Yaksha Trek

The best times to trek in Bhutan are in the months of April and October. The weather is very unpredictable and the chance of a completely blue sky is very rare. You can do the low-altitude treks and other routes for other seasons as well.

Trekking in Bhutan requires you to be physically fit. It is not necessary for you to be in great shape. Any normal person without a disability can do the trek with relative ease. A trekker gains approximately 500 meters in a day. For strenuous treks like Snow Man Trek, Jumolhari, or Laya-Gasa Trek, you need to be mentally prepared besides being physically fit.

At least two of you must embark on any of the trekking expeditions in Bhutan.

No, you do not need any special equipment. All the necessary equipment for the trek is provided by the trekking company itself. Except you need to bring your personal belongings.

The following would be the things you should bring if you feel like it:

• Strong, comfortable trekking boots; water-resistant for the rainy periods, June to August
• Sunscreen cream
• Flash light
• Raincoat (especially during rainy seasons, from June to August)
• Head gear/hat/cap
• Sun and rain protection
• (During the trek, boiled water is available at all times)
• In case of altitude sickness, take aspirin
• Lots of socks
• Warm clothes

Personal

• Strong normal clothing (seasonally appropriate)
• Cotton is preferred for summer, with woolen clothing for evenings and winter
• Strong, comfortable trekking boots, water resistant for the rainy periods (June to August)

Yes, it is absolutely safe as your security and personal protection are taken care of by the trekking agency, which is licensed by the Government of Bhutan. No, personal trekking or visits to the country are allowed without a package being booked by one. So, once you have paid for your package, you are a protected person within the country from any bodily harm. You have a local with you at all times.

It is requested that you get yourself insured for trekking in Bhutan. The insurance should cover medical treatment, theft and rescue—helicopter rescue operation:

There are no helicopters available in Bhutan. As such, immediate rescue by helicopter is not possible as there will be so many formalities involved in bringing a helicopter from India. While you are trekking in Bhutan, if you happen to fall sick, the guide will relay the message to us and we will act appropriately.

Except for Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians, all other nationalities require a visa to enter Bhutan.

All visas are issued from Thimphu, and visas are only issued to tourists booked with a licensed local tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent. Visas are issued only when you arrive in the country, either at Paro Airport or (if by road) at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, or Samdrup Jongkhar.

To enable us to process your visa on time on your behalf and get the visa clearance for you, your visa application must reach us at least 60 days before the date of your travel. The immigration department will then issue a visa authorization letter to enable you to board the Druk Air flight to Bhutan. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport when you arrive at the four entry points.

The visa fee is $40 USD.

For your booking to be processed, we will require a non-refundable deposit of $300, which can be made by bank transfer or online payment. The balance of payment should be made a week before your arrival. Booking should be made sixty days in advance for your visa to be approved by the immigration authorities of Bhutan.

The following information is needed to process your trekking package and visa to the country:

• Name exactly as it appears on the passport
• Passport number
• Expiry date
• Place of issue
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Occupation
• Emergency contact names and phone numbers
• Photocopy of a passport
• Details regarding any medical or dietary requirements
• Your arrival details (time, date, flight number, and airline)

The above information can be sent electronically via email attachment.

You will typically walk 4 to 9 miles (5 to 8 hours) every day. Some days may be rest days for impromptu exploration. In high and steep areas, you may move more slowly. You will carry only a light pack. All the rest are carried by donkeys, mules, and yaks.

Altitude sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Bhutan. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia or sleeplessness
• Persistent headaches
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Drunken gait
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Lassitude
• Heavy legs
• Slight swelling of hands and face
• Breathlessness and breathing irregularly
• Reduced urine output

These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In the event of the appearance of any of the above symptoms, any further ascent should be reconsidered; otherwise more serious problems can occur, which can cause death, sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for altitude sickness is to descend to a lower elevation immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters and proper rest are the best methods for the prevention of AMS.

You will have three meals each day, plus snacks. Breakfast usually includes a choice of toast, eggs, hot cereal, and hot beverages. Lunch may be prepared hot or served as a picnic, always with a choice of beverages. Dinner is a major meal with 5–6 main courses, usually including salad and/or soup, several vegetable dishes, and a meat dish. There will be a fruit dessert and hot beverages. We gladly cater to vegetarians. We combine elements of Western and Asian cuisines.

In a typical camping trek, each pair of trekkers will sleep in a spacious mountain tent, which is durable from rain, flies, and insects and is fully insect netted. The tent is fitted with foam mattresses.

Please have them contact at any of the following numbers:

• Cells: +977-9841250258, +977-9841269376
• We frequently check our mails throughout the day, so you could write to us at: info@green-lotus-trekking.com