Gangtey Lodge

In October 2014 Mountain Kingdoms MD, Steve Berry, trekked to the base of the world’s highest unclimbed mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 7,550m/24,770ft, during which a mysterious discovery was made.

During this incredibly remote trek in Bhutan, a Bhutanese guide accompanying Steve spotted some interesting tracks in the snow across a ledge on a steep mountainside. Interestingly, locals say that this valley had never before been entered by humans…

In this video Steve gives a fascinating account of how they came by these mysterious tracks and a theory of what may have been responsible for them. A yeti, perhaps? Watch to find out more!

Feeling inspired? Join our Gangkar Punsum Wilderness Trek group trek to the same region in the hope of capturing the creature on film with the group’s camera trap.

To read more about the tracks discovered, including more tracks found during our 2015 expedition, read our blog post ‘Yeti prints on world’s highest unclimbed mountain’.

This is a film about our MD, Steve Berry’s expedition to try and climb the highest mountain in Bhutan, Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft/7,550m, thought also to be the highest unclimbed peak in the world. The peak lies astride the northern border with Tibet and just east of the region known as Lunana. It serves to give you a flavour of what the remote country is like around Gangkar Punsum, and tells the story of the 1986 expedition. In 1986 the team approached the mountain via the Mangde Chu valley and attempted the south west ridge. The expedition was eventually forced to abandon its attempt due to horrendous weather conditions.

Mountain Kingdoms offers a trek that explores the Chamkhar Chhu valley which lies to the south of the mountain. It visits the unclimbed 7,000m peak of Melunghi Kang before ascending into 'Jumbo Jet' valley to explore the southern approaches to the peak. We call this trek 'Gangkar Punsum Approach'. This side of the mountain is very much unexplored country and it was here in 2014 that Steve Berry and companions found a set of tracks that Steve believes can only belong to the Yeti.

You can also read an account of Steve’s expedition in his book Straight up.

Bhutan is back open after two long years, and Ian and Lizzy were amongst our first clients to return. They were doing the Druk Path Trek and here’s what they had to say about their time in Bhutan.

"Amazing scenery and sights with the most hospitable people you’re ever likely to meet. Our guide was superb and all the camp crew were great. The Druk Path trek may be a short trek but the altitude makes it more challenging as most of it is over 3500m, we were well looked after and the food was amazing in camp."

Visiting the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has long been considered beyond the reach of the ‘average’ traveller, but those who venture into the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rewarded with an enthralling culture and spellbinding scenery. This remarkable country stands out for its unique approach to tourism, prioritising environmental sustainability and the happiness of its people over mass tourism.

Our M.D, Steve Berry, has recently returned from our exceptional trekking holiday into the remote region of Eastern Bhutan. The trek traverses the scenic ‘Red Rice Route’, used in ancient times to ship rice over to Bumthang.

This trip is a chance to step back in time, trekking for days on end without a road, vehicle or tourist in sight. Instead you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful tree orchids, uninhabited mountain country, and ancient villages. You’ll discover elaborate stepped paths, originally built for the ‘Red Rice Route’ as a means of transporting rice from the fertile valleys of the east to the wealthy families of Bumthang, in the heartlands of the country. Steve’s personal highlight of the trek was reaching the highest pass on the Rodang La, as from here you are rewarded with wonderful, panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya.

In addition to trekking along this ancient route you will also attend a vibrant festival and walk up to Taktsang Monastery in Paro - the legendary Tiger’s Nest and visit Tashigang Dzong – one of the most important in all the Thunder Dragon Kingdom.

For those looking to escape modern life and discover a different side of the Thunder Dragon Kingdom, this trekking holiday is a hugely rewarding experience.

Trek across the Rodang La in eastern Bhutan and you may hear the whistle of the Migoi - the Bhutanese yeti. And if you don't encounter this elusive creature here, try the Migoi National Park instead, it's the only yeti reserve in the world.

This is an introduction to our Temple Trails & Homestays walking holiday in Bhutan. Watch to discover more about staying in Bhutanese farmhouse homestays as well as the walks and sights that you will enjoy on this unique two-week holiday in the Thunder Dragon Kingdom.

Bhutan, known fondly as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, is a travel destination unlike any other. Untouched by mass tourism, this Himalayan kingdom draws visitors in with its blend of rich culture, stunning landscapes, and deep spiritual traditions. But what makes this country truly beautiful isn’t just the spectacular scenery, it’s its commitment to the Gross National Happiness scale which prioritises the well-being of its people and environment over economic growth.