The Lunana Snowman Trek
Season:
May - mid October
What to bring: Strong Comfortable trekking boots and gym shoes warm clothing
down jacket lots of spare vests and socks snow or sun-glass, head gear
and raincoat. A sleeping bag is a must. Medium to heavy sleeping bag is
advisable. Torchlight will also be very handy. (Note: for trekking a load
of 25 kg is allowed.)
Recommendation: The trek is a difficult one and demands top physical form.
A physical fitness checkup is a must. For those without previous trekking
experience 2-3-month preparation is advised.
Arrival
by Druk Air - Paro
During this flight one will enjoy the view of Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga
and other Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Chomolhari &
Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport the representative
of Atlas Tours will receive you and transfer you a hotel for the overnight
halt.
Paro
- Sightseeing
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined
Fort (destroyed by fire in 1950.) which once defended this valley from
the Tibetan invasion. From here one can have the view of sacred Mt. Chomolhari
on clear days. After lunch drive to Ta Dzong former Watch Tower which
now houses the National Museum and then walk down passing close by the
Paro Dzong, crossing the Bhutanese typical wooden roofed bridge to Paro
town. After a short stroll in town drive back to hotel for the night halt.
Paro
- Excursion to Taktsang
Spend a full day hiking to Taktsang till the viewpoint, the Tiger’s nest.
This magical monastery clings to the vertical granite cliff of 3,000'
above the valley floor. It is believed that Guru meditated here in the
8th century. The disciples of Guru built the temple, which was later enlarged
by Shabdrung in the 17th century. After lunch hike back to the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Paro
- Shana
Drive up to Drugyel Dzong where the motor-able road ends and the trek
to Shana begins starts which is about 5 to 6 hours walk with gradual climb
following the Paro river through the agricultural valley and villages.
The campsite is opposite the army check post in the meadows, near the
river at an altitude of 2,800m.
The trail is gradual ascend following the Paro river through the conifer forest and Rhododendron. The path narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Camp is in the meadow with stone shelter built for trekkers surrounded by conifer and birch forest and on clear days one can have a magnificent view of Mt. Chomolhari suddenly peeping at you through the clouds. Camp at Alt. 3,860m and trek of 6 to 7 hours.
The trail leads bypassing the array post and the valley begins to widen and come by the winter house of yak herder where hot lunch will be served in one of the houses. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Chomolhari, Alt. 4,040 m and trek about 5 to 6 hours.
After your breakfast you start ascending up the mountainside towards Nyelila (Alt. 4,680 m). During the ascend you will be seeing the Mt. Jhomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drake and Tsherim Gang till Nyelila at which point you will be seen off by the former two mountains. There after you will be seeing only Tsherim Gang. From Nyelila pass the trail leads you all the way down to the camp at an Alt. Of 3,950-m distance 19 km and 5 to 6 hours walk.
The walk is through Gongyuel village and if you are lucky you might see the Raven bird and herds of blue sheep is no miss. Then you get to a small village called Chebisa, winter house of yak herders, thereafter the walk get tougher as you ascend the steep hill side till Gobula, Alt. 14,268 ft. From Gobula pass the walk is a very gradual descend till you get to the tree line which is the campsite by the river, Alt. 4,260 m.
The walk starts a little early and we head towards Karela pass Alt. 15,088ft. From here you drop to Tsharijathang, the valleys where herds of Takin are usually seen grazing in the meadows. Overnight halt in camp, Alt. 14,400ft/4,250 m. Distance is about 18 km and 6 to 7 hours walk.
You will be pass over the highest point on this trek, Shingela Pass at 16,072ft/4,870 m. The walk is tough till the top, and from there you start descending towards Lemithang. You trek through the valley till Lemithang, which is under Laya District. Here you will see kids in funny hats. Camp at Lemithang is beneath Gang Chen Ta, Great Tiger Mountain. If time permits it is worthwhile to spend a day of exploration here. Overnight in camp, Alt. 13,567ft/4,090 m. Distance is 19 km and is about 6 to 7 hours.
The walk for the day is all the way down hill along a winding river. As you walk down, the path splits in two, one going down in the direction of the river to the campsite which is also used by the army, and the other maintains almost the same height and leads you to the west side of Laya village. You can camp on this flat bench sort profile above the East End of Laya village. Overnight in camp, Alt. 12,680ft/3.820 m. Distance is 10 km about 4 to 5 hours.
Visit Laya village houses or hike above the camp.
The trek is 19 km about 6 to 7 hours with a gradual downhill after an hour or two taking left side route with gradual ascend the conifer, maples, rhododendron forest following the stream which is flowing from Mt Tsendey gang ranges. Camp site is near the stream at alt. 13,645ft/4,160 m.
The trail leads uphill through mountain desert where by will hardly see any vegetation> The trail leads up and down the rugged terrain to a pass called Tsimola, where there is a lake called Tsomola, alt. 14,342ft/4,346 m and then you reach Narithang, a small plateau area where it is possible to camp. The other option would be to start from Roduphu early in the morning and continue to Tarina without camping at Narithang. From Narithang the trail leads to Ganglakarchung pass, alt. 16,720ft/5,100 m which take approx. one hour and a half with gradual climb. From Ganglakarchung the trail is down hill through bushes and forest till you reach Tarina. Camp at Tarina . The total distance from Roduphu to Tarina is approx. 35 km and would take about 11 to 12 hours.
The distance is about 17 km and the path leads through the conifer forest following the stream flowing from Tarina. From a particular point the trail leads up hill for about 2 hours till you reach a village in Woche. On arrival at the camp you can visit a village house of Woche. The Lunana area begins from here. Overnight in camp.
The trail follows a gradual climb till the Kechel Pass, 15,015ft/4,550 m and leads down hill till Thega village where you stop for lunch and continue the trek which is slightly easy till you reach Lhedi village where the modern health facilities/communication links has reached. These facilities cater to the needs of the whole of the Lunana area. Camp at Lhedi. Distance 17 km, about 5 to 6 hours walk.
The trail for the day is a gradual climb up hill following the main source of Pho-chu river till you reach Chojo village where you make a short stop to implore the Chojo village. Then you continue the trek to Thanza village which is the campsite for the day. From here you can see a snow-clapped peak called Table Mountain. Distance 17 km, about 5 to 6 hours walk. Alt. 13,428ft/4,050 m.
Visit village houses and mix around with the local folks, OR hike in and around the camp. Overnight in camp.
The trek for the day is slightly longer than the previous ones so it is advisable to start early. The trail is one and half hours of up hill climb, thereafter it is gradual all the way till the base of Jaze-la. Then it is a again an up hill climb till the Jaze-la pass, alt. 16,564/5,050 m. From here it is down hill till the campsite, alt. 15,744ft/4,800 m. Distance 20 km, about 8 to 9 hours walk.
The distance for the day is 14 km which is about 4 to 5 hours walk with gradual ups and downs between snow-clapped mountains till you cross Loju-la, alt. 16,203ft/4,940 m. Then you reach the campsite at Jichu Dramo, alt. 16,006ft/4880 m.
The trek for the day is a climb of Gang Rinchen-zoe pass, alt. 16,859ft/5,140 m. After the pass it is all the way down till you reach Chukarpo, campsite for the night. Alt. 14,731ft, distance 18 km, 5 to 6 hours walk.
The trek starts with about two hours walk downhill till the base of Tampela. Thereafter it is steep climb till the Tampe- la pass, alt. 15,015ft/4,550 m. After the pass it is down hill till the camp at Um-tso, alt. 13,895ft where there is a lake and it is believed that religious treasures were found by Terton Penalingpa. Distance 18 km, 6 to 7 hours walk.
Today the trek is all the way down hill through the rhododendrons ,silver far ham lock cyprus and bamboo and through the village of Seaphu camp near Nikachu bridge.
Early morning drive to Thimphu with pack lunch, cross Pelela pass, descend down to Wangdi phordang, Punakha. After lunch drive to Thimphu across Douchu la pass (alt 3080m). Over night in Hotel.
Full day sightseeing visit Zelukha Nunnery, Memorial Chorten, Painting school, Indigenous hospital and back for lunch. After lunch visit Handicrafts Emporium, visit shops for shopping in the main town.
Early morning drive to Paro for your departure by Druk Air.
