Is This The Himalaya’s Best Trek?

This is no ordinary trek. No tea-house trail. No dotted line on a travel influencer’s map.

The Bhutan Snowman Trek is a trekkers trek. An almost month long expedition across the wildest, most remote reaches of the Himalaya. 

Eleven high passes. Zero crowds.

“It’s the most spectacular long-distance trek I’ve done,” says Soren Kruse Ledet, a veteran of more than 100 Himalayan expeditions. “And I’ve done a lot.”

What Makes It So Spectacular?

The Snowman Trek is spectacular not just because of its remoteness, but because of the sheer variety and grandeur of the landscapes it crosses. Over 300 kilometres, you’ll pass through ancient rhododendron forests, glacial river valleys, high-altitude plateaus and windswept mountain passes with uninterrupted views of Bhutan’s most sacred peaks. 

From turquoise lakes and hanging glaciers to rarely seen villages and cliffside monasteries, every day offers something breathtaking. It’s not just a physical journey, it’s a complete immersion in one of the last truly wild places on Earth.

Bhutan at Its Most Elemental

This Snowman route cuts through Bhutan’s northern frontier, far from roads and towns. You’ll walk beneath Jomolhari, camp beside glacial lakes and cross into valleys where yak herders and monks live largely unchanged by the outside world.

Here, the mountains aren’t conquered. They’re revered.

“There’s this gravity to the place,” says Soren. “It’s not about bragging rights. It’s about being present in one of the last truly wild places.”

High, Harsh and Unforgettable

Over three weeks, you’ll cross more than eleven Himalayan passes, many above 5,000 metres (16,400ft). The terrain is challenging. The weather can turn without warning. But the sense of achievement? Unmatched.

Outside Magazine called it: “Tougher than Kilimanjaro. Wilder than Everest. The Snowman Trek makes legends.”

With a completion rate hovering around 50–60% for those that travel solo, this is not a trek for beginners. But with the right preparation and the right team it’s achievable.

“We build the success into the itinerary,” says Soren. “The pacing, the support crew, the contingency plans - it all matters out here.”

Trails Rarely Walked, But Deeply Felt.

Bhutan’s strict tourism model limits numbers on the Snowman Trek. You’re unlikely to see another group for days. And when you do reach a village, your presence is something rare and respected.

You won’t find souvenir stalls or staged performances. Just people living with the land, with resilience and care.

Lonely Planet puts it simply: “A raw, immersive experience in one of the world’s most secluded mountain landscapes.”

Why Go With Us?

We’ve operated this route for over 35 years. And we don’t just run it, we refine it every season.

• Elite guides like Soren Kruse Ledet or Lydia Brady, with decades of high-altitude expertise
• Full expedition support: wilderness camping, hot meals, yak teams, satellite communication and altitude safety protocols
• Cultural respect at every step – with local crews and community-first travel built in

“You can’t fake your way through the Snowman,” says Soren. “We’ve built the kind of team that makes it possible - and meaningful.”

Is This Trek for You?

The Bhutan Snowman trek a serious commitment, but it's not reserved for elite athletes or mountaineers. If you’ve completed other high-altitude treks and you're willing to prepare properly, the Snowman Trek is within reach.

We recommend that you’ve previously done multi-day treks at altitude, such as any Grade 5–7 trek that involved altitude, endurance, and remote conditions

It’s not just about physical strength, it’s about mindset. The ability to stay positive when conditions are cold, trails are long, and comfort is stripped back. The support of your crew and fellow trekkers plays a big role in that.

“You don’t need to be superhuman,” Soren shares in a recent webinar on the trek. “You need to be ready - and open to the journey.”

The Snowman Trek in Numbers

• 275,000 people visited Nepal in spring 2024 – Bhutan welcomed under 50,000 in the whole year*
• 300 kilometres of remote Himalayan terrain – trekked entirely on foot
• 5,320m (17,454ft) – highest point of the trek: Rinchen Zoe La
• 35+ years – our experience operating trekking expeditions in Bhutan
• 27 days – full expedition length, including 22 trekking days
• 11 high passes crossed – many over 5,000m (16,400ft)
• 6 language groups encountered – showcasing Bhutan’s cultural depth
• 1-2 departures per year – Bhutan Snowman treks book out early as spaces are limited
• 0 roads along the route – full wilderness access only

*Source: Bhutan Department of Tourism & Nepal Tourism Board, 2024 data