Trekking in Bhutan Himalayas – How, When, Where & What

The trekking options in the little Himalayan kingdom, Bhutan, stands out as something of a unique experience. I haven’t been there myself (yet), but from what I’ve heard it is an experience to cherish. The trekking trails in the Bhutan Himalayas are stunning and remote. Pristine villages and lofty 7000+ meter peaks dot the map along the trekking trail. Yaks are grassing in high valleys and giant trout swim around in turquoise-blue mountain lakes! Add to this picture that there are hardly any other trekkers around, and you are pretty much guaranteed to have a really unique trekking experience in the Bhutan Himalayas! Here’s the basic lowdown on Bhutan trekking:

How do you trek in Bhutan? Trekking in Bhutan must be done through a registered trekking tour agency. There’s no individual backpackers here. Furthermore, there’s a daily minimum tariff, set at US $200 (*) per night for all trekking tours in Bhutan. That’s the price to pay for trekking through one of the most unspoiled parts of the Himalayas. No way around it. But you can expect a high level of service from the trekking agency. All food and lodgings are included, as are guides, transport, porters, horses/ponies etc. You’ll even have your own cook trekking with you! There’s one little loophole to the part about not being able to trek alone. If you arrange your trek with a couple of resting days, where your campsite doesn’t move, you’ll probably be able to stroll around on little side-trips without the whole expedition guiding and following you. (*) Note: The $200 tariff is per person for groups of 3 or more. If you’re trekking alone or as a couple, there’s a surcharge of $40 / $30 added. There’s also a $20 visa and a $10 tourism fee to pay when entering Bhutan. At least you’ll know exactly how much you need to save up for a trekking tour in Bhutan! When is the best time to trek in Bhutan? The best season for trekking in Bhutan is the spring season (March-April-May-June) and the fall season (September-October-November). But trekking can be done all year round. In the winter season (December-January-February) the routes that doesn’t involve crossing any high-passes are still open. And trekking in the summer season (July and August) is also possible, although it’s not the best time to do it. Don’t go on low-altitude treks in the summer. It’s hot! Where can you trek in Bhutan? There’s a good variety of trekking routes in Bhutan. From short 3-day treks to long 30-day treks! Some routes are for mountains, other routes are for birding or for general nature and culture experiences. Please see the Bhutan map and trekking routes for further details. What do you need to bring to Bhutan? Run through the usual trekking checklists before you go, but a couple of reminders specially minded for trekking in Bhutan : Sleeping bags - usually not included in the treks –having your own is usually preferably anyway (rather than being the 100th person to sleep in that bag!). A camera and plenty of film/memory card. The selection in Thimphu isn’t exactly great. Extra batteries could also be handy! Consider a backup camera. A couple of books for the resting time between your hectic activities – see end of this post for suggestions. Your personal prescription medicine and other trekking goodies to make your trip more enjoyable. And of course, some suitable clothes, trekking trousers, jacket, boots, rain gear and a small daypack or backpack for the stuff you need all the time. What can you expect when trekking in Bhutan? Expect a high level of service, a stunning and possibly tough trek, a pristine high-altitude nature, being the only travelers for miles and miles around, good chances of spotting rare wildlife such as the Himalayan Blue Sheep, high snowcapped peaks, beautiful mountain lakes and high valleys a “unique culture” (a bit of a cliché but consider this: They call it “the land of the thunder dragon”, TV and internet has only been allowed the last 10 years, the government believes the mountains are holy and Bhutan measures its “Gross Domestic Happiness” along with its GDP! What other countries match that for being unique?) ---

Bhutan Travel Guide Books:

Check the more detailed trekking descriptions here or read more in the literature selection just below: