Snowman Trek — 26-night expedition

Overview

The Snowman Trek is a 26-30 day expedition widely considered one of the most difficult treks in the world. It crosses 11 passes above 4,500m (highest: Gangla Karchung La at 5,320m) through the remote Laya-Lunana region. Only roughly half of attempted Snowman Treks complete — weather, altitude, and snow close passes early. Suitable ONLY for experienced high-altitude trekkers with months of conditioning.

• 11 high passes above 4,500m
• Full expedition support (guide, cook, horsemen, sat comms)
• Laya + Lunana remote regions
• Mt Gangkhar Puensum view (world's highest unclimbed peak)
• 2 acclimatisation days before going high

Day-by-day breakdown

1. 1
   Day 1 — Arrive Paro, trek briefing

   Paro

   Arrival, trek leader briefing, final gear check. Paro town evening.

   Gear checkBriefing
2. 2
   Day 2 — Paro → Drukgyel → Shana (trek start)

   Paro → Shana

   Drive to Drukgyel Dzong, start trek. 6-hour easy trek through farmland to first camp at Shana (2,850m).

   Trek begins
3. 3
   Day 3 — Shana → Thangthangkha

   Shana → Thangthangkha (3,630m)

   7-hour trek, first taste of altitude.

   First high camp
4. 4
   Day 4 — Thangthangkha → Jangothang

   Jangothang (4,080m)

   4-hour hike to Jangothang base camp. First views of Mt Jomolhari (7,326m).

   Jomolhari base camp
5. 5
   Day 5 — Jangothang — acclimatisation

   Jangothang

   Rest + acclimatisation hike to sacred lakes.

   Rest daySacred lakes hike
6. 6
   Day 6 — Jangothang → Lingshi

   Lingshi (4,010m)

   Cross Nyile La pass (4,870m) — first major pass. 7-hour trek.

   Nyile La pass
7. 7
   Day 7 — Lingshi rest day

   Lingshi

   Extra rest day for acclimatisation. Optional visit to Lingshi Dzong.

   Rest
8. 8
   Day 8 — Lingshi → Laya (multiple days)

   Laya region

   Series of long high-altitude days through the Laya region. Crossing 3 more passes above 4,700m. This section takes about a week.

   3 high passesLaya culture
9. 15
   Day 15 — Laya → Lunana region

   Lunana

   The heart of the expedition. Remote, high, and weather-dependent. Camp below the Gangkhar Puensum massif.

   Lunana regionGangkhar Puensum view
10. 22
    Day 22 — Exit via Bumthang

    Bumthang

    Descent over 4,300m+ passes over ~5 days to the Bumthang valleys. Real food at last.

    Trek ends
11. 26
    Day 26 — Bumthang → Paro → Departure

    Paro

    Domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro (or long drive), departure.

    Departure

Planning notes

• Altitude max: 5,320m (Gangla Karchung La)
• Mandatory high-altitude trip insurance
• Only ~50% of parties complete — weather-dependent
• Book 6-12 months ahead with a specialised trekking operator
• Sep-Oct ONLY. Attempting in other months is not sanctioned.
• SDF $100/night × 26 = $2,600 per person