The Hidden Kingdom Trek

This is one of our longest Bhutanese treks, and one, which we have successfully run every year since 1988. It has everything remoteness, fantastic mountains, fascinating villages and monasteries/ fortresses, all within a Kingdom which itself is culturally unique in the Himalaya.

The trek starts from Paro, where we strike out towards the Tibetan boarder into Bhutan's mountains northwest corner. The route takes us beneath Chomolhari, 23997 ft/ 7314m, the country's second highest mountain, and Jichu Drake, 22500 ft/6858m, first climb by a joint British –Indian expedition in 1988. You may be lucky enough to see bears, herd's of ‘blue sheep', taken and many varieties of eagle, and perhaps even the Yeti, known here as the ‘Dredmo'. According to the local people this is a large, hairy, man –like creature which roams the hillsides, whistling ‘like a policeman'.

The semi tropical and alpine forest we pass through on the first day and a half of the trek also contain a wealth of flowers and plants. Many varieties of small, pretty birds flit through the undergrowth, which changes character as we climb higher, the main villages in the area, are Lingshi, Laya and Gasa. Their mountain tribes- people, dressed in their yak wool clothes and conical, bamboo hats, see few visitors.

To reach this little known area is not easy and involves crossing passes up to 16000 ft/5000m high, over a total distance of some 150 miles However, rest days occur at timely intervals, including a stay near the hot sulfurous springs of Gasa. The hidden Kingdom Trek has proved very popular and is without doubt one of the finest treks in the Himalaya.

Day to Day Itinerary (26 days)

Fact Finder

Duration:	26 days
Trip Details:	4 nights in Kathmandu Airfare Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu Local leader, Guides, Cook, Cooks assistant to prepare meals Porters/yaks to carry equipments and rations Portable altitude chamber
Activities:	Cultural, Walking, Camping
Grade:
Mode of Travel:	Private coach
Group & Staff:	Min 2, Max 12, Responsible Adventures leader, local guides plus driver
Accomodation:	9 nights Hotels & Lodges, 17 nights camping in tents
Trip Dates:	11th October - 5th November 2008 10th October - 4th November 2009
Land Costs: Local Payment:	USD $4500 USD $455
	(Guaranteed to run for a minimum of 2 clients )

Inclusions

Included:
4 nights in 5 Star Hotel in Kathmandu on fullboard basis, Kathmandu Paro return airfare all transfers, meals on the trek and hotel, accommodation on twin sharing, entrance fee, local leader and porters on the trek, food for porters & crew members,insurance for crew and porters that includes helicopter evacuation when necessary and medical treatment, trek permit, park fees, staff insurance etc. Transport, accommodation, and sightseeing as indicated.

Not Included:
International airport taxes, visas, all optional additional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips(suggested amount; US$50 per week)and items of a personal nature.