The inviolability of the mountains is more striking on foot than traveling by car or other means of transport in Bhutan.  Whether you take 2 nights trek around Bumthang valley (the central region of the country) or walk for 3 days from Thimphu to Paro (the western region) or take the 8 days trek to the base of Mount Jhomolhari - the views, the hamlets, the rugged and hardy people in national costumes and unique experience will be an unparalleled experiences.

Awakening at dawn by the rooster cockerel sound and a warm cup of tea, trekkers at higher altitudes are invariably greeted by breath-taking vistas. The first sunlight on the mountains is appalling and magnificent during trekking. The trekking during the month of April and May in the Himalaya is the best time to see rhododendrons flowering in all 45 varieties and different colours (yellow, orange, pink, white, pink, red etc..). Treks vary from a short 3 days walk at low altitudes up to 3 weeks Snowman Trek (toughest trek in Bhutan and the world they say) that covers 356 Km, crossing 3 of the Kingdom’s highest passes. The distance and duration of the routes and trails, may be varied at the visitors choice and their trekking choices.

Route features:
Snowman Trek: is said to be the hardest trek in the world with 12 passes between 4500 and 5300 meters. The overnight stay between 3700 and 5100 meters taking 24 days, covers areas with uninhabited areas, high alpine meadows and zones.

Laya Gasa Trek: is the first part of the Snowman Trek that starts from Paro and leaves the Snowman Trek in Laya, then trek down to Punakha. The trekkers will cross the passes with an altitude, above 5000 meters; that requires at least 12 to 15 days.

Jomolhari Trek-Rodung La Trek: these are the routes up in high mountains, requiring 6-10 days, depending on the route chosen, mostly covering uninhabited areas.

Druk Path, Dagala Trek, Gasa/Laya Trek: shorter treks with remarkable altitude differences, taking 3-6 days.

Bumthang Cultural Trek, Gangtey Trek, Samteygang Trek, Nabji-Korphu Community based Nature Treks etc: these are simple routes from one village to village, requiring 3 to 4 days.

Trekking between unclimbed peaks in Bhutan involves walking along the trails, passing up to 7000 meters high up in mountains with perennial snow cover that remains unclimbed even today. The mountain climbing is forbidden in Bhutan due to strong Buddhist faith that all mountains represent holy deities and therefore should not be exposed to the disruption with mountain expeditions. 

All trekking supplies like camping equipment, kitchen gear and food are carried by pack animals.  The supplies are usually carried by horses, mules and yaks. All trekking packages are accompanied by guides, cooks and poney-men or yak herders.  The poney-men and the cooks will usually run ahead during a trekking day. They will prepare a packed lunch for hikers and will go to fix the tent for night halt.

When trekkers reach the camp-site, they are greeted with a hot cup of tea and cookies in the dining tent. After more than 6 hours mountain trail, no drink will ever taste sweeter than at the end of the toil of the entire day. For dinner, the cook will usually prepare a buffet of dishes to be served.

When to trek 
For walkers, the most appropriate trekking times are mid-March to mid-May and mid-September to the beginning of November. However, there are trekking routes that are better suited for summer or winter seasons as well. In early part of the year, the light is intense but the nights are cold. In autumn, after the rainy season, the sky is clear and the leaves begin to turn yellow. Between mid-June and mid-September, one should expect regular rainfall. At altitudes below 2000 meters, leaches can be quite a challenge.