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22 Days Lunana Trek (Half Snowman Trek)
The Lunana Trek, also known as half Snowman Trek, is one of Bhutan’s greatest wilderness journeys — a remote, high-altitude traverse that feels like stepping into a world shaped entirely by mountains, glaciers, and the quiet resilience of the people who live among them. This is not just a trek; it’s a true Himalayan expedition, taking you through some of the most isolated valleys on earth, where villages are reachable only on foot and time seems to flow at a gentler pace.
The trail winds across soaring passes, alpine lakes, and sweeping glacial basins, revealing landscapes that shift dramatically from deep forested valleys to raw, high-altitude plateaus. Along the way, you’ll meet Lunaps — the hardy highlanders whose culture, spirituality, and warmth remain remarkably preserved thanks to their isolation. Listening to their stories, watching yak caravans move across the ridges, and sleeping beneath endless stars are experiences that stay with you long after you return home.
The Lunana Trek demands endurance, but it rewards you with rare beauty: turquoise lakes set against snow-capped peaks, wildflower meadows that stretch into the horizon, and a silence so pure it feels almost sacred. For trekkers seeking a true expedition — something raw, soulful, and deeply humbling — Lunana stands as one of the Himalayas’ most unforgettable journeys.
Distance: ~195KM
Difficulty: Very Hard — multiple high passes above 5,000m, long days, remote terrain
Best Months: Late September — October (for the most stable weather and clear mountain views)
All our tours are fully customisable — the itineraries you see are simply a starting point. We'll work closely with you to tailor every detail.
22 Days Lunana Trek (Half Snowman Trek) Itinerary
1 ARRIVAL IN BHUTAN, drive to Thimphu
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. On arrival at Paro International Airport, your guide will greet you as you exit the arrival hall. As this is your first day at altitude, we’ll take things gently. Drive to Thimphu, check in to your hotel, and enjoy your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine.
- National Memorial Chorten – A living spiritual landmark where elderly Bhutanese gather throughout the day to circumambulate and pray.
- Folk Heritage Museum – A charming introduction to rural Bhutanese life, showcasing traditional household artefacts and agricultural tools.
- Textile Museum – Gain insight into Bhutan’s intricate weaving traditions, one of the country’s most treasured art forms.
- Institute of Zorig Chusum – Commonly known as the School of the Thirteen Arts, this institute allows you to observe young apprentices learning Bhutan’s traditional crafts. Take a moment to interact with the artists of tomorrow.
Overnight in Thimphu.
2 Drive to Punakha
- Dochula Pass – A scenic stop at 3,100 m where 108 chortens, built by HM the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, stand against a backdrop of Himalayan peaks.
- Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, this majestic fortress remains the winter residence of the central monastic body led by the Je Khenpo. Restored lovingly over centuries, it showcases exceptional Bhutanese craftsmanship and sits dramatically at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Rivers.
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – Built by HM the Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, this intricately detailed temple took eight and a half years to complete. Its design is entirely based on sacred scriptures and it remains the only one of its kind in the world.
3 Punakha to Koina (3050 m) : Laya (3840 m)
Drive from Punakha to Koina, where your trek begins.
Distance: 19 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Ascent: 770 m | Descent: 10 m
Laya village has a community school, a Basic Health Unit, and a telephone connection. Your campsite is below the school at 3,840 m.
4 Laya : Halt
Take today lightly to allow your body to adapt.
Explore the village and visit traditional homes, where Bhutanese hospitality shines — you’re likely to be offered tea or chang (local wine), even as a stranger.
Women in Laya wear distinctive black wool kiras and conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver. The cultural experience here is as memorable as the scenery.
5 Laya (3840 m) : Rhoduphu (4160 m)
Descend to the Lunana trail junction and climb to a viewpoint overlooking the Mo Chu and Rhoduo Chu. The path follows the Rhodo Chhu valley through conifer forests and later rhododendrons.
A highlight is the view of the glacial valley and the massive glacier on Tsenda Gang (7,100 m).
Camp at Rhodophu (4,160 m), just beyond a wooden bridge.
6 Rhoduphu (4160 m) : Narethang (4900 m)
The day begins with a steady climb into a wide high-altitude valley at 4,600 m before ascending Tsomo La (4,900 m), which offers sweeping views of Lunana, Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and the Tibetan border.
Cross a barren plateau around 5,000 m to reach Narethang, towered over by Gangla Karchung (6,395 m).
7 Narethang (4900 m) : Tarina (3970 m)
Distance: 18 km | Duration: 5–6 hours | Ascent: 270 m | Descent: 1,200 m
Climb for an hour to Gangla Karchung La (5,120 m) for a stunning panorama of Jekangphu Gang, Tsenda Kang, and Tseri Gang.
Descend through moraine slopes with views of turquoise glacial lakes, one linked to the 1960s GLOF that damaged Punakha Dzong.
Continue through rhododendron forest into Tarina Valley and camp near Tang Chu.
8 Tarina (3970 m) : Woche (3910 m)
Distance: 17 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Ascent: 270 m | Descent: 330 m
Walk through juniper woods and along the Tang Chu River, passing impressive waterfalls.
After a gentle climb and a steep ascent, reach Woche village — the first settlement in Lunana.
9 Woche (3910 m) : Lhedi (3700 m)
Distance: 19 km | Duration: 6–7 hours | Ascent: 300 m | Descent: 450 m
Climb the Woche valley, cross a moraine, then descend to a wooden bridge. A climb past a glacial lake leads to Keche La (4,650 m) with stunning mountain views.
Descend into the Pochu Valley to Thaga village (expect strong afternoon winds), then continue past waterfalls to Lhedi (3,700 m), home to a school, Bhutan Health Unit and wireless station.
10 Lhedi (3700 m) : Thanza (4150 m)
Distance: 17 km | Duration: 7–8 hours | Ascent: 450 m
Follow the Pho Chu through forest and juniper, passing farms and a dramatic U-shaped valley.
See the majestic Table Mountain (7,100 m) before reaching Chozo with its old dzong, then continue on a sandy trail to Thanza.
11 Thanza : Halt
Explore Thanza village, where daily life remains remarkably traditional.
Alternatively, hike to Raphstreng Tsho and Thorthormi Tsho — glacial lakes that feed the Pho Chu and caused the 1994 outburst.
Today is also crucial for arranging new yaks for the onward journey.
12 Thanza (4150 m) : Danji (4540 m)
Distance: 8 km | Duration: 3–4 hours | Ascent: 80 m
Climb above Thoencha to a viewpoint over Thanza and Chozo villages.
Continue across a flat valley to a yak meadow — an excellent campsite with chances to spot blue sheep.
13 Danji (4540 m) : Tshochena (4970 m)
Distance: 12 km | Duration: 5–6 hours | Ascent: 980 m | Descent: 240 m
Cross a creek and make the long climb to Jaze La (5,150 m), rewarded with panoramic mountain views.
Descend between snow peaks and lakes to the campsite beside Tshochena Lake.
14 Tshochena (4970 m) : Jichu Dramo (5060 m)
Distance: 14 km | Duration: 4–5 hours | Ascent: 230 m | Descent: 150 m
Walk along the lakeshore to a ridge at 5,100 m, descend to another glacial lake and climb to Loju La (5,140 m).
Cross a small saddle into a wide glacial valley and descend gradually to Jichu Dramo.
15 Jichu Dramo (5060 m) : Chukarpo (4600 m)
Distance: 18 km | Duration: 5–6 hours | Ascent: 320 m | Descent: 730 m
Climb to Rinchen Zoe La (5,320 m), the highest pass on the trek, with views of Gangkar Puensum.
Descend through a valley of lakes, then down a moraine into thicker vegetation until reaching Chukarpo.
16 Chukarpo (4600 m) : Thampetsho (4300 m)
Continue downriver to yak herder huts at Gala Pang Chhu, then climb steeply to the turquoise Thampe Tsho.
Camp beside the lake.
17 Thampetsho (4300 m) : Maurothang (3610 m)
Climb to Thampe La (4,600 m) with frequent sightings of blue sheep.
Descend to sacred Om Tsho, pass another lake, then make a steep descent through forest to Maurothang.
18 Maurothang (3610 m) : Sephu (1242 m)
Distance: 18 km | Duration: 5–6 hours | Descent: 990 m
Follow the Nikka Chu to the road above Sephu, a village with small shops and bamboo craft stalls. Drive to Punakha.
19 Wangdue to Punakha
Have a relaxing sightseeing day in Punakha.
Overnight in Punakha.
20 Punakha to Paro
Drive to Paro and visit:
- Kyichu Lhakhang – One of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples.
- Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Museum – A touching tribute to one of Bhutan’s most revered masters.
21 Paro Tiger's Nest
Today’s highlight is the pilgrimage to Taktsang Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most revered sites. The trail winds through pine forests draped in moss, opening up gradually to reveal your first glimpse of the monastery perched dramatically on a cliff, 900 metres above the valley floor. Stop at the viewpoint café for tea before continuing across ridges and past a waterfall to reach the sacred complex where Guru Rinpoche once meditated. Inside, the glow of butter lamps and soft murmur of prayers create a deeply peaceful atmosphere.
After exploring the monastery, make your descent and return to Paro. The rest of the afternoon is yours to unwind — perhaps with a gentle stroll, a hot-stone bath, or quiet reflection on the incredible landscapes and moments you’ve experienced. Tonight marks your final evening in Bhutan, a fitting time to savour the warmth and tranquillity that have accompanied you throughout this journey.
22 Depart Paro
Bid farewell to Bhutan. Your guide will see you off at Paro Airport. We hope you leave with beautiful memories — and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Tashi Delek!
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Gyalyum Trust
VAST Bhutan
Museums of Bhutan
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What Our Travellers Say
Druk Asia has strong networks with DrukAir and local tour agencies, making logistics a total breeze. The itinerary was well-planned yet flexible enough to accommodate different needs. We could decide when we wanted to get up, which places to visit or simply recuperate in solitude. Will go with Druk Asia again if I were to go back for spring or autumn. Won’t have it any other way!
My trip to Bhutan was pleasant and well organized by Druk Asia. I was very happy and comfortable with my tour guide, Tshering, and had absolute confidence in my driver, Chimmi. Tshering kept me entertained throughout the trip with histories and stories about Bhutan while Chimmi was an excellent driver. Bhutan is a very beautiful country with its unique Buddhist culture and a nation of very warm people. The sceneries were spectacular and its culture charming. I will definitely visit Bhutan again and recommend Druk Asia to my friends.
I knew this Druk Asia through my friend who initially asked me to go to Bhutan. I have to say this travel is excellent. We went to Bhutan through Thailand and the next day we missed the flight. Bhutan’s flight is a bit strange in a sense that we need to be at Thai’s airport 2 hours before departure. The gate closed quite early. Druk Asia helped us a lot to arrange our next day flight. During our time in Bhutan, this travel agent frequently asked our condition there whether we were alright or not. This sense of caring is simply excellent, particularly for the country like Bhutan which is in the Himalayan continent. I really grateful to go to this country with Druk Asia. Excellent!
Just wanted to let both of you know that we had a great time in Bhutan. Thanks for looking into the details. Both our guide and driver were great. Thanks again!
Back from Bhutan, I wanted to let you know that this has probably been the best holiday I ever had. Bhutan is really a wonderful place, the people are so friendly and the landscape gorgeous. We also had the best weather one could ask for, and that helped. We have been very happy the whole tour. One suggestion I would give you is to propose your future clients to spend 1 night in a farmhouse. We did, and we loved it. The host was absolutely nice and the experience of sharing dinner, breakfast and the ordinary life of a Bhutanese family was absolutely fantastic.
An unique experience! We had wonderful time in Bhutan. Though it was a short trip, we enjoyed natural beauty, spectacular view and warm friendly people. We have been many countries but this trip was something different, ...memorable and nostalgic.
