The Bhutan Kaleidospcope
camping / high altitude trekking / touring - 16 days
Nothing beats the diversity of this exciting itinerary. Too many visitors to Bhutan never get to explore all the jewels Bhutan has to offer, especially its magnificent mountain scenery. Bhutan sees a lot of rain throughout the year, therefore, the Himalayan Range often remains hidden under a thick layer of cloud. It is very important to time your journey right. April, early May, October and the winter months offer the clearest skies, but as of late October temperatures can reach uncomfortably low levels and snow fall at high altitude, blocking passes, is not uncommon. We recommend this trip for the months of April / May, late September and October.
We start trekking in the terraced lowlands of the Paro valley and wind our way up along an ancient trade route between Tibet and India to the high altitude settlement of Laya. Enroute we pass through splendid juniper and oak forests, thickly blanketed with rhododendron blooms in May. We camp below Bhutan's most sacred mountain, the Chomolhari, and near turquoise glacial lakes, and cross high altitude passes where you will most certainly spot large herds of blue sheep. Near the Ttibetan border, 3800 meter above sealevel sits the village of Laya in the lap of majestic Masagang mountain, one of Bhutan's twenty virgin peaks above 7000 meters. The village of Laya is one of the highest and most remote human settlements on earth. The people who live there, the Layaps, are semi-nomadic yak herders who spend time between the villages and the high altitude yak herding camps. The villages and yak camps cling to the sides of immense river valleys and reach altitudes of 6,000m where resources are few and hardiness is a pre-requisite for survival.
From Laya the trail turns south, first through beautiful alpine scenery, later through at times almost ghostly virgin forests, where wild orchids cling to ancient mossy trees. Without walking these woods and absorbing the eerie atmosphere they spread, you have not experienced Bhutan. 72% of Bhutan is covered by virgin forest.
Once we hit the road, our jeep will be there to pick us up and take us back to Thimpu. Enroute we will enjoy a complete cultural tour of Bhutan, visiting monasteries and dzongs stopping for tea at stunning view points and watch Bhutanese life go by.
This trip requires good fitness for the first part, but the rewards will be huge and worth every crueling minute spent in the gym to get yourself into shape!
camping / high altitude trekking / touring - 16 days
Nothing beats the diversity of this exciting itinerary. Too many visitors to Bhutan never get to explore all the jewels Bhutan has to offer, especially its magnificent mountain scenery. Bhutan sees a lot of rain throughout the year, therefore, the Himalayan Range often remains hidden under a thick layer of cloud. It is very important to time your journey right. April, early May, October and the winter months offer the clearest skies, but as of late October temperatures can reach uncomfortably low levels and snow fall at high altitude, blocking passes, is not uncommon. We recommend this trip for the months of April / May, late September and October.
We start trekking in the terraced lowlands of the Paro valley and wind our way up along an ancient trade route between Tibet and India to the high altitude settlement of Laya. Enroute we pass through splendid juniper and oak forests, thickly blanketed with rhododendron blooms in May. We camp below Bhutan's most sacred mountain, the Chomolhari, and near turquoise glacial lakes, and cross high altitude passes where you will most certainly spot large herds of blue sheep. Near the Ttibetan border, 3800 meter above sealevel sits the village of Laya in the lap of majestic Masagang mountain, one of Bhutan's twenty virgin peaks above 7000 meters. The village of Laya is one of the highest and most remote human settlements on earth. The people who live there, the Layaps, are semi-nomadic yak herders who spend time between the villages and the high altitude yak herding camps. The villages and yak camps cling to the sides of immense river valleys and reach altitudes of 6,000m where resources are few and hardiness is a pre-requisite for survival.
From Laya the trail turns south, first through beautiful alpine scenery, later through at times almost ghostly virgin forests, where wild orchids cling to ancient mossy trees. Without walking these woods and absorbing the eerie atmosphere they spread, you have not experienced Bhutan. 72% of Bhutan is covered by virgin forest.
Once we hit the road, our jeep will be there to pick us up and take us back to Thimpu. Enroute we will enjoy a complete cultural tour of Bhutan, visiting monasteries and dzongs stopping for tea at stunning view points and watch Bhutanese life go by.
This trip requires good fitness for the first part, but the rewards will be huge and worth every crueling minute spent in the gym to get yourself into shape!
Trip Details
Title: The Bhutan Kaleidoscope
2010 Departures:
no fixed departures
recommended months are April and October
Required fitness level: medium - high
Trip Price: US$ 250/day p/p
Single Supplement: US$ 40 / night
the above fees are put in place by the government and cannot be negotiated. Prices are all inclusive (food, accommodation, drivers, guide, trekking equipment, trekking staff and horses)
Request an Itinerary
Photos of Bhutan
Title: The Bhutan Kaleidoscope
2010 Departures:
no fixed departures
recommended months are April and October
Required fitness level: medium - high
Trip Price: US$ 250/day p/p
Single Supplement: US$ 40 / night
the above fees are put in place by the government and cannot be negotiated. Prices are all inclusive (food, accommodation, drivers, guide, trekking equipment, trekking staff and horses)
Request an Itinerary
Photos of Bhutan