The day starts off with a wake up call, around 6:30 am, if you are not already awake by then. A staff will come with a bowl of warm water to wash up along with tea/coffee brought to your tent. Before heading over to the dinning tent for breakfast, usually around 7-8, we suggest you pack your overnight gear into your duffel bag and prepare for the day. During breakfast the staff will pack away the tents and ready the horses.

After breakfast, usually between 8:30-9 am, we start walking.  The pace of the trek is leisurely with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the local settlements, if any. Lunch will be around noon at a favourable spot by the side of the trail. Lunch is carried by the staff.

There is usually more walking after lunch, we will always plan to cover big ascents/passes before lunch but this does not always pan out as expected. Normally we will get into camp by mid afternoon with the tents already set up by the support team. Once you arrive at camp, you will be able to wash up, change to get into your comfy camp clothes and try and get comfortable.

Tea and snacks will be served. Followed by dinner later in the evening around 7 pm.

FOOD

All meals are freshly prepared by our cook and the kitchen team.

Breakfast usually consist of fried rice, toast/pancakes with various condiments, omelettes and a range of hot drinks.

Hot lunch is prepared by the kitchen crew during breakfast and packed into containers carried by the staff to be eaten on the trail.  Snacks, biscuits and nuts, and juice will also be served.

On arrival at the campsite, there will be tea and other hot drinks in the dining tent with biscuits and snacks, help yourselves. Dinner will soon follow with soup, meal and dessert.

THE TRAIL

On any trek in Bhutan, you will come across challenging terrain. The trails are never straight forward which adds to the charm and challenge of trekking in Bhutan.

The terrain ranges from boulder fields to scree/moraine and everything in between, with steep ascents and descents most times. Straight flat trails are a rarity!

CLIMATE

Traditional trekking season in Bhutan is from late March – mid June in the spring season and from late September/early October to early December in the fall. Depending on the trek, it is also possible to trek in the winter months, however temperature will be below freezing in the morning and at night.

During the day, when hiking, temperatures will be warm or even hot. The Sun can be brutal when it is a bluebird sky, do not forget to reapply sunscreen and wear your sun hat. Layering is one way to regulate your body temperature, drink plenty of water.

At camp and at night, temperatures will drop quickly, especially on high camps. Depending on the season, temperatures will range from 5°C to below freezing. Hot water bags will be provided to keep you warm inside your sleeping bag.

ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS). NOTHING TO WORRY, BUT GOOD TO KNOW.

This happens due to the body’s reaction to the low air pressure (less oxygen) at high altitudes and each individual responds to this situation differently. So please ascent at your own steady pace so that you allow your body to acclimate as you gain elevation.

This is a problem for some people, especially when hiking and sleeping above 3500 meters. The onset of symptoms has no logic in the sense that you never know who will get it regardless of your previous climbs and high ascents. There is no natural way to avoid getting AMS. However, acclimatization before the trek (we recommend day hikes, climbing high and sleeping low) and staying hydrated, eating and sleeping (rest) well before and on the trek goes a long way to keeping yourself fit and feeling good.

Usually a steady and throbbing headache at the back of your head is a telltale sign of the onset of AMS. But this is not a major concern if it does not develop further and persists. Other symptoms include: fatigue, shortness of breathe, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and vomiting. There is no treatment to this sickness other than letting the body rest, acclimate and cure itself. If the symptoms do not get better, we will descend in altitude.

SMALL ACTS THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY, “PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN TRASH”

This is a personal request. We want to bring to surface something that is close to our mission of being responsible explorers and something that we strongly we believe in. This is something we are all aware about and love to change about our society. We will have a sack at every campsite where you can dump your trash from the day. We carry out everything that we carry in. We cannot clean up after others, but we can take care of our own 🙂 THANK YOU!

PACKING LIST AND TIPS

They say we pack our fears when we travel and thus all of us pack different and are each their own creatures of comfort. But the rule of thumb on treks is to keep it to the essentials and be organized.

Less things to pack in the morning means, being swift which translates to a few more cups of coffee while enjoying the morning sun.

Therefore only listing the essentials here:

FOOTWEAR:

• DAS BOOT: Your favourite hiking boot or shoe. One that is broken in and kept you on the trail, blister free, while hitting the gnarly stuff. A pair with good ankle support that breathes well and to a certain extent is water resistant, keeps your feet happy!
• CAMP SHOES OR SANDALS: A lightweight and comfortable shoe or sandals that can worn around camp and as a backup to your primary pair.

CLOTHING:

• WATERPROOF AND WINDPROOF JACKET: To protect you from when the weather gets inclement.
• TROUSERS: A pair or two of waterproof/water-resistant hiking trousers.
• TOPS: We prefer long sleeve breathable shirts that provide protection from the sun.
• MID-LAYER: A lightweight fleece jacket that you thrown on during snack and lunch breaks.
• DOWN JACKET: A medium weight down jacket to keep you warm at camp.
• BASE-LAYERS: Thermals for cold evenings, nights and mornings at the camp. Merino wool provides the best warmth to weight ratio.

HANDS AND HEAD:

• Fleece Gloves
• Sun Hat
• Wool or Fleece Beanie
• Buff
• Head Lamp: with extra batteries.
• Sun Glasses

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:

• DAY PACK: Just like your boots, a backpack is something you wear almost throughout the day and the entirety of your trek. So take a pack that you are comfortable with. A 20-30 L pack is ideal, depending on the gear you carrying.
• THE FART SACK: We mean the sleeping bag. Check where and when you are going and take something that is rated lower by 5-10 ºC than the expected temperature, just be on the warmer and safer side. Women typical tend to sleep colder than men.
• STUFF SACK: to keep your gear organized and dry.
• WATER BOTTLE: A wide mouth Nalgene bottle is ideal as it doubles up as an extra hot water bag at night.
• MEDICATION: Please don’t forget you personal medication. Also a small personal first aid kit. You may never need them, but it can prove to be crucial for your wellbeing incase you do while on the trail. We will also have a common first aid with the essential medicines and kit.
• DUFFLE BAG (will be carried by ponies or porters): A rugged waterproof duffle bag. Depending on the trek you are going on a 60-100 liter bag is recommended. Bring a small padlock to secure your duffle.
• Sunscreen, Lip Slave, Sun Glasses, Trail Snacks, Camera, book or kindle, Wet Wipes, Ear Plugs, Rehydration Powder, Blister Patches….

REQUEST: Please try and keep the weight of your duffle under 25 kgs.

GRATUITY

Tipping culture is foreign to Bhutan. However it has become an industry norm and is genuinely appreciated. However, you are not obliged to tip and this is completely up to your discretion. If you are satisfied with the service provided and think merits a reward, please tip. It will be highly appreciated.

The amount is entirely up to your liking.

Here is a range to give you an idea (depending on the group size):

• Guides & Drivers: $20 per day per guest
• Cooks & Trekking Staff: $20 per day per guest.
• Porters and Horseman: $15 per day per guest.