Trekking in Bhutan.

Trekking in Bhutan is unlike anywhere else in the Himalayas. The walks are long and arduous but they are complemented by the pristine atmosphere and views that defy description. Only a handful of tourists trek each year; trails are not as developed as they are in other countries. However what Bhutan may lack in infrastructure development, it makes up for in superb support facilities for trekkers. A trained guide, a cook, a cooking assistant and at least one horseman accompany all our treks. Horses and yaks carry all loads; you will only have to carry a daypack with your camera and extra films.

First roads in Bhutan were built only in the early 70s. Until then people traveled along trails, hundreds of years old. Even now, some parts of Bhutan are days away from the nearest road. Trekking in Bhutan is along these ancient trade routes, far away from the main towns. Trek routes take you through villages not yet reached by the hands of change. And unlike in other Asian countries, the villagers and the cattle will be the only occasional traffic you will come along the trail. Assisted by our trained crew, it is the best way to experience the country and to meet the local people.

We have tried to think of many ways to make your adventure as comfortable as possible. Our support crew will walk ahead and set up the camp before you arrive. A warm cup of tea waiting in the dining tent is the most welcome treat after ten hours hiking up and down mountains, sometimes as high as 18,000 feet.

 All meals are carefully planned. Breakfast is always cooked and dinner includes a choice of at least four dishes. In many of the remote parts of the country, villages are scarce and few people will cross the path and as a result we take every precaution to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests.

We offer many treks, each different from the other. The snowman trek, reputed to be the toughest trek in the world, is the ultimate in outdoor experience.

For Trekking season and custom trek routes that you would like to undertake, please let us know and we will design routes that befits your time and interest. We will also inform and discuss the various grades and difficulty that you will encompass during the various trek routes that we have.

DRUK PATH TREK 09N/10D

Start destination: Paro.

End destination:  Thimphu.

Duration:  5 ½ days of actual Trekking

Complete distance:  appx. 60km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 4210m/13,809feet

Difficulty level: Medium Easy

Trekking season: end of Feb,March, April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov.

One of the most scenic and popular treks in Bhutan, following a wilderness trail past several remote lakes. Although it is a short trek, it still goes to a high altitude, making it moderately strenuous. This was also the old trade route from Paro to Thimphu prior to motor roads in Bhutan.

Jhomolhari Trek 11N/12D

Start destination: Paro

End destination:  Dodena Thimphu.

Duration:  08 days of actual Trekking

Complete distance:  appx. 137km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 4930m/16,170feet

Difficulty level: Medium Hard.

Trekking Season: March, April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov.

This trek gifts you with great variety of Bhutanese landscapes and is without doubt one of the most beautiful and unspoiled trekking areas in the entire Himalayas. The trek begins at Drugyal dzong passing through beautiful villages, scattered hamlets and farmland. Different vegetation from richly forested valley to high alpine pastureland where Yak herders graze their animals. Trout fishing in the sky blue lake with magnificent view of three majestic peaks are some activities which can be done on a rest day. Spectacular views of Mt. Jhomolhari 7314m/23,990ft. from a high camp at Jangothang is most rewarding. If you are lucky you will also encounter blue sheep & snow leopard.

Gangtey-Khotokha Trek. 08N/09D

Start destination: Gangtey at Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue District.

End destination:  Chuzomsa at Wangdue District.

Duration: 03 days of  actual Trekking.

Distance :  appx.50 km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 3480m/11,414feet

Difficulty level: Easy

Trekking Season: March, April, May, Sep, Oct, Nov.

This Trek starts from the beautiful valley of Phobjikha valley the abode of the Black neck cranes. You also  pass through mixed forest of Juniper, bamboo, Magnolia and Rhododendrons. Villages of Gangtey, Gogona and Khotokha and various stupas will be encountered. Some Trekkers have commented that Khotokha valley is just like Paris in the medieval days, the Government had plans to establish the International airport at Khotokha. As you descend from Khotokha great views of the fertile Sha villages are rewarding.

Samtengang Winter Trek 09N/10D

Start destination: Punakha

End destination:  Wangdue

Duration: 04 Days of actual Trekking.

Complete distance in km: Appx.  Total Trek appx. 50km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 1500m/4920feet

Difficulty level: Easy

Trekking Season: Jan, Feb,March, April, May, Sep, Oct, Nov,Dec

This is a picturesque Trek that does not involve strenous trekking since it’s at a lower altitude. The trail leads through chirpine, rhododendron and oak forests at certain stretches. You will see Monasteries and  camp at villages, great views of Punakha and Wangdue valleys are rewarding.

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek 12N/13D

Start destination: Genekha Thimphu

End destination:  Semtokha Thimphu.

Duration:  08 days of actual Trekking

Complete distance:  appx. 50km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 4720m/15,482feet.

Difficulty level: Medium Easy.

Trekking Season: March, April, Sep, Oct.

As the name suggests, you encounter many lakes, medows, yak herders’ camps and villages. This trek is also a great flora and fauna trek. Views of the Dagala Mountain range is a spectular sight. 

Beautiful Laya Gasa Trek 21N/22D

Start destination: Paro

End destination:  Dodena Thimphu.

Duration:  16 days of actual Trekking

Complete distance:  appx. 222 km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 5005m/16,416feet

Difficulty level: Medium Hard.

Trekking Season: April, May, June, Sep, Oct, Nov.

This trek is an extension of the Jhomolhari trek. It offers diverse flora and fauna, as well as good opportunity to spot blue sheep. You also visit the high nomadic villages of Laya and can pass the Hot spring at Punakha while coming down to end the Trek. You will descend till 1500m from 5000m and along with that experience the changes in the flora and fauna that goes with altitude.

Gasa Hot Spring Trek 10N/11D

Start destination: Punakha.

End destination:  Punakha.

Duration:  05 days of actual Trekking.

Complete distance:  appx. 66km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 2430m/7970feet.

Difficulty Level:  Medium Easy.

Trekking Season: Feb, March, Oct, Nov, Dec.

This Trek is the last part of the Laya-Gasa trek in reverse. The hot springs are fun, and a lot of climbing to get there. You visit the Gasa Dzong, pass through villages and local folks and a diverse flora and fauna.

Bumthang Cultural Trek 12N/13D

Start destination: Jakar, Bumthang

End destination:  Pang Shing, Bumthang

Duration: 03 Days of actual Trekking. But takes 5 days back and forth to reach Bumthang from Paro airport. But you will visit the districts of Thimphu, Punakha and Trongsa enroute.

Complete distance: Appx. 45km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 3360m/11,021feet

Difficulty level: Easy.

Trekking Season: March, April, May, Sep, Oct, Nov.

This Trek is so named because the opportunities to visit villages and monasteries are greater than on most other treks in Bhutan.

SNOWMAN TREK 26N/27D

Start destination: Paro or Punakha.

End destination:  Bumthang.

Duration:  21 days of actual Trekking

Complete distance:  appx. 379km

Highest point on Trek in metres/feet: 5320m/17,450feet

Difficulty level: Hard.

Trekking Season:  Late April, May, September, October.

The Snow man trek travels to the remote Lunana district and is said to be one of the most difficult treks in the world. The experiences in this Trek would be a life time experience. You would have trekked parallel to most of the Bhutanese Himalayan ranges from the Western Bhutan till the Central Bhutan. You come across many villages, nomads, yak herders and base camps. This Trek also requires a lot of planning and logistical arrangements.

*Please contact us for Details of the various Treks outlined.