The Snowman Trek, one of the most beautiful treks in the whole Himalayas, is expected to become convenient with all the necessary information just a click away. The Tourism Council of Bhutan is currently developing a web-based trekking application. This initiative which is part of the Tourism Contingency Plan also aims to provide employment to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A team of 15, including officials from the National Land Commission and unemployed Bhutanese were recently along the Snowman trek marking the routes and collecting GPS coordinates for the digitization program.
“Two trails of the snowman trek, from Gasa to Bumthang and from Goenshari in Punakha to Mowrithang in Wangdue, will be digitised and will be developed into a web-based trekking application where people can actually look online and check without having to go up there. They can know what are the elevations, what are some of the photographs they can take so that they can get a feel of what it would be to go on the snowman trek,” said Damchoe Rinzin. the Head of Promotion Division with the TCB.
The routes, according to TCB are sometimes washed away and at times covered with snow and fog, making it difficult for trekking guides and the trekkers.
“Without the routes, the guide lead by looking at the hills, mountains and the landmarks. That is how it is done at the moment. Snowman trek is one of the most sought after treks in the world, so when we have the route marking, it increases the confidence of the tourists going up in the mountains,” he added.
The Council says that the digitisation program will also assist the route marking for the Snowman Race which is due next year.
Sangay Chezom
