Bhutan Snowman Trek

Paro · Bhutan

Expedition Grade30 daysAsia~£12,000 est.

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Overview

The Snowman is the trek the others measure themselves against: roughly 320 km across the roof of Bhutan from the Paro valley past Jomolhari to the lost high valleys of Lunana and out towards Bumthang, crossing eleven passes over 4,500 m — several above 5,000 m — in about a month of walking. Fewer people finish it in a year than summit Everest, mostly because snow can close the passes in either direction and there is no road, no airstrip and no realistic rescue between Laya and the far side of Lunana. The reward is the Himalaya with nobody in it: camps beneath the unclimbed 7,570 m bulk of Gangkhar Puensum, yak herders moving whole households over 5,000 m saddles, and villages like Thanza where visitors are still an event. Late September to mid-October is the only sensible window — earlier is monsoon mud, later risks the passes shutting for winter. Bhutan requires a licensed operator plus the Sustainable Development Fee (currently US$100 per day) on top of trek costs, which is why a full Snowman runs around £12,000. Train for it like an expedition: weeks of consecutive 6-8 hour days at altitude, with weather that can erase the schedule.