Alternative Trekking Routes in Bhutan
Bhutan’s treks are legendary, but most stick to well-trodden paths like the Druk Path or Jomolhari Base Camp. Here we present some offbeat trekking routes where you’re likely to have the trail to yourself and experience raw wilderness and cultural encounters beyond the ordinary:
- Meri Puensum Trek (Haa Valley): This short, rewarding trek (1–2 days) takes you through the pristine forests of Haa to a viewpoint facing the “Meri Puensum” – three sacred brother peaks that guard Haa Valley. Hardly anyone except locals do this hike. Day 1, you climb past yak pastures and a sky burial site (yes, the fringe of Haa has one – your guide will advise how to behave respectfully if passing it) to a high ridge where all three summits line up spectacularly. Camp under the stars with Haa’s lights twinkling far below. Locals say you can hear the songs of the deities on this ridge at night – perhaps just the wind, perhaps more. Day 2, either summit a manageable sub-peak for 360° views (even Kanchenjunga on the distant horizon on clear days) or descend leisurely, picking wild azaleas in season. This trek is offbeat yet low logistical stress – you could even do it homestay-to-homestay without camping, if arranged with Haa yak herders. It’s ideal for those wanting solitude (likely no other trekkers, just a shepherd or two) and a spiritual vibe without a huge time commitment.
- Nub Tshonapata (Hidden Lake of Haa): For the adventurous, a 3–4 day trek deeper in Haa leads to Nub Tshonapata, a remote high-altitude lake imbued with legend. The trail, barely maintained, crosses three passes around 4,500m. You’ll need a local Haa yak herder as guide (the route isn’t marked). On Day 2, cresting the Sekila pass, the lake suddenly appears below – a vivid turquoise disk amid rocky outcrops. You’ll camp by the lake’s shore, likely alongside migratory yak caravans or maybe solitary blue sheep coming to drink. At dawn, the mirror-like water reflects the surrounding peaks. Locals seldom visit except annually to perform rituals as they believe Nub Tshonapata is home to a lake serpent deity – so be mindful of not polluting or shouting loud (your guide will likely toss in juniper and rice as an offering). The trail continues in a loop, passing another smaller “tartan lake” and traces of ancient nomadic camps (you might find old tent rings or goat horns left on cairns). This trek is tough (long daily distances, no villages), but in terms of offbeat, it scores 10/10 – you can trek days here without seeing a soul, immersed in Himalayan silence aside from perhaps the whistle of a marmot. It’s Bhutan’s wild west in the far west.
- Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek: Though not completely unknown, the Dagala trek (south of Thimphu) is far less frequented than other treks, and it offers a chain of jewel-like lakes over 5–6 days. It’s called “Thousand Lakes” not because there are literally that many, but because there are dozens – some big, most small, each in its own cradle of meadows. Off season, you might not meet any other group. What makes it unconventional is the fishing (some lakes have trout and local guides can teach you Bhutanese fly fishing techniques) and the chance to interact with yak herders who summer here. Trekkers often enjoy a spontaneous cup of butter tea in a black yak-hair tent en route – herders here are friendly and curious, since they see relatively few tourists. On clear days, you’ll see all Bhutan’s highest peaks in one sweep – Everest and Kanchenjunga even – a sight the common treks don’t offer. At certain lakes like Utso or Relitso, you might see signs of local worship – small stupas or offering vessels by the shore – which remind you these aren’t just pretty picnic spots, but revered sites for Thimphu villagers who sometimes pilgrimage up to honor lake deities. The Dagala trek is moderate in difficulty and starts just a short drive from Thimphu, yet it feels worlds away. In recent years, it’s picking up a bit, but it’s still quiet. If you want classic Himalayan scenery (clear lakes, snowy backdrops, alpine flowers) without the Jomolhari crowd, Dagala is your trek.
- Bumthang Owl Trek: This 2–3 day trek is named for the owls that sing out at night in the forests above Bumthang. While it starts near a popular monastery (Tharpaling), once you ascend into the woods, you leave day hikers behind. It’s a loop that goes through virgin hemlock and fir forests, across open pastures used by nomadic cow herders, up to Kiki La pass (~3,860m) where you’re greeted by a panorama of central Bhutan’s valleys. At night, camping at a site like Drangela, you indeed will likely hear the call of brown wood owls or spotted owlets – your guides might even imitate their calls to start a “conversation.” The trek’s highlight is less about big mountains (though you see them) and more about experiencing rural Bhutan heartland: you pass by villages like Dhur, where people may invite you for tea seeing you trekking (few do this route, so they’re eager to welcome). One unconventional aspect is you can tie this trek with a local home visit – for instance, start or end in a village, spending a night in a farmhouse instead of a tent. There’s an optional side-hike to Pelphey Ling, a meditation retreat in a cliff where monks live in rock caves – not on tourist maps at all. If you are respectful, you might talk to the head monk who rarely sees outsiders, a memorable encounter. The Owl trek is a great offbeat add-on in Bumthang for those who want to get off the road and onto undulating trails where the only traffic is a herd of cattle coming from summer pastures.
(When undertaking these offbeat treks, be prepared in terms of gear and have a good local guide. Off-the-grid trekking in Bhutan means no guesthouses or obvious trail signs – it’s part exploration, part trust in your guide’s knowledge. Also, consider timing: many high routes are snowbound in winter and tricky in monsoon. Spring and autumn are ideal. The reward is absolute immersion in nature and culture – you and your small crew under Bhutan’s deep blue skies, forging connections with the land that few travelers ever touch.)
