Trekking

Trekking involves walking through the beauty of nature following the meandering yak trails and wander along ancient trading routes that pass by some of the highest mountains in the world. The trek route will lead you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Eastern Himalayas. Bhutan has mountains that are permanently covered in snow and remain unclimbed. Mountaineering is forbidden in Bhutan because of the belief that mountains are abodes of holy deities.

Package Summery

DRUK PATH TREK

Duration: 5 days, Max. Elevation: 4,200m
Highest Camp: 4,110m
Standard: Easy to medium
Best Seasons: March to June & September to November
Start: National Museum in Paro
Finish: Mothitang (Thimphu)

Summary:
Druk Path Trek is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. It is a short and scenic trek with some great views and beautiful lakes en route. Although it leads up to altitudes above 4,000m it is not too strenuous as walking distances between the camps are not too long. Besides the lakes, it is the Phadjoding monastery that is one of the highlights of this trek.

DAGALA THOUSAND LAKE TREK

Duration: 5 days, Max. Elevation: 4,520m
Highest Camp: 4,300m
Standard: Medium
Best Seasons: April to June and September to October
Start: Gynekha (Thimphu)
Finish: Chamgang (Thimpu)

Summary:
Although the trek leads up to plenty of beautiful high altitude mountain lakes and provides stunning views of the whole Bhutanese Himalayan range as well as Kanjenjunga (3rd highest mountain of the world, Sikkim) it is still not a very popular trek. You might not meet any other trekkers during the whole trek. It is also possible to start and end the trek in Gynekha. The optional route back to Gynekha leads through beautiful Bhutanese villages. Although most days are short, the day from Gur to Labatama involves a lot of climbing and is, therefore, pretty strenuous.

JOMOLHARI TREK I

Duration: 8 days,
Max. Elevation: 4,930m
Highest Camp: 4,080m
Standard: Medium
Best Seasons: March to June & October to November
Start: Shana Zampa (Paro)
Finish: Dodena (Thimphu)

Summary:
Jomolhari Trek – Jomolhari Trek I is the longer one of the two Jomolhari routes- and the most popular trek in Bhutan. With altitude differences of 2,500m and nearly 5,000m (lowest and highest point of the route), it offers a wide range of landscape, fauna and flora. The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Basecamp, Jangothang. Nearly the whole trek goes through a small part of the Jigme Singye National Park, passing a few of the Yak herder’s settlements and the remotest region of Lingshi. One should be reasonably physically fit to enjoy the majestic mountain views, endure thin air, serenity & the wilderness of the landscape while on the trek. Now you can drive to Shana Zampa in the Late Afternoon and camp there.

JOMOLHARI YAKTSA TREK II

Duration: 6 days, Max. Elevation: 4,890m
Highest Camp: 4,080m
Standard: Medium
Best Seasons: April to June, September to November
Start: Shana Zampa (Paro)
Finish: Gunitsawa (Paro)

Summary:
Jomolhari Trek – Jomolhari Trek II is the shorter one of the two Jomolhari routes-the most popular trek in Bhutan. With altitude differences of 2,500m and nearly 5,000m (lowest and highest point of the route), it offers a wide range of landscape and fauna and flora. The highlight of this trek is the spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari from Jomolhari Basecamp in Jangothang. Trekkers who want to avoid high passes and high altitude can choose an easier version of the Jomolhari Trek II by going back the same way down from Jangothang (see days 1-2), while still having the majestic impressions of Mount Jomolhari. Now you can drive to Shana Zampa in the Late Afternoon and camp there.

LAYA GASA TREK

Duration: 11 days, Max. Elevation: 5,005m
Highest Camp: 4,220m
Standard: Medium to hard
Best Seasons: April to June & Mid-September to Mid-November
Start: Shana Zampa (Paro)
Finish: Gasa hot spring (Gasa)

Summary:
The first part of the Laya Gasa Trek goes along the same route as the Jomolari Trek I right till Lingshi. Besides the unforgettable views of Mount Jomolhari, the trek offers spectacular views of Jichu Drake, Gangchhenta (Great Tiger Mountain). Between Jangothang and Laya the trail hardly goes below 4,000m and one has good opportunities to spot blue sheep or even takin. Some beautiful Bhutanese mountain villages, the unique culture and appearance of the Layaps (people of Laya district) and finally a day of relaxation at the Gasa hot springs add to an extremely rewarding trekking experience. All in all, the Laya Gasa Trek is considered to be the most beautiful trek of Bhutan, only to be beaten by the tough Snowman Trek.

DUR HOT SPRING TREK

Duration: 9 Days, Max. Elevation: 4,700m
Highest Camp: 3,400m
Standard: Medium to hard, Best Seasons: March to April & September to November
Start: Dur Village (Bumthang)
Finish: Dur Village (Bumthang)

Summary:

Dur Hot Springs are said to be the most beautiful natural hot springs in the Himalayas. The Dur Hot Spring Trek is a demanding nine-day trek along the same route as the finishing of the Snowman Trek. Some long days and steep and long ascents (e.g. the day before reaching the hot springs) rank it among the more demanding treks in Bhutan.  A mule trail is being built from Trongsa up to Dur Hot Springs. As soon as this new route is ready the trek will be a stunningly beautiful round trip, Bumthang – Dur Hot Springs – Trongsa.

SNOWMAN TREK ONE

Duration: 24 days, Max. Elevation: 5,320m
Highest Camp: 5,050m
Standard: Hard
Best Seasons: Mid-June to Mid-October
Start: Shana Zampa (Paro)
Finish: Sephu (Wangdue Phodrang)

Summary:
The Snowman Trek is an extension of the beautiful Laya Gasa Trek and leads from Laya into high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas. It takes tough and enduring trekkers into the Lunana region and further on to Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Wangdue Phodrang district, depending on which route you choose. The Snowman trek leads through the most remote areas up to very high altitudes. Trekkers have to camp in altitudes above 5,000m more than once, and depending on the seasonal temperatures, the camps are sometimes on snow.

The Lonely Planet describes the Snowman Trek as one of the most difficult treks of the world. Many groups that attempt this tough trek do not actually finish it due to problems with the high altitude or snow blocked passes. Therefore, the best time for the Snowman Trek – unlike the other high altitude treks of Bhutan – is in the summertime. Still, those who make it will remember this trek as an outstandingly beautiful and maybe as the most rewarding trek of their life.

SNOWMAN TREK TWO 

Duration: 24 days, Max. Elevation: 5,320m
Highest Camp: 5,120m
Standard: Hard
Best Seasons: Mid-June to Mid-October
Start: Shana Zampa (Paro)
Finish: Dur Village (Bumthang)

Summary:
The Snowman Trek is an extension of the beautiful Laya Gasa Trek and leads from Laya into high altitudes of the Bhutanese Himalayas. It takes tough and enduring trekkers into the Lunana region and further on to Gangkhar Puensum and Bumthang or down to Sephu in Wangdue Phodrang district, depending on which route you choose. The Snowman trek leads through the most remote areas up to very high altitudes. Trekkers have to camp in altitudes above 5,000m more than once, and depending on the seasonal temperatures, the camps are sometimes on snow.

The Lonely Planet describes the Snowman Trek as one of the most difficult treks of the world. Many groups that attempt this tough trek do not actually finish it due to problems with the high altitude or snow blocked passes. Therefore, the best time for the Snowman Trek – unlike the other high altitude treks of Bhutan – is in the summertime. Still, those who make it will remember this trek as an outstandingly beautiful and maybe as the most rewarding trek of their life.