Snowman trek

After breakfast drive to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort and on way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang. After lunch visit National museum, Ta Dzong and the Rinpung Dzong which is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Overnight at hotel.After breakfast drive to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort and on way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang. After lunch visit National museum, Ta Dzong and the Rinpung Dzong which is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Overnight at hotel.

Drive up to Drugyal Dzong where the road ends and the trek begin. The trail follows the Paro Chu and is a gentle walk through terraced fields and a narrowing valley. There are a few quaint farm hamlets en route. The campsite is just beyond an army outpost.

Walk up along the Pachu (Paro river), pass a small army outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can now clearly view the high ridges and the snow-capped mountains all around and also see yaks and herders settlements. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of the Jomulhari Mountain .

Walk up toward the pass through a wide pastureland. Depending on the season, you might find some yak herders in their camping tents along the way. As you come down after the pass to the Lingshi basin, you will see beautiful views of the Lingshi Dzong and the valley and also Tserim Kang (mountain) and its descending glaciers. Camp in a stone shelter with a built-in fire pit.

Today is the shortest walking day and you can realx. On reaching the campsite at Chebisa, you can visit the village houses if you feel up to it.

You walk through a wide pastureland towards Gobu-la (pass). On the way, you will see few people herding yaks. After crossing the Gobu -la (Alt. 4350m) descend down to the valley. The campsite is on a bench above a river, which is a tributary of the Nochu River.

As the walk is little strenuous, it is advisable to start a little early. After crossing the Jarela (pass) Alt. 4600m you come down to Tsarijathang valley where you can normally see herds of Takins. Camp at Tsarijathang.

After crossing the Shingela pass, alt. 4900m., you come down and follow the valley. Lemithang is under the Laya District and you will see people dressed in typical Laya costume with long pointed bamboo hats. Camp at Lemithang. If you have time, it would be advisable to spend a day here exploring the valley and meeting the people who have their own unique culture.

It is all the way down hill today along a winding river valley with quite a closed in feeling. The trail splits, one going down with the river to the campsite used by the army. The other stays high and brings you into the West Side of Laya village. You can camp on a high flat bench above the East End of Laya village.

You should spend a day recuperating from the trek to laya and preparing for the rest of this rigorous trek.

The trek leads gradually downhill to the Lunana junction, then makes a gradual climb through a forest of conifers, maple and rhododendron. The trail improves and becomes wider as you climb out of the river valley. The campsite is in a pasture near a small stream.

The trail leads uphill through dwarf rhododendrons bushes and a barren area with ups and downs across great boulders to Tshomo La(4780m). Descend through more boulders to a camp at Narethang, a yak pasture used by Laya people. It's on a small plateau beneath the 6395m peak of Gangla Karchung.

Climb to Karchung La(5120m) then down to glacial lakes that are the source of the Tang Chu. Above the lakes tower the mighty peaks of Jejekhangphu Gang (7300m) and Tsenda Kang(7100m). The trail descends a rough moraine, then makes a further steep descent into rhododendrons on a notoriously dreadful trail with lots of rhododendron roots and slippery mud.

The trail leads down through conifer forest, following the upper reaches of the Pho chu. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche at 3940m, the first village since Gasa.. The trek has now entered the Lunana region.

Make a gradual climb to Kheche La(4580m), then downhill to Thega village. The walk continues to Lhedi village(3700m), where there is another wireless station.

The trail climb gradually following the main source of the Pho Chu to Chozo village. At the small Chozo Dzong there are some lay monks. Above Chozo the Valley opens as you approach Thanza village, near the foot of 7100m Zongophu Gang, which is also know as table mountain. Camp at Thanza, 4090m, the main village of Lunana district.

Today is a long trek and should start as early as possible. It's a long climb over three false summits to Jaze La(5050m). Its then less than an hour down to the camp site at the lake of Tshochena. You may see blue sheep during the hike.

The trail is gradual ups and downs between snow capped peaks and across Loju La(4940m). Camp at Jichu Dramo.

The trek is a climb of Rinchen Zoe La(5140m), the highest point on the trek. It is then a long downhill to Chukarpo, which is just above the treeline.

It's a long, mostly downhill, walk along the river, then a climb back to Um Tsho at 4230m. In this Lake Pema Lingpa found a number of religious treasures. A bit further is the camp by the lake of Thampe Tsho.

It's a 2 hour walk to the base of Thampe La and then a steep climb to the pass at 4580m. The trek is then all downhill through rhododendron bushes to the yak pasture of Maurothanbg.

The trail follows the Nikka Chu through bamboo thickets and fields to the road at the village of Sephu

Early morning drive to Thimphu . Lunch at the Wangdi. Overnight in hotel.

Morning visit the memorial temple, the folk heritage museum, the National Library, the textile museum and Changgangkha temple then drive up to the highest viewpoint overlooking Thimphu valley and while returning, the Takin research center. After an evening tea, drive to Paro along a winding road for about 2 hrs. Overnight at Hotel.

Drive a short distance to Paro airport. Farewell and fly to your further destination.