Bhutan is one of the world’s last unspoiled frontiers with sceneries of endless beauty, especially if you venture by foot, hike or trek. Bhutan's Gangkhar Puensum, at 7570m, is the world’s highest unclimbed mountain. Unless Bhutan changes its mind about mountaineering, Gangkhar Puensum is likely to remain the world’s highest unclimbed mountain for a long time. Bhutan has banned mountaineering in respect to spiritual belief that Himalayan high peaks are the heavenly abodes of Gods and Goddesses.
The view from Dochula Pass
In less than 60 miles as the crow flies, Bhutan rises south to north from subtropical jungles along the Indian States of West Bengal and Assam to the alpine peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. Bhutan is one of ten most important bio-diversity hot spots in the world. Its ecosystem is the home of an estimated 770 species of birds and over 2000 varieties of flowering plants including 50 species of rhododendron. There is an astonishing number of medicinal plants and orchids. Rare and exotic wildlife include the takin, the snow leopard, one-horned rhinoceroses, red panda, golden langur monkey, blue sheep, Bengal tiger, water buffalo and the elephant. One fourth of Bhutan’s natural habitat is protected either under national park or as wildlife refuge. More than 70% of Bhutan's land area has been destined to forest vegetation for eternity.
Trekking in Bhutan is not easy. If there is bad weather, and you can expect at least some rain or snow on a long trek, it can get really wet and muddy. If there are continuous days of bad weather, the trek becomes demanding. Treks follow either trails to far away monasteries, to mountain huts of yak herders, or to mountain communities. There is no technical difficulty that requires crampons or formal mountaineering training but continuous high altitude of above 4000 meters and long days of hiking need a high degree of physical stamina, mental toughness and acclimatization. High altitude sickness can be avoided by gradual ascent and acclimatization which allows time for the body to adjust to altitude. We never take guests on a trek the day after arrival in Bhutan.
Jomolhari trek
There are no lodges along the trails, so the trekking arrangements include trained guides, trekking crew, pack animals (ponies or yaks) to carry all is needed on and for the trek. Everyday the trekking staff will walk ahead to pitch camp so that there is hot tea waiting, and your own tent is set up when you arrive to stretch out from the day's fatigue and a nap before dinner, or to organize your diary and photos before dark.
Bhutan’s hiking routes remain uncrowded and remote. Normally the hike is along a trail taking to pasture lands, a remote hamlet, or to a monastery. Many trails are disappearing as farm roads have been built in all districts to link most villages, and trails are not used nor maintained. There are day hikes, or half day hikes in all valleys of Bhutan. We like a lot the crossings from one valley to the other, which is normally a long day hike for the very fit. Whichever your preference, hiking and trekking in the unspoiled, magical nature of Bhutan will reward with beauty, accomplishment, discovery, and special memories that will last forever.
Hiking and trekking is our specialty. Join us on one of our adventures to discover why Bhutan is the last conservation and biodiversity hotspot in the Himalayas.