Bhutan – Haa Valley and Tiger’s Nest Bumdra Trek

Experience Required

This trek is graded 1B and part of our Start Trekking programme. It is a fully supported camping trek.

No trekking experience is required. Anyone with a good level of fitness can complete this trek. The trek covers 2 scenic short treks in Bhutan in 4 days. Haa Valley Trek is with undulating mountain terrain that brings you to the highest point at Sagala Pass (3550m). Bumdra Trek is a mostly uphill climb on day 1 and downhill hike on day 2 with the highest point at Bumdra Lhakhang (3900m). You will be trekking for 4 days with a 5-6kg backpack load in undulating mountain terrain and sleeping for 2 nights at above 3000m. The shortest day is around 3-4 hours and the longest day is around 5-6 hours.

Equipment and Gear

You will need thermal base layers, a fleece jacket and an outer shell jacket. When at the campsite and after sundown, a down jacket will help keep you warm. A down sleeping bag is also needed and provided.

A packing list will be provided to all our participants. Please refer to our Resource Centre page for information on the layering system and how to choose the right gear/equipment for your trek.

• You can form a private group for this tour. For enquiry, send an email to us at contact@aceadventure.com.sg.

Inclusions

• Return SIN/PBH/SIN air ticket, airline taxes and fuel surcharge
• Bhutan tourist visa fee
• Return airport transfer and all land transfer as in itinerary
• All sightseeing and entrance fees as in itinerary
• Meals as in itinerary
• Boiled drinking water, tea and coffee during meals on trek.
• Accommodation: Standard local hotels in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha (twin/triple sharing); homestay in Haa Valley; sleeping tents during trek (twin sharing)
• Camping equipment: Sleeping mats and bags, sleeping tents, dining tents with tables and chairs, and toilet tents
• Trek support: Trekking guide, assistant trekking guide and horses for portage support
• Permits & fees: Trekking permit fee
• Emergency support: Comprehensive first aid kit carried by guide

Exclusions

• International air tickets for other routes, except SIN/PBH/SIN
• Single supplement
• Meals not indicated in itinerary
• All tipping
• Personal porters
• Personal travel insurance (mandatory to cover travel agent insolvency and trekking up to 4500m)
• Personal expenses like shopping, laundry, etc.
• Personal travel & trekking gear
• Compensation for damaged or lost of personal items (e.g. climbing/trekking gear and equipment, cameras and any valuable items, etc.)
• Emergency evacuation and medical expenses
• Any expenses including accommodation, meals & transfer outside the stipulated trek/climb itinerary – i.e. any person leaving the group for personal travel, illness/injury or any form of extension of stay

Pre-trip Support

1. Trip briefing and information kit
2. Gear list and gear discount from selected Singapore outdoor outfitters
3. Complimentary group training sessions
4. Rope skill workshop (For climbs that require rope up and/or fixed rope skill)

Local Support

We carefully select and establish strong working relationship with our local trek operator to ensure safe participation by everyone.

Our local climbing guides have extensive experience in guiding treks in all regions in Bhutan, possess  intimate knowledge of the local surroundings, conditions and culture. They carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergency purpose.

Visa

Participants for Ace Adventure Expeditions’ organised trips, you will be assisted with your visa application.

With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa. 

Indian, Bangladeshis and  Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).  

All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by our licensed Bhutanese partner directly.

You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to us and we will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 1 month prior to your travel date.

At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.

For latest updates and details of visa application, please visit https://www.mfa.gov.bt/?page_id=220.

Money

The Bhutanese ngultrum (Nu) is pegged to the Indian rupee and not available outside Bhutan.

You can spend Indian Rupees in Bhutan. Bring US dollars, as they are the easiest currency to change. You receive better exchange rates for high value (USD100) notes and also in some of the luxury hotels. Euros and GBP are also accepted throughout. ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard.

Major hotels, restaurants and handicrafts shops in Bhutan accept credit cards. Otherwise, in smaller shops, and in rural areas, it is best to use cash.

Electricity

Bhutan’s electricity is 230V and 50HZ. There are mainly 2 types of plugs used in Bhutan. Two narrow round pins (Type F) is the most common, useable with most European plugs; and three-pronged thick round pins (Type D).

Language

The national language is Dzongkha, the native language of the Ngalops of western Bhutan. Dzongkha literally means the language spoken in the Dzongs, massive fortresses that serve as the administrative centres and monasteries. Besides this, Bhutan is linguistically rich with over nineteen dialects spoken, differentiated by the geographical locations of the various ethnic groups.

English is the medium of instruction in schools so it is widely spoken, especially those working in the tourist service industry.

Drinking Water

It is not advisable to drink untreated water in Bhutan. Bottled water is provided in the car during the day of your travel. You can also buy bottled water for consumption in your hotel room. On the trek, boiled drinking water is provided at camp.

Tipping

Tipping is not traditionally a culture in Bhutan. However, with the growth of tourism, tipping in Bhutan has become an expected thing among guides and drivers.

Your meals are included in the tour package, except drinks. You can tip a 10% to the drink bill (if any), or do not have to tip if there is a 10% service charge, along with 10% Bhutan sales tax added to your bill.

Culture and Customs 

The Bhutanese are generally tolerant of Westerners and don’t expect that they will necessarily follow, or understand local customs, so they are not quick to take offence, but it is worth bearing in mind the following:

• Visitors are expected to dress modestly and respectfully especially on a visit to the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institutions. Long pants and long sleeved tops should be worn when visiting such places. As a mark of respect, be kind enough to remove your hats, caps etc. as you enter religious and administrative premises, institutions and in any other place that you come across with the national flag being raised.
• Follow your guide’s lead on this – it is customary to remove your shoes on entering the important rooms of temples (and indeed private houses).
• Don’t point at people or religious objects or pictures. If you are indicating something in a painting, use your whole hand, palm upwards, pointing the tips of your fingers in the relevant direction. If you are waving someone towards you use your hand palm downwards.
• Remember that you should always turn prayer wheels or navigate round a chorten, religious monument or temple in a clockwise direction. 

• Photography and filming inside temples is not allowed. Please ask if they mind before taking pictures of local people.
• It is polite to take any items offered to you (or to hold something out to another person) with two hands. This is also often done when shaking hands. If you only use one hand to take something from someone make sure it is the right hand.
• Don’t touch people on the head or feet (although this rule does not apply to small children), and don’t point your feet at anyone. If you are sitting on the floor try to sit cross-legged or kneel with your feet behind you.
• Don’t give money or candy to local children. It will encourage them to beg whenever they see foreigners. Instead you could leave small donations to schools or the village development fund so that the money can be used to benefit the whole community.
• In an effort to become the first smoke free nation, Bhutan has prohibited the sale of tobacco and smoking in public areas. However, tourists are allowed to bring a limited quantity of tobacco products for their personal consumptions & subject to payment of 100% custom duty and 100% sales tax. Any excess quantity is subject to confiscation. Further, tourists are permitted to smoke at designated smoking areas only.

Travel Safety Advice

With evolving world situations that may occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, pandemics/epidemics, conflicts and unrests, it is best to read up and keep tabs on news and developments at your destination country and region before the trip. Check on the country’s official website and/or your own foreign ministry website for any travel advisory or safety precautions to be taken while abroad.

As with traveling in anywhere in the world, regardless of the local crime rate, stay vigilant and take care of personal safety. Good to read up on any possible exposure in the country prior to departure.

It is a good practice to register with your respective foreign ministry if there is such a service provided to citizens, to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g. natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.) occur when you are overseas.

For Singaporeans, this is the link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ eRegister:
https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action.

Travel Insurance

It is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance(s), upon payment of your trip, to cover adverse situations that may occur while you are overseas or even before departure. Ensure that the coverage is suitable for your destination and the activities that you are participating in. Be familiar with the terms and conditions before purchasing and travelling abroad.

Travel Immunization Advice 

There is no compulsory vaccine to be taken to enter Bhutan. You should, however, be up to date on routine vaccinations, especially vaccines against water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (examples: hepatitis, typhoid and tuberculosis) while traveling to any destination. You are encouraged to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.

Recommended routine vaccinations for travellers in general:

For more information and professional advice on travel vaccinations, please consult your doctor or travel clinic.

For people residing in Singapore, you may visit The Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic (THVC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital:

Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic
Address: Level 4, Clinic 4B, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre
Contact number: 6357 2222
Website : https://www.ttsh.com.sg/Patients-and-Visitors/Medical-Services/Travellers-Health-and-Vaccination-Clinic/Pages/default.aspx.