Bhutan Trekking Travel Guide
Bhutan
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Trekking
In western Bhutan, trekking routes between Paro and Thimpu are popular, with several options and different levels of difficulty. April and May are the best months to see Bhutan’s fantastic rhododendron forests in bloom, that said the changing colours of autumn do provide a beautiful backdrop.
For a challenging route with exceptional diversity, try the Chomolhari Trek (nine days). Crossing passes at 4,800m and trekking along the Bhutan/Tibetan border, this route tracks north of Paro River, through rural farmland and rich forests. Expect to see hundreds of nomadic yak herders and rare blue sheep in this remote region.
If you’d prefer a shorter, lower altitude route, choose The Druk Path Trek (five to six days). Trekking at around 3500m, through stunning mountain scenery, in the home of Bhutan’s snow leopards, this route still requires a reasonable level of fitness but acclimatisation poses less of a challenge than higher treks.
For experienced hikers, the challenging Snowman Trek in northwest Gasa district is a real treat. Spanning the middle and high Himalayas, this high altitude route passes nine 4500m passes and six 7000m mountains, including the sheer north face of Chomolhari (7314m) and the razor-like ridges of Jichu Drake (6989m) at the edge of Jigme Dorje national park. In Gasa’s pristine forests, expect to see bearded vultures and Himalayan griffrons (vultures). Winters are cold (below freezing) with heavy snowfall and summers short.
