TREKKING ROUTES

Trekking in Bhutan is a great way to see nature in its pristine form. Routes go through various areas, ranging from remote villages, yak herders and snow-capped mountains of the Inner Himalaya. The routes also offer chances to see flora and fauna at various climatic zones.

Just as any tours in the country, treks are also regulated strongly. Hikers must follow proper routes, camping is allowed only in designated places, campfires are restricted, everything carried in must be carried out to prevent littering and no plant or animal may be harmed or taken away from their places.

There are currently twelve trekking routes in four categories – easy, moderate, challenging and very challenging, that we handle. The category depends on duration, altitude and terrain. Following are brief description of the treks. For full details, please, contact us.

Bumthang Cultural Trek:

Starting out from Chamkhar valley, this is a three days trek in northeast Bumthang, through villages, temples and varied vegetation of the countryside. This is an easy trek that provides opportunity to witness rural life and a taste of nature in close encounter. <TOP>

Gangtey Trek:

Also a three-day trek, this is excellent for average walkers. It starts from Phobjikha valley, goes through the isolated valleys of Gogona and Khotokha, amid fields of rhododendrons in spring. It ends in Chunzom, about ten kilometers from Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. <TOP>

Gasa Hot Spring Trek:

A low altitude trek, this is the end part of Laya Gasa trek. This leads to hot springs at the base of Gasa Dzong north of Punakha valley. Early spring and late autumn to early winter is the best season since leeches and gnats make it very unpleasant in other seasons. <TOP>

Jumolhari Trek I:

An easier version of the main Jumolhari, this trek, starts from Drugyel Dzong in Paro, goes to the base camp of Mt. Jumolhari (7314m) at Jangothang and comes back. There are remote yak herders’ villages on the way and possibility of seeing animals such as marmots, blue sheep and gorals are great. Height of spring you will see many exotic alpine vegetation in bloom. This is one of the most popular treks. <TOP>

Druk Path:

This is a short trek but part of the route reaches mid 3000 meters and some days can be strenuous. The route can be done either way, Paro to Thimphu, and vice versa. Highlights of the trek are Phajoding – an old meditation center, high altitude lakes with lot of trouts, an old royal palace and magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari.
Sinchula Trek: This follows an ancient route between Thimphu and Punakha. Starting from Thimphu it has only one day of difficult climb, after which it is a gradual descent. <TOP>

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek:

This a short trek close to Thimphu. Most trekking days are short but there are few steep climbs that finally lead to beautiful high altitude lakes. <TOP>

Duer Hot Spring Trek:

On the route to Mt. Gangkhar Puensum (7,541m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, the route passes through villages following the Yoleng Chhu. The vegetation is primarily cyprus, spruce, hemlock and maple. There are herds of musk deer in this area. There is also a lake on the way before reaching the hot springs at 3,590 meters. <TOP>

Jumolhari Trek II:

This is a challenging route that starts from Paro, past Jangothang base camp, remote Lingshi Dzong and into Thimphu valley. This is a very popular trek that has abundant natural beauty on its path. <TOP>

Laya-Gasa Trek:

An extension of Jumolhari trek that diverts in Lingshi, it takes the high route to remote yak herder village of Laya. The route then comes down to Gasa, past the hot springs and into Punakha valley. This is also a very popular route. <TOP>

Wild Rodungla Trek:

This route follows the ancient foot-highway, before automobiles arrived in Bhutan, leading to the eastern regions of the country. It starts in Bumthang and ends in Tangmachu village in Lhuentse. However, there is a possible extension that will lead into the farthest district in Bhutan, Trashi Yangtse. The route is difficult, strewn with rough-cut paths and muddy areas. <TOP>

Snowman Trek:

This is the mother of all treks in Bhutan, the most challenging, reputedly even in the world. It takes 23 days traversing the whole length of northern Bhutan. It starts in Paro, following Jumolhari trek route to Laya, then into remote village of Lunana and end in Sephu, a village between Wangdue Phodrang and Trongsa. The full Snowman trek continues to Bumthang before dropping into Sephu village and picks up on the Wild Rodungla trek, all the way to Trashi Yangtse. This is rarely done since it amounts to additional two weeks and a very huge expense. <TOP>

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