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Trekking in Bhutan.

Introduction

Bhutan is a trekking destination beyond our imagination. The beauty of trekking in Bhutan is always covering with a pristine environment. Bhutan isn’t a carbon-neutral country but carbon negative country in the world. It is all due to the visionary ideas of Kings of Bhutan maintaining 72% of forest coverage at all times. Trekking in Bhutan is best compared to other Himalayan countries. Bhutan has been closed to other countries because it was cut off due to inaccessibility due to roads and flights. In 1974 first paying tourist visited Bhutan. Trekking and hiking started in 1978. In 2000 only 7500 tourists turn up was recorded. Out of which only 10-15% of the total turn out for trekking in Bhutan. To date only around 1550 trekkers visit Bhutan in a year.

How trekking is organize in Bhutan?

Trekking in Bhutan is fully guided: from arrival until departure. It is different from other countries. It is a full total package planned in advance. Trekkers in Bhutan are accompanied by trekking guides certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, Horses to carry all camping equipment, food, and snacks for the whole duration, certified trekking cooks with helpers. In Bhutan, trekking horses and yaks are hired according to group size. If the group size is 2pax 15-20 horses are hired. In the high altitude of 4500 meters and above yaks are hired for trekking. It is all due to rugged terrain and snowfall in high mountains.

Beliefs and services provided to Client

Trekkers in Bhutan don’t visit Bhutan for mountaineering or scaling high mountains. Bhutanese believe mountains are sacred places for deities of Bhutan. Every Bhutanese give due respect. The government doesn’t allow scaling mountains and rock climbing. In Bhutan trekking, you don’t need technical expertise with skills. Due to spare pollution and less visit of trekkers in Bhutan don’t give any hassle and every village people give importance and provide hospitality to trekkers. Meals provided by tour operators during trekking are best in the Himalayas. The prepared meals are in advance by the team comprising of cooks and helpers. Even camping tents, dining tents, restroom tents are fixed before the arrival of guests. Hot lunch is prepared in the morning and carried in the flask and provided during mid-day. Even hot water is provided during the shower and morning hours.

Classification

In Bhutan trekking is categorized into 4 grades. First is Easy which means suitable for most people. The second is Moderate is a mix of lower and higher altitudes. Basic fitness is required. The third one is demanding which means long-distance trekking. You need a higher level of fitness. The last one is Strenuous which high altitude trekking mostly long duration with maximum snow-covered. The best example is snowman trekking which is considered the toughest trek in the world. It is 25 days trek covering 11 mountain passes crossing more than 16,000 feet. The cost is expensive than a normal trek in Bhutan. Cost hike is due to toughness and yaks are used for carrying goods and tents. The trek is toughest due to altitude, distance, and duration. It is a 189-mile trek.

Checklist for trekking in Bhutan

Before you go to Bhutan you need to check out the following things beforehand.

Get a quote and a fixed itinerary.
Made payments to tour operators in Bhutan. High altitude trekking is more than US$250 per person per night. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate in Bhutan.
Tour operators in Bhutan book the flight (inbound flight). Only two Bhutan Airlines operate in Bhutan inbound and outbound.
Get Visa clearance from your tour operator. Tour operators ask you to scan documents in advance for processing visas online.
Check your health and vaccinations on time.
Check out your trekking equipment.
Don’t be stressed out before you leave your country.

Bhutan trekking seasons and Climate

The best time for trekking in Bhutan is in the spring and autumn seasons.

Winter Season

The season is good for low altitude trekking but not good for high altitude trekking like snowman trek. It is dangerous due to avalanches. The sky is clear and is the dry season. The night is too cold.

Spring Season

The season is good for flower lovers. More rainfall and cloudy most of the time. But early morning is clear before 0011:00 hrs. When sunshine it is too hot. Most of the time you can see the clear sky it will be cloudy and stormy weather.

Summer

The season is warm and hot. Rainfall is there but it is not much. High altitude rainfall is not seen. But the trail is muddy, wet and most of the time leeches are there. High altitude is good enough with clear views and nice weather.