Lunana snow man trekking

 Visit the alpine wonderland of Bhutan’s high Himalaya –glacial lakes, moraines and lofty peaks. The trail to takes us to remote villages, through lush rhododendron forests and across crystalline rivers and streams.
Bhutan’s Lunana trek is arguably the most challenging trek in Bhutan-if not the entire 2000 mile-long Himalayan Range. Crossing eight major passes, three of which are over 16,400 feet, the trail averages 13,000 feet. Our route winds through step, rocky and remote terrain through interspersed villages, the perfect trek for those with a true sense of adventure. Occasional groves of fluttering prayer flags mark the trail as we travel through beautiful pine forests. We are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views as we travel past water falls and glacier to the villages of the Bhutan Himalaya.

 Day 1 Arrive in Paro
Paro is located in a flat valley awash with rice fields that lie above a narrow gorge. This fertile valley was the seat of power in Western Bhutan during the nineteenth century. In the evening you will have a chance to visit the valley's largest dzong, Paro Dzong. A dzong is a fortress that holds offices for civil officials and quarters for monastic authorities. All dzongs were built in harmony with the land that they protect and often rise directly out of the ridges they were built upon. You will spend the evening at Gangtey Palace Hotel. The hotel provides a spectacular view of the Paro Valley. Gangtey Palace was a fortress owned by the father of the late Prime Minister of Bhutan. The hotel's traditional architecture is incredible. Lunch, Dinner Snowman Trek

Day 2 Drukgyel Dzong to Sharna Zampa (10.5 miles, 5-6 hours)
The SnowmanTrek begins at Drukgyel Dzong (8,514 feet). The fortress now standing in ruins was built in 1649 to defend Bhutan from Tibetan invaders. Climbing along the Paro Chhu (river) the trail passes several small settlements; weaves between terraced fields of rice and fruit orchards and enters thick forests of blue pine. Your first evening of the trek will be spent in Sharna Zampa (9,741 feet). B,L,D

Day 3 Sharna Zampa to Thangthangka (12 miles, 6-7 hours) The trail continues its gradual climb along side the Paro Chhu passing through forests of pines and rhododendrons. Climbing toward Thangthangka (11,919 feet) the trail crosses the river several times before reaching an alpine meadow set below Chomolhari in the distance. B,L,D

Day 4 Thangthangka to Jangothang (11 miles, 5-6 hours)
Today the route's thick forests slowly change to open pastures. These high alpine meadows are inhabited by several yak-herding settlements. Passing yaks grazing along the trail you will have an opportunity to visit with local herders and learn about their unique way of life. Trekking higher you will pass through the villages of Takethang and Dangochang before reaching Jangothang (13,400 feet). Your camp is set in an amphitheater of snow covered peaks, to the north Jichu Drake and to the east many of Bhutan's unclimbed sacred summits. Tonight's camp is set beneath an ancient fortress and Bhutan's most sacred Peak Chomolhari. B,L,D

Day 5 Exploration day in Jangothang
From Jangothang you will have a chance to explore the area surrounding Chomolhari. Possible excursions include fishing up at Tshophu, a beautiful lake set in a high alpine cirque, or three other stupendous day hikes each leading you in a different direction and offering unique views of the surrounding Himalayas including: Jichu Drake (23,063 feet) and Tserim Kang (22,404 feet). These day hikes will reach 15,000 feet. B,L,D

Day 6 Jangothang to Lingshi (10.8 miles 5-6 hours)
Trekking through wide-open pastures below the impressive face of Jichu Drake the route passes a small settlement before ascending to the Nyile La (16,137 feet). The pass affords beautiful views of Tserim Kang and the Lingshi basin far below. Descending over a wind swept ridge the trail weaves its way to Lingshi and it Dzong. The small fortress stands completely alone in the middle of a wide valley. Once an important look out, the vantage point from the fortress and your camp looks toward the Tserim Kang, its glaciers, and the Tibetan border. B,L,D

Day 7 Lingshi-Chebisa (7 miles 4-5 hours)
Continuing past the village of Lingshi we will visit the town's Yugyel Dzong and its alpine monastery before passing through the village and beginning today's moderate walk to Chebisa. Our route follows a ridge before dropping into a stunning rock wall canyon and the village of Goyak with its fields of barely and closely placed together homes. A short descent from Goyak the trail leads into the spectacular Cheibisa Valley (12,705 ft). Arriving early there is plenty of time to explore the village and meet the local people who live in this high alpine setting. B,L,D

Day 9-10 Chebisa-Robluthang (10 miles 6-7 hours both days)
Over the next two days we will travel through areas populated by a large number of blue sheep and other Himalayan animals and birds. Trekking through open pastures the first day our route traverses through a sparsely inhabited region where on occasion we will meet yak herders living in their woolen tents. Crossing the Gobula Pass (14,355 ft) we descent to our first camp along a small mountain stream which is a tributary to the Mo Chhu the river we will follow to Punakha. Our next day's walk crosses the Jere La (15,200 ft) before descending to Tsharijathang. This valley is known for its herds of Takin and this will be a great chance to see this unique Himalayan animal. Our camp is situated above the valley at a small alpine lake. B,L,D

Day 11 Robluthang-Limithang (12 miles 6-7 hours)
Today our route crosses the Sinche La (16,516) with its staggering Himalayan Views. This is one of the hardest days on the trek with a five hour climb to the top of the pass. At this point we will be well acclimitized to the higher elevations. From the Sinche La the trail descend to toward Lemithang (13,662 feet) with its dramatic Himalayan scenery. Nestled in a valley of glacial lakes, streams, and moraines it is the perfect opportunity to be surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Himalayas. The peak of Gangchhenta towers above tonight's camp.B,L,D

Day 12 Limithang-Laya (6 miles 3-4 hours)
Traveling through stupendous Himalayan scenery our route leads to the village of Laya set beneath the majestic face of Masang Gang (23,644 feet). Laya is a large, isolated region in the far northwest of the Gasa District. The area is inhabited by 800 people belonging to the Layap ethnic group. The Layap have their own distinctive language, customs and clothing found no where else in Bhutan. The women keep their hair long, which is not the norm in Bhutan, and wear unusual conical bamboo hats with a bamboo spike on top. Close to the Tibetan Border this village is one of Bhutan's highest (12,705 feet). B,L,D

Day 13 Exploration Day in Laya
Today is an excellent opportunity to rest while exploring the fascinating village of Laya and meeting the Layap people. Rest DayB,L,D

Day 14 Laya-Rodophu
From Laya we back track for an hour down valley to reach our turn off to the Lunana Valley. Climbing gradually we reach our camp (13,728 feet) set in open meadow surrounded by forests of conifers, maples and rhododendrons. B,L,D

Day 15 Rodophu-Narethang
Today we encounter, the Tsomo La (15,775 feet). To reach the pass we climb through a forest of dwarf rhododendrons. After crossing the pass we descend to our camp at Narethang situated below the snowy summit of Gangla Karchung (21, 035 feet). B,L,D

Day 16 Narethang-Tarina
Today we reach another pass, the Karchung La (16,700 feet). Crossing the pass we descend to a series of glacial lakes which feed the Tang Chhu. Above these isolated lakes are the towering faces of Jejekangphu Gang (24,100 ft) and Tsenda Kang (23, 450 feet). Following a morraine we descend back to the forest and our camp at Tarina (13,300 feet). B,L,D

Day 17 Tarina-Woche
Today our path continues through the mountain forests to the headwaters of the Pho Chhu (the river at the confluence in Punakha near the beginning of the trek). After a short climb over a ridge we meet the first village we have encountered since leaving Laya 3 days before. We camp is Woche (13,020 ft.) Woche marks our entrance into the Lunana region. For the next few days we will visit several isolated high mountain villages. B,L,D

Day 18 Woche-Lhedi
After crossing the Keche La (15, 200 ft) we descend through the village of Thega en route to our camp in Lhedi village (12, 210 ft ). B,L,D

Day19-20 Lhedi-Thanza
Our day begins reaching the village of Chozo with its dzong and resident monks. Above Chozo the valley opens up as you approach Thanza (13,500 ft), which is the largest of the villages in Lunana. Here we take an extra night to rest and explore this beautiful area. Soaring above Thanza is the summit of Zongophu (23,500 ft) and up valley are the waters of Raphstreng Tsho, a large deep glacial lake. On our rest day if you like you can take a day hike to the lake. 2 B,L,D

Day 21-22 Thansza-Tshochena-Chukarpo
The next three days of the trek are some of the hardest! Over the course of three days we will climb over 3 high mountain passes. Beginning on Day 17 we cross the Jaze La (16,670 ft) where it may be possible to view Blue Sheep. On Day 18 Loju La (16,300 ft) and continue on Day 22 over the Richen Zoe La (17,000ft), the highest point on the trek. 3 B,L,D

Day 23 Chukarpo-Thampe Tsho
Today's walk follows the river and passes several mountain lakes including Um Tsho, where Pema Lingpa found a variety of religious treasures. Continuing we reach camp at Thampe Tsho. B,L,D

Day 24-25 Thampe Tsho-Sephu-Wangdiphograng
On Day 24 you cross your eighth and final pass of the trek, the Thampe La (15,150 ft). The rest of the trek leads downhill through forests and past yak herds to the trailhead in Sephu. Reaching the end of the trek we drive to the riverside Kichu Hotel for a much deserved hot shower and relaxing night next to the river. Accommodation: Kichu Hotel (Night 22) 2 B,L,D

Day 26 EXTRA DAY
This is an extra day which will be used somewhere on trek, based on the leader's discretion and how the group is feeling along the route. B,L,D

Day 27 Wangdiphodrang-Thimphu
After visiting Wangdi in the morning you will continue to Bhutan's capitol, Thimphu. The final day in Thimphu will be a colorful tour of the city in the afternoon. Your tour includes trips to the national library, memorial stupa, Bhutan's painting school, and the Handicrafts Emporium. After lunch at the hotel we visit Bhutan's largest monastic school, Simtokha Dzong. The oldest Dzong in the country, built in the 1600's, the dzong is now home to a training center for individuals learning to teach Dzongkha, the national language. Accommodations: Riverview Hotel B,L,D

Day 28 Paro
After an early morning breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten for a day hike to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest". This magical monastery clings to vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. Legend says that Guru Padmasambhava flew to a cave on this cliff riding a tiger-hence the name-to meditate. The tiger was actually his favorite consort, Yeshe Tsogyel, whom he transformed into a tiger for the purposes of this journey, They meditated in the cave, and when the Guru left he instructed for the monastery to be built. Other possible excursions include visiting the National Museum , Ta Dzong. The museum is housed in Paro Dzong's watchtower. Another possible tour includes visiting Kyichu Lhakhang. Built in 659 by King Songsten Gampo, the monastery was one of 108 built to help spread Buddhism through the Himalayas. It is located just outside of Paro and is one the country's most sacred places. Accommodations: Gangtey Palace B,L,D

Day 29 Depart Bhutan
Early morning departure to Bangkok from Paro B.