Tented Outposts in the Wild
Gangtey

There’s no better way to experience the quiet paradise of Bhutan’s pristine natural surrounds than to camp out in the shadows of the stark golden mountains and beneath the luminous sky. Camping in secluded areas of Bhutan, untouched by infrastructure, will give you the most authentic taste of this small Himalayan country; waking up to vibrant hues, jagged peaks, glistening river beaches and limestone cliffs gives a true sense of off the beaten track adventure.

The fantastic team at Guides of Bhutan have recently launched fully serviced, Nordic tipi-based adventures in the wild, camping out in enchanting corners of the Himalayan Kingdom. Their tented outposts afford the opportunity to go beyond the tourist trail and to venture deeper under the skin of Bhutan, and each camping experience will fully immerse you in pristine nature without compromising on comfort – or exceptional food! Their ethos is to be as light on the ground as possible, following the “leave no trace” golden rule. The camps are completely mobile – they don’t believe in semi-permanent glamping set ups – and you can expect rustic, yet very comfortable, cosy camping. Each spacious walk-in tipi is very well-appointed and comes complete with a wood burning stove, traditional rugs and solar powered lighting. There is also a freshwater shower along with separate portable loos located next to the tents.

The camp has several locations and over the years Guides of Bhutan have explored countless sweet spots, from the Haa Valley in the far west all the way to Gangtey and Bumthang in central Bhutan, each location the perfect base camp for all manner of far flung adventures. From a simple picnic, BBQ or drinks party to an overnight hiking trail, pony trekking, mountain bike rides, archery, fly fishing expeditions, white water rafting on meltwater rivers and wilderness or meditation retreats, there are endless opportunities to explore Bhutan’s natural wilderness. Bhutan’s spiritual culture is deeply woven into the beauty of the landscape, and one of our favourite experiences is a pilgrimage (or puja) to a remote monastery and sleepover at one of our favourite tented camp locations.

These tented outposts are our favourite hidden gems in Bhutan, and provide one of the purest nature experiences we can think of.

The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.
Rudyard Kipling