Lunana Snowman Traveller Reviews

28 day trekking adventure across the Bhutanese Himalaya, from Paro to Bumthang. After a brush with the outer edges of a cyclone that dropped a couple inches of early snow just a day out of Paro, we had fantastic weather for almost the entire trek - bluebird skies, cool temps, fantastic views. For most of the trail, we had the mountains entirely to ourselves. Fascinating engagement with herdsmen, monks, cordyceps gatherers, rural Bhutanese. Serious elevation for most of the trek, multiple (12? 13?) passes over 12,000 feet - as high as 18,000. Definitely pushed to my limit, but an outstanding experience.

The Mountain Company did a great job preparing us for the trek, both online in advance through interviews and email correspondence and chat groups, as well as in-country in advance of heading to the trail. Our itinerary took acclimatization extremely seriously, including day hikes into the Ho Valley before actually starting the Snowman. Our international and local trek leaders were both knowledgeable, very experienced, with multiple successful Snowman treks behind them, and also interesting and engaging with our group. The local staff - the horse guys and kitchen crew - were all top notch, accommodating, efficient, always safety conscious. Our chef, in particular, did an outstanding job. Frequently restaurant-quality meals, whipped up in a tent over a gas burner. Certainly not what I was used to trekking in the Himalaya.

Roland, thank you — and please pass this on to the whole Mountain Company team. Our 34-day Snowman Trek (Paro → Haa → Lunana → Dur Tsachu → Bumthang) was, quite simply, one of the most impressive adventures we’ve ever done. The logistics and judgement were superb throughout: thoughtful acclimatisation and pacing (including rest days in places like Laya and Thanze), calm and confident decision-making over 20+ high passes (peaking around 5,460m), and a level of organization that made life in very remote terrain feel safe, smooth, and genuinely enjoyable. We experienced Bhutan at its most dramatic — high, wild, and wonderfully isolated — and the Mountain Company structure behind the scenes is what made that possible. A huge thank you to Almas, whose steady leadership, clear communication and constant encouragement kept the team moving well across long, high days, and to Dorji, whose local knowledge and quiet competence added so much depth — from the route’s rhythms and villages to the mountain reality of the Lunana plateau, Dur Tsachu, and camps like Chomolhari Base Camp and Tshorim Lake. When the weather turned properly “Snowman Trek” (including a severe storm at Chomolhari Base Camp with wind and snow), the way the team managed safety, morale, and practicalities was outstanding — professional, calm, and always one step ahead. And truly, the heart of this trek was the local crew — the yak herders and camp team who made the expedition feel warm and human even at altitude and in the cold. The kitchen staff were extraordinary, and Tandin deserves special mention: consistently delicious meals in demanding conditions, hot drinks exactly when you needed them, and a level of care and hospitality that lifted everyone every single day. It’s rare to find an operator that combines expedition-grade competence with that much kindness. We’d recommend Mountain Company — and Roland’s leadership in particular — without hesitation to anyone who wants to experience Bhutan’s greatest trek in the best possible hands.

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Trekked the 'longer version' of Bhutan's famous "Lunana Snowman" trek: nearly one month of walking through incredibly beautiful scenery and remote villages.

Out trek was organised by UK-based Roland Hunter, of The Mountain Company. Roland is legendary for his superb customer service, putting the needs of his customers above commercial gain. No corners are cut in his efforts to make his treks as well-run as possible, such as allowing plenty of time for acclimatisation, and using the best local guides and staff.

I have wanted to go to Bhutan for years and Lunana Snowman was the perfect opportunity. Doing some research the mountain company did the extended version and also offered a smaller group size. In the end there were six of us which worked perfectly as we were all similar levels and got on well with each other. We were very lucky with the weather on the passes and camps. The tents were new and being yellow were bright and light. The guides were very knowledgeable about the places and history making for a much more rewarding trip even though the scenery was breathtaking itself. They were also very good to allow for acclimatisation and set a good pace for the group. Bhutan itself was amazing how it has been protected and how they are looking to the future. I would seriously recommend visiting Bhutan and using The Mountain Company.

The operator, through their local agents, arranged all the transfers, tents, camps and meals. The choice of the main guide was excellent with his guiding ability and local knowledge. The choice of chef was incredible in what he created for us at each meal being deliberately very creative despite the remote locations. The choice of hotels for the transfers was good in terms of location, comfort and food. Each day we were given a debrief of the following day and out oxygen levels were monitored to assess our acclimatisation. The team was flexible to change the itiniary to suit the group/conditions

I loved returning to do the Bhutan Snowman trek with The Mountain Company. It is a sublime high altitude trek with exceptional scenery, in which you get into the rhythm of this long journey of wonders - spectacular mountains, beautiful mossy forests and wild rivers. Parts are very wild and remote, other parts gave us really interesting interactions with local people. The whole trekking party (leaders, crew and trekkers) was agile and very harmonious - full of adventure and laughter. Much banter focussed on the seriously amazing food. I ate a lot better on the trek than I do at home! There are few places in the world where you can experience on a supported trek such astonishingly beautiful wild scenery. We met only a handful of other trekking groups in the earlier sections of the trek and for our last two weeks of the trek - no other trekkers. Therein lies the magic of the Snowman trek.

The Mountain Company's Snowman trek is the gold standard for this trek. Their itinerary is crafted to experience the most spectacular wild and remote parts of northern Bhutan and to optimise acclimatisation. The Mountain Company delivers quality in all aspects: excellent logistics, highly trained crew, leaders with the experience and wisdom that goes with well over a decade of leading treks in Bhutan.

I embarked on the Lunana Snowman trek with the Mountain Company in October 2022. I had already been converted to trekking with the Mountain Company and had wanted to do Snowman for some time. The trip was exceptional on every way. It is an amazing trek but my appreciation of it was enhanced in so many ways by the planning and care of the Mountain Company before and throughout the trek. Through their years of experience they had put together a wonderful team who, together with our great leader Nat, looked after us every inch of the way so all we had to do was push ourselves to get over the passes, wonder at the scenery and eat incredibly well in the remotest of locations. My thanks to all of TMC for this.

Brilliant organisation and attention to detail which gives you a feeling of complete confidence. So important when you are approaching something both unique and challenging. Roland the MD is great in providing all necessary pretrip information and keeping one informed to the moment of departure

Bhutan is a special country and we had the privilege to explore beautiful and remote regions. From friendly villages to isolated valleys with no-one there except an occasional nomadic yak herder. This was a long trek of 27 nights camping and every day brought new highlights: the mountains (Jonolhari, Jichu Drake, Gangkhar Puensum, Table Mountain), the passes (Gophu La, Saga La, all 14 of them), the villages of Laya and Thanza, the hot springs at Dur Tsachu. A spectacular trip.

The Mountain Company is superb in every respect. Roland and Natalie are supremely professional and very experienced. The crew was exceptional from the senior local guide right through the last horseman. The chef was amazing and produced fantastic food from the first day to the last. I felt guiltily pampered throughout. This was my second trip with TMC and I'm sure I'll be back. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Our trekking holiday with The Mountain Company though the remote Snowman Trek in Bhutan was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Pre-trip information, communication, and logistics were well organized and the entire expedition in Bhutan was exceptional. All trekking guides, kitchen crew, and support staff were excellent, kind, and generous - providing top-notch service throughout the 28 trek, including excellent meals throughout. The Snowman Trek itself was fantastic, trekking through amazing Himalayan vistas, remote villages, pristine forests, and other spectacular landscapes. We also enjoyed the acclimatization days in the Haa Valley and cultural visits before and after the trek. A top-notch expedition to a remote corner of the world with some of the best international and local guides and crew. Thank you!

Our tour operator, The Mountain Company, was absolutely fantastic. Pre-trip information and communication are beyond expectation - prompt and thorough. Our international guide was absolutely fantastic - extremely experienced and professional. All trek logistics were provided without a flaw. I would highly recommend The Mountain Company. This is my second trip with them and I'm sure we will be back for additional treks in the future.

Had an amazing time trekking The Snowman Trek with The Mountain Company and team. Would highly recommend them for anyone considering this beautiful trek in Bhutan.

Had an amazing time trekking The Snowman Trek with The Mountain Company and team. Would highly recommend them for anyone considering this beautiful trek in Bhutan.

The Mountain Company was fortunate to get a trek visa for Bhutan as soon as they opened. The Snowman's Trek was everything I had hoped for. Great group, visits to spiritual sites, treking in Noman territories, and of course great views.

The Mountain Company has run the Snowman's Trek for over 12 years. Therefore, this was a very well-organized tour with amazing local guides and the great oversite of Roland and Natalie. They were amazingly thoughtful and responsive. The local guides were incredibly organized and took care of all our needs. Can't imagine a better tour operator.