Bhutan trekking is becoming one of the most popular pursuits for adventurers who have exhausted their more traditional expedition ideas. Bhutan has some of the most incredible scenery on the planet and offers trekking that is rewarding, intense and extremely difficult in some cases! Like all good trekking locations, Bhutan has an array of options which suit everyone from beginner to experienced though we don’t recommend taking on the Bhutan mountains without a knowledgeable companion or two! With Bhutan trekking, you also get to see amazing Buddhist temples, meet friendly locals and sample unusual cuisine.
Bhutan Trekking Weather
Nepal and Ladakh are other well-known trekking locations in the region but they have wider windows of opportunity than Bhutan. Indeed, you have about 6-7 weeks a year when trekking in Bhutan is advisable. Certainly, the monsoon season of June-August is a non-starter and December-February involves a lot of snow and potentially blocked roads so it is a dangerous time of year to be in the mountains. Your best bet is to book a trip in April or October as these are the prime trekking times in the calendar. Officially, the Bhutan trekking season is longer but we recommend choosing April or October because you are likely to be rewarded with clear weather and an absence of snow. There are a couple of winter treks that can be undertaken but these are small-scale in comparison to the big expeditions.
Is It Difficult?
For the most part, trekking in Bhutan is not a difficult endeavour and can be enjoyed by individuals with reasonable fitness levels. Obviously, if you are extremely overweight or unfit, trekking up the Himalayas into the thin air of high altitude is not a good idea. In such instances, you would be better off staying in one of Bhutan’s cities and enjoying the annual festivals.
Yet it would be a great shame to travel all this way and not indulge in some Bhutan trekking. What greater incentive do you have for getting into shape than the opportunity to boast to your friends that you scaled Himalayan summits and witnessed some of the world’s most incredible scenery in one of the most remote parts of the globe? Remember that you will be trekking into high altitude so it is important to be mentally and physically prepared. You can hire a guide that will help you to safely walk into the mountains.
Trekking Routes
According to the Department of Tourism in Bhutan, there are a total of 11 routes. For those interested in a short and sharp trek, you have the option of spending 3 days climbing. If you want something more epic and challenging, there is a 23 day trek available! This is the perfect option for someone looking to test their mettle and their trekking skills! Even if you don’t want to go on a long trip, there are small Bhutan trekking options available in the cities of Thimphu and Paro. Dust off those trekking boots and come see what Bhutan has to offer!
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