Trekking in Bhutan vs Trekking Nepal: The Best Himalaya Trek in the World

Bhutan and Nepal are the major trekking destinations in the Himalayas in South Asia. Which one is better to go is always a question for those who are planning a trekking tour to the Himalaya regions.

Renowned for its long high-altitude treks, Nepal has been listed as the best trekking location in Asia, while Bhutan is a unique trekking destination with a big difference. Both countries are landlocked nations and both border on Tibet, with very similar landscapes and climates. Yet while Nepal is renowned for its wide range of trekking trails across a variety of climates, the exclusivity of Bhutan’s isolated treks makes it just as popular with modern hikers who are looking for good high-altitude treks.

Bhutan or Nepal, Which is better for a Himalaya Trek

Where is Nepal and Bhutan

Deciding which country is better for Himalayan trekking depends on the criteria that you are aiming for during the treks. Nepal lies in the western Himalayas, on the southern side of the range, bordering with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the north. The western Himalayas are famed for their massive high mountains, and all of the 8,000 meter mountains in the Himalayas lie along the line of the western Himalayas from Pakistan to eastern Nepal.

Bhutan lies on the southern side of the eastern Himalayas, which run from Sikkim in India to Yunnan Province in Southwest China. With Tibet to its northern border, Bhutan’s range of the Himalayas is lower in altitude, with the highest peaks in the country reaching a little over 7,000 meters.

Himalaya Treks in Nepal

The trekking routes in Nepal are many and varied, with the most popular being the Mount Everest Base Camp Trek; the Annapurna Range treks, which include the base camp and loop treks, some of the longest in Nepal; and the famous Manaslu Circuit Trek, which treks around the world’s 8th highest mountain. However, while each of these treks includes mountains above 8,000 meters, the average altitude of the higher treks in Nepal is around 5,500 meters, with some passes extending a few hundred meters higher.

Himalaya Treks in Bhutan

Treks in Bhutan are very different, though there are plenty of high-altitude treks that reach elevations of well above 5,000 meters. The most popular treks in Bhutan include the famous Druk Path Trek, which reaches altitudes of around 4,200 meters; the intense Jomolhari Trek, which gets up to just over 5,000 meters on the route to Jangothang; and the lower altitude Pokhara Winter trek , which reaches only 3,400 meters at its highest. Bhutan is also the location of the world’s hardest and longest trek, the infamous Snowman Trek, which reaches altitudes of over 5,300 meters and stretches across the north of Bhutan, through the Himalayas from Paro Dzongkhag all the way to Jakar in Bumthang Dzongkhag, more than 300 kilometers.

Nepal is the Best Place for Himalayan Mountaineering

Mountaineering in the Himalayas is the best in the world, and while many people travel to the Himalayas for the excellent mountaineering peaks, this can only be done in Nepal. Bhutan, despite having some excellent mountains, does not permit mountain climbing on its side of the border with China, to protect the delicate natural environment. Nepal, however, has a huge range of mountains that you ca climb, some with only a little experience in the sport. And the main climb in this Himalayan nations is the route that takes you up over the famous South Col to the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters above sea level. There are a number of other great climbs in Nepal, including Annapurna I, II, and III, Cho Oyu, and several others over 8,000 meters.

More Differences of Trekking in Bhutan and Nepal

The Difference of Best Time to Trek in Nepal and Bhutan

Aside from the obvious differences of trekking in Bhutan and Nepal, where the altitudes differ greatly in the two countries, there is a major difference in the trekking seasons in the two countries. Trekking in Nepal is normally best done in the spring months from April to June, while in Bhutan, the best trekking is normally from September to December, in the autumn and early part of winter. The lower altitudes provide later trekking periods in Bhutan, and milder weather, while in Nepal, once the winter sets in, usually from around late November, it is often too cold for the higher altitude treks.

The Difference of Trekking Cost in Nepal and Bhutan

The cost of the treks is also a factor in the differences between the two, with trekking in Nepal being relatively cheap, since you can organize your own hikes, trek in almost any area of the country for very little cost in the way of trekking accommodation, allowing you to carry your own gear without using a porter, and even trek without a guide, all of which keeps the costs down. The famous teahouses of the Nepal trails are also a factor that makes it cheaper to trek in Nepal.

In Bhutan, trekking can only be done as part of an organized tour of the kingdom, and costs from 200-250 dollars per day, which covers the cost of all your trekking requirements, including guides and support teams. The higher cost is due to the Minimum Daily Package cost, which is pre-set and cannot go down. This may sound costly, but it is still all included as part of the Bhutan tour package, and unless you have added requirements, is a set price for everyone.

The Difference of Trekking Permits in Nepal and Bhutan

Permits in Nepal can be a little costly in some areas, and you do need to pay a fee for every trekking area you go to, as well as being required to register your treks and apply for the Trekkers' Information Management Systems (TIMS) Card before trekking anywhere in the country, which costs in the region of 2,000 rupees per person, around 30 dollars.

In Bhutan, the permits are all included in the Minimum Daily Package that you pay for the trekking tour, as are all the other benefits of trekking in Bhutan, including guide, driver, trekking guide, porters, and support team to set up your next campsite and cook your meals.

Bhutan Trekking or Nepal Trekking, which One to Choose?

Which trekking destination you actually decide on really depends on what you are looking for in a trekking destination. Nepal is an amazing place to trek, with its massive peaks and high-altitude trails. However, after decades of being the most popular trekking destination in the world, Nepal is very commercialized in terms of hiking, with teahouses along all the major trails, thousands of trekkers taking the same route as you do along the trail, often at the same time, and a more basic culture of trekking that puts getting it done at the top of the priorities. What’s more, the trails in Nepal can often become packed in the peak season, and it is not uncommon on the EBC trek to be in a line of hikers all heading to the mountain’s base camp, like a long train of people.

Bhutan however, has a different outlook on trekking. Most of the trails in Bhutan run through isolated areas where few towns and villages lie, with theexception of the specific cultural treks that follow trails through multiple villages in the east of the country. These off-the-beaten-path style treks are much more interesting, and the main feature of the trek is the trekking, not the finishing. With the exciting landscapes, unique culture, and amazing scenery, trekking in Bhutan is more about the experience that you get along the trail than being able to say “I did it!” The journey is the main feature of Bhutanese treks.

How to arrange a trekking tour in Bhutan and Nepal ?

How to Arrange a Bhutan Trekking Tour

For a trekking tour in Bhutan, you need to first contact a travel agency that is registered with the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) for trekking in the kingdom. Once you have decided on the trek you want, and the rest of the tour as well, you will need to provide your passport as a scanned color copy, for the travel agency to apply for your entry visa. The Bhutan visa is issued as a letter for you to be able to book and board your flight, and your actual visa is stamped into your passport when you arrive. However, this is not a Visa on Arrival service, and you cannot get the visa without the pre-arranged tour. All of this makes it very easy to arrange a trekking tour in Bhutan, as everything is done for you.

How to Arrange a Nepal Trekking Tour

For a trekking tour in Nepal, you literally have to do everything yourself, unless you book with an expensive travel agency in Kathmandu. From obtaining the visa, and the permits for trekking, to organizing the gear you need, finding and hiring a registered guide (if you want one. Your guide will be the one to arrange porters if you need them), buying or hiring your gear, including tents, arranging travel to the trailhead, etc. The amount of organization required can be a little daunting, but it is well worth it for the high-altitude experience you will get.

How to Trek in both Nepal and Bhutan

If you are planning a trek in both Nepal and Bhutan together, then it is possible to use the same travel agency for both destinations. Here at Bhutan Vista, we can organize your tour of Bhutan, including the arrangements for your treks and other requirements. We can also help you with organizing your trekking trip to Nepal, as we have decades of experience in organizing tours in the country, which can remove some of the requirements you will need to handle yourself.

Conclusion of Trekking in Bhutan v.s. Trekking in Nepal

So is it better to trek in Bhutan or inNepal? Well, it still depends on what you are looking for in a trek. If you prefer the high altitudes and high mountains, with plenty of more commercial aspects along the trails, then Nepal is the ideal destination. However, if you are more inclined to trekking in out of the way locations, experiencing the unique cultures of the locals, and do not really want to carry 50 kilos of gear along the trail with you or cook at the end of the day, then the unique trekking experience of Bhutan is just perfect.