For a vacation with a difference, try out Bhutan trekking for size. You’ll have to carefully plan your holiday however since there are only two months a year when trekking in Bhutan is advisable. April and October are known as the best months for taking a trip into the Himalayas but what you witness up there will undoubtedly blow you away! Relatively few people from outside of Bhutan have ever scaled these mountains so are you ready to go where few people have gone before?
It is important to cast aside any ideas you have that only someone with superhuman levels of fitness can enjoy Bhutan trekking. If you have a reasonable fitness level, it is possible for you take on the mountains of Bhutan and win. Choose one of the many trek routes available, hire a guide and start enjoying scenery that you have only previously seen in the movies. Below, we provide you with some quick information on one of the most popular Bhutan trekking routes.
Jhomolhari-Laya-Gasa
Trek This trek can take anywhere from 14-16 days though the latter option is recommended since it involves rest days in Laya and Gasa which are two wonderful locations to relax. It is a lengthier version of the well-known Jhomolhari trek and begins near Paro. Once you get to Lingzhi, you will trek towards the Tibetan border and stop in Laya. At this point, you turn south and head on towards Gasa and finally, Punakha. It involves 13 days of trekking, a mandatory rest day in Jhomolhari and optional rest days in Laya and Gasa. Gasa in particular is a great place to rest because you can enjoy the town’s hot springs and recover from a hard trip.
In terms of difficulty, this is not one of the most difficult routes on the Bhutan trekking map. However, you will spend a total of seven days above 4,000 metres altitude which could lead to altitude sickness if you have never experienced the effects of thin air before. The Sinchu La is the highest point on the trip at over 5,000 metres. There is always the chance that bad weather will hit on the trek though this is much less likely in April and October.
Experts in Bhutan trekking state that you should take on this particular trek towards the end of April which is towards the end of the best season. If you try and make this trip in May, you are likely to be met with rain and less than ideal views. On the plus side, you will see incredible flora and fauna! Taking this trip in April means you avoid the rain and get to embrace nature as it should be seen.
The longest day on this trip is an 8 hour trek which is spent entirely above 4,000 metres! If you have never had your head in the clouds and are looking for an adventure, Bhutan trekking can provide you with everything you need. Book now and make sure you come in April or October to get the very best of the Bhutan mountain trails.
If you would like to know more about Bhutan Travel please visit us.