Hidden Bhutan

In the serene, secluded Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, spirituality permeates every aspect of daily life, traditional 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. Our adventure showcases Bhutan’s incredible beauty as we hike to tiny villages of whitewashed homes, through mystical forests, and up to mountainside monasteries, temples, and chortens (shrines) bedecked with prayer flags. Along the way, we enjoy the warm hospitality of villagers, farmers, and red-robed monks. Our March and October trips feature wildly colorful Tsechu festivals; the November departure offers a chance to see the rare black-necked cranes that winter in the high Phobjikha Valley.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-3
Paro / Haa Valley

Arriving in Paro, we head to the rarely visited Haa Valley for fantastic day hikes to remote temples, shrines, and traditional villages. Overnights on Days 2 and 3 are at a private riverside camp with walk-in tents and a dining tent. Our camp staff can even set up a Bhutanese hot-stone bath for a relaxing soak!

Days 4-7
Thimphu / Phobjikha Valley

In the tiny capital of Thimphu, our explorations include a hike up to Tango Monastery, a monastic school and retreat built in the 15th century. Our accommodation is the deluxe Taj Tashi Hotel, with its spa and exquisite architecture reflecting Bhutan’s heritage. A drive across the Dochu La Pass (10,200'), with its summit chortens festooned with fluttering prayer flags, brings us to the mountain-ringed Phobjikha Valley at 9,500 feet. Here we enjoy day hikes to hillside monasteries including the ethereal, golden-roofed Gangtey Monastery, perched atop a prominent hill.

Days 8-9
Punakha Valley / Thimphu

En route to the Punakha Valley, we visit the spectacular Wangdue Phodrang, a 17th century fortress-dzong perched on a spur above a river. In Punakha, a village-to-village hike brings us into a tranquil realm of small hamlets set amid terraced rice and wheat fields. One of our hikes brings us to Chimi Lhakhang (lhakhang means temple), a beautiful monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. A highlight of Punakha is a visit to the architectural wonder of the 17th century Punakha Dzong, dramatically set at the confluence of two rivers. We return to Thimphu on Day 9.

Days 10-12
Paro

In lovely Paro, we hike up through enchanting forests to the Taktsang hermitage, the “Tiger’s Nest,” explore the spectacular Paro Dzong, and luxuriate at the splendid Zhiwa Ling Hotel, a deluxe retreat built in traditional Bhutanese style. Depart on Day 12.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 3+. The hikes are moderate and suitable for people in good shape who enjoy mountain hiking. The longest hike is about 5 hours (optional hikes are longer), and for the most part you can set your own pace. Although you carry only a daypack, there are some steep ascents and descents, and the hikes are at moderate altitude, which can make them feel strenuous. Although Bhutan is a Himalayan country, it is in a southern latitude so it can get quite warm in the sun. For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the journey.

Our accommodations range from rustic to deluxe. The Zhiwa Ling Hotel in Paro and the Taj Tashi in Thimphu are deluxe and offer a great deal of comfort, while the lodges in Punakha, the Haa Valley, and the Phobjikha Valley are well situated and cozy but somewhat rustic.

For our two nights at Yongto Camp in the Haa Valley, we stay in a comfortable full-service camp with meals prepared by our Bhutanese staff and served in a dinner tent with tables and chairs. We sleep in walk-in tents with cot-style beds with sheets, blankets, and pillows at this camp; bucket showers are available, and we can arrange for a traditional hot-stone bath in the river by camp.  It can get very cold at night, so be sure to bring warm clothing.

Explanation of Trip Levels