Snowman Trek - Part I

On arrival at the Paro International Airport you meet your tour guide and driver. Check into your hotel and after a brief rest, start your magical experience of Bhutan by first visiting the impressive Rinpung Dzong/Fortress of Heaped Jewels a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. The Dzong is located in the heart of the town and a few minute walk through Nyimazam, one of the few last remaining traditional cantilever bridges in Bhutan. Dzongs serve as both monastic institutions and district administrative offices.

Located above the Dzong is the National Museum that houses various antiques and artifacts of Bhutan and provides a glimpse into Bhutan’s cultural and religious history.

Visit the 3 storied Dungtse Lhakhang/temple, built in the mid 1430’s by Thangtong Gyalpo, an iron bridge builder, to subdue a demon and the temple is believed that it is firmly chained to the ground. The three floors of the temple represent hell, heaven and earth and house some of the finest murals in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

After a sumptuous breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. Riding ponies are also available if you think the hike is a bit daunting. Located around 900 meters above the Paro valley on a precarious almost vertical mountain cliff, Taktsang Monastery is truly a wonderful and spectacular sight in terms of its location, setting and history. In the 8th Century this was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest site in the Buddhist arena and the most important cultural icon in Bhutan.

You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.

Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.

In the evening, enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub which is supposed to be very curative with numerous medicinal and healing properties and has been the practice since the ancient times in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

• Drive to Sharna Zampa
• Start your trek
• Distance 22kms, Duration 7-8 hours
• Campsite at Soe Thangthangkha - 3610 m

• Distance 19 kms, Duration 5- 6 hours
• Campsite at Jangothang – 4,080 m

• Excursion of the base camp
• Campsite at Jangothang – 4,080 m 

Distance 18 kms, Duration 6- 7 hours

Campsite at Lingshi – 4,010 m

• Distance 16 kms, Duration 3- 4 hours
• Campsite at Chebisa – 3,990m

• Distance 14.5 kms, Duration 5-6 hours
• Campsite at Shakyapasang – 4,000 m 

• Distance 16kms, Duration 6- 7 hours
• Campsite at Robluthang – 4,160 m

• Distance 14kms, 6-7 hours
• Campsite at Limithang – 4,160 m

• Distance 9kms, Duration 4-5 hours
• Campsite at Laya – 3,800m

• Rest and Relax
• Campsite at Laya – 3,800m

• Distance 14.5 kms, Duration 7- 8 hours
• Campsite at Rodophu – 4,215m 

• Distance 16kms, Duration 6 - 7 hours
• Campsite at Narenthang – 4,940m

• Distance 16kms, Duration 6- 7 hours
• Campsite at Tarina – 4,350m

• Distance 14kms, Duration 6-7 kms
• Campsite at Woche – 4,350 m

• Distance 16kms, Duration 6-7 hours 
• Campsite at Lhedi – 3,900 m

• Distance 17kms, Duration 7-8 hours
• Campsite at Thanza – 4,250 m

• Rest and relax 
• Campsite at Thanza – 4,250m

• Distance 19 kms, Duration 8 -9 kms
• Campsite at Tshorim – 5,120 m

• Distance 16 kms, Duration 6-7 hours
• Campsite at the basecamp – 4,970 m 

• Distance 14kms, Duration 6- 7 hours
• Campsite at Geshe Woma – 4,200m

• Distance 18 kms , Duration 8- 9 hours
• Campsite at Warathang – 4,000 m

• Distance 14kms, Duration 5 hours
• Campsite at Tsachu – 3,590m

• Distance 18kms, Duration 8-9 hours
• Campsite at Tshochenchen – 3,920 m

• Distance 20 kms, Duration 7-8 hours
• Drive to Bumthang - 30 minutes
• Rest and relax at your hotel
• Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang 

• Jakar Dzong – Fortress of the White Bird
• Leisurely walk to the four temples  -Jambay Lhakhang/temple
• Kurjey Lhakhang/temple
• Tamzhing Lhakhang/temple 
• Kharchu Dratsang / Institute of Buddhist Studies – beautiful view of the valley 
• Kenchosum Lhakhang – one of the most beautiful temples 
• Stroll through town
• Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang

• Breakfast
• Drive to the Domestic airport
• Depart from Bumthang 
• Arrive at Paro – Approx. 35 minutes
• Bhutanese cooking experience – either learn some Bhutanese cooking or cook your own meal with local ingredients
• Overnight at your hotel in Paro

• Breakfast 
• Drive to the Airport – 20 minutes 
• Paro International Airport