Complite Guide to Bhutan’s Snowman Trek

Rated as the hardest and most grueling trek in the world, the infamous Snowman trek in Bhutan is a massive 26-day hike over the Himalayas that stretches out for more than 320 kilometers. One of the least-hiked treks in the world, more people have actually reached the summit of Mount Everest than have completed the full Snowman Trek. 11 high-altitude mountain passes stand in the route of the trek, five of which reach heights of more than 5,000 meters. Not for the faint-hearted, the Snowman is the ultimate in grueling tests of staminal and endurance, with daily hikes that can reach up to 19 kilometers in one day.

Highlights of the Snowman Trek

Covering a period of 26 days, there are many highlights along this vast trekking route, with possibly the most astounding being the outstanding close-up views of the high peaks of some of Bhutan’s highest mountains. And the photo opportunities will be countless as you progress along the trail. Trekking through the mountains with the most amazing vistas in Bhutan, or hiking through dense forests of bamboo and cedar, the scenery you will encounter is unlike anything else in the world.

The path of the Snowman follows ancient trails that are steeped in history that goes back thousands of years. From the invading hordes of the Mongols and the failed Tibetan invasion to the trading and pilgrim routes between Tibet and Bhutan and the routes of many Tibetan refugees that fled the onslaught of the Kagyu School against Ngawang Namgyal in the early 17th century.

Aside from the camps of the local yak-rearing nomads of the northern areas of Bhutan, where you can experience life in a much more basic manner, there are also the wonders of Bhutan’s diverse wildlife included on this trek. There is no guarantee of sightings, but many trekkers tackling the Snowman have experienced sightings of the Himalayan black bears, the elusive snow leopards, the beautiful Himalayan blue sheep, and the occasional Bengal Tiger that roamed too far north. The wildlife in this region of Bhutan is abundant and widespread, and it would be an unlucky trekker to miss them all completely.

The Total Distance of Snowman Trek: 320 Kilometers

The Snowman Trek starts in Paro, and ends in either Sephu in Trongsa Dzongkhag or Duer in Bumthang Dzongkhag, depending on which of the two route endings you decide to take. The most popular route ends at the Duer Hot Springs in the Bumthang Valley, a long way from the alternative trek ending in Sephu.

However, despite taking two very different routes after reaching Thanza in northern Bhutan, both routes cover around the same distance. The routes stretch for around 320 kilometers from their starting point in Paro, in western Bhutan. The route takes you from western to central Bhutan, heading northeast into the mountains from the Paro Valley, before turning east along the northern border mountains and turning south or southeast at Thanza to head to the finish in Bumthang or Trongsa.

The starting point of the trek is at the small village of Gunitsawa, in northern Paro. Getting there is not hard, as your guide and driver will take you up to the start of the trek and to the first camping site at Sharna Zampa, just across the river from the village.

Sample Snowman Trek Route

The Snowman Trek may be the longest trek in Bhutan, and possibly the world, but it is actually not a single trekking trail, and incorporates sections from two other famous treks in Bhutan – the Jomolhari Trek and the Laya-Gasa Trek.

Drukgyel Dzong to Lingzhi

The first section of the trek, which starts at Sharna Zampa in Paro Dzongkhag, follows the first four days of the Jomolhari Trek, including the rest day at Jangothang, the base camp for Mount Jomolhari. It is a two-day trek to the base camp, covering around 28 kilometers over the route. After the day of rest ad acclimatization at Jangothang (4,080m), the fourth day takes you on to Lingzhi, which is also on the Laya-Gasa trekking route. This part of the Snowman sees you crossing he first of 11 passes, tackling the Nyile La, at 4,870 meters.

One of the more remote treks in Bhutan, the Laya-Gasa Trek takes you further north into the mountains and highlands of northern Bhutan. The Laya-Gasa Trek also follows the first four days of the Jomolhari Trek, breaking off at Lingzhi to head north.

Lingzhi to Laya

Day five to nine of the Snowman follow this northerly route along the Laya-Gasa Trek as far as Laya, the main highlight of the Laya-Gasa trekking route. The route, which covers around 74km, is full of ups and downs, climbing to high passes and ridges before dropping down into the valleys below, climbing as much as 900 meters in ascents up over the passes and ridges. The route takes on three of the 11 passes along the Snowman, which includes the Gogu La (4,440m) and Jhari La (4,750m), and the Sinche La (5,005m), one of the five passes above 5,000 meters.

Laya to Duer via Thanza and Sephu

The longest part of the Snowman is the section after you leave Laya, which sees you heading east all the way to Thanza, around 105 kilometers from the Laya start of this section. Here, the route separates into two directions, one heading more southerly to reach Sephu and the other heading southeast to end at Duer. The trek along this section is arduous, more so than the first nine days put together. Ridges and high spurs abound along this route, with ascents reaching as high as over a thousand meters, and steep descents that can drop you down by more than 1.2km to the valleys below the ridges. You will also have to take on another three of the 11 passes, which include the Tsomo La (4900m) and Keche La (4650m), and the second of the 5,000+ meter passes at Gangla Karchung La (5120m).

The last leg of the trek to Duer, 95 kilometers to the southeast, is the hardest of the sections of this trek, but it is the last, which makes it feel less arduous, knowing the end is in sight. The long hike to Duer Hot Springs crosses the other three highest passes, including the Jaze La at 5,150 meters, Loju La at 5,140 meters, and Rinchen Zoe La at 5,320 meters, as well as the Thampe La at just 4,600 meters.

>> Check the detailed itinerary of the 31-day Snowman Trek tour.

How difficult is the Snowman Trek?

The Snowman Trek is rated by Lonely Planet as the most difficult and grueling trek in the world, and the combination of the vast distance, the extreme altitudes, the potential for inclement weather, and the remoteness of the trek make this a tough and arduous journey across northern Bhutan.

The first thing to know about this long and hard trek is that it is not for inexperienced trekkers. Unless you are a well-experienced hiker in high altitudes, then you should not attempt this route, as it can be dangerous for trekkers without the experience to adapt to the terrain and altitudes.

Training for a trek like this is important, and the best way to train is to take on other high-altitude treks over shorter distances, to build up your resilience and stamina for a month of long trekking days.

Altitude sickness is a major concern on a trek of this magnitude, and the trek allows several days for acclimatization at various points along the route. Acclimatization days are important to ensure your body has the chance to adjust to each stage of altitude increase properly, and you are able to continue. Knowing the symptoms and effects of altitude sickness are also important, and any change in how you feel at any time along the route should be reported to your professional trekking guide for assessment. Attempting to continue this trek with altitude sickness could be potentially fatal.

How much does it cost to take a Snowman Trek?

The cost of the Snowman Trek depends on which route you are taking and what season you are trekking in. The peak seasons in Bhutan are more expensive than the low seasons. A Bhutan trekking tour starts at 250 dollars per night in the peak season and 200 dollars per night in the low season. For a low season trek, you can expect the tour to cost anything from US$ 6,200 in the low season and from around US$ 7,750 in the peak season. However, this high cost does include all of your requirements for the entire trip to Bhutan, including hotels, meals, camping gear, etc.

When is the best time to take a Snowman Trek?

There is some consternation regarding this topic on the web, and while some travel agencies will tell you March to April and September to October, others will tell you it is best done in the fall season, from late September to the beginning of November. According to experience, and the advice of the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), the official tourism department of the Bhutanese government, it is easily possible to tackle this trek from June to October. While the summer in Bhutan is the rainy monsoon season, up in the high mountains along the border with Tibet it rains very little, even in the wettest month elsewhere in the kingdom.

It is NOT advisable to try it in the winter, though, as the snow blocks passes and can cause avalanches, which can leave you trapped in the mountains and in need of an expensive helicopter evacuation. And the snows can continue well into the spring in this area, which means that even in April, conditions are not ideal for a successful completion.

Required Travel Permits for the Snowman Trek

The first thing you need for the Snowman Trek in Bhutan is a Bhutan Visa, which can only be obtained by your travel agency once you have booked your tour. The visa for Bhutan is only available once your tour is fully booked and paid for, and is obtained through the TCB by the travel agency. Since independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan, the trek will also include a guide and support team for the duration of your trek.

You will also need the trekking permits and travel permits to attempt the trek across Bhutan to the central region, and to get back along the Lateral Highway to Paro once you have finished. These are also obtained by the travel agency, and will be available once you arrive in Bhutan.

Food and Accommodation during Snowman Trek

All your meals and accommodation are included in the cost of the trip, and the basic standard is three-star hotels, for the period you will not be trekking. Meals in the hotels range from local and Asian cuisines to western dishes, depending on your hotel and preferences.

On the trek, you will be camping overnight at pre-arranged spots, and you tents and other requirements will already have been set up by the support team when you arrive. Your meals will also be prepared by a cook for the entire trek, and packed lunches will be supplied for your midday meals.

What to Pack for a Snowman Trek

Aside from the normal necessities that you would need for a trek in high altitudes, there is little that you need to pack in terms of special equipment or clothing.

The weather from June to October is normally fairly pleasant, and the standard trekking gear, including hiking pants, warm socks, and enough layers of trekking shirts, plus sturdy hiking boots, and a good fleece jacket should be all you need. In the later season, around October, you may find you will need to bring some warmer jackets and sweaters for the evenings, as it can get a little colder at night by then.

You should also think to include sunglasses for the bright sunlight, sun block for the harsh UV rays, a beanie for warmth of wide-brimmed hat for sun protection, and lip balm for the chill biting winds of the high passes.

Trekking poles are an advantage, especially on the steep ascents and descents. Your pack should also be large enough for your daily needs, but not huge, as you will not need to carry all of your gear with you.

Conclusion of Snowman Trek Guide

The Snowman Trek in Bhutan is the ultimate in high-altitude treks and is the hardest trek on the planet. As such, it is not one that should be attempted by anyone other than experienced high-altitude hikers. Not only is it one of the least-attempted treks in the world, with less than a dozen people attempting it each year, it is also one of the most spectacular, offering you views of the landscape, scenery, and mountains that you would not otherwise be able to experience.