Bhutan: Trekking in the Land of the Thunder Dragon

Bhutan, known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a place where culture, spirituality, and nature intertwine beautifully. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, it offers trekkers not just trails, but pathways to a different world, characterized by serene landscapes, majestic monasteries, and a philosophy centered around happiness and harmony with nature.

Iconic Trails

Bhutan's trails are as varied as they are breathtaking. The Jomolhari Trek is perhaps the most famous, taking adventurers close to the majestic Jomolhari peak, at over 7,300 meters. The Druk Path Trek, another popular route, offers a shorter but equally stunning experience, connecting Paro to Thimphu and passing through rhododendron forests, alpine yak pastures, and ancient lhakhangs (temples).

Gross National Happiness

Unique to Bhutan is its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which prioritizes the well-being of its citizens and the preservation of its culture and environment over mere economic growth. This philosophy extends to its approach to tourism, emphasizing sustainable travel and cultural respect. Trekkers are invited not just to explore the land but to engage with its values, contributing to the preservation of Bhutan's unique environment and way of life.

Flora and Fauna

As a biodiversity hotspot, Bhutan is home to a range of ecosystems, from subtropical plains to alpine zones. Trekkers might encounter rare species like the snow leopard, red panda, or takin (Bhutan's national animal) alongside a variety of birdlife. The country's commitment to conservation ensures that these natural treasures continue to thrive.

Mindful Travel

Traveling in Bhutan requires a mindfulness of its delicate ecosystems and rich cultural fabric. Trekkers are encouraged to minimize their environmental impact, respect the local customs and spiritual sites, and engage with communities in a way that is sensitive and supportive. Bhutan's policy of high value, low impact tourism means that visitor numbers are controlled, ensuring that travel remains sustainable and beneficial to both visitors and hosts.

Trekking in Bhutan is an opportunity to step into a world that balances modernity with tradition, and development with conservation. It's a chance to witness the Himalayas' grandeur, delve into ancient Buddhist culture, and experience a society where happiness and harmony are central. As you walk the sacred paths of this last Shangri-La, carry with you a sense of reverence and responsibility, ensuring that the beauty and spirit of Bhutan continue to inspire for generations to come.

7 Ways to Travel More Sustainably on Your Next Adventure

1. Come prepared with helpful knowledge

Spend some time learning about the history and culture of the areas you plan to visit. Having a general background will provide a unique lens as you travel, plus your guides will be able to share more and help answer any questions in-country.

Be sure to research local customs before you arrive. What may be a friendly gesture in one country could be quite offensive in another. The easiest way to respect local customs is to know what they are.

Next, familiarize yourself with sustainability issues unique to that location. From water scarcity to animal welfare, every country (including your own) has unique and complex issues with sustainability. Get to know what issues your particular destination is facing to make responsible decisions while traveling.

Lastly, don’t forget to brush up on the local language. Bring a small notebook or make a note in your phone translating “hello/goodbye,” “yes/no”, “please/thank you,” plus a few more phrases that may come in handy. Learning just a few words of the language can go a long way. Don’t worry too much about your pronunciation, people always appreciate the effort!

2. Research your tour operator

Once in a lifetime trips are a big investment, and cost is always a factor when deciding where to travel. You may spend a few years saving to climb Kilimanjaro or visit Easter Island, but before booking the cheapest deal out there, consider the tour operator and why it costs what it does.  

Responsible travel operators choose suppliers that have good environmental practices and are locally owned, they pay their staff fair wages, manage their own environmental impact, and consider animal welfare. While this can be difficult to verify, look for operators who opt-in to third party verification. Partner companies of the Kilimanjaro Porter’s Assistance Project are audited annually (and on every climb) for proper wages and fair treatment of porters. Travel companies with B Corp certification have had their business verified to meet a high standard of sustainability and are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Greenwashing is rampant in most industries these days - be sure to look for official certifications.

It’s a fine balance between finding something affordable and ensuring that your money is being well spent. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! 

3. Offset the carbon emissions from your flight 

It’s hard to avoid flying across continents to reach your next travel destination. Unfortunately, the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases in the travel industry are long-haul flights. The first and most important step is to invest in projects that offset your flight’s emissions to achieve climate neutrality. Luckily, it’s affordable and shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.

First, find a reputable organization that has been vetted and is transparent about the projects that they fund. (OneSeed currently uses South Pole to offset all expeditions and internal operations). Next, input your flight itinerary and your carbon emissions will be calculated by the metric ton. Lastly, choose a carbon offset project to fund like forest reforestation, clean cooking stoves, and renewable energy projects.

While methods like carbon capture and sequestration would help move the needle beyond just net-zero, they aren’t yet available or affordable to the masses. It’s important to not let perfect get in the way of good. Changing habits slowly over time helps shift mindsets towards the importance of protecting our planet. 

Other flights tips and tricks to lower your impact:

• Minimize air travel

• Take nonstop flights whenever possible  

• Fly economy rather than business or first class as you’re responsible for less of the calculated emissions based on available space

4. Bring a reusable water bottle filter

The amount of plastic filling our landfills and oceans is overwhelming. Microplastics are being found in our drinking water, even contaminating water and wildlife as far south as Antarctica. While big business and manufacturing need to change, we can always do our part.  

Commit to using a reusable water bottle wherever you go, whether that’s at home or traveling abroad. When you’re in countries where the water is not safe to drink, it can be easy to reach for bottled water as it’s cheap and easy. Keep in mind that many countries don’t have an efficient recycling system, so that plastic bottle is likely going straight into the trash.

The best option is to bring a reusable water bottle and filter system. Try a SteriPen that purifies water through UV light. Water treatment tablets work well and don’t take up much room. A water bottle filter like GRAYL can be an easy all-in-one solution where you fill the water bottle and push the lid filter down to purify the water in about 15 seconds. Being prepared with a water filter system ensures that you can drink from the tap in your hotel, a spigot along the trail, or from a river or lake without the worry of getting sick.

5. Support local business, not chains or imports

Shopping local is a great way to ensure an economy and community thrive. Whether you’re traveling with a tour operator or on your own, make sure to stay at hotels that are locally owned and ideally have environmental best practices in place and/or give back to their local community. That goes for restaurants and other attractions that have private ownership as well. Consider venturing off-the-beaten-path from the more touristy neighborhoods or popular trekking routes to find a restaurant or store.  

Keep in mind, when shopping for handicrafts, art, and other souvenirs, your money can go a long way. While haggling is common in many cultures, pay what feels fair rather than the cheapest possible price. What amounts to just one or two US dollars means quite a bit more to someone selling a custom handicraft that likely took hours or days to make. It’s always helpful to research your destination to see what is customary when purchasing goods. Lastly, be sure to purchase locally made goods (not ones imported from other countries) to support local artisans.    

6. Give back responsibly

It’s great to want to give back when you travel. Instead of bringing miscellaneous items and gifts, ask your tour operator for recommendations or connect with a local nonprofit operating in the country. It’s best to ask first rather than assume as local organizations are the experts when it comes to what a community really needs, and what it doesn’t. 

Consider donating the outdoor gear you use on your trek. It can help out a porter and lighten your luggage on the way home. Depending on your destination, guides and porters often appreciate hiking boots or quality outdoor gear if you want to donate them when you leave. Talk to your tour operator first or ask your head guide what would be most helpful.

If you’re set on volunteering your time while abroad, due diligence is key. Short term volunteer opportunities can often undermine local initiatives without addressing the root cause of issues a particular country or population faces. Monetary and resource support, as well as long-term engagement with skilled individuals, has shown to be the most successful at addressing issues in developing countries. 

At OneSeed, our mission does not include volunteer opportunities, rather it offers travelers a way to directly bolster the local economy. By investing 10% of every trip cost in nonprofit microfinance partners, travelers help empower local entrepreneurs to launch or expand their business through collateral-free microloans. We do not visit borrowers during expeditions as we want to respect their time and privacy, and they are not always located near major cities or travel routes.

7. Remember how you got there

It’s been reported that more than 80% of the world’s population has never flown on an airplane. That may be hard to believe the next time you’re delayed in an overcrowded terminal, but it’s true. While traveling has its ups and downs, it’s important to remember why and how you got there. The freedom your citizenship and passport gives you to cross borders, to choose when and where you want to go is a great privilege. Most people will never have the opportunity to leave the country, let alone the region, they grew up in. Heading into a new adventure with the right mindset will really set the tone of your trip, and will help determine how you interact with the people and place.

Like anywhere in the world, most people welcome visitors with kindness and respect. Be sure to do the same and remember that you are in someone else’s home country and culture. Think twice before taking photos of people going about their daily lives and avoid photos of children. If you want to take someone’s photo, be sure to ask first. Some people may ask for money in exchange for a photo, which is not uncommon in high traffic tourist areas. Just agree on a price beforehand if you’re comfortable doing so.

And finally, remember that English is almost always a second or third language for everyone you will interact with while traveling. Frustrated that you can’t understand the shopkeeper’s broken English? It’s likely you can’t say as much in their own dialect. It’s pretty hard these days to travel far enough to see zero signs in English. Be grateful that the bathroom sign says “toilet” rather than “शौचालय”!

How to Assess Your Fitness for Mountain Trekking

So how difficult IS it to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? Or to hike all the way to Machu Picchu?

All of our expeditions are open to adventurers without previous trekking experience. Whether you want a relaxed walking tour or to push your limits with a high-altitude multi-day trek, our activity level scale indicates the expected level of fitness for each expedition.

It’s important to note that various factors that go into assigning a difficulty level to our trips. Those include altitude, whether it’s self supported (carrying your own pack), the difficulty of the terrain, the climate, and the length of time and miles on the trail.

LEVEL 1

• These expeditions do not have any fitness requirements. No hiking is required.

• The only Level 1 expedition we offer is the Serengeti Safari where most of your journey is spent in the car (walking discouraged for obvious reasons!)

LEVEL 2

• These expeditions include walking or a short hike.

• A great example would be the 5-day Taste of Peru trip. The perfect combination of sightseeing in town, exploring ancient ruins, and short hikes.

LEVEL 3

• These expeditions require an average level of fitness and the ability to hike over variable terrain. These are great first treks of 3-6 hours duration on a typical day.

• We offer a number of Level 3 trips, including our Hidden Colombia expedition. This trip requires several river crossings in hot and humid weather and a fair amount of hiking steep trails and stone steps.

LEVEL 4

• These expeditions require above average physical fitness. Treks may reach high altitudes and require high levels of physical exertion. No technical skills are required, and first-time trekkers are welcome. Typical days require 5-10 hours of trekking, and some expeditions include significant elevation changes.

• Most of our trips are rated as a Level 4. Our Ultimate Machu Picchu expedition is a great example of longer days with a few tough climbs up and over high mountain passes like Salkantay Pass. While this trek provides porters, the elevation and sections of steep trekking make it a solid 4.

LEVEL 5

• These expeditions require excellent physical fitness. Treks include longer days, greater elevation gain, and more challenging terrain at higher altitudes. Participants should expect high levels of physical exertion at times. Travelers joining these expeditions should be in good physical shape and should expect to hike all day.

• Our hardest treks are Everest Base Camp and our Kilimanjaro climbs. These expeditions earned a Level 5 due to the physical and mental challenges. Both require long days at very high altitudes. Despite being supported treks with porters, they both require stamina and the drive to conquer the mountain.

• You don’t need to be a skilled mountaineer to tackle these trips - just physically fit and mentally prepared for the once in a lifetime challenge head!

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Bhutan: The Hidden Gem of South Asia

Bhutan is a country that is relatively new to visitors having opened its borders to tourists in 1974. Teeming with temples, traditional festivals, and some of the happiest people you will ever meet, it’s the perfect place for an atypical adventure. Check out some of our top reasons to visit Bhutan:

1. Taktsang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

Built on a cliffside, the iconic monastery is an architectural marvel. Legend has it that the Guru Rinpoche traveled here 1,300 years ago on the back of a flying tigress to convert the Bhutanese people to Buddhism. While the structure itself clings to the mountain face, the path up is very accessible with many spots along the way to catch your breath and take in the stunning views.

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2. Wellness Over Profits (The Bhutanese Government Measures Gross National Happiness)

Prosperity of the country is measured in collective happiness rather than only gross domestic product. The term was introduced by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1972 when he declared, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product.” The concept of gross national happiness implies that all aspects of well-being be monitored rather than just economic prosperity. This includes monitoring psychological health, education, ecological diversity, and living standards. Bhutan has found that when they take an interest in their citizens’ happiness, employment rises and so does their GDP.  What comes along with happiness? Preservation of culture, promoting sustainable economic practices, and protecting the environment–in fact it’s law that 60% of the population live under tree cover.

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3. Care For The Environment

Speaking of Bhutan’s love of trees, they broke the world record for most trees planted in an hour with 50,000 trees in 2015. Stepping off the plane in Bhutan you can instantly notice the pristine air that you’re breathing into your lungs. Bhutan is the world’s only carbon-negative country meaning they expel more carbon than they create. This is true not only due to their massive amounts of forest area, but the country also only began developing roads in the 1960s and were very late in adopting cars.

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4. Spiritual Landmarks like Big Buddha

Thimpu is home to one of the largest statues of Buddha. Gilded in gold, the monument towers over the city and is visible from the surrounding mountains. As well as the Buddha Dordenma statue are multiple dzongs. These are beautiful fortresses that are used as government buildings, housing for monks, and the setting for religious holidays. Exploring the dzongs you will find traditional buddhist art, bright purple jacaranda trees, and panoramic views of encompassing valleys.

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5. Its Personal Spin on Archery

Bhutan claims archery as their national sport. However, it’s played in a much different manner than you may have seen seen in typical competitions such as the Olympics. Archery in Bhutan is looked at as a social celebration of their country's origin. The sport is more than just shooting an arrow at a target, there are designated singers and dancers to taunt the other teams and cheer on their own. Along with the sport of course comes plenty of eating and drinking, as all family members participate.

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6. Fantastic Trekking

Bhutan’s spectacular mountain views look even better from up close. Trek high in the Himalayas, exploring temples and markets as you soak in every bit of Bhutanese culture. Before ascending into the clouds, you’ll come across dzongs nestled in forests and up on cliff sides. Whether way up high or down low, the unique culture is visible at all times from the trail. Ready to see and experience Bhutan for yourself? Explore the Sacred Chomolhari trail or go on a Druk Path expedition to get your fill of trekking, culture, and adventure.

A Note on Solo Traveler Fees

We know solo traveler fees are a bummer and trust us, we don't like charging them either. We require the extra fee because it's the best possible way to provide a fair price to all clients. The solo traveler fee covers the increased cost of hotel stay (single vs. double rooms), ground transportation, and the additional guides, porters, or cooks needed while on the trail.

The good news? The solo room fee guarantees your very own single/private room while in your host city.

Solo Traveler Match Service

If you are interested in being introduced to other solo travelers to avoid the solo supplement fee, reach out to one of our expedition specialists to join our complimentary matching program. If there is another solo traveler of the same gender on your group expedition that is seeking a match, our customer service team will help facilitate and determine if both parties are comfortable sharing accommodations. OneSeed must confirm a match a minimum of 60 days prior to an expedition in order to make appropriate arrangements. All decisions to match are the sole discretion of the traveler.

Connect with Your Fellow Travelers

Our Facebook groups are a great place to source information and tips from past travelers as well as meet other participants traveling on your group expeditions dates.

Training for Your Trek: Quick Tips to Get Ready for the Trail

A frequently asked question here at OneSeed is usually along the lines of, "I'm hiking how much?? How do I train for this??" On a OneSeed trek, you'll be pushing your body to the limit as you hike through some of the most awe-inspiring places in the world. We've included some tips below on how to train for what will be an adventure of a lifetime!

Apparel and Footwear: Before you start training, invest in a solid pair of hiking boots and gym shoes. If your feet are tired and blistered, it will affect the rest of your body and increase the risk for injury. Make it a priority to break in your boots - wear them while you work out or even just walking around the neighborhood!

Sweat!: You want to feel confident going into your expedition so start elevating your heart rate and building muscle! Find a work out routine that works for YOU and stick with it. If you don't like running, don't run, BUT find an activity that makes you sweat and tone. Hiking, running, biking and swimming are all great cardio-boosters but try interval training with activities like yoga and weight-lifting classes as well. Be sure you incorporate squats and lunges into your workouts so you build your leg muscles for the long hikes you'll be accomplishing on the trail. Lastly, don't forget to Stretch! Yoga and pilates classes are the best way to stretch out sore muscles and prevent injuries. 

Hydrate and Fuel: With all of this training, you'll be burning tons of calories! Be sure you're fueling your body with foods that help it perform at it's best and keep you feeling good. Incorporate healthy grains like quinoa, brown rice and wild rice, nuts like almonds and walnuts, fish, lean meats, fruits and vegetables into your diet on a daily basis. And don't forget about water! When you're dehydrated, you feel more fatigued than you actually are, making it easier to trip on the trail and cause injuries. Make it a goal to drink at least 64 oz. of water each day (that's two Nalgenes!) and start each meal with a glass of water.

Get High: Gearing up for a trip above 10,000ft? The higher up in elevation you can train, the better. If you live close to the mountains, push yourself on some high-elevation hikes and train your lungs to adjust to the lack of oxygen. If you don't live in an area where high-altitude trails are available, not to fear! All of our treks factor in rest days in order to acclimate to higher elevation. If you're feeling fatigued on the trail, go slow and take frequent breaks as your body adjusts to the altitude.

See you on the trail!

Quick Tips for Eating on the Trail

When trekking in a remote area, there are certain expectations that will help you make the most of the meals on the trail. Here’s a quick list of things to know about trail food to help you prepare for your expedition.

1) Carbs, Carbs, Carbs. In most of the areas where we travel, the diet is rich in carbs. When you spend 3-10 hours a day hiking, you need carbs for energy, so embrace it! Nepal is known for its dal bhat, Peru for its 3,800 types of potatoes, and Chile is the second largest bread consumer per capita in the world. But guess what? They all make really delicious carbs, so dig in!

2) Eat like a local. They best way to order off the menu in a foreign country is to mimic what the locals are doing. If you’re staying at a teahouse in the Langtang region, ordering a pizza might not be the best option. Pizza with yak cheese isn’t going to taste like is does from your local pizza shop in NYC. Look around you to learn about the delicious local dishes and try sticking to them. It’s a great way to fully immerse yourself in the country in which you’re traveling. What if you’re craving some comforting American food? It will be there for you to eat the day you get back!

3) Bring reserves. While trekking on OneSeed trips, you’ll be fed three large meals a day but some trekkers like to have power bars or granola bars to munch on while hiking. You can always bring a few just in case you need some extra fuel. (*Note: Customs rarely lets you bring nuts, seeds, or fruit into a foreign country)

4) Be adventurous. Some of the countries where we travel have exotic local dishes that you don’t find everywhere. Push your tastebuds to the limit with new flavors. Try the tongue in Chile or the spicy pickle in Nepal because you never know what you might like.

Food is an essential part of any culture. Be prepared to try new things and expand your tastebuds’ comfort zone. Bon Appétit!

7 Tips to Prepare for Your Trek

Always be prepared! The scout’s motto is simple, but true. Being well prepared for your trek will make your time much more enjoyable, and you can focus on the wonders around you rather than your blistered feet! Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your trek.

1.  Buy appropriate footwear and break your boots in.

• Visit an outdoor retailer and do research to buy the appropriate pair of hiking boots for your feet.
• Break them in! Showing up with brand new boots for a multi-day trek is an invitation for blisters and pain. Walk the dog in your boots, do yard work in your boots, take them hiking! You want your boots to feel nice and comfy when you arrive.
• Buy good quality socks (non-cotton, moisture wicking socks such as Smartwool, Thorlos, Darn Tough, Woolrich etc…)
• Remember: Your feet are your best friend. Happy feet, happy camper!

2.  Get out hiking. Regularly!

• Start slowly and build your intensity, difficulty, and length of hikes. It is much better to start slowly and increase the difficulty gradually over several months than to wait to the last few weeks.
• Wear what you will be wearing on the trail, especially if they are new items, so you know how they feel and can adjust anything that is irritating or doesn’t work. This includes your boots and the pack you will be carrying on the trail.
• Go with a partner or a group. You won’t be able to cheat and going with someone else provides motivation and fun!
• Cross train too (Bike, swim, run, yoga, stairs, etc). Different types of exercise work different muscle groups and will help condition your body. Strengthening your body can help prevent injuries on the trail.

3.  Learn about the OneSeed Fund

• 10% of the revenue from your expedition will be loaned to local entrepreneurs via the OneSeed Fund.
• The loans are extended by our partner microfinance institutions across many different industries such as agriculture, retail, food services and more.
• Want to learn more about microfinance? Click here.

4.  Don’t bank on your bank.

• Call your bank ahead of time to let them know about your travel plans.
• Sometimes, when banks see a charge in a foreign country, they assume it was theft and freeze your account.
• While you’re on the phone with your bank, ask them about international ATM fees.
• Be sure to have back-up alternatives such as cash, traveler’s check, and credit cards.
• Having copies of credit cards and passport information is a great safety net.

5.  Health, safety, and more.

• Visit the CDC website or contact a local travel medicine office with any questions about immunizations or vaccines.
• If you have any concerns about your health, contact your physician before you start a training program.
• Learn more about tips to keep your belongings safe while traveling here.

6.  Insure Your Trip.

• All OneSeed trips include medical and evacuation insurance for all travelers. This covers you from the moment your expedition begins.
• We also strongly urge you to purchase the optional cancellation and interruption insurance. This third party insurance covers any injuries, illnesses, or other unforeseeable events between now and your expedition.
• You never know what life has in store so it is better to prepare ahead of time!

7.  Pack light and early.

•  Take a look at our packing list now and start to get an idea of what gear you have and what you will need to purchase. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster!
• Outdoor gear can be quite expensive. Don’t forget that you can borrow from a friend, rent from various outdoor stores, or look online for items on sale.
• That being said, don’t skimp! Making sure your clothes are built to last is important as you will be hiking outside in the elements for many days on end.
• To lighten your load, bring travel-sized toiletries.
• Ziplock bags make for inexpensive, weightless, water-resistant organizers for loose items.
• Don’t forget to bring an extra outfit for the city. You can leave any extra gear at our partner lodge before the trek.

Happy trekking!