Paradise Bhutan Trek – 10 days

Why should you go on the Paradise Bhutan Trek?

If you are always attracted by the untouched raw nature, long-standing traditions and culture, marvelous architecture and spirituality, and various landscapes, then you must not miss our Paradise Bhutan trek. Here are some other compelling reasons to undertake this adventure:

Traditional Villages

During our Paradise Bhutan trek, apart from the usual route to Paro and Thimphu, you will also trek through the more natural and traditional villages of Bhutan, such as Genekha, Gur, Labatama, and Panka.

As you travel, you will get to see the local people and nomadic herders getting on with their daily lives.

Wild Trails

As your journey continues from Paro, you will hike through the wildest jungles and alpine terrain of Bhutan, spotting rare wildlife, exquisite mushrooms, and blue poppies decorating your route.

Spiritual Encounter

While you stay in Paro and Thimphu, we will take you to the most amazing and must-see highly religious temples and monasteries of Paro and Thimphu, including Tiger’s Nest and Kyichu Lakhang.

Comfort Authentic Stay

Along with the traditional and modern three-star hotels, we will also accommodate you in comfortable tents where you will have a genuine atmosphere of trekking in the midst of untamed nature.

Vibrant Festival

For those who like to engage with the locals in the celebration of their vibrant festivals, we can also modify the itinerary of our 10 days Paradise Bhutan trek so your travel dates coincide with their deeply ingrained festivals and heritage.

Dagala Lakes

And, how can we not mention the highlight of our Paradise Bhutan trek: the very beautiful high mountain lakes shining with their blue reflective waters.

Why with Himalayan Adventure Treks?

Himalayan Adventure Treks is a very professional organization that specializes in organizing treks and trips in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. We have a dedicated team of travel specialists who create journeys with moments that can expand and enrich your perspective.

We believe our guest should determine their path, and we should act as a compass for them. We therefore offer personalized guidance and comprehensive local knowledge in each of our trips.

Each of our team members is intimately familiar with the destination, the people, the rhythm, and the culture. Thus, our Dagala Thousand Lakes trek is also a product of such deep knowledge and passion.

For our Paradise Bhutan trek, you will get:

Bhutan through the eyes of Bhutanese

For our Paradise Bhutan trek, we collaborate with our local partners who will assist you in every step of your journey with their knowledge and insight.

Thus, you will see Bhutan with your eyes and not as a tourist. Every detail of your trek will be perfect, and every moment memorable.

Your narration and your trip

As you contact us, we will listen to what inspires you to take our Paradise Bhutan trek. We will therefore know what you wish to see, what you like to feel, and so we will be able to take a personalized approach that is both practical and deeply connected to who you are.

Experience beyond your expectations

Bhutan trips are often related to Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, or other known cultural places. But we will take you beyond the known places in complete silence, where you will have a carefree experience that will set something in motion within you.

All logistics overseen

When you choose to travel with us, we will ensure no detail is overlooked. For our Paradise Bhutan trek, we also maintain the same level of care, managing your transport, lodging, camping, dining, permits, and fees. We promise we will deliver you high-quality services, but at an amount that won’t break your bank account.

When to go for the Paradise Bhutan Trek?

For the Paradise Bhutan trek, the best time will occur in the spring and autumn. Spring (March-May) offers warmer nights, but the skies are often less clear.

Rain can occur from time to time, and so the days can sometimes be obscured by the clouds and fog. However, April will simply be enchanting when the entire forest trail of the Paradise Bhutan trek is adorned with the blossom of the blue poppies (national flower in Bhutan).

And, when you are in Paro and Thimphu, you will also be the prime witness of the Mask Dance festival of Tshechu.

In autumn months (September-November), temperatures are comfortably warm, similar to spring, and there will be no more clouds or fog to block the views of the high mountains.

During the summer months (June-August), rainfall will occur heavily, but the natural surroundings will be stunningly beautiful and green. However, the trail of the Paradise Bhutan trek can become slippery and muddy, increasing the risk of accidents.

Winter months (December-February) can be quite cool, with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing, while daytime temperatures can reach a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius.

Also, the route will be extra secluded because of the abandonment of the local shelters by the local population of herders.

Difficulty Grade of 10 Days Bhutan Paradise Trek

Our Paradise Bhutan trek is a light to medium hiking adventure in the rural mountain setting of Bhutan. This trek will take you to an altitude between 2500 and 4500 m.

The majority of the trail runs through the dense forest while also following the mountain ridges and several high passes. Geographically, you will be mainly in the hinterland, far from common tourist areas; however, your walking route will be in good condition.

The daily stages on our 10 days Paradise Bhutan trek consist of walking between 4 and 6 hours, designed to allow you enough time to reach the next camp.

You will also have a rest day at Labatama, when you will take an optional hike towards the lake or the nearest peak. The elevation gains on this trek can be between 500 and 1000 meters per day.

Kindly know that our Dagala Thousand Lakes trek will take you deep into the heart of nature. So you must be ready for some dangers such as strong winds, sudden climate change, rockfalls, etc.

Additionally, understand that instead of comfort, adventure, experience, and nature will be the true priority of our Paradise Bhutan trek, and so five nights of this trek will occur in camping on the grounds.

You will have the full support of our English-speaking Bhutanese guide. You will also have a cook, one to three porters to carry your gear and take care of the animals, to establish and break down the tents, and offer you supplies.

Please also know that you cannot use the animals for riding, but they will transport you in case of any emergencies.

Who can join our Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek?

If you have good health and a commendable level of physical fitness, if you can easily manage an elevation gain of 500 to 1000 meters each day, and if you can hike for 4 to 6 hours per day, then you can join our Paradise Bhutan trek even if you are inexperienced in trekking adventures in Bhutan.

However, it is important for us to tell you about the presence of the risk of altitude sickness during the trek. You will also need to sleep in tents for five continuous nights.

We will be offering you all the equipment except for sleeping bags. Our team will look after the setup and takedown of the tents, and all meals will be prepared by our cook, who can prepare the dishes that suit your taste.

Please understand that physical exertion, unfamiliar cuisine, climate changes, and high altitudes can be some difficulties that you may face in the initial days of the trek.

Therefore, we suggest you consult your doctor and get a thorough examination to find out if this trek is suitable for you or not. If you have any heart or circulatory, joint, mobility, or respiratory conditions, we strongly advise you not to take part in our Dagala Thousand Lakes trek.

Preparation for Paradise Bhutan Trek

Please understand that trekking in Bhutan is not like trekking in Nepal or other parts of the world. The trails will be distant from civilization, so you will have to fully depend on your feet, health, and quick mind.

Therefore, we advise you to undertake preparation and training one to three months in advance of our Paradise Bhutan trek, whether you are newcomers or experienced backpackers. We suggest you do:

• Cardio and Endurance exercise: walking, running, swimming, or cycling for 30-45 minutes, 3-4 times weekly
• Strength (Legs and Core) exercise: squats, lunges, step-ups, and planks
• Simulation: Hike on terrain that mimics Bhutanese landscapes with a light backpack
• Flexibility: stretch your calves, quadriceps, and hips
• Mental: prepare for sudden changes in weather, less comfort, and physical challenges
• Through medical check: go through a medical checkup and consult whether you can take altitude medicine like Diamox
• On the trek: gradually trek and respect the acclimating days and hikes
• Maintain hydration
• Eat a carbohydrate-rich diet
• Prepare yourself with layered attire
• Get well, broken hiking boots
• Before the actual trek, if possible, go on a real hiking adventure in your homeland

Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS/Altitude Sickness

You need to be aware of the possible risk of AMS in our Paradise Bhutan trek. Our travel program for 10 days Paradise Bhutan trek is designed to encourage smooth and effective acclimatization.

Still, the responses to the high elevation differ individually. However, we haven’t encountered any serious issues except for minor discomforts. Remember, you will be at altitudes between 2500 and 4500 meters during this trek, with five days spent above 3000 meters.

The altitude may not seem very extreme, but it is possible that you experience minor symptoms of AMS, such as fatigue, headaches, slight dizziness, and insomnia.

For this reason, we always advise our clients to maintain a steady pace, slow their progress, avoid overexertion, and ensure they take sufficient rest at the camps. It is also important to drink plenty of water with electrolytes added.

All these precautions will help prevent and relieve the symptoms of AMS. It will also be appropriate to take Diamox if your doctor has approved to do so.

Accommodation and Meals

During our Dagala Thousand Lakes trek, we have carefully selected for you a three-star mid-range hotel in Paro and Thimphu. You will have a double bedroom with modern amenities of a hot and cold bath, WiFi, an electric outlet, and an in-room shower.

When trekking, our support team will establish a mess tent, a two-person sleeping tent, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, and separate toilet tents for ladies and gentlemen.

You will receive a ground and foam mattress, chairs, tables, and cooking utensils. Additionally, we will supply a Petromax lantern for lighting. This way, you will have the adventure with comfort, truly creating a paradise for you in nature.

As for meals, you will receive full board for the entire time of the Paradise Bhutan trek, as is customary in Bhutan, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

You will get hot beverages of hot tea, coffee, milk, chocolate, or juice. However, the beverage cost during the hotel stay and on the trek is not part of our included service during 10 days Paradise Bhutan trek.

Transportation

Utilizing only private vehicles for all transport inside Bhutan is customary. During our Paradise Bhutan trek, we will offer you private transportation service for your airport transfers, guided tours in Paro and Thimphu, and transfer from Paro to Genekha and from Talakha to Thimphu.

On the trek, pack animals will carry your gear, but they will not be used for your transportation during the trek. Please keep in mind that the airfare for arrival and departure from Paro will be at your own cost.

Money Matters

During our Paradise Bhutan trek, you will have an initial time in Paro, where you will find ATM booths and a money exchange counter too. However, we suggest you convert your national currency into local (Bhutanese Ngultrum) at Paro Airport, where you will get the best rates.

Elsewhere, you may not get the favorable rates with a high service fee. Keep your exchange invoice safe, as it will be necessary if you wish to convert any remaining Bhutanese currency back at the airport.

During the Paradise Bhutan trek, carry enough local cash as the people may not accept foreign currencies, which are acceptable in larger cities of Bhutan, such as Indian Rupees, Euros, or US Dollars.

You can also select to get cash from ATM booths in Paro if the high service charge is not a problem for you.

Mobile and Internet

Indian mobile carriers like Airtel and Vodafone offer roaming service inside Bhutan, which is quite pricey. Therefore, if you want the best deal and reliability, then buy a local Bhutanese SIM, such as Bhutan Telecom/B-Mobile or TashiCell, at the Paro airport.

They provide a 5G network for around 200 Ngultrum. For the trail of our Paradise Bhutan trek, we advise you to get the B-Mobile as its coverage is quite reliable in the remote villages of Bhutan.

You may need to cut the standard-sized SIM Card of Bhutan, as finding a nano or micro SIM Card in Bhutan will be quite problematic. You can also buy an eSIM online, which you can activate in Paro.

Regarding WiFi, you will have basic free WiFi in Paro and Thimphu, but not while camping. Also, mobile internet may not always be available.

How to enter Bhutan for the Paradise Bhutan Trek?

If you wish to avoid flights and enter Bhutan via the overland route, then you can cross through the town of Phuentsholing via West Bengal, India, which is 176 km south of Thimphu.

Another option is the border crossing at Samdrup Jongkhar in eastern Bhutan, right on the Assam border, just 110 km (about a 3-hour drive) from Guwahati Airport in India.

There is also the Gelephu border crossing that links Assam with the south-central region of Bhutan. The journey from Gelephu to Thimphu is roughly 250 km and takes around 9-10 hours.

However, the simplest and most favored route to enter Bhutan is by flying to Paro Airport, which is serviced by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. You can catch a daily flight from these cities:

• India: Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Guwahati, and Mumbai
• Nepal: Kathmandu
• Thailand: Bangkok
• Singapore: Changi
• Bangladesh: Dhaka

Modalities of travel in Bhutan

When traveling in Bhutan, you need to follow some protocols, which are:

• Independent traveling, trekking, or touring inside Bhutan is not allowed to date
• You must therefore buy an organized trip like our Paradise Bhutan trek from a government-registered travel agency like us
• All foreign nationals must purchase a tourist visa to get into Bhutan, except for people from Bangladesh, India, and the Maldives
• Online purchase of the tourist visa is now possible in Bhutan
• You will get your tourist visa once you land in Paro, paying US$40 per tourist (one-time fee)
• All foreign tourists while they are in Bhutan will be liable to pay a daily SDF fee (Sustainable Development Fee)
• The amount of SDF is US Dollars 100 per tourist
• 6 to 12 years old children will have to pay US Dollars 50, while children under 6 years old don’t have to pay the fee

Our 10 days Paradise Bhutan trek package cost includes your SDF, Bhutan tourist visa, and trek permit fees.

Process to get the Bhutan Tourist Visa through Himalayan Adventure Treks

If you wish us to process the Bhutan tourist visa on your behalf, then please confirm our Paradise Bhutan trek after reviewing all our services and travel program for the trek.

Once you make the payment in advance, you must provide us with your passport colored copy and two most recent photos in JPEG format. We will send them to our local partner in Bhutan, who will then present your documents at the Tourism Department.

After their approval, they will give us the Visa Clearance Form, which we will send to you. You have to show this letter to officials at Paro Airport, who will then stamp your visa after the payment of the visa fee.

This visa will allow you to spend 15 days in Bhutan with the possibility of extension by 15 days. Please make sure to confirm our Paradise Bhutan trek at least one month ahead, as Bhutan tourist Visa processing will take 15 working days.

How to apply online for a Bhutan Tourist Visa?

To apply for the Bhutan tourist visa online, please follow the steps mentioned below:

• Open https://immi.gov.bt/home on your browser; it is the official website of the Immigration Department of Bhutan
• Sign up with your valid email account
• Complete the tourist visa application form
• Upload your photo and passport
• Sign a pledge as a promise that you will respect and protect the environment of Bhutan
• Make the online payment of US Dollars 40
• Get the Visa stamped at Paro Airport

Entrance Permits

To visit the heritage monuments in Paro and Thimphu, and to trek along the route of the Dagala Thousand Lakes trek, we need to have specific permits, which we will organize and pay the needed fees on your behalf.

Guidelines when traveling and trekking in Bhutan

Please be aware of the following unspoken guidelines when traveling in Bhutan:

• No loud music in public places
• Click photos of the monuments, monks, and people only with their consent
• No smoking in public spots except for designated areas
• A cordial respect to their monarch
• Modest attire while exploring temples and monasteries
• No single-use plastic usage

Custom Laws in Paro Airport

• No duty fee for 1 liter of alcoholic beverage
• 200% of the tax fee on cigarettes
• 200 sticks of cigarettes are allowed only for personal use
• A declaration of cigarettes is needed, and keep the customs receipt very safe
• Carry the receipt all the time for frequent inspection
• A declaration of your electronic gadgets will be needed at Paro Airport
• Amount under US Dollars 10,000 needs no declaration

Travel Insurance

Our Paradise Bhutan trek will occur deep in the nature of Bhutan, where it is difficult to access roads or civilization. Additionally, being a high altitude mountain area, there will be an accompanying risk of sudden weather change, rockfall, falls, injuries, accidents, and AMS.

In the remote trekking trails of Bhutan, medical facilities are often scarce, requiring a call for the rescue helicopter for immediate transfer. The rescue cost by the helicopter is very high in Bhutan, and you will have to cover its cost yourself.

So we highly encourage you to get a thorough private travel health insurance plan that includes medical repatriation, hospitalization, and mountain and helicopter rescue up to 4500 m for our Paradise Bhutan trek. Don’t forget to get all the necessary contact details and procedures from your insurance company.