Snowman Trek — 23 days across the Lunana glaciers, eleven high passes, the high-altitude expedition the Bhutanese tradition still calls a pilgrimage.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   3,610 m

   22 km

   ~8 h

   Shana to Thangthangkha

   Driven from Drukgyel Dzong to Shana on the motorable road (~1 hour). Climb through rhododendron forest; the upper valley opens to alpine meadows. Camp at Thangthangkha.

2. Day 2

   4,080 m

   19 km

   ~6 h

   Thangthangkha to Jangothang

   Reach Jangothang base camp; the first full view of Chomolhari (7,326 m) directly above.

3. Day 3

   4,080 m

   Jangothang — acclimatisation day

   Rest day at Jangothang. Short acclimatisation walk to the Tsophu lakes or up the Chomolhari ridge.

4. Day 4

   4,890 m

   22 km

   ~8 h

   Jangothang to Lingshi via Nyile La

   Climb to Nyile La (4,890m), descent to Lingshi (the principal village of the high north).

5. Day 5

   3,990 m

   12 km

   ~5 h

   Lingshi to Chebisa

   Gentle traverse to the Chebisa village; a notable waterfall above the camp.

6. Day 6

   4,440 m

   17 km

   ~7 h

   Chebisa to Shomuthang via Gobu La

   Climb to Gobu La (4,440m), long descent to Shomuthang.

7. Day 7

   4,750 m

   18 km

   ~8 h

   Shomuthang to Robluthang via Jare La

   Cross Jare La (4,750m); descend to Robluthang in the upper Mochu valley.

8. Day 8

   5,005 m

   19 km

   ~8 h

   Robluthang to Limithang via Sinche La

   Sinche La (5,005m), the first 5,000m pass of the trek.

9. Day 9

   3,800 m

   10 km

   ~5 h

   Limithang to Laya

   Long descent into the Layap yak-herding community. Hot food, traditional dancing in the evening.

10. Day 10

    3,800 m

    Laya — rest day

    Rest, laundry, supply reorganisation. Visit the Layap village houses and the lhakhang.

11. Day 11

    4,160 m

    19 km

    ~7 h

    Laya to Rodophu

    Climb east out of the Layap valley toward the Lunana approach.

12. Day 12

    4,900 m

    17 km

    ~7 h

    Rodophu to Narethang via Tsemo La

    Cross Tsemo La (4,900m); reach the high alpine camp at Narethang.

13. Day 13

    5,120 m

    18 km

    ~8 h

    Narethang to Tarina via Karchung La

    Karchung La (5,120m); descend to Tarina in the upper Pho Chhu valley.

14. Day 14

    3,940 m

    17 km

    ~7 h

    Tarina to Woche

    Descent to the first Lunana village; the principal cultural encounter of the Lunap community.

15. Day 15

    4,650 m

    17 km

    ~7 h

    Woche to Lhedi via Keche La

    Keche La (4,650m); cross into the central Lunana valleys.

16. Day 16

    4,180 m

    17 km

    ~7 h

    Lhedi to Thanza

    Reach Thanza — the largest of the Lunana villages.

17. Day 17

    4,180 m

    Thanza — rest day

    Rest day. Visit Thanza's lhakhang; short walks around the glacial lakes.

18. Day 18

    5,150 m

    22 km

    ~9 h

    Thanza to Tshochena via Jaze La

    Cross Jaze La (5,150m); high glacial-lake landscape.

19. Day 19

    5,320 m

    14 km

    ~7 h

    Tshochena to Jichu Dramo via Saga La

    Saga La (5,320m) — the trek's highest point. Long descent.

20. Day 20

    4,400 m

    19 km

    ~8 h

    Jichu Dramo to Chukarpo

    Steady descent into the upper Nika Chhu valley.

21. Day 21

    5,050 m

    15 km

    ~6 h

    Chukarpo to Thampe Tsho via Rinchen Zoe La

    Rinchen Zoe La (5,050m); camp by the sacred Thampe Tsho lake.

22. Day 22

    4,580 m

    14 km

    ~7 h

    Thampe Tsho to Maurothang via Thampe La

    Thampe La (4,580m) — the final high pass. Long descent into the forested valleys.

23. Day 23

    2,700 m

    18 km

    ~7 h

    Maurothang to Sephu

    Forest descent to the trail-end at Sephu on the Nika Chhu. Vehicle pickup; drive back to Punakha or Thimphu.

The day-by-day is illustrative. Acclimatisation profile, rest days, and exact camp locations are tailored to the specific traveller and party.

Frequently asked

How difficult is the Snowman Trek?

Expedition-grade. Twenty-three trekking days, eleven passes above 4,500 metres, max altitude 5,320 metres, approximately 345 km on foot at around 15 km a day on active days. The trek is widely held to be among the most-demanding in the broader Himalayan range, with a completion rate around 60% in any given season. Prior high-altitude multi-day trekking experience is required.

What's the best time to do the Snowman Trek?

October is the principal window — dry, clear, cool, and weather-stable. June catches the pre-monsoon shoulder and is possible but weather-uncertain. The trek cannot be safely attempted in winter (November–May, snow on the passes) or monsoon (July–August).

Can I do part of the Snowman Trek instead of the full route?

Yes — the first 6–8 days share the route with the standard Chomolhari Trek and the Chomolhari-Laya-Gasa Trek. If full-Snowman commitment isn't feasible, the Laya-Gasa configuration (13 trekking days, exiting via Gasa) gives a cross-Himalayan experience with lower risk.

What does the Snowman Trek cost?

The Snowman is a premium-tier expedition product. The Royal Government's trekking permits, the Sustainable Development Fee across the trek, the porter-and-yak crew, the cook team, the experienced trek leader, the satellite communication, and the helicopter-rescue contingency together produce a price in the high-USD-5-figure range per traveller for a small-group departure. Begin a proposal through our concierge for a precise quote.

Will I see Chomolhari?

Yes — the first six days share the Chomolhari approach, with the Jangothang base camp providing one of the most direct views of Chomolhari (7,326 m) in the Bhutanese trekking landscape. The trek continues well past the Chomolhari ridge into the Lunana glacial valleys.