Modern Adventure takes the health and safety of our employees, guests, and partners very seriously. Our health and safety protocols during your trip such as physical distancing, masking and other safety practices will be in accordance with up-to-date local regulations in your destination. You will be informed of any specific protocols aheads of travel, and in-destination by our local guides and/or Modern Adventure trip leader.

Bhutan's remote wilderness is a magnificent and inspirational destination, and we value completely disconnecting from civilization. For much of our time in Bhutan, cell phones and WiFi will not work. We discourage guests from bringing their own satellite phones or similar devices.

We will have limited WiFi access in our hotels. We recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For US travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans. Check with your provider for options.

March and early April are some of the best times to visit Bhutan, at the beginning of spring when the valleys come alive with flowers.

In Bhutan the climate is heavily influenced by the altitude. As we climb the mountains, the temperatures will become progressively colder. In Paro and Thimpu, you can expect daytime temperatures in the upper 50s, dropping into the mid-30s at night. Punakha is generally a few degrees warmer. There is very little rainfall in March; you can expect mostly clear bright days.

When trekking and camping, expect and plan for anything and everything: freezing temperatures, sunshine, wind and rainfall, often in the same day! (See Gear & Packing for more info about preparing for the trekking portion of our adventure.)

If your destination requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and/or negative test result taken within 72 hours of travel, you will be required to confirm that you are fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, and/or have tested negative for COVID-19, and have the required documentation to prove it. Otherwise you will be ineligible to participate on the trip, and ineligible for a refund.

If you are on prescription medication, you should ask your doctor for a letter detailing your condition and prescribed drugs. This prevents possible issues at customs and helps the local doctor if you need to buy medication while traveling. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you bring an extra pair and a copy of the prescription in case of emergency.

We always recommend that you consult with your doctor to make any personal health decisions prior to travel. For this adventure our expedition guides will have a medical kit available, but we always recommend that you carry a personal first-aid kit and any personal medication. We make safety a priority on all our adventures, however, incidents and injuries that require evacuation do occur from time to time.

Since this adventure takes place in very remote wilderness locations, it can be difficult and expensive to plan evacuations. It is each guest’s responsibility to be covered by medical, travel and evacuation insurance, or be prepared to cover the cost yourself, for expenses related to an emergency medical evacuation (see Travel Insurance, below).

Conditioning should start no later than 2 months prior to our trip departure. Pre-trip physical conditioning is important to creating a fun and positive trip for yourself and the group as a whole. Your regimen should include walking or hiking in the boots you intend to wear (see Gear & Packing for more details).

Our trek begins at 8,000ft of elevation; the highest pass we cross is at 14,764ft. Our itinerary has been planned with consideration for the changes in elevation that take place over the course of the five days we spend on the trail. We’ve built in time for everyone to acclimate to these elevation changes.

No one can predict altitude sickness, whether mild or severe, or when it will strike. Mild altitude sickness may be felt anytime when climbing above 8,000 feet, often presenting as a headache, breathlessness, insomnia, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea or dizziness. These symptoms usually pass quickly as your body adapts and you become acclimatized.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a serious condition which those who ascend too high too fast and is usually cured by immediate descent. All of our Bhutanese guides are well trained in spotting and dealing with the signs of AMS.

Thailand: U.S. citizens carrying a tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand. The passport must have at least six months validity remaining to be allowed entry. If you plan on staying in Thailand for an extended period of time requirements may vary.

Bhutan: Modern Adventure will oversee and gather all necessary documentation needed for you to enter and exit Bhutan (included in your trip cost). All Bhutan tourist visas are issued through local licensed operators, and must be obtained directly through Modern Adventure on your behalf.

For citizens of other countries, please check with the Bhutanese Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

The local currency is the Bhutan Ngultrum (BTN), sometimes abbreviated as Nu. The Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee (INR) at a rate of one to one (i.e., BTN 1 = INR 1), with US$1 worth roughly INR 74.

The Indian rupee is widely accepted in Bhutan, as are US dollars. Note that ATMs are available in Paro and Thimpu, but are not common in smaller towns and villages. Some restaurants and shops accept credit cards; however Bhutan is still a cash-centric country, and you will want some BTN, INR or US notes handy.

We curate your Modern Adventure to ensure all experiences are immersive and included in your trip price. We recommend bringing enough money cash with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back.

If you're eating out on your own, tipping 10% in restaurants is standard, and most will automatically add 10% to the bill. No tip is expected for small purchases such as coffee or a beverage.

Please note that tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide US$70 - $150 per guest.

When trekking, plan to carry your own internal frame daypack (40 - 45 liters in volume) with room for your jacket, extra layers, rain gear, water bottle, camera, snacks, etc. for each day.

In addition to your daypack, we recommend bringing one large duffle bag weighing no more than 33 pounds (15kg). Remember that while on our trek, your packed duffle bag will include all items that you are not carrying in your daypack, and will be carried by pack animals (ponies or yak). Please weigh your duffle bag before leaving home, to ensure it is within the 33lb / 15kg weight limit.

Group gear will be carried by our porters, so you will be responsible for carrying only your personal items.