What to Expect

Adventure Treks are a unique and authentic hiking experience—and afford us the opportunity to hike on some of the most amazing trails in the world and immerse in local culture.

While each day has a wonderful plan, we will not be as regimented as we are at the lodge in British Columbia. We will eat, and even have the occasional drink, like locals and weave our trip into their routines. As we embark on what truly is an adventure, keep an open mind to the unknown and relish in the experience of learning.

What to pack

Passport
Prescribed medication
Backpack & Bladder (see below)
Dinner Attire (casual)
Trail runners / hiking boots
Sandals
Running or tennis shoes
Bathing suit
Loungewear
2 quick-drying hiking pants
2 short-sleeve base layers
1 long-sleeve base layer
1 warm fleece or wool mid-layer
Rain jacket
Rain pants
Warm vest (optional)
Warm hat or ear band
Sun hat
Rain hat (if rain jacket doesn’t have a hood)
Medium-weight, water-resistant gloves
Wicking hiking socks
Non-cotton underwear
Pajamas
Sunglasses
Camera
Book
Extra pair of prescription eyeglasses

Please note: All guests are to bring their own 26-40 litre backpacks and Platypus 3L Bladders for hydration. Kirk will provide hiking poles, foot care & electrolytes for all guests. If you wish to bring your own hiking poles, please email us directly.

How to Layer

Base layer
This is your sweat-wicking first layer that has direct contact with your skin. Good fabrics include polypro, merino wool and silk. Cotton is discouraged—it will keep you damp.

Middle layer
Your insulating layer that traps body heat. Polar Fleece and wool are preferable.

Outer layer
Your shield from wind and rain. Gore-Tex, or something similar, is best—it’s waterproof yet breathable.

Laundry

Laundry will be available at your own expense at the hotels.

Post hike Spa services

If you’re interested in enjoying the hotel’s spas, please make appointments directly with the hotel at your earliest convenience. Here are links to their spas to learn more:

Terma Linca Resort & Spa

COMO Uma

Travel and Medical Insurance

Trip cancellation and medical insurance are highly recommended. Please obtain both through your local travel agent or online. We recommend “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance.

Extended Stays

If you wish to extend your stay pre or post Adventure Trek, please contact Pema prior to January 27th.
pema@wangchuktours.com

Currency Tips

Ngultrum (“nn gultrum”) (BTN) is the currency of Bhutan. Currently, 1 USD = 70 BTN.

Being a small Himalayan Kingdom, bank services are quite limited and ATM’s are rare and not advanced. We recommend you carry cash for payment of any extras (souvenirs, alcohol, laundry, etc.). Most shopkeepers do not accept credit cards or cheques.

Upon arrival at Paro airport, exchange cash for BTN. US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Hong Kong Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Danish Kroner, Australian Dollar and Singapore Dollars are the currencies which can be exchanged for BTN at the foreign exchange desk.

Please use both hands while giving and taking money. This is a part of Bhutanese traditions.

While buying anything from Bhutan, keep the receipts safe with you. They can be asked for at the border when you will exchange ngultrum into your local currency.

Typical prices in Bhutan:

A water bottle – BTN 25
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant – BTN 275
A bottle of beer – BTN 70-150

Snacks, Food Preferences, and Alcohol

Consider bringing your own healthy snacks for downtimes. Unfortunately, Bhutan does not have many health snacking options.

While our providers have been notified, you are personally responsible for dietary restrictions and allergies. Please be vigilant in ensuring your allergies and preferences are respected.

Alcohol is not included in this trip. Bhutanese people do not drink much, but the hotels will have bars. Please bring cash if you wish to have a drink.

Carbon-Neutral Travel

Mountain Trek is dedicated to protecting and healing our environment. Along with methane, nitrous oxide and CFC’s, the emission of carbon dioxide directly increases the greenhouse effect in our atmosphere, causing heat to get trapped and global warming to occur. Carbon dioxide is released by burning fossil fuels and with an estimated fuel demand of more than 5 million barrels per day, the global aviation sector is incredibly energy-intensive and taxing on our environment. The best way to offset carbon emissions is through global reforestation (plant trees!).

In an effort to fight global warming, Mountain Trek is proud to announce that your participation in this trip will result in 95 trees being planted through our partnership with One Tree Planted. Be proud that you are traveling carbon-neutral.

Trek Itinerary

(Each day will start with breakfast at the hotel and have free time to relax, rest, or spend time at the spa before dinner)

Day 1 – Sunday

Arrival day

Dinner at the hotel

Accomodations: COMO Uma Paro

Day 2—Monday

Hike from the hotel to the Paro Spring Festival, held in the Paro Dzong, one of the most beautiful fortresses in the country. Pass by Zurig Dzong and Ta Dzong fortresses on the hike.

Immerse in the Paro Tsechu spring festival, the most important religious event in Bhutan. Held annually, this event features masked dancers who honor the Guru Rinpoche, the “Lotus-Born Teacher”, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century.

Lunch in town of Paro

Hike Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Elevation gain/loss: ~400m

Distance: ~8 km/5 mi.

Hiking time: ~3.5hrs

Witness a local archery match, the national sport of Bhutan.

Dinner at the hotel

Accomodations: COMO Uma

Day 3—Tuesday

Hike to Jele Dzong, a small fortress built in the early 16th century to cater to travelers between Paro and Thimphu

Lunch on the trail

Explore local village to immerse in culture and daily life

Hike Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging

Elevation gain/loss: ~1000m

Distance: ~10 km/6 mi.

Hiking time: ~6hrs

Evening time in Paro for exploration and shopping

Dinner at the hotel

Accomodations: COMO Uma

Day 4—Wednesday

Hike to Tiger’s Nest, a functioning monastery nestled into the cliffside 900m above the ground. One of the most memorable sites in all of Bhutan.

Lunch at Tiger’s Nest

Hike Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging

Elevation gain/loss: ~900m

Distance: ~7 km/4 mi.

Hiking time: ~5hrs

Drive to Thimphu (1 hr)

Dinner at the hotel

Accomodations: Terma Linca, Thimphu

Day 5 – Thursday

Hike to Cherry Monastery

Visit Tango Buddhist Institute

Lunch and prayer flag ceremony

Hike to village of Kabjisa and tour Pangrizampa School of Astrology

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain/loss: ~550m

Distance: ~8 km/5 mi.

Hiking time: 3 hrs.

Dinner with a local Bhutanese family

Accomodations: Terma Linca Resort & Spa

Day 6—Friday

Hike to Phajoding Monastery, where you will get a birds-eye view of the entire Thimphu valley and the surrounding mountains

Lunch on trail

Explore monastery and town of Phajoding

Hike Difficulty: Challenging

Elevation gain/loss: ~1000m

Distance: ~11 km/7 mi.

Hiking time: ~5hrs

Dinner with a local Bhutanese family

Accomodations: Terma Linca Resort & Spa

Day 7—Saturday

Drive to Dochula Pass, a scenic high elevation mountain pass where 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the eldest Queen Mother.

Hike to Lungchutse, a monastery with 360º views of the Himalayas.

Continue on to Tashi Goemba. Lunch at Dochula cafe.

Hike to Hongtscho village & temple

Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation gain/loss: ~600m

Distance: ~11 km/7 mi.

Hiking time: ~6hrs

Dinner with a local Bhutanese family

Accomodations: Terma Linca Resort & Spa

Day 8—Sunday

Departure day

Log Jay Gay (goodbye)