"Naturally, I was very excited to visit this paradisal valley, but according to Himalayan folklore, people either died trying to reach Shangri-La or, once there, were so enamored with it, they never left. Either way, if I made it to the remote village of Thanza, there was a good chance I wasn't coming back." Kevin Grange writes about his life-changing experience in his remarkable book, Beneath Blossom Rain: Discovering Bhutan on the Toughest Trek in the World, after embarking on the Snowman Trek for 28 days.
Named Snowman, after the abominable Yeti, this trek passes some of the most remote regions on the planet, offering astounding views of all of Bhutan's highest mountain peaks, and almost all types of alpine forests, meadows, and villages. This challenging mountain trek is a combination of three different treks-Jomolhari, Laya, and Lunana) and is an unhindered access to Lunana and other remote regions of Bhutan. This fabulous trek crosses several high mountain passes of more than 4,500m. There are absolutely beautiful views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and various other peaks. You can also visit sleepy little villages and tiny, ancient monasteries.
Bhutan’s countryside is a region of amazing beauty and resilience, where its people and landscapes rise in spectacular manner, above the clouds on hills where roads are scarce. Fed by the waters of the many mountain rivers, its classic landscapes are enhanced by the magnificent additions of charmingly hospitable nomadic and village people, some of the finest walks, and the highest mountain passes in the world.
We begin this trekking tour by spending some time in Bhutan’s beautiful city of Paro, where we visit different historical and religious sites and explore its traditional architecture. Moving past Paro’s Drukgyel Dzong, we move to Shana and then onwards as the trail keeps moving uphill in remarkable consistency. We discover some of the most amazing natural regions in the world, and much like Kevin Grange, find ourselves along the way.
