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