Trip Info
Join us for the Lunana Snowman trek, the ultimate trekking route in the Bhutan Himalaya!
The FULL Bhutan Lunana Snowman trek from Paro to Bumthang is considered the most challenging, and the most stunningly beautiful, trek Bhutan, a true adventure passing under eight of Bhutan’s highest Himalayan peaks, including Gangkhar Puensum. The Lunana Snowman trek crosses ten high Himalayan passes, venturing through Bhutan’s most far-flung valleys, villages and traditional nomadic regions, a timeless trek through a sacred, Buddhist land.
Our journey begins in idyllic Paro with a hike to the Tiger’s Nest – Takstang Monastery – perched in the pine-covered cliffs, one of Bhutan’s most photographed sites. Our Lunana Snowman trek begins following the Jhomolhari (Chomolhari), Lingshi and Laya trekking routes, passing through some of Bhutan’s semi-nomadic regions and remote mountain villages. Jhomolhari is one of Bhutan’s most exquisite sacred peaks, bordering Bhutan and Tibet.
From Jhomolhari base camp our trail parallels the Tibetan border as we head high into the Bhutan Himalayas, crossing the first of our many Himalayan passes, the Nyele La, to descend to remote Lingshi village. Our trail continues crossing Himalayan passes, with spectacular mountain views from the crests, following narrow ridges and steep-sided valleys until we reach Sinchey La (5005 meters), the highest pass on the trek. From the Sinchey La we descend to the remote village of Laya, one of the largest and most unique mountain villages in Bhutan with its own style of dress and a very unique pointed hat worn by the women. We’ve scheduled a rest day to explore Laya, and of course shop with the villagers …
Leaving the Laya Lingshi route, the Bhutan Snowman trek becomes ever more remote as we head to Lunana, a remote valley of nomadic herders, who migrate with their yaks and sheep. Continuing to cross high, snow-covered passes we have 2+ more weeks of strenuous trekking along remote trails. The passes are often blocked by snowfall and the trek is one of the most difficult (and cold) in all of the Himalaya, so be prepared with a good attitude and warm clothes for lots of adventure! We’ll be rewarded by sublime Himalayan scenery and encounters with some of Bhutan’s most far-flung villages.
Enjoy this adventurous trek in the Land of the Thunder Dragon!
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Kamzang Journeys is owned and operated by Kim Bannister, an American expat and traveler of 25+ years who is based in Kathmandu, Nepal (spring, autumn and sometimes winter) & Leh, India (summer). Kamzang Journeys is a registered LLC in the USA. The inspiration for Kamzang Journeys originated in Ladakh, where Kim and team have been trekking for 15+ years. It came from trekking through sparkling river valleys of sculpted ochre, mustard and moss-green rocks under soaring Himalayan peaks, through green, nomadic pasture lands peppered with nomadic yak-hair tents under a canopy of endless blue skies. Our passion for these regions inspired us to make a lifestyle of leading treks and bicycle trips through Nepal, India, Tibet and Bhutan, later adding Mongolia and newly Pakistan to the list. All of our Kamzang team shares our love of these Himalayan regions, of the adventure of trekking, of exploring far-flung villages, sipping salt-butter tea in local houses, of camping with the nomads as they round up their flocks of sheep, goats and yaks, of watching for snow leopard and kiang as we journey through remote plateaus on the border of Nepal and Tibet, of bicycling through some of Bhutan's most breathtakingly beautiful regions.
