Bhutan might be your ideal travel destination if you are an avid mountain and nature lover with a knack for thrills. The place offers beauty in various forms. You can find high-altitude treks fitted to both novices and experts, along with hikes into the unknown wilderness. It is a small country with a myriad of attractions for travellers.
The landscape is dotted with quaint little hamlets and pristine lakes. Bhutan has done an exquisite job in preserving the Himalayan culture and traditional lifestyles. The administration emphasizes promoting a better life for the people through policies than profiting with globalization. It stands apart from other tourist spots in how it preserves the tourist attractions. For instance, the number of visitors in the country has an upper limit of 40,000, and you need local agents to arrange your trekking expeditions.
March to May, along with September and October, are ideal for trekking in Bhutan. The tours include your own support staff like the cook, local guide, camping assistant, and equestrians. You need to undergo a fitness evaluation and plan the trek thoroughly. If you want to take the moderate to harder treks, it is advisable to have some prior experience. Otherwise, you can always engage in easier ones with long hikes and light baggage.
Bhutan offers a range of trekking routes for everyone, some harder than others. Here are the top six treks in Bhutan that might interest you –
- Jhomolhari Trek: The Jholmolhari trek is a moderately difficult one taking eight days, yet the most popular choice. It offers spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, present between Tibet and Bhutan, as you pass through Bhonte La pass and Takhung La pass. An interesting fact about the mountain is its northern face as it falls abruptly from the vertical height. If you are keen on pairing your trek with cultural celebrations, you can time it during the Jomolhari Mountain Festival. The local villages close to the Jomohari base organize an annual event that celebrates the indigenous culture.
- Snowman Trek: The trek resides among the most difficult ones yet finds popularity in Bhutan. The Snowman Trek deserves a special mention when we talk about trekking in Bhutan. The route starts in Paro, taking you northwards to Lunana through mountains and eleven passes. It takes 25 days for completion. Gangla Karchund La, Jaze La, Rinchenzoe La, Loju La are among the notable passes. What stands out in the snowman trek is the isolation of the country. There are few villages, and helicopter evacuation can be challenging. Hence, you are on your own in the Himalayas while on the trek. October is a great time to plan as it marks the monsoon’s end and the onset of winter and snow.
- Duer Hot Springs Trek: The 9 days Duer Hot Springs Trek takes you to some of the Himalaya’s pristine beauties. You can enjoy a day at the Duer Hot Springs, which is a popular attraction for trekkers. You climb as high as 4700m as you reach Juli La, after enduring multiple climbs and descents of the mountain valleys. The trek is a treat for nature lovers owing to the untouched and unhindered ecosystem of the place. You will find Musk Deers and Black Bear in the wild. The route borrows a stretch from the Snowman Trek, and it is unique as you visit the hot springs closely.
- Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek: If you are ready to take up a challenge, Bhutan will surely reward you. The six-day trek takes you into some of the finest alpine lakes, offering local trout fishing and a view of the Himalayas’ highest peaks. You can also find Mt. Everest and Mt. Kachenjunga among the mix. You can find Bhutan travel agency reviews and find a booking for trout fishing at affordable rates. Reaching the highest point in the trek involves numerous ascents and descents with ridges in between. However, the trail is worth it and laden with small, traditional villages. You may come across yak herders and feel the essence of local Himalayan culture.
- Bumthang Owl Trek: The Bumthang Owl Trek is among the easier and shorter treks, taking only up to three days. However, the compromise in time and distance does not make it any less attractive. You can embrace the local culture in the mountain villages and let the mountain views bedazzle you. The place blooms with Rhododendrons during April and May, while the forest houses mostly bamboo. You can engage in bird watching and perhaps come close to seeing a black bear. The trek starts at a traditional village known as Dhur. The villages have a large nomadic herdsmen population. You move on to Drangela Pass, which is the highest point on the trail. From there, you will see the majestic Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan. The descent is also interesting as you pass several monasteries like the Chuedak Monastery. It is famous for a hundred stone carving of Avalokitesvara.
- Laya Gasa Trek: The Laya Gasa trek borrows the route from the Snowman trek. However, it is shorter and easier and offers similar experiences. You need only twelve days to complete the trail without camping at high peaks and crossing numerous passes. Still, you need to climb over 16,000ft for a view of M. Jhomolhari. You will also come across a hilltop fortress, named Lingshi Dzong, a Buddhist sanctuary protecting the land from Mongol and Tibetan invasions. Hence, the trek quenches your thirst for adventure on a tighter schedule and exposes you to heritage Bhutan. March to May and September to November are ideal for plans.
To Sum It Up
Logistics is an essential aspect of treks. Trekking in Bhutan involves camping and climbing descent altitudes over multiple days. Check out Bhutan travel agency reviews to plan and find the best package for your adventure. With the right equipment and support staff, the beauty of Bhutan and the treks will enthral you.