Si ça peut provoquer des vocations...
Rejoindre le Bhoutan depuis le Tibet?
by Scalpa
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Une idée folle et absurde qui m'est venue au Tibet:Serait-il possible de rejoindre le Bhutan en trek depuis le Tibet avec guide et équipement évidemment. Vu la désertitude de l'endroit ça paraît possible (sans parler d'aller à Thimphu). Quelqu'un a-t-il entendu quelquechose de similaire?
Si ça peut provoquer des vocations...
Si ça peut provoquer des vocations...
"Je vais où mes pas me portent. J'espère que mes pieds sont plus intelligents que moi." Titus
j'avais bien compris que légalement c'est très très onéreux mais se balader au Tibet est aussi illégal, il n'y a pas pourtant de policiers chinois dans chaque village.
Le problème au Bhoutan semble résider dans le fait qu'il faille passer par une agence officielle et c'est extrêmement surveillé aux points de passage et les villes. Mais ailleurs???
Merci
Le problème au Bhoutan semble résider dans le fait qu'il faille passer par une agence officielle et c'est extrêmement surveillé aux points de passage et les villes. Mais ailleurs???
Merci
"Je vais où mes pas me portent. J'espère que mes pieds sont plus intelligents que moi." Titus
J'ai ete au Bouthan et je dois dire qu'il n'y a aucun controle policier dans le pays on ne m'a jamais demande mes papiers. Mais le probleme n'est pas la et pas uniquement de rentrer dans le pays et d'eventuels controles policiers.
Dans le pays, rien n'est prevu pour des voyageurs etrangers non accompagnes de guide vu que cela n'existe pas. Il te sera extremement difficile de te loger et de te nourir en dehors des villes. Dans les villes il y a des magasins ou tu peut acheter de la nouriture et quelques rares restaurants. Le probleme est qu'il est tout a fait anormal qu'un occidental aille seul dans un restaurant ou un hotel (= sans que cela ai ete reserve par une agence et sans un guide qui organise tout pour lui). En dehors des villes, il n'y a quasi rien (la densite de population est tres faible).
Pour te deplace, la non plus il n'est pas normal qu'un etranger se deplace seul sans accompagnateurs et sans un vehicule qui lui soit reserve. Et surement pas a pieds (soit les etangers se deplacent en minibus sur les routes soit avec une equipe pour les treks, jamais seuls a pieds sur les routes ou les chemins).
N'espere pas non plus rentrer dans un Dzong ou un monastere: meme avec un guide c'est deja difficile, il faut des tonnes de paperasses et de discussions (j'avais des "invitations" = un papier par dzong ou temple ou monastere, d'un membre de la famille royale et c'etait deja la merde pour rentrer, le touriste lambda reste dans la cours... meme quand il a crache ses >200 USD/jours). C'est un pays Boudhiste, mais cela n'a rien a voir avec le Ladakh, le Tibet, le Nepal, la Birmanie etc. meme la population locale (en dehors de la famille royale et de ses apparatchik) ne rentre pas dans les temples (ils sont juste autorises a tourner autours pour faire tourner les moulins a prieres... et prier pour renaitre en membre de la classe dirigeante). Dans un temple il y fallait meme mettre des patins pour ne pas souiller le parquet cire et luisant comme un miroir !!! Quand on compare au autres pays Boudhistes ou les temples/monasteres sont des lieux de ferveur religieuse populaire et ouvert a tous sans exceptions, c'est ahurissant.
Enfin, la population est naturelement tres mefiante et peu accueillante pour les etranges et je crains que tu soit immediatement reperes comme un cas non conforme. Les seuls etranges qui ont une certaine libertes sont les cooperants et les indiens (qui eux peuvent voyages plus ou moins librement au Bouthan).
J'ai ete avant dans la majorites des pays Himalayens, le Bouthan etait un reve et je dois dire que cela a ete une deception totale: populations peu accueillante, reprochant aux etrangers tous les maux de la terre (etrangers qui pour les Bouthanais sont responsables de la pauvrete, de la degradation de l'environnement, qui sont des voleurs et des profanateurs d'oeuvre religieuses etc etc) ces reproches ayant ete formules par de tres nombreux Bouthanais. L'horreur a evite pour eux etant le sort du Nepal dont ils rendent les etrangers (et surtout les voyageurs individuels) totalement et uniquement responsables. des paysages assez mediocres compares a n'importe quel autre des pays de la regions pas de monuments ni de villes remarquables (pour infos, il n'y avait pas de villes jusqu'a il y a une quarantaine d'annees, juste les Dzongs, vu la faible populations les villages se resument a quelques maisons). Seuls les Dzongs ont un certains interet. Les monasteres ne sont en rien comparables a ceux du Ladakh, du Spiti ou du Tibet. La pauvrete en edifices est assez normale vu que le Bouthan a toujours ete tres peu peuple et sans population pas de grand monasteres ni d'edifices importants. Seul le Dzong est important qui reunis en ses murs toutes les fonctions (religieuse, administrative, juridique, militaire...) d'une ville est important (il sont des sortes de villes miniature)
Finalement cela ne vaut pas la peine vu les difficultes et le prix exhorbitant que rien ne justifie (sinon en sois tout pays vaut la peine, il y a toujours quelque chose a apprendre) . En gros, pour les Bouthanais, a commence par les dirigeants, le touriste est un fleaux qu'on exploite le plus possible en en donnant le moins possible pour evite ses nuisances. Le pire de tous les touristes etant le touriste individuel qui va fouiner partout et ne rapporte rien. Une autre indication: la majorites des touristes que j'ai rencontre (et j'y ai ete en Novembre 2001 soit juste apres le 11 septembre) etait des americains ce qui differe aussi totalement par rapport aux pays de la regions. Touristes americains qui etaient pratiquement tous venus via Bangkok (venir via l'Inde, quelle horreur pour eux. J'ai pris l'avion a Kolkata, et il n'y avait pas d'autre etranger, uniquement des etudiant Bouthanais revenant de leurs etudes en Inde).
Dans le pays, rien n'est prevu pour des voyageurs etrangers non accompagnes de guide vu que cela n'existe pas. Il te sera extremement difficile de te loger et de te nourir en dehors des villes. Dans les villes il y a des magasins ou tu peut acheter de la nouriture et quelques rares restaurants. Le probleme est qu'il est tout a fait anormal qu'un occidental aille seul dans un restaurant ou un hotel (= sans que cela ai ete reserve par une agence et sans un guide qui organise tout pour lui). En dehors des villes, il n'y a quasi rien (la densite de population est tres faible).
Pour te deplace, la non plus il n'est pas normal qu'un etranger se deplace seul sans accompagnateurs et sans un vehicule qui lui soit reserve. Et surement pas a pieds (soit les etangers se deplacent en minibus sur les routes soit avec une equipe pour les treks, jamais seuls a pieds sur les routes ou les chemins).
N'espere pas non plus rentrer dans un Dzong ou un monastere: meme avec un guide c'est deja difficile, il faut des tonnes de paperasses et de discussions (j'avais des "invitations" = un papier par dzong ou temple ou monastere, d'un membre de la famille royale et c'etait deja la merde pour rentrer, le touriste lambda reste dans la cours... meme quand il a crache ses >200 USD/jours). C'est un pays Boudhiste, mais cela n'a rien a voir avec le Ladakh, le Tibet, le Nepal, la Birmanie etc. meme la population locale (en dehors de la famille royale et de ses apparatchik) ne rentre pas dans les temples (ils sont juste autorises a tourner autours pour faire tourner les moulins a prieres... et prier pour renaitre en membre de la classe dirigeante). Dans un temple il y fallait meme mettre des patins pour ne pas souiller le parquet cire et luisant comme un miroir !!! Quand on compare au autres pays Boudhistes ou les temples/monasteres sont des lieux de ferveur religieuse populaire et ouvert a tous sans exceptions, c'est ahurissant.
Enfin, la population est naturelement tres mefiante et peu accueillante pour les etranges et je crains que tu soit immediatement reperes comme un cas non conforme. Les seuls etranges qui ont une certaine libertes sont les cooperants et les indiens (qui eux peuvent voyages plus ou moins librement au Bouthan).
J'ai ete avant dans la majorites des pays Himalayens, le Bouthan etait un reve et je dois dire que cela a ete une deception totale: populations peu accueillante, reprochant aux etrangers tous les maux de la terre (etrangers qui pour les Bouthanais sont responsables de la pauvrete, de la degradation de l'environnement, qui sont des voleurs et des profanateurs d'oeuvre religieuses etc etc) ces reproches ayant ete formules par de tres nombreux Bouthanais. L'horreur a evite pour eux etant le sort du Nepal dont ils rendent les etrangers (et surtout les voyageurs individuels) totalement et uniquement responsables. des paysages assez mediocres compares a n'importe quel autre des pays de la regions pas de monuments ni de villes remarquables (pour infos, il n'y avait pas de villes jusqu'a il y a une quarantaine d'annees, juste les Dzongs, vu la faible populations les villages se resument a quelques maisons). Seuls les Dzongs ont un certains interet. Les monasteres ne sont en rien comparables a ceux du Ladakh, du Spiti ou du Tibet. La pauvrete en edifices est assez normale vu que le Bouthan a toujours ete tres peu peuple et sans population pas de grand monasteres ni d'edifices importants. Seul le Dzong est important qui reunis en ses murs toutes les fonctions (religieuse, administrative, juridique, militaire...) d'une ville est important (il sont des sortes de villes miniature)
Finalement cela ne vaut pas la peine vu les difficultes et le prix exhorbitant que rien ne justifie (sinon en sois tout pays vaut la peine, il y a toujours quelque chose a apprendre) . En gros, pour les Bouthanais, a commence par les dirigeants, le touriste est un fleaux qu'on exploite le plus possible en en donnant le moins possible pour evite ses nuisances. Le pire de tous les touristes etant le touriste individuel qui va fouiner partout et ne rapporte rien. Une autre indication: la majorites des touristes que j'ai rencontre (et j'y ai ete en Novembre 2001 soit juste apres le 11 septembre) etait des americains ce qui differe aussi totalement par rapport aux pays de la regions. Touristes americains qui etaient pratiquement tous venus via Bangkok (venir via l'Inde, quelle horreur pour eux. J'ai pris l'avion a Kolkata, et il n'y avait pas d'autre etranger, uniquement des etudiant Bouthanais revenant de leurs etudes en Inde).
Merci pour ces infos, ça démysthifie un peu le mythe!
La seule personne que j'ai rencontré étant allé au Bhutan était un américain, vu à Lhassa, et il n'avait pas été très loquace mais son voyage avait eu l'air très limité car très organisé et très court car très cher. Il n'est pas facile de trouver des voyageurs étant allés se balader par là. Merci et bonne journée.
"Je vais où mes pas me portent. J'espère que mes pieds sont plus intelligents que moi." Titus
hello je souhaite passer au bouthan sans visa illegalement depuis le sikkim car c'est trop chert
" qui ne tente rien n'a rien "
a pied et a travers les montagne
qu'en est t il des postes militaire et des polices boutanaise ?
J ai deja fait du ladakh a kathmandou a travers les montagnes et je sais ce que ca signifie que de se faire expulser par l'armée (frontieres aleatoires entre la chine et l inde)
quels sont les risques d'apres vous ?
qu'en est t il des population ?j'imagine que ca doit etre comme partout !?la ou il y as des touristes les gens sont different
qu'en est t il de leur connaissance du reste du monde hors des villes ?sont t'ils instruit ?y a til beaucoup de pelerins
des routes de commerces ?
des lieux sacrés ?
faites moi part de toutes vos experiences tous m'interresse
des details peuvent devenir indispensable dans certaines situations difficille
merci bcp freres et soeurs vagabond, pelerins, voyageurs errant sur cette si belle planete !!!!
Bonjour Jipe (qui vient plus sur Vf depuis 3ans mais bon 😉)
Je relis ce vieux post et waouh, ce que tu dis du Bouthan est affolant!!!
😕
Mille mercis de ce petit compte rendu bien interessant.🙂
- populations peu accueillante, reprochant aux etrangers tous les maux de la terre (etrangers qui pour les Bouthanais sont responsables de la pauvrete, de la degradation de l'environnement, qui sont des voleurs et des profanateurs d'oeuvre religieuses etc etc) ces reproches ayant ete formules par de tres nombreux Bouthanais. L'horreur a evite pour eux etant le sort du Nepal dont ils rendent les etrangers (et surtout les voyageurs individuels) totalement et uniquement responsables. des paysages assez mediocres compares a n'importe quel autre des pays de la regions pas de monuments ni de villes remarquables...
Je relis ce vieux post et waouh, ce que tu dis du Bouthan est affolant!!!
😕
Mille mercis de ce petit compte rendu bien interessant.🙂- populations peu accueillante, reprochant aux etrangers tous les maux de la terre (etrangers qui pour les Bouthanais sont responsables de la pauvrete, de la degradation de l'environnement, qui sont des voleurs et des profanateurs d'oeuvre religieuses etc etc) ces reproches ayant ete formules par de tres nombreux Bouthanais. L'horreur a evite pour eux etant le sort du Nepal dont ils rendent les etrangers (et surtout les voyageurs individuels) totalement et uniquement responsables. des paysages assez mediocres compares a n'importe quel autre des pays de la regions pas de monuments ni de villes remarquables...
Fainéanter dans un monde neuf est la plus absorbante des occupations... (N.Bouvier)
Bonjour.
A kathmandu On vient de me Proposer d entrer au Bhoutan pour 25$ par jour! Je doute que e soit vraiment faisable car officiellement le prix est de 200$ par jour. Ce n est bien sur pas par une agence.
Qqu'un aurait il déjà pu entrer au Bhoutan sans passer par un agence?
N est ce pas illégal? Et comment passer la frontière légalement car je suppose qu'ils contrôle tout de même l agence.
Merci
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I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
Hi there,
I’m looking for half-day hikes near Karakol (not Jety-Oguz, since I’ll be heading there separately—max 30 minutes’ drive to the trailhead).
I can find longer treks, but nothing for a short outing!
So, if you’ve got any ideas...
Thanks! :)
I’m looking for half-day hikes near Karakol (not Jety-Oguz, since I’ll be heading there separately—max 30 minutes’ drive to the trailhead).
I can find longer treks, but nothing for a short outing!
So, if you’ve got any ideas...
Thanks! :)
Hi everyone,
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike. It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips! 🙂
Pascal
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike. It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips! 🙂
Pascal
Hi there,
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge. I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle. In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge. I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle. In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details: We arrive in early August and leave in early September. We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery! We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat? Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Thanks! :-)
A few details: We arrive in early August and leave in early September. We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery! We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat? Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Thanks! :-)
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations. Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations. Thanks so much for your tips!
hi there,
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there? A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions? For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip... Thanks for your tips! Have a great day, Anie, Toulouse
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there? A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions? For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip... Thanks for your tips! Have a great day, Anie, Toulouse
Hi,
I’d like some advice on doing the Camino de Santiago—or part of it—from the Basque Country.
Best,
Hi there,
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice? Best regards,
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice? Best regards,
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
Hi everyone,
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish. I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips? Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina? At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
Thanks in advance!
Caro
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish. I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips? Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina? At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
Thanks in advance!
Caro
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.

