Treasures of the Himalayas: Tibet, Nepal & Bhutan

For maximum enjoyment of the trip (and the wonderful scenery, food, and history that are a part of it), you must be in fit shape and ready to walk. We strongly urge you to train for the trip with regular exercise.

Tibet
Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, is located at around 12,000 feet in altitude. Its climate is temperate semi-arid, with cold winters and mild summers. Tibet actually experiences four distinct seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with dramatic regional temperature variations. Summer months range from 50°F to 80°F and autumn months range from 30°F to 60°F.

Nepal
Nepal lies at the same latitude as Florida, but altitude is the main factor governing temperatures. In the semitropical lowlands of Kathmandu (altitude 4,000 feet), daytime temperatures can be quite warm, in the 70°Fs and 80°Fs, with cool, misty nights. It rarely snows below 7,000 feet.

Bhutan
Bhutan is known to have the most unpredictable weather in the Himalaya, so it is best to be prepared for a range of conditions. During spring (mid-March to early June) in the Thimphu and Paro regions, daytime temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F but colder spells are not unusual. The autumn season arrives in September and lasts until mid-November. At this time, skies tend to be clearer and temperatures lower, sometimes falling to below freezing at night. Clouds often form in the afternoons, disappearing at night to reveal brilliantly starry skies. At altitudes above 10,000 feet, daytime temperatures can be in the 60°Fs but as low as the 30°Fs and 40°Fs if it is windy. Evening temperatures at these higher altitudes often drop to around 15°F and sometimes lower. Rain and snow are not uncommon at any time of year making waterproof rain gear a necessity for Bhutan.

The hotels have been chosen for their comfortable amenities and location, but please note that the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. We stay in comfortable hotels in Sichuan, Lhasa, and Kathmandu. Our hotels in Paro and Thimphu offer a great deal of comfort, but the lodge in Punakha is somewhat rustic. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.

Tibetan cuisine is based on noodles with simple vegetables and meat, along with momos (similar to Chinese steamed dumplings) with meat or vegetables. In Kathmandu, there is a wide variety of international cuisine available, along with Nepali cuisine, which has Indian and Tibetan influences. Bhutan’s cuisine is generally based on basic rice with stir-fry and stew options.

We will be going to high elevation on this trip. It is not uncommon to experience headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue at altitude. These can occur when you first arrive at higher elevations and usually decrease in severity with time. We have designed this itinerary to allow for appropriate rest and acclimatization, but for your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. While on trip, be sure to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid pushing yourself too hard, however physically fit you may be or feel. You can learn more about altitude and how to prepare for it in our video linked here.