

Day 11: Rest/Acclimatisation day in Laya
If we have trekked from Paro, we should spend one day here recuperating and preparing for the rest of the hard trek. If we have started from Gasa, we should walk to Laya to acclimatise.

Day 12
Laya to Rhoduphu
Time: 6-8 hrs
Distance 19 km
Trail: 1,030m ascent, 750 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,160 m
The trail descends to an army camp and follows a river. After lunch, the trial leads through rhododendron bushes to the camp at Rhoduphu.

Day 13
Rhoduphu to Narethang
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 17 km
Trail: 740 m ascent
Campsite altitude: 4,900 m
Today too, the trail follows the river for about half an hour. Then it gently climbs to an open valley at 4,600 m and beyond that to Tsomo La at 4,900 m.

Day 14
Narethang to Tarina
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 18 km
Trail: 270 m ascent, 1,200 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,970 m
Today, the trail climbs for an hour to Gangla Karchung La at 5,120 m. The view from the pass over many mountain ranges is spectacular.

Day 15
Tarina to Wache
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance 17 km
Trail: 270 m ascent, 330 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,910 m
The trail now winds through coniferous forests across the upper ridge of the Phochhu River. On the way, we walk past some sparkling waterfalls.

Day 16
Wache to Lhedi
Time: 6-7 hrs
Distance 17 km
Trail: 980 m ascent, 1,190 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,700 m
The trail begins through juniper and fir forests, then through rhododendron bushes until we reach Keche La pass at 4,650 m from where the surrounding mountains can be seen in all their majesty and grandeur.

Day 17
Lhedi to Thanza
Time: 7-8 hrs
Distance 17 km
Trail: 450 m ascent
Campsite altitude: 4,150 m
If it’s a bright day, today the enchanting view of Table Mountain at 7,100 m spreads before us. At around midday, the trail goes past the small village of Chozo lying at 4,090 m. The village boasts of a dzong.

Day 18
Rest day at Thanza
The yaks from Laya return form Thanza. So, new yaks need to be arranged, which takes time. As new yaks are being arranged, we can choose to experience the highland village life or climb up the ridge to feast one’s eyes on intriguing views of lakes and mountains.
r /> Day 19 Thanza to Danji
Time: 3-4 hrs
Distance 8 km
Trail: 80 m ascent
Campsite altitude: 4,230 m
From Thanza, the trail leads onto a gargantuan boulder commanding the view of Thanza, Toencha and Choso village and that of the surrounding mountains.

Day 20
Danji to Tshochena
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 12 km
Trails: 980 m ascent, 240 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,970 m
En route to Sephu, the trek climbs to Jaze La at 5,150 m that commands panoramic mountain views.

Day 21
Tshochena to Jichu Dramo
Time: 4-5 hrs
Distance 14 km
Trail: 230 m ascent, 150 m descent
Campsite altitude: 5,050 m
Today, we walk on the bank of a dark, green lake. When we reach a ridge at 5,100 m, we are treated to another spectacular view of mountains in all directions.

Day 22
Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 18 km
Trail: 320 m ascent, 730 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,600 m
Today, we walk across a moraine to Rinchen Zoe La at 5,320 m. Gangkar Puensum and other mountain ranges spread all around in their radiant beauty.

Day 23
Chukarpo to Thampe Lake
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 18k m
Trail: 400 m ascent, 700 m descent
Campsite altitude: 4,300 m
We descend following the river until we reach some yak herders’ huts at Gala Pang Chhu at 4010 m. From here, the trail climbs sharply up to Thampe Lake, a beautiful, turquoise lake.

Day 24
Thampe Lake to Maurothang
Time: 5 hrs
Distance 14 km
Trail: 330 m ascent, 1020 m descent
Campsite altitude: 3,610 m
Now the trail sharply climbs to Thampe La at 4,600 m, the last pass on the trek. Today, we stand a good chance of spotting some blue sheep. The trail finally descends to Om Tsho, a sacred lake.

Day 25
Maurothang to Sephu
Time: 5-6 hrs
Distance 18 km
Trail: 990 m descent
On the last day of the trek, the yaks give way to horses. The trail follows the Nika Chhu and ends at a large grassy area overlooking the Wangdue-Bumthang highway.


Treks

1. Druk Path Trek
2. Jomolhari Loop
3. Jomolhari Trek
4. Snoman Trek
5.Punakha Winter Trek
6. Dur Hot Spring Trek
7. Yaksa Trek
8. Tshaluna Trek