| Cost From: | $3995 |
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| Length: | 10 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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One of the best trips we have done. It was such an amazing experience to see so few other tourists, particularly while we were in the Haa Valley.W. &Y. Powell—Carbondale CO
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The ultimate way to explore Italy—on foot! Discover jewel-like towns of the southern Tuscan countryside, from remarkable Siena to the enchanting villages of the sun-splashed Maremma, with its hidden coves and vineyards producing “super-Tuscan” wines.
In the heart of the Himalaya, mystical Bhutan is one of the world’s last strongholds of thriving Buddhist culture, and a place few outsiders are privileged to explore. Our lodge-based journey features wonderful hikes to traditional villages and a treasured experience of a sacred land and its people.
Late September to mid-May
For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!
Reading list, click here.
$3995 per person double occupancy
Single Supplement: $410
Bangkok/Paro Round Trip Airfare: $865 (subject to change)
Festival Departures Surcharge: Call for details
Uma Paro Resort Upgrade (2 nights): from $425 per person
Taj Tashi Hotel Upgrade (3 nights): from $780 per person
Discount for groups of 5 or more.
Prices valid through June 2011
Includes all land transportation and private guides throughout
Bhutan possesses a vibrant traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture and a stunning Himalayan setting. Spirituality permeates every aspect of daily life, time-honored festivals are living manifestations of a national faith, and the king decrees “Gross National Happiness” as the standard by which to measure the country’s wealth. In this magical and mountainous land of demons and deities, explore the serene retreat of Tango Monastery, with views of the valley and a beautiful inner courtyard, and enjoy an afternoon hike through riverside villages of traditional architecture, with a picnic lunch. Overnights in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu (7,600’), so small it doesn’t have a traffic light!
A spectacular road journey across the Dochu La Pass, with its summit shrines festooned with prayer flags and astounding views of the Bhutanese Himalaya (weather permitting), brings you to the subtropical Punakha Valley. Hike forested riverside trails and explore the magnificent Punakha Dzong, 17th century seat of Bhutan’s kings, set at the confluence of two rushing rivers. Walk across rice fields to the fascinating Chimi Lhakhang, a small and charming temple dedicated to Bhutan’s renegade saint, Lama Drupka Kinley, and visit the town of Wangdi, with its ancient fortress-dzong perched dramatically on a bluff above a river.
The pristine Haa Valley, ancestral home of Bhutan’s Queen Mother and long closed to outsiders, is surrounded by forested hillsides full of ancient shrines, while the narrow valley floor is dotted with fields of millet, barley, and potatoes. Its farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted wooden cornices and ornately carved window frames. Your hikes lead to serene hamlets and remote monasteries below mountain peaks, including Chundu Gompa, dedicated to the chief protector-deity of the valley.
From the Chelila Pass (13,200’), enjoy stunning views of Chomolhari (23,997’), Bhutan’s divine mountain, and majestic Jichu Drake (22,700’) as you descend by road to Paro. In Paro, explore the National Museum, whose collection includes ancient artifacts, weapons, and Bhutan’s beautiful stamps. Your fitting grand finale hike brings you up through forests draped in Spanish moss to the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest,” built in the 17th century into a sheer cliff face about 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley. Taktsang is the most famous temple in Bhutan, with one of the most spectacular settings in the world.Depart on Day 10.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Please call us or Download Full Trip Brochure for more information
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Thimphu,
Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Punakha,
Day 5 (1 night), Thimphu,
Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Haa Valley,
Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Paro,
Bhutan
Most hotels in Bhutan offer more basic accommodations than you might expect in a US or European hotel, yet they are comfortable and the Bhutanese ...
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Days 1 to 2 (2 nights),
Day 5 (1 night),
Thimphu, Bhutan
Part of the venerable Taj group of hotels in India, this 66-room hotel has all the conveniences of a luxury hotel, while at the same time ...
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Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Paro, Bhutan
This handsome spa-retreat perched on a hilltop outside Paro is known for its understated luxury and aesthetic appeal. The standard rooms, while ...
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Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Paro, Bhutan
Located on 10 acres in a serene setting in the green Paro Valley, the deluxe Zhiwa Ling is a wonderful example of traditional Bhutanese ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
