The kingdom of Bhutan is the home of one of the oldest and definitely the most well preserved cultures of the world. A landlocked country situated in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is haven for people who love trekking. With India to the south and Tibet to the north, it is only since recently that Bhutan has opened its doors to foreign tourists.
Beautiful valleys with its forests, makes trekking in Bhutan an unforgettable experience. If you are planning a trekking adventure in this country, the best time to visit would be in the month of April. During spring time, one gets to see the forests on the trek route in full bloom and this season would also be the best time to trek. All of the treks that one can take in this magnificent country are sure to satisfy the adventure seeker in you. Here are three such treks of moderate level difficulty which form a trek route.
Gangtey Gompa to Gogona
This trek of 14 km has a terrain that is rough and rocky. Under normal circumstances it should take about 5 to 6 hours. Bhutan treks are usually known to showcase the exotic wild flora of the Himalayas. During this trek from Gangtey Gompa valley to Gogona, you have to climb through forests of Juniper, Magnolia and Bamboo. Not only is it a natural trek but can also be classified as a cultural one. During this trek, you will pass through some of the most beautiful Dzongs. The destination of this short trek is at an altitude of 3100m.
Gogona to Khotokha
The trek begins from the picturesque village of Gogona and leads to a climb through a forest of firs, spruce, cypress, oaks and dwarf rhododendron which takes you to Shobju La pass situated at an altitude of 3410m. From here you take the trail down and arrive at Dolonaga which has a woodcutter’s camp. Chorten Karpo which is a clearing further down this trail has four Chortens to the Je Khenpos who were from this area. This would be the ideal place to camp with a view of the valley.
Khotokha to Tikke Zampa
From Khotokha, you need to take the route which is well-known and arrive at Tashi La. The walk down from here takes you through a beautiful forest of magnolia and ferns. This trail makes adventure travel in Bhutan all the more special as it has a surprise in store for bird watchers. We continue to travel further down this trail which finally reaches Tikke Zampa located at an altitude of 1500m. This concludes our trekking route which showcases the awe-inspiring beauty of Bhutan.
Trekking in Bhutan can certainly make for a great holiday which lets you enjoy the beauty of the majestic Himalayas and of the people who call it home.