What makes Trekking in Bhutan so special?
Our trekking tours in Bhutan run deep into the isolated mountains and valleys of the country. Our high mountain treks focus on trekking amidst the highest peaks and passes in Bhutan whilst other routes stray off-the-beaten-track, following old trade and smuggling routes rarely visited by foreigners.
Trekking here involves camping at designated campsites as there are no teahouses or lodges on the trek routes. Your trekking crew consists of trekking guides, trekking chefs, helpers, and horseman all experienced in trekking field. All the food supplies and trekking equipment will be carried in by horses.You only have to carry your daypack containing personal items like camera, water bottle, toiletries, etc. Hot picnic lunch will be arranged out in open natural spot. The helpers always manage to walk ahead to set up the camp and awaits the arrival of the guest with hot tea and best smiles. Dinner will be well served inside the dinning tent at an appropriate time. Every morning, wake up call will come in the form of bed tea followed by warm washing water brought near to your sleeping tent. Break fast will be served in time to allow the trekkers to get ready for the trek of the day.
This is how trekking in Bhutan is operated and has so far managed to win the heart of so many trekkers in Bhutan.
When is the best time to go trekking in Bhutan? Is it year-round? What are the best and worst months?The best months are September, October and November for the clearest views, and March, April and May for spring blooms. Don't come in the monsoon (July, August).
Bit more about the crew on the trek?
Each trek group is accompanied by a support team consisting of a trained guide, trek chef, assistant guides and local horsemen. Trekking is a joint effort and every crew has an important role to play. The guide and a trek chef play a lead role in overall supervision and control of the trek group. Some assistants will fetch water from spring or carry your packed lunch. Besides herding horses, horsemen will also help pitch tents and serve as man of errand. Horses carry the tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, food supply, cookware, gas, stoves, chairs, tables and your trekking gear. For a trek group of two people, there will be five staff – a guide, trek chef, an assistant and 2-3 horsemen and 8 horses to carry your equipment and supplies. For a group of 12 persons, there will be 11 support staff – a guide, chef, 4 assistants, 5 horsemen and 40 horses. Indeed, the trekking crew and the trekkers develop strong bonds and becomes great friends.
Mountain Trekking trail
Trekking in Bhutan is physically challenging as it involves a vigorous long walk uphillside, and through mountains with harsh terrain with radical changes in elevation. The average daily elevation gain is about 500m spread over eight to twelve kilometers. Campsites are sometime spaced out over long distance, requiring trekkers to walk seven to nine hours in a day. Sometimes it may be just three or four hours of brisk walking. You will often come across terrain with moraine rocks and long stretches of round river rocks, which is hard on your feet. Trails could also be muddy and at times you may have to hop small streams. On high passes, it’s always possible to encounter snow. Be prepared to take any disappointments in your end. Despite your advance trekking plan, sometimes itineraries can be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances such as blockage of route due to heavy snow or breakage of bridges due to unexpected heavy showers. Sometimes trails become too icy for the horses due to sudden temperature fall at night.
Trekking guides, The true leader on the Trek.
Our trekking guides are experienced, talented and respected professionals in the industry. They are well prepared to handle any situation that trekkers can encounter on the mountain. We give highest priority to your personal safety on trails. Our guides receive annual training in emergency first aid and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). They can prevent, recognize and treat altitude-related illnesses. Further, they can identify and avoid potential hazards such as slippery trails and loose rocks. Our guides are knowledgeable about general mountain facts and trails. Our guides are tough and can teach you everything you need to know about high altitude trekking. They can tell you about the climate zones, the altitudes of and distances to campsites, and information about mountain culture, geology, flora and fauna.
Best Meals on trek
You are supplied with lavish food items and it is not necessary to bring any food with you. However, you may bring some energy bars or trail mix to be eaten while walking. Our chefs can conjure up tasty foods at any altitude. Most trekkers find camp meals better than ones served in city hotels. Besides native foods, you will be served Chinese, Indian and continental dishes. Your breakfast will include toasts, eggs, fruit juice, tea and coffee, sausages and hams. Oatmeal, drinking chocolates, baked means, peanut butter are also served. Hot packed lunch consists of rice, noodles, vegetables, meat, fruits, boiled egg or potatoes and juices. Evening tea/coffee is served with biscuits and at times with peanuts or salted popcorn. Dinner begins with soup, followed by a main course including meat (yak, chicken, fish, pork or beef) and vegetables, which are accompanied by either white or local red rice. You will also be served with fruits and tea/coffee.
Safe Drinking Water on trek
You will be supplied with a bottled water during city tour. On trek, you will be provided boiled water. Trek assistants will collect water from rivers and streams. They will boil for you at the start of the day to carry in your water bottles. If you collect water yourself from streams, purify it using your tablets.
Clothes & items you don’t need on Trek.
A day ahead, you will have to segregate your clothes and items you require on trek and the ones that you don’t need on trek. You must put your clothes and items that you require on trek in a duffle bag to be carried by horses. And the clothes and items that you don’t need would go into your hard suitcase, which is to be left in the company office. It will be made available to you at the end of your trek.