Bhutan Trekking Information

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Bhutan Trekking – The Best Time

The spring and the autumn seasons are generally the the best time for Bhutan trekking. The months of March, April and May are spring season and the months of September, October and November are the autumn seasons. The temperatures during these tome ranges from 20 degree centigrade to minus 10 Degree centigrade. The days are warmer with bright sunshine and the nights are colder. These seasons are the high seasons and many tourists travel during these times. The winter months may be too cold and the summer months may be rainy. However there are different trek routes at different altitudes, whereby each trek route has its own best time to travel.

The below is the chart showing the best time to trek in Bhutan for different trek routes in Bhutan. However it is to be noted that the forces of nature are not in our hands and because of the global warming and other agents, we have recently seen abrupt changes in the weather.

Trek Route	Best Months	Moderate Months	Can trek , but not best time	The routes are closed
Druk Path Trek	Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct	Jun and Nov	Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Dec	–
Jumolhari Basecamp Trek	Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct	Jun and Nov	Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug,	Dec
Jumolhari Round Trek	Apr, May, Sep, Oct	Mar, June, Nov	Jul, Aug	Jan, Feb, Dec
Laya Gasa Trek	Apr, May, Sep, Oct	Mar, June, Nov	Jul, Aug	Jan, Feb, Dec
Snowman Trek	April, May	Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct	Mar	Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Bumthang Cultural Trek	Mar, Apr, May, Oct	Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Nov	Feb, Dec	Jan
Haa Nub Tshonapata Trek	Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct	Jun, Jul, Aug	Nov	Jan. Feb, Dec
Dagala Trek	Apr, Oct	Mar, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep	Feb	Jan, Dec
Samtengang Trek	Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec	May, Sep, Oct	Jun, Jul, Aug	–
Nabjikorphu Trek	Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec	May	Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep	–
Merak Sakten Trek	Apr, May, Oct	Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Nov	Jan, Feb, Dec	–

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What is Provided & What to Bring for your Bhutan Trek

We provide with the following equipment while trekking in Bhutan:

Since there are no trekking equipment stores to buy or rent trekking equipment, we suggest that you bring the items as suggested below. At the same time it is to be noted that it is always better to travel light, not too much, nor too little. Please ensure you pack your necessities as per your travel duration and seasons. In packing for your Bhutan trekking please check from Below lists and pack as per your requirements.

• Light and warm Hat or Cap (to protect from Sun and cold)
• Sun Glasses (with 100% ultraviolet and infrared filtration are recommended)
• Winter gloves, mittens, etc.
• Lots of Socks ( 5 or mores as per duration)
• Underwear
• Comfortable and water proof hiking boots
• Warm Clothing (Cotton or woolen clothing even for summer such as Shirts/T-Shirts, Warm Jacket, Shell Jacket, Light/mid-weight pants, Warm Pant, Shell pants)
• Towel
• Sleeping Bag (4-season sleeping bag rated down 4-5 degree Celsius)
• Rain Coat
• Travel Wallet Pouch (waist or neck)
• Sunscreen: SPF 30 (or higher) LOTS
• Lip Balm with SPF 15 (or higher)
• Insect  Repellent
• Personal  First Aid Kits (Band-Aids, Ibuprofen, Cough Drops, Moleskin, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, Diamox Personal Medications)
• Toiletries (Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Bio-degradable Soap/Shampoo Quick Dry Towel, Moisturizer, Hand Sanitizer)
• Antiseptic Hand Toilettes, Toilet Paper (a small emergency stash)
• Water pills (to purify stream waters. Boiled water is provided during the trek)
• Sunscreen lotion SPF 30 (or higher)
• Aspirin (in case of altitude sickness)
• Flash light.
• Head gear and umbrella (optional)
• Wet packed tissue paper (optional)
• Day packs and duffle bags
• Locks  For Duffle Bags
• Trekking Poles
• Air mattress (inflatable, if you are on a regular trekking and need more comfort)
• Water Bottles – Two liter capacity
• Snack food – (trail mix, protein bars, GU, candy, powdered drink mixes – don’t bring a whole suitcase, but bring a variety of things you know you can eat while in the mountains to supplement your diet.)
• Reading Glasses or contact lenses
• Photography equipment with extra films, extra memory cards and an extra battery

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Other Conditions for Trekking in Bhutan

Meals while on trek in Bhutan

You shall be provided with extensive assortment of supplies of good and proper meal (May be packed meal sometimes, especially the lunches. Energy giving snacks/chocolates along with teas is served during the treks. The meals served are of good quality with at least three to four item menu

You can depend on the meals provided while on trek, however if you wish to carry for snacks or chocolate bars or seasonings you may opt for the same (though this is not necessary). All the supplies are most of the time carried from the starting point and shall be served fresh food on first few days, later you shall be provided with canned food (on longer treks). On those treks which crosses through villages you shall also be provided with fresh vegetable/ meat (if available) from the villages.

It is very important to give us a prior information if you have any kinds of dietary issues or obligations so that we can accordingly arrange for your meals.

It is the observation of most of the trekkers in Bhutan that they find the food provided on trekking better than those provided in the hotels.

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Trekking Staff and Crew

The trekking crew consists of licensed trekking chef and assistants, certified and licensed guide and horse/yak men. All of the trekking crew are well experienced and each of them specialize in their trade. The chefs and assistants can provide you with delicious meals on any conditions of altitude, weather or time. All the trekking cooks are trained by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and specialize in Bhutanese, Continental, Chinese and Indian Cuisine. The trekkers get to walk freely with their small bag packs, other items shall be carried by the ponies or Yaks.

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Fitness levels for Trekking in Bhutan

Most of the trekking routes in Bhutan is physically demanding. This is because of the distance and abrupt changes in elevations while on trekking. The routes are through a lot of ascent and decent. Most of the trek routes demands a walk of 5 – 9 hrs time and 10 – 19 Kms of distance to reach the campsite. The climbs and walks are through deep forest and rocky trails along the slopes of the himalayan ranges. Sometime the trek may be through marshy places also. It is important that you train yourself with at least 20 -25 km of walk a day inclusive of steep ascents and decent.

It is to be noted that riding ponies are not available during the trek, except for emergencies.

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Emergency and Insurance

The trekking crew are very much helpful, vigilant and shall take give their best during the treks. Sometimes that trekkers may have altitude sickness. Though our guides are well trained on the mountain sickness, medicine and care, it is to be noted that the cost we provide does not cover any kind of insurance.

It is recommended and very much necessary that you get yourself insured on any kind of emergencies during your travel from the country of your origin before you travel to Bhutan.

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Baggage Limit during your Trek in Bhutan

It is to be noted that each person on a trek is limited to a maximum of 15 kg of luggage. A horse or a Yak carries 30 kgs approximately, 15 kgs on each side. The trekking is planned with one horse or yak to carry the luggage of two trekkers. You are required to bring a duffle bag to put your trekking luggage. Your city luggage are to be left behind with the office. We shall reach it to your destination when you finish the trek.

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