It’s a moderately difficult hike, particularly due to the altitude as you pass over the likes of Labana La Pass which is 4,235m / 13,900 feet and a long hard climb. Overall the hike is 54km which is usually spread over 5/6 days, but is very easily managed in 4 days (which we did). For an idea of difficulty, it was 82,000 steps and 600 flights climbed according to the iPhone.
For the altitude, you’re most likely to feel something around the 3,500m / 4,000m mark. You can do various things to help, such as take pills (we took Acetazolamide and felt like it helped), drink coca tea, take pain killers to help with the headache etc, but the best way is simply to give your body time to get used to the altitude. 2 days for the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (see here for tips on visiting) and generally around Paro should be enough.
Going in winter does not guarantee snow, which is relatively rare on the path. There’s pros and cons to snow. It does look stunning, but trudging through the snow makes the hiking much harder and, if your boots aren’t 100% waterproof, you’re going to get some cold feet.
It gets bloody cold in the evening – it dropped to around minus 10ºC / 14ºF – so consider bringing an extra super high quality sleeping back, or sleeping in some very warm clothes. I was fine but others in our group were cold even with all the gear and hot water bottles.
The guides will bring everything you need and generally be super stars at looking after you. In fact, with 5 staff and 11 horses / donkeys, you’ll feel like you’re in an episode of Entourage.
To state the obvious, you won’t be able to buy anything on the way. Other a few mountain huts, this is all nature.
