The Snowman Trek
Three weeks above 4,000 m - one of the world's hardest treks.
Widely regarded as the toughest trek on earth: 25 days crossing eleven passes above 4,000 m between Paro and Bumthang, through terrain so remote that fewer people finish it each year than summit Everest. For experienced high-altitude trekkers only - full medical screening and acclimatization days are built into every departure.
- 11 high passes
- Remote Lunana villages
- Jomolhari base
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Duration
- 25 days
- Max altitude
- 5,320 m (Rinchen Zoe La)
Why this trip works
- Best Attractions
Where this trip takes you
- 01Rinchen Zoe La
The trek's highest pass at 5,320 m, and one of its most demanding days.
- 02Lunana villages
Among the most remote inhabited settlements in the Himalaya, reached only on foot.
- 03Jomolhari base camp
Close-range views of the peak that anchors the entire western route.
- 01Rinchen Zoe La
- See the gallery
- Things To Do
- Cross all eleven of the trek's high passes above 4,000 m
- Pass through Lunana, reachable only on foot
- Camp within sight of Jomolhari and Gangkhar Puensum
- Complete built-in acclimatization days at key altitude thresholds
- Hotels
- Trekking CampFull Expedition Trekking Camp
- Best Season
- Autumn · Sep - Nov
The only season with a safe weather margin for eleven passes above 4,000 m.
The route
Hover or tap a dzongkhag for what this trip does there - shown in visiting order, west to east.
See the ground before you book
Footage shot on the same trails, passes, and valleys The Snowman Trek travels through - filmed by us, not stock.
The Laya Gasa Route, Solo in Two Days
The full Laya Gasa traverse - yak-herding highlands, high passes, and the descent toward Gasa - covered at speed.
The Masang Gang Trail
Trail beneath Masang Gang, in the Laya highlands that form the approach to Bhutan's deepest trekking country.
A closer look
Other journeys
A few more starting points - every trip is customizable around your dates and pace.
10 daysChallengingTrekkingDruk Path Trek
A high-altitude trek between Paro and Thimphu, lake to lake.
4,210 m (Phume La)Alpine lakes4,200m passesCamp under the starsView trip
13 daysChallengingTrekkingJomolhari Trek
The classic route to the foot of Bhutan's most sacred peak.
4,890 m (Nyile La)Jomolhari base campHigh alpine passesYak herder campsView trip
6 daysModerateTrekkingDagala Thousand Lakes Trek
A short, lake-studded trek in the hills above Thimphu.
4,720 m (Labatama)Alpine lakesViews over ThimphuQuiet trailView trip
This is just the starting point
Every trip here is a template, not a fixed package - tell us your dates, pace, and interests and we'll customize The Snowman Trek (or build something new) around exactly what you want.