Snowman Trek
- Trip length
- 28 days • 27 nights
- Activity level
- Challenging
- Group size
- Up to 6
- Departures
- 2026: Nov–Dec · 2027: Jan–May, Sep–Nov
From Nu. 322,000/person
Includes guide, transport, hotels and the daily SDF
Overview
A 28-day, world-renowned expedition through Bhutan's high north — widely considered one of the hardest treks on Earth.
Fewer people complete the Snowman Trek each year than climb Everest. It links the Jomolhari and Laya-Gasa routes and continues deep into remote Lunana, crossing pass after pass above 4,700m — including Rinchen Zoe La at 5,326m — before finally descending near Gangtey. This is a serious undertaking that demands real fitness and flexible dates, since heavy snow can close the route entirely in a given year.
Highlights
- National Museum
- Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
- Jigme Dorji National Park
- Forest trail
- Jangothang (Jomolhari base camp)
- Tshophu Lake (optional)
Bhutan
Start / end Paro
Day by day
What each day looks like. Timings shift with the weather and the festival calendar — your guide will tell you the night before.
Day1Arrival in ParoParo
Arrive at Paro International Airport and visit the national museum.
What you'll do
- National Museum
Day2Tiger's Nest hikeParo
Acclimatize with Bhutan's signature hike before a long trek ahead.
What you'll do
- Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
Day3Trek begins: Paro to ShanaParo
Follow the Paro Chhu into Jigme Dorji National Park.
What you'll do
- Jigme Dorji National Park
Day4Shana to ThangthangkaParo
Climb through forest toward the high country at 3,800m.
What you'll do
- Forest trail
Day5Thangthangka to JangothangParo
Arrive at the foot of Mt. Jomolhari.
What you'll do
- Jangothang (Jomolhari base camp)
Day6Acclimatization day at JangothangParo
A rest day with an optional hike to Tshophu Lake.
What you'll do
- Tshophu Lake (optional)
Day7Over Nyile La to LingshiThimphu
A 4,700m pass into the remote Lingshi valley.
What you'll do
- Nyile La Pass
- Lingshi Dzong
Day8Lingshi to ChebisaThimphu
A short day to a village known for its cliffside waterfall.
What you'll do
- Chebisa waterfall
Day9Chebisa to Shomuthang via Gombu LaGasa
Cross a 4,440m pass into blue-sheep country.
What you'll do
- Gombu La Pass
Day10Shomuthang to Robluthang via Jare LaGasa
A 4,750m pass through a valley known for takin sightings.
What you'll do
- Jare La Pass
Day11Robluthang to Limithang via Sinche LaGasa
One of the trek's toughest days, over a 5,005m pass.
What you'll do
- Sinche La Pass
Day12Limithang to LayaGasa
Descend into one of Bhutan's most distinctive villages.
What you'll do
- Laya village
Day13Rest day in LayaGasa
Time among the yak-herding Layap community before pushing further north.
What you'll do
- Layap cultural visit
Day14Laya to RodophuGasa
Leaving the last permanent settlement behind for the high Lunana approach.
What you'll do
- Remote high trail
Day15Rodophu to Narethang via Tsemo LaGasa
A 4,900m pass into increasingly stark high terrain.
What you'll do
- Tsemo La Pass
Day16Narethang to Tarina via Karakachu LaGasa
One of the expedition's highest passes, at 5,017m.
What you'll do
- Karakachu La Pass
Day17Tarina to WocheGasa
The first village of the remote Lunana region.
What you'll do
- Woche village
Day18Woche to Lhedi via Keche LaGasa
Pass a string of high alpine lakes at 4,700m.
What you'll do
- Keche La Pass
- Alpine lakes
Day19Lhedi to ThanzaGasa
Arrive beneath Table Mountain and Chozo Dzong, deep in Lunana.
What you'll do
- Chozo Dzong
- Table Mountain views
Day20Rest day at ThanzaGasa
A buffer day built in for weather and altitude.
What you'll do
- Lunana village life
Day21Thanza to TshochenaGasa
A long day past a cluster of glacial lakes.
What you'll do
- Glacial lakes
Day22Tshochena to Jichudramo via Loju LaWangdue Phodrang
Continuing east through increasingly remote terrain.
What you'll do
- Loju La Pass
Day23Jichudramo to Chukarpo via Rinchen Zoe LaWangdue Phodrang
The expedition's highest point, at 5,326m.
What you'll do
- Rinchen Zoe La Pass
Day24Chukarpo to Tampoe TsheWangdue Phodrang
Descending back into forested terrain.
What you'll do
- Forest descent
Day25Tampoe Tshe to Maurothang via Tempe LaWangdue Phodrang
The trek's last major pass before the descent to civilization.
What you'll do
- Tempe La Pass
Day26Trek out to Sephu, drive to GangteyWangdue Phodrang
Reconnect with the road network after over three weeks on foot.
What you'll do
- Sephu roadhead
Day27Gangtey to ParoParo
A rest day's drive back to Paro Valley.
What you'll do
- Scenic drive
Day28DepartureParo
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
What you'll do
- Departure transfer
Where you'll stay
We haven't published the property list for this trip yet. Accommodation is included throughout, and we confirm each hotel in writing before you pay anything — ask us and we'll tell you exactly where this itinerary stays.
Gallery
Photographs from this trip. Tap any of them to see it full size.
What's included
Included in the price
- Licensed guide & trek crew
- Camping equipment
- Pack animals for gear
- All meals during the trek
- Hotel accommodation on non-trek nights
Not included
- International flights
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Visa fee
- Personal expenses
Traveler reviews
Nobody has reviewed this trip on the site yet. Reviews here are written by travellers after they return, so they only appear once a departure has run — ask us and we can put you in touch with someone who has travelled with us.
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