Our active adventure through the isolated Kingdom of Bhutan offers glimpses of a sacred heritage and distinctive identity that for centuries has remained shrouded by high peaks.
Bhutan Trip Overview
Along the lofty ridges of the Himalayas lies the Kingdom of Bhutan, a place that has remained blissfully untouched by the rest of the world. With very few visitors entering the country, Bhutan's landscape has remained pristine, its rivers pure, and its mountains magical. Bhutan's people are gracious, the culture is rich, and spirituality is prevalent. On our active tour into this last remaining Shangri-La, we meet welcoming local people, red-robed lamas, and nomadic yak herders as we learn about the Bhutanese way of life. We hike to remote gold-roofed temples and monasteries, and through peaceful villages in emerald valleys surrounded by spectacular Himalayan scenery.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2: Our adventure begins as we fly to Paro, Bhutan. Explore the Paro Valley and hike to the Tiger's Nest monastery. Visit the national museum, the Paro Dzong (fortress-monastery), and the craft shops of Paro. Savor Bhutanese cuisine and sample arra, the distinctive local spirit.
Days 3-4: Make an early departure for our travel to Punakha, viewing 20,000-foot mountains along the way. Visit the Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most impressive fortress. Our local guide spins tales of the unorthodox teachings of the legendary Divine Madman. Spend time hiking to remote villages and learn about the traditional shamanism that villagers still practice.
Days 5-8: Travel a winding route to Trongsa. Visit the sprawling Trongsa Dzong. Continue to the town of Jakar, our base for the coming days. Discover the sites of the Bumthang Valley as we hike through villages to hidden temples. Enjoy local culinary delicacies and take part in an evening of traditional song and dance.
Days 9-10: Retrace our route to the capital city of Thimphu. Explore the many interesting sights in Thimphu, and perhaps watch an archery tournament, enjoying Bhutan's national sport. We hike to a remote hillside temple, and visit a craft school providing free skills-related education in the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan to Bhutanese children.
Days 11-12: Spend a free morning in Thimphu and return to Paro for the final evening's celebration. Our adventure ends with an early morning flight to Bangkok.
EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED
It is important to reserve your trip early, as the Bhutanese national airline has a new ticketing policy and will only accept reservations with the full payment of the ticket. Therefore we are unable to hold group seats in advance of reservations.
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