Trekking Season

The power and beauty of the mountains is more impressive on foot than from any vehicle. Whether you take a two-night trek around the Bumthang valley or walk for three days from Thimphu to Paro or take the eight-day trek to the base of Mount Jhomolhari, the views, villages, people and experience will be unparalleled.

Awakening at dawn to the sound of the cockerel and a warming mug of tea, trekkers at higher altitudes are invariably greeted by breath-taking vistas. Few sites on earth can equal the first sunlight hitting a Himalayan mountain. Trekking during April and May in the Himalayas brings the deep reds and oranges of the rhododendron blossom.

For walkers the most appropriate trekking times are mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to the beginning of November. There are however also trekking routes that are better suited to Summer or Winter. Earlier in the year the light is sharper but the nights are very cold. In autumn, after the rainy season, the skies clear and the leaves begin to turn yellow. Between mid-June and mid-September one should expect regular rainfall. At altitudes beneath 2000 metres leaches can be a challenge. To find the possible and best times for each single trekking route please see the table of trekking routes.

Legend:
0: Route is open for trekking
==: Route is unsuitable for trekking

Trek Route characteristics

Lunana Snowman Trek is said to be the hardest trek in the world, with 12 passes between 4,500 and 5,300 meters; overnight stays between 3,700 and 5,100 meters; 24 days; the majority is unsettled, high alpine areas.

Jomolhari Trek and Rodungla Trek routes are in the high mountains requiring some endurance; 6 to 10 days depending on the chosen route. Druk Path, Dagala trek and Gasa/Laya Treks – shorter treks with remarkable altitude differences; 3 to 6 days. Bumthang Culture, Gangtey and Samtengang Treks have ample routes from village to village, 3 to 4 days.

Note: Between mid June to mid September, one should expect regular rainfall.