Today's trek takes you deeper into the wilderness. The morning trail passes through thick fir and hemlock forest, the trees draped with old man's beard lichen—a sign of the pristine air quality in these remote highlands. By midday, you break through the treeline into open yak pastures, vast meadows dotted with grazing animals and the occasional herder's shelter. The immense silence of the high mountains settles around you. Camp is established beneath the imposing Rodung La ridge, your objective for tomorrow. Evenings here are magical—yak bells echo across the valley, prayer flags flutter in the breeze, and the Himalayan peaks glow pink in the alpenglow.
12 km • Ascent ≈ 650 m
The adventure truly begins today. An early morning drive takes you through increasingly remote landscapes to Dur Village, the gateway to the Wild Rodung La Trek. Shouldering your daypack, you step onto the ancient trade route that will guide you through the coming days. The trail winds gently through magnificent spruce and rhododendron forests, following a glacial stream whose milky waters speak of the high peaks above. As you gain altitude, the forest opens to reveal alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers. Camp is set at Thomkhar, a pristine meadow where your expedition team will have prepared a warm welcome—hot tea, a hearty meal, and comfortable tents under a canopy of stars.
Take a scenic domestic flight eastward across the heart of Bhutan to Bumthang—known as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. This central valley is dotted with ancient temples and monasteries, many dating back to the 7th century. Spend the afternoon on a short acclimatization walk through Jakar Dzong, the 'Castle of the White Bird,' and explore local monasteries where monks go about their daily prayers. This is also your final opportunity for gear check and to purchase any last-minute supplies before the trek begins. Evening briefing covers the route, weather expectations, and safety protocols.
Fly into Bhutan's spectacular Paro Valley, where the dramatic runway approach between towering peaks offers your first glimpse of this magical kingdom. Meet your Juniper Outdoor trip leader at the airport and transfer to your boutique hotel nestled in the valley. The evening is at leisure, allowing you to stretch your legs with a gentle walk through Paro town, acclimatize to the altitude, and join a welcome orientation where you'll meet your fellow trekkers and learn about the incredible journey ahead. The crisp mountain air and the sight of dzongs (fortress-monasteries) perched on hillsides will set the tone for your adventure.
Our trip cost includes nearly everything you’ll need for a seamless experience.Typically, this covers all accommodations (lodges, campsites, or guesthouses),meals during the expedition, support staff (guides, cooks, porters), permits, transport during the trip (like internal drives or local transfers), and group equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, and technical gear. Each trip page has a detailed “What’s Included” section, and we encourage you to review it carefully. What’s not included are your travel expenses like flight tickets to and from the trip start point (unless stated), personal trekking gear(clothing, hiking boots, backpacks), insurance, and incidental personal expenses like snacks or souvenirs. For some international trips or expeditions, flights, visa fees, and extra nights before/after the trip may be additional.Transparency is key at Juniper, so we’re always happy to walk you through the cost breakdown or advise on gear rentals or purchases if needed.
Yes - we offer a curated selection of beginner-friendly and family-oriented trips that prioritize comfort, safety, and immersive learning. These trips typically involve shorter walking days, lower altitudes, and culturally rich experiences that engage both adults and younger travelers. We’ve guided families with kids as young as 7 and first-time trekkers in their 60s. Each trip page will indicate whether it’s suited for beginners or families. Our team provides age-appropriate gear checklists, acclimatization guidance, and pacing that suits the slowest walker. Activities like village walks, nature spotting, campsite games, or storytelling sessions around the fire make the experience more than just a trek — it becomes a memory for life. If you’re unsure which trip is best, reach out, and we’ll tailor a recommendation. Whether it’s your first step into the mountains or a way to introduce your kids to nature, we’ll make sure it’s magical.
Booking with Juniper Outdoor is simple. Once you find a trip that excites you, click the "Contact Us " or “WhatsApp” button on the trip page. This will lead you to a short form that collects your contact information and preferences. Our team will then reach out to you with availability, a brief consultation if needed, and next steps. You can secure your slot by paying a deposit or full amount, after which we’ll send you a detailed pre-departure pack including packing lists, training recommendations (if applicable), and travel tips. We recommend booking at least 4 weeks in advance to secure your spot, especially for treks with limited permits or during peak season. If you're planning a private or custom departure, we’ll guide you through tailoring the experience to your group’s needs. Feel free to contact us anytime with questions before or after booking.
Mountains can be unpredictable, and weather conditions — especially at higher altitudes — can cause delays, blocked roads, or itinerary changes. At Juniper, we’re seasoned at adapting quickly and safely. If the weather disrupts the original plan, our guides will adjust the route or schedule while keeping you informed and safe. We often build in “buffer days” on longer treks to accommodate such events. In remote areas, we stay in touch with local authorities and rescue services for real-time updates. If flights are delayed(common in places like Leh or Lukla), we assist with rebooking support and accommodation arrangements. Our priority is always your safety and comfort. While we can’t control nature, we can control how we respond — calmly, clearly, and with contingency options ready. We recommend giving yourself flexibility in your return travel dates, just in case the mountains decide to hold you a little longer.
Life happens — and we aim to be as fair and transparent as possible. If you need to cancel your trip, we request written notice as early as possible. Our standard policy:
Refunds are processed to your original payment method, minus any non-recoverable costs like permits or third-party bookings. In case of trip cancellation due to weather, political unrest, or unforeseen force majeure events, we typically reschedule or offer full credit for future travel. We highly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation due to illness, emergencies, or flightdisruption. Please check individual trip pages, as custom trips or international expeditions may have slightly different policies. Our priority is to find a solution that works for both of us. If you have any additional questions, feel free to connect on our WhatsApp number shared in the contact section.
Our community is wonderfully diverse — but they share a few commonthreads: curiosity, grit, humility, and a love for the outdoors. We’ve welcomed solo travelers in their 20s, retired couples in their 50s, and families with teenagers seeking a shared adventure. Many are working professionals looking for a reset, creatives or entrepreneurs craving nature, or global citizens wanting to connect to remote corners of India and beyond. Most importantly, they value slow travel, meaningful conversation, and respectful exploration. Our groups are intentionally small — usually 10 to 16 people — to foster connection without crowding the trail. The vibe is inclusive and uncompetitive; there’s space for both silence and storytelling. Whether you're new to trekking or a seasoned mountaineer, you’ll find that our trips attract kindred spirits — people who are as excited by the journey as they are by the summit.
Absolutely — custom and private journeys are one of our specialties. Whether it’s a milestone birthday trek, a leadership retreat, a family adventure, or a private Himalayan odyssey with close friends, we’ll co-create the itinerary with you from scratch. You can choose your preferred dates, pace, style of travel (luxury, minimalist, alpine, cultural), and add special touches like local experiences, yoga, photography, or expert-led workshops. Our team handles every detail — permits, logistics, menus, support staff — so you can just focus on the experience. Depending on the group size and region, we can also include glamping setups, private chefs, or curated stays at off-grid homestays. Whether you want to summit a pass in Sikkim or sip salt tea with nomads in Ladakh, we’ll make it happen. Reach out through the “Customized trip format section” on the website, and we’ll begin with a discovery call to design your dream journey.
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