BHUTAN -ADVENTURE

ADVENTURE

BHUTAN’s mountainous geography and rugged topography provide exciting opportunities for adventure activities of all kinds. From hiking, trekking and kayaking to river rafting, mountain biking and fishing, the choice is abundant. Bhutan truly offers one of a kind experience for travelers seeking adventure in an unspoiled and unexplored environment.

TREKKING

 Bhutan’s rich natural environment makes it a trekker’s paradise. It is bountiful destination for nature lovers with virgin mountain lakes, imposing glaciers, rich Himalayan ecosystem which is home to many endangered birds and animals. Most trekking routes are in the northern parts of the country taking you teasingly close to the snowlines and letting you experience amazing natural landscape.

From a short 2 to 3 day trek to a gueling trek of 31 days called the Snowman trek – considered to be the toughest trek in the world– Bhutan offers all kinds of trekking experience. Most trekking routes also offers a wonderful opportunity for wildlife enthusiast and photographers.

MOUNTAIN BIKING/CYCLING

The rugged, mountainous terrain of Bhutan provides an ideal landscape for mountain biking. It offers both on road and off road trails with breathtaking scenery. The sport is gaining popularity among both visitors and Bhutanese alike.

There is a variety of biking routes available ranging from smooth journeys on paved roads to challenging off road dirt trails that wind through rough terrain. The sport offers a certain intimacy with the environment that is seldom experienced in vehicles.

There are numerous opportunities for optional hikes with a bit of climbing throw in- with one in particular that is more than 7 hours. You peddle the pads over 2 miles (3400 meter) above sea level. Your effort is rewarded with a breathtaking view and unforgettable experience. Riders should have an adequate level of fitness and stamina and be experiences enough in the art of mountain biking. Tours are fully supported by a van following riders. The van allow riders to rest should they require it.Many of the biking trails lead through small villages and temples which can provide interesting and informative diversions should you wish to take a break.

KAYAKING AND RAFTING

The glacier fed rivers of Bhutan originating in the eastern Himalayas and gushing down to the southern foothills provide an ideal challenge for water sports like kayaking and rafting. The pristine natural setting and the sheer variety of the rivers’ courses provide a unique opportunity to explore Bhutan’s beautiful wilderness.

Adventurous travelers will not be disappointed by the rugged, untamed waterways of Bhutan. The rivers are plentiful with strong currents varying between slow, gentle flows in some places and powerful, raging torrents that can be found throughout the country. Although adventure sports and tourism are relatively recent introduction to Bhutan, they are rapidly gaining popularity.

He river courses available in Bhutan offer something for all visitors, regardless of experience: there are

Easy routes for beginners and hair raising runs for the veterans. Besides the rafts and the kayaks, Bhutanese agents also organize walking and trekking expeditions along the scenic riverbanks. The best time for rafting and kayaking is from March to April and November to December.

BIRDWATCHING

Bhutan is increasingly being described as the birding capital of the world. Bhutan boasts of about 800-900 species of birds ( experts believe that there are many yet to be spotted) which is almost equal to the 925 species found in the US and Canada combined. About 50 species of the known birds are winter migrants). These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings. The country harbors more than 16 species of vulnerable birds.

Bhutan is home to many species of birds that are in danger of extinction, including the Imperial Heron, which is one of the fifty rarest birds in the world and the rare Black Necked crane, which breads in Tibet then migrates over the Himalayas to Bhutan during the winter months. The cranes can be spotted in Phobjikha valley in cistern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan and in Bomdeling in eastern Bhutan. They migrate to these winter roosting sites in the months of September and October and fly back to Tibet between February and March