BST's Top 5 Trekking Adventures in Bhutan
Exploring the Snow Capped Himalayan Ranges of Bhutan and trekking in its pristine spectacular landscapes is the ultimate outdoors nature fantasy for both avid trekkers and beginners. Located in the interior Eastern Himalayas the mountains of Bhutan are the most prominent geographical features with the great peaks reaching as high as 7,570 meters / 24,840 ft above the sea level. While the Constitution of Bhutan mandates that we maintain a minimum of 60% of its land as forest cover, however recent survey shows that Bhutan has more than 70% forest cover acting as one of the biggest global carbon sinks of the world.
Environmental Conservation is one of the four pillars of the Gross National Happiness paradigm and 51% of the land area falls under Protected Areas of National parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Home to many endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tigers, the elusive Snow Leopard, the sacred Black necked Cranes and many more, our wildlife have the freedom to roam freely in the country’s 5 million acre network of protected areas all connected by biological corridors.
Through this undisturbed tropical, sub-tropical and Alpine regions of virgin forests, waterfalls and lakes, highland nomadic villages, undisturbed nature and views of the Greater Himalayas and Snow Capped Peaks, Bhutan offers some of the best trekking experiences all year round. Trekking in rough terrains will truly test your endurance and stamina but the breathtaking views of the Snow Capped mountains, the peaceful meadows, the pristine lakes and glimpses of diverse life of flora and fauna will lift your morale and an experience like none other.
Bhutan offers different levels of trekking from mild treks for beginners to moderate scenic treks and difficult ones for the veterans and adventurists. Out of the many, we have selected the top 5 best trekking routes in Bhutan for various reasons and each offering the complete nature adventure. And you will find that all the trekking trails seem unused and you get the feeling that you own the entire mountains making it the perfect Off the Beaten Path experience.
1. The Most Popular Druk Path Trek
The Druk Path trek will take you through thick alpine jungles, beautiful pine trees, various rhododendron trees and spectacular glacial lakes. Incredible views of the valleys, azure and turquoise green lakes, green Himalayan Ranges and Snow Capped mountains are the order of the day throughout the trek. You will also see some of the mighty Himalayan ranges like the Gangkar Phuensum and Mount Jhomolhari.
Being on top of the mountain, sunsets and sunrises are absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing. Apart from the lakes, excursion of the Phadjoding Monastery Complex and the birds eye view of the Capital City is one of the highlights of this trek. The Lonely Planet describes the Druk Path Trek as “One of the most scenic and popular treks in Bhutan, following a wilderness trail past several remote lakes. Although it is a short trek, it still goes to a high altitude making it moderately strenuous.” The Druk Path trek can be done in either 3 nights or 4 nights 5 days.
2. Mt Jomolhari - Laya Gasa Trek
Apart from spectacular and up close views of the sacred Mount Jomolhari, Mt Jichu Drake, Gangchhenta (Great Tiger Mountain) and many more peaks, the 13 days trekking tour will take you through isolated beautiful high altitude mountain villages. This trek is an extension of the popular 7 days Jomolhari trek.
You might also spot the unique Blue Sheep and the Takin, national animal of Bhutan. However the highlight of this experience is the Gasa Hot Springs at the end of the Trek. Known for its various medicinal properties, the Gasa Hot Springs is very popular amongst the Bhutanese who make it a point to dip at least once a year in the hot springs and stay the rest of the year disease and sickness free.
3. The Snow Man Trek
The Snowman Trek is the most difficult and toughest trek in the world but also the most beautiful and rewarding of all the treks, and completing it is a global achievement in itself. This trek is physically demanding and is only meant for the very active, healthy, experienced and passionate trekkers. Your campsites will be at more than 5,000 meters altitude covering longer distances, higher altitudes, extreme weather conditions and remoteness. It however provides un-parallel views of some of the most magnificent Himalayan ranges and traverse through unforgettable and untrodden landscapes.
The Trek traverses through high altitudes crossing more than thirteen high mountain passes, remote highland settlements, camping on the snow, serene turquoise blue green lakes and exploring almost all of the most isolated Lunana region. Lunana is in the northern highlands of Bhutan (bordering Tibet) and the region is also called ‘The Dark Inner Region’ or ‘The Black Sheep’.
Starting from 15 nights to 23 nights, there are many variations of the Snowman Trek, starting from Paro and ending at Trongsa (Nikka Chhu) or ending at Bumthang (Dur Tshachu/Hotsprings), or starting from Puankha and ending at either Trongsa or Bumthang.
4. Dagala Thousand Lake Trek
Spanning through the highest elevation of 4,100 mts above the sea level, The Dagala 1000 Lakes Trek is a challenging trek in Bhutan. It usually takes 4 nights camping and 5 days trekking with a rest day and excursion to explore the numerous mountain lakes and majestic Himalayan Ranges.
If you strike the deal at the right seasons, which is usually around September – November and March – May window of the year, you can treat yourselves with some of the highest mountains of the entire Himalayas like Mount Jumolhari of Bhutan, Mount Everest of Nepal and Mount Kanchenjunga of Sikkim, India besides the beautiful sister mountains of Bhutan. You will be trekking along the Rhododendron flowers, small amazing high mountain passes in between and numerous turquoise lakes on the mountain top.
Of the 4 nights, the first campsite is in a midst of warm and tall broad leaved and chirpine forests leading to a harsh windy, cold and icy second and third night camp sites but with amazing sun rise and sunsets.
5. The Jomolhari Combo Trek
If you are disheartened or heard of treks destroyed by unplanned urbanization and exploited nature by human activities which you want to avoid, we have explored and rerouted the popular trekking trails through some of the untouched tranquil mother nature that Bhutan boast of. To provide a truly Off the Beaten Path experience, our company has come up with a unique product combining the four treks- Druk Path, Soe Yaktsa , Jumolhari and the Soe Naro trek- a combination which has remained relatively untraveled.
This 11 nights 12 days trekking route offers an isolated experience and also an escape into the natural diversity as you will be exploring different trek routes in one expedition. The highlights of this expedition are the spectacular views of the various Snow Capped Peaks, excursion of highland villages, glacial lakes and beautiful high altitude Passes that offer up close views of the peaks some of which are at more than 7,000 meters above the sea level. You will be treated to some great alpine scenery with beautiful camp sites, rare highland flowers like the Blue Poppy, Rheum Nobile and many more. You will venture as high as 5,000 meters with entry from the beautiful Paro valley and coming out from Thimphu, the Capital city of Bhutan
