Bhutan is an excellent country for high-altitude trekking with beautiful mountain scenery, friendly villages and quiet trails. This Buddhist kingdom is seen as one of the world’s most unexplored landscapes.
The best periods for trekking are from October to November and between March and May (for trips over 4000m). Some lower altitude treks are open all year round. Amazing views of the snow-capped Himalayas are seen in the clear skies of autumn while spring offers less reliable atmospheric clarity.
During spring you can also gaze at the valleys covered in rhododendron flowers and other blooms.
All trekking in Bhutan is camping based, normally with ponies used to carry your baggage and equipment instead of human porters. Trekking with you will be an experienced trekking guide, pony handlers, a cook and camp crew (your camp crew and ponies may set off early each day, so your camp is ready when you arrive).
You can expect to venture up to high passes, explore subtropical forests and spot a range of wildlife including snow leopards and hornbills.
We offer a wide range of treks in Bhutan, normally run on a private basis, ranging from a two day walking and cultural sightseeing tour to high-altitude routes taking over two weeks to complete.
Between these extremes are several delightful treks taking around a week. These treks can be combined with as much or as little sightseeing as you wish.There is a trek suitable for everyone and if you are interested check out our Bhutan tours.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TBC) sanctions two-dozen official trekking routes in the country. New routes and variations will often be created and many of the routes can be trekked in the reverse direction. Before your trek, you will need to check with your agent to see if any road construction will disrupt your route and if your route is in good condition.
There are some treks that follow old trade routes and are not as popular with trekkers. If you find yourself on one of these routes, stay with your guide so you do not get lost. The routes are broken up into daily stages and your agent will give you an estimate number of days required for each trek, so you can prepare. The different stages will be marked clearly by the campsites.
Before you set off on your adventure, it is helpful to know your itinerary. Your guide on your tour will decide on the rest days, sights to see and the campsites. Rest days are very important as your body will need to acclimatise to the high-altitudes and so that you can do some exploration of the area.
This is the most popular trek in Bhutan and around 12000 trekkers take to this route every year. The main highlights include the alpine scenery, the charming monasteries and its ideal length. The best time of the year to enjoy this route is from late February to May and from September to December. You should avoid this trek in the monsoon season, which is July and August.
This convenient six-day trek can be shortened to five days and goes along a wilderness trail. During this trek, you will pass by expansive lakes and meditation retreats. The trekking days are short, but the high altitudes make it moderately strenuous.
This five-day trek follows more of a rural route and you usually will not bump into other trekkers along the way. Apart from a few sharp climbs, this trek is not very demanding and most of the trekking days are short. The best time to walk this route is in April and late September through to October. This short trek is known for its route, which goes by an assortment of high altitude lakes.
This short overnight trek allows you to watch the sunset over the mountains of Haa, witness spectacular views of the Paro valley and visit a unique cliff-face pilgrimage site. The camping accommodation on this trek is the most luxurious in Bhutan, but this trek is not an easy amble. The first day will be spent trekking uphill and the second day is a downhill trek. If you want to enjoy this trek you will need to be fit.
This overnight trek goes along a traditional route that was taken by Haa farmers on their annual trips to plant rice. These farmers would get part of the red rice crop (as rice doesn’t grow in Haa) in return for their work.
The trek is often done in three days, but it can easily be done in two days. Each day is a half-day’s walk so you can do some sightseeing and exploring at either end. You will also need to get to the pass early in the day so that you have ample time to walk on the ridgeline to take in the mountain views.
There are many variants of this trek and it includes two days along the ridgeline from the Cheli La on the Paro–Haa road to meet the Saga La and then go into the Paro valley from there. This trek can also be walked in reverse order.
Experience Bhutan's majestic landscapes, ancient fortresses, vibrant festivals, and unique culture on this unforgettable 8-day adventure. Hike to Tiger's Nest, explore dzongs, and connect with local life at a traditional homestay.
Type
Days
Price
Small Group
8
From
£1999
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