TREKKING IN BHUTAN

Trekking in Bhutan
Himalayas & Beyond

Trekking in Bhutan

Only one-third of Bhutan can be explored by road journey, the rest comprising of nomadic villages, endless yak pastures, shimmering turquoise lakes, towering rocky mountains, and interesting yak herder camps remain hidden and tucked away. Trekking is the only way you can explore these hidden gems.

All our treks are well planned, accompanied by trained staff who will take care of all the necessities and make sure that you enjoy trekking in Bhutan. In Bhutan, unlike Nepal, we use horses to carry food, equipment, and baggage instead of Sherpa porters which makes a huge difference in the experience. With a large assortment of trekking supplies and crew, you will trek through wild and verdant forests with abundant birds and animal lives, across high passes against the backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains, and along ice-fed gushing streams.

Top Trekking Adventures in Bhutan

8DAYS | 7NIGHTS

4.5/5
4.5/5

Jumolhari Trek in Bhutan is the most enchanting adventure trek in the Himalayas. The trail goes through high pasturelands and the highest settlement in the north with unique mountain culture

12DAYS | 11NIGHTS

5/5
5/5

Laya Gasa Trek is considered one of the most scenic long distance treks in Bhutan. Running along the border with Tibet, the trek offers amazing views of some of the most pristine and unspoiled landscapes in Bhutan.

5DAYS | 4NIGHTS

4/5
4/5

Druk Path Trek is one of the finest short treks in Bhutan. You will have splendid views of Himalaya along the Bhutan – Tibet border including Mount Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and Gangkar Phuensum.

5DAYS | 4NIGHTS

5/5
5/5

Trekking amidst the picturesque lakes, one will be treated with stunning views of some of the world’s highest Himalayan ranges including Mount Everest in Nepal, Masanggang, and many more.

3DAYS | 2NIGHTS

5/5
5/5

Chele La Trek is a nature trek rated as moderate to hard, and an adventure suitable for those who wish to experience the high Himalayas within a short span of time. 

8DAYS | 7NIGHTS

4.5/5
4.5/5

If you simply have a desire to sight Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake without slogging up to Lingzhi and to a high altitude, Soi Yaksa is the right trek for you.

31DAYS | 30NIGHTS

4/5
4/5

Snowman Trek in Bhutan is one of the most beautiful treks in the whole Himalayas. Billed as the most difficult trek in the world due to altitude, duration, and distance. 

5DAYS | 4NIGHTS

4.5/5
4.5/5

The Nub Tshonapata Trek is a dazzling 5-day trek that takes you through the natural landscape and the unsullied mountains of Haa valley in western Bhutan.

7DAYS | 6NIGHTS

4/5
4/5

If you simply have a desire to sight Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake without slogging up to Lingzhi and to a high altitude, Soi Yaksa is the right trek for you.

3DAYS | 2NIGHTS

 This 3-day trek offers great way to enjoy a trek during winter with some elements of cultural touches. The trek begins from north of Thimphu valley, 

FAQs

1. How do we operate our treks?

Trekking in Bhutan is a complete wilderness experience. Treks are arranged as camping trips where one sleeps in tented camps at the designated campsite. The trek assistants and support team walk ahead of the trekking group each day and pitch tents before the trekkers arrive. A hot cuppa tea waiting in the dining tent is a most welcome treat after hours of tedious walk. Whereas, if you have trekked in Nepal, you would know that most trek routes in Nepal run through spaced villages where trekkers find small lodges or teahouses for their shelter at night. 

2. How cold will it be on trek?

The temperature will drop below zero on the trek, around -4 to -8 degrees celsius at night and early morning. The afternoon will be warmer, with temperatures ranging from 12 to 16 degrees celsius. On high passes, there is a possibility of snowfall. Despite your advance trekking plans, sometimes itineraries can be disrupted and need to be altered due to force majeure, such as blockage of the route due to heavy snow or breakage of bridges due to unexpected heavy showers. Sometimes trails become too icy for the horses due to sudden temperature fall at night. Be prepared to take any disappointments on your end.

Each trekking group is accompanied by a trekking guide, an assistant guide, trek chef, assistant cooks, and a local horseman. Our trek team is fully trained and well-versed with general mountain facts, high altitude trekking, and trek trails. Our guides are friendly, knowledgeable and they will teach you everything you need to know about the climate zones, the altitudes of and distances to campsites, and information about mountain culture, geology, flora, and fauna. Be ready to be entertained with some famous myths and historical stories.

Bhutan offers a wide variety of high altitude treks ranging from 3 to 26 days, namely the Snowman Trek. Most of these treks go over 4000 meters high. One needs good endurance for long distances, high altitudes, rugged terrain, cold winds, thin air, rain, and snow to complete these treks. There are also easy winter treks if high altitude treks are too tough for you. Although everyone is not born with the same physique; however, the basic craving for exploration and experience is a birthright and, ultimately, what can get us through these intense yet rewarding treks.

Trekking in Bhutan is physically challenging as it involves a vigorous long walk up hillside and through mountains and gorges amidst harsh terrain with radical elevation changes. The trail is often narrow with pebbles, flowing streams, loose dirt, muddy path, and rocky terrain formed by landslides. The average daily elevation gain is about 500m spread over 8 to 12 kilometers.

You will sleep in tented camps at a designated campsite where there is a water source. All of our treks are fully supported with dining, kitchen, and toilet tents. Our company owns our own set of trek equipment. You will be provided with A-framed tents that are found to be very effective. The Fly is made of imported nylon waterproof breathable fabric and inner made from high-quality cotton fabric with 100% waterproof and fire-resistant. We also provide ground mattresses, pillows, and hot water bags. However, we do not provide Sleeping bags; you must bring your own sleeping bag or hire from a local company in Bhutan. Boiled drinking water and tea is provided daily.

We use horses on the trek to carry your luggage, trek equipment, and food supply. Trekkers only have to carry their backpacks for personal items such as cameras, batteries, toiletries, water bottles, energy bars, sunscreen, sun hats, medicines (if any), etc.

You will be supplied with bottled water during the city tour. On the trek, you will be provided with boiled water daily. Trek assistants will collect water from rivers and streams and boil it to carry in your water bottles at the start of the day. You may carry your own treatment tablets and purify the water collected yourself from streams.

Yes, we provide shower facilities for treks running more than a week.  Buckets of hot water will be given for a shower but not running water through a showerhead. However, most trekkers choose not to shower due to the cold weather. 

Our trek chefs can conjure up tasty foods at any altitude. Most trekkers find camp meals better than ones served in city hotels. Besides native foods, you will be served oatmeals, bread toast with baked beans, peanut butter, sausages, and jam for breakfast to go with hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. There will also be noodles, meat or vegetable curry, rice, and snacks such as salted popcorns and peanuts. You are supplied with lavish food items, and it is not necessary to bring any food with you. However, you may bring some energy bars or trail mix to be eaten while hiking.

We provide toilet tents with a portable and collapsible western-style toilet seat with legs. A hole is dug into the ground, and this collapsible toilet seat is placed over it.

We cannot ascertain altitude sickness on anyone irrespective of age, past trek experience, and physique. The best thing to do is to take proper precautions. We endeavor to plan the itinerary allowing gradual acclimatization as you ascend. However, at times the altitude gain will be greater and inevitable due to the geographic terrain. Our trekking itinerary always includes an acclimatization hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike before the start of the trek or, if there’s time, climbing to a high pass such as the Chelela Pass (3,810) on the way to Haa. It is also important to walk at your own pace and drink plenty of water on the trek. You should inform your guide if you have a headache, dizziness, or any other health complaint on the trek. Our guides are well trained in first aid and are prepared to act accordingly if someone is suffering from altitude sickness.
Segregate the clothes you require on the trek from city clothes a day ahead of the trek. You must put the clothes you require on the trek in a duffle bag to be carried by horses. And your city clothes would go into your hard suitcase, which is to be left in the company office. It will be made available to you at the end of your trek. For safekeeping, your belongings should be locked securely.

All treks go beyond 3500m, and you will be sleeping at altitudes ranging from 3500m to 5120m, depending on the type of trek you opt for. For example, on Snowman Trek, you will sleep above 5000m at two campsites.

Yes, any medication required on the trek must be arranged by self before traveling to Bhutan for your trek.