Bhutan

The Trip-Finder, January 1998
Bhutan

Trekking to the World’s Highest Unclimbed Peak

The Route: A 13-day trek recently opened to Westerners. You begin near Bumthang and head north along the Dhur Chu river, over 15,500-foot Togli La pass, and down the Chamkhar Chu valley to a camp below 24,742-foot Gangkar Puensum.

When to go: May, October to November

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Travel advisory: The Bhutanese government has recently announced an increase in trekking fees from $120 to $200 per person per day, ensuring that Bhutan remains the world’s most expensive and exclusive trekking country.

High/low points:

• Walking the scenic cliffhanger trails to Tiger’s Nest monastery, which narrow to a foot wide.
• Walking the trails after they’ve narrowed to a foot wide.

Copyright 1998, Outside magazine