Typical Day on a Trek in Bhutan

Trekking in Bhutan offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in unspoiled nature and traditional ways of life. Here’s what a typical day on the trail looks like:

Morning Routine

Your day begins early, around 6:00-7:00 AM, with hot tea or coffee served to your tent, followed by a bowl of warm water for freshening up. You’ll pack your duffel bag and leave it outside for the support crew to load onto pack animals.

By 7:30–8:00 AM, a hearty breakfast is served—usually including porridge, eggs, toast, fruit, tea, and coffee. Meanwhile, the crew takes down the tents, cleans the campsite, organizes gear, and begins loading the horses or yaks.

This process may seem like a chore, but it’s done quickly and efficiently—often while you’re still finishing breakfast or getting ready.

Lunch well earned after hard day crossing Gangla Karchung Pass. ( Snowman Trek) Oct 2014 Courtesy Kirill and olga

On the Trail

Once everything is packed, you and your guide begin the day’s hike, usually by 8:00 AM. You walk at your own pace, stopping as needed to admire views, take photos, or catch your breath. All you need to carry is a small daypack with essentials such as a water bottle, camera, jacket, and personal items.

The trekking terrain varies from gentle valleys and forests to steep high passes with panoramic views of the Himalayas. Expect to walk for 4–7 hours depending on the trail and altitude.

Lunch Break

Around midday, you’ll stop for a hot lunch or a packed picnic, depending on the trail conditions and location. Meals are prepared and served by your cook and crew, and typically include tea, coffee, juice, and a nourishing main dish to keep your energy up for the afternoon leg of the hike.

Arrival at Camp

By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at the next campsite. While you rest, the staff will:

Pitch sleeping tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, and toilet tents
Prepare hot tea or coffee with light snacks
Provide hot water for freshening up

The dining tent becomes the social hub, warmly lit by gas lanterns that also provide heat. There’s an endless supply of hot beverages, and sometimes local alcoholic drinks are available for those who’d like to enjoy a toast under the stars.

Evening & Dinner

Between 6:00–8:00 PM, a full-course dinner is served, often including soup, rice, noodles, vegetables, meat dishes, and dessert.

After dinner, most trekkers relax, journal, stargaze, or simply unwind from the day’s trek. When it’s time to sleep, your crew provides hot water bottles to keep your sleeping bag cozy. You’ll sleep in a two-person tent on foam mats, with all your gear inside the tent. Bhutanese staff sleep nearby in their own tents.

Trekking in Bhutan