Best Trek Tours to Explore Bhutan Natural Beauty

Bhutan, high up in the Himalayas, is one of the most scenic tourist destinations in the world. A land of stunning mountain views, pristine alpine lakes, and natural primeval forests, this ancient Himalayan kingdom on the edge of the Tibetan plateau is the ideal place to go for a real nature tour.

And the best way to explore the beautiful natural landscape of this isolated Shangri-La in the Himalayas is on a trekking tour. Hiking through the amazing mountain scenery and spectacular alpine forests is the perfect way to learn more about the unique natural beauty of Bhutan. And this kingdom in the mountains has dozens of different treks to take on to explore the environment and ecosystems that make up one of the most exclusive tourist destinations on the planet.

Bumdrak Trek

Itinerary of Bumdrak Trek

This short overnight trek to Bumdrak Monastery is one of the most popular short hikes in Bhutan. This 2-day trek starts at Sangchen Choekor Shedra, a Buddhist college that houses around 150 monks in study. After touring the monastery college, the trail heads up to the Choechotse Lhakhang, and on up past it after stopping for a visit, to the larch forest that leads you to the meadow where the Bumdrak Lhakhang sits atop a small hillock.

After camping for the night, the trail heads on downhill from the Lhakhang, and you will reach the small temple of Yoselgang, sitting above the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. From there, it is another short hike downhill to the nearby Ugyen Tshemo Lhakhang, and then on to the Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, both of which lie just above the Tiger’s Nest. With the fantastic views of the Paro Valley, you continue to descend to the Taktshang Monastery, via the Machig-Phu Lhakhang. From the Tiger’s Nest, it is another 2 hours down to the carpark and a drive back to Paro.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Bumdrak Trek

The Bumdrak trek can be integrated into a decent ten-day tour of Bhutan as the latter part of the tour. As the last but one night in Paro, the trek is a great way to get to the Taktshang Monastery on the last full day in Bhutan, and is a stunning end to an awesome tour. The average ten-day trip to Bhutan normally includes Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, and the Haa Valley. The best time for this is from mid-February to May and September to November.

Gasa Hot Spring Trek

Itinerary of Gasa Hot Spring Trek

Another short and adventurous trek in Bhutan, the Gasa Hot Springs Trek is a good low-altitude trek that allows you to spend the last part of the trek relaxing in the beautiful and medicinal hot springs in Gasa Dzongkhag in northwestern Bhutan. A three-day hike that follows part of the upper reaches of the Mo Chhu, the trail connects the hot springs with the Tashitang road at Damji. The trek starts after arriving in Damji, from where the trek to the hot springs takes around 5 hours. The second day is normally a rest day at the hot springs to make the most of their relaxing and healing properties, before trekking back to Damji for the drive back to Punakha.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Gasa Hot Spring Trek

The best itinerary for the Gasa Hot Spring Trek trek is a 11-day tour of Bhutan that includes stops in Paro and Thimphu, as well as Punakha, for the trek to Gasa Hot Springs. As part of a longer tour, this short trek of around 4-5 hours each way, with its day off in between hiking, is an ideal way to explore one of the most famous hot springs in Bhutan. The best time for this trek is normally from February to March and October to November.

Gangtey Trek

Itinerary of Gangtey Trek

The four-day Gangtey Trek through Phobjikha is one of the most enthralling hikes in Bhutan. Reaching only up to around 3,120 meters, this short trek is a great introduction to trekking in Bhutan. The trek runs along the Gangtey Valley to Zasa and Chorten Karpo, a campsite named for the four chortens set in the forest of blue pines. Green valleys, with forests of bamboo, juniper, and rhododendron, are par for the course here, as you continue on to Tikke Zampa, one of Bhutan’s best bird watching areas. Then it is on to the finish of the trek back in Phobjikha near the Gangtey Monastery.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Gangtey Trek

For this enticing Gangtey Trek, the best option for a tour would be a 7-day Bhutan tour that gives you time to make the trek and visit the major destinations of Paro and Thimphu as well. This gives you two nights each in Paro and Thimphu, one each at the start and end of the trekking tour. The best time for this trek is from March to May and September to November, though it is possible throughout the winter as well.

Bumthang Owl Trek

Itinerary of Bumthang Owl Trek

A great three-day trek around the four valleys of Bumthang, this is a hike that gives you fantastic views of the unspoiled natural landscapes of Central Bhutan. The trek starts in Manchugang, in northeastern Wangdue Phodrang, and takes you through local ethnic villages to Dhur Village and Drangela Pass, before finishing at the Tharpaling Monastery, just outside Jakar. This is a truly scenic trek for many, as it takes you through several different types of forests, from juniper and spruce to bamboo and maple.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Bumthang Owl Trek

The Bumthang Owl Trek is ideal to be incorporated into a good 9-day tour of Bhutan, which normally includes stops in Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, and Punakha, as well as the trek in the Bumthang district. The best time for this trek is normally from April to early June, when the rhododendrons are in full blossom. It is possible in autumn, but there is more chance of encountering the Himalayan black bears, so care should be exercised.

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

Itinerary of Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

A six-day trek that takes you to some of Bhutan’s most beautiful pristine alpine lakes, you can walk amid the beauty of some of the most amazing sights in Thimphu Dzongkhag. The trek also gives you great views of the peaks of Jomolhari, Masang gang, Jichu Drake, and Gangche Ta, as well as being able to view the peak of Mount Everest on clear days. The trek takes you around the Dagala Range through the small local village of Gur, the Labatama valley, and across several 4,000 meter plus passes to Panka, Talakha, and Chamgang.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek

The Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is best done as part of a Bhutan tour of around 11 days, and can include stops in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha as part of the longer tour. The trek is best done from April to May and September to October, when the weather is clear and bright.

Druk Path Trek

Itinerary of Druk Path Trek

A five-day trek that is the best trek in Bhutan, according to the people that have completed it, this is the perfect longer trek for people that want a little more adventure and natural landscapes and scenery for their tour. The trek begins in Paro and hikes over the mountains in a slightly looping course to Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. Passing by the Jili Dzong, Jimelang Tsho Lake, Simkotra Tsho Lake, Phajoding Monastery, and the famous Takin Nature Preserve, this is a great way to explore the natural scenery of this western Bhutan region.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Druk Path Trek

The trek is best done as part of the longer tour, and gives you the chance to explore the route between Paro and Thimphu from a different perspective than the inside of the car. You can incorporate the Druk Path Trek into a decent 7-day trip to Bhutan, or longer, which can include sightseeing in Paro and Thimphu as well. The best time for this trek is normally from March to June, and September to November.

Jomolhari Mountain Trek

Itinerary of Jomolhari Mountain Trek

Longer than the more popular Jomolhari Loop Trek, this nine-day hike through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the world is still one of the most popular trekking routes in Bhutan. The trek takes you from Paro into the mountains to the north of the city in a long loop around the mountains to reach the northern end of the Thimphu Valley. The highlight of the trip is the stop at Jangothang, the base camp for Mount Jomolhari, with its stunning views, pristine lakes, and short day hikes around the upper slopes.

Suggested Bhutan Nature Tour that Cover the Jomolhari Mountain Trek

The Jomolhari Mountain Trek can be integrated into a longer 11-day tour of Bhutan, which will give you time to explore both Paro and Thimphu, as well as giving you chance to trek to the Taktshang Monastery, if you have the energy left. The trek is best done from September to November, or in June, before the rains and once it warms up in the northern areas of Bhutan.

Conclusion

Bhutan is a stunningly beautiful place in the Himalayas that is one of the best destinations in the world for scenic trekking. Combining your love of the beautiful natural scenery and landscapes with a trek in the mountains and valleys of this last true Shangri-La is a great way to explore more than just the towns and Dzongs. This offers you a more wonderful experience of Bhutan nature tour.