With some of best trekking routes in the world, Bhutan has always fascinated the insatiate traveler with its rugged beauty, a living Buddhist culture, and friendly people. From relatively easy 5-day Druk Path to the formidable 23-day Snowman Route, the country offers its unique geography to the thirst of those with tough legs and sinewy guts.

A cross-country trek will take you through the extreme bounties of nature: thick evergreen forests, undulating hills and vertical cliffs, bald and snowcapped mountaintops, deep ravines and gorges, gentle valleys and foothills. Most trekking routes start at the temperate region and run through alpine regions covering a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions.

Trekking in Bhutan can not only be physically challenging but also mentally arduous. Weather is unpredictable and thus the spells for good high-altitude trekking are rather short: about 3 weeks in April and 3-4 weeks in October. The chances of a completely blue-sky weather are most in the second half of April or the first three weeks of October. There are a number of low-altitude short-duration winter treks though. You may consider trekking these routes in other seasons as well.

The rugged terrain and high altitude means extreme difficulty in reaching instant rescue services. Those with altitude sickness must take extra precaution. However, in times of emergencies choppers are arranged for rescue operations. There are no lodges for night halts or eateries in the higher regions. All food and camping equipment must be carried on horseback.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan has approved and opened 11 trekking routes at the moment. They range from 3 to 23 days hike. However, several routes around Thimphu and Paro offer brisk day hikes.

Why trek with Yak?

Yak is veritable highland animal, specialized in carrying heavy loads and trekking for days on end without getting hungry, thirsty or angry. It is a natural trekker. Therefore, we at Yak Adventure Travel have naturally specialized in trekking. Our porters and ponies also carry heavy loads as they span the length and breadth of the jagged mountain routes.

To back our claims of experience, we have intimate knowledge of the trekking routes and skills of a seasoned trekker. We value our sixth sense while traversing the challenges of a real trek.

Yak stresses on green trekking as part of responsible tourism. This means we hike with zero damage to the natural environment. We just leave the footprints and nothing else. Our porters and helpers clean the camp sites just we set out for the next destination.

Yak has experienced and highly skilled trekking guides. Experience and skills are indeed essential for anyone daring to trek in Bhutan because most high-altitude routes are not well-defined trails, and therefore, only a seasoned guide can lead the trekker(s). Our trekking guides are certified by the Royal Government and have undergone guiding courses conducted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

We also offer combined packages if you want to see some culture and tradition after your exhilarating trek. You may choose to combine trekking with cultural tours, kayaking, and white water rafting. You may also ask us to customize your trekking itinerary to suit your interests.

Yak Adventure Travel is the only tour and trekking company in Bhutan nominated for the Ashoka Change Maker’s Award organized by the National Geographic Society in 2007 and 2008. The nomination was in recognition of our green approach to tourism.

So, get ready to be in the woods with Yak!