| Cost From: | $4895 |
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| Length: | 12 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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Wow! A life-changing trip that I will never forget.Joe Howell
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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 hiking adventure showcases Bhutan’s incredible beauty as we hike to tiny villages of whitewashed homes, through magical forests, and up to mountainside monasteries, temples, and chortens (shrines) bedecked with colorful prayer flags. Along the way, we meet villagers, farmers, and red-robed monks. March and September trips feature fascinating Tsechu festivals; the November departure offers a chance to see the rare black-necked cranes that winter in the high Phobjikha Valley.
$4895 (9-15 members)
$5095 (4-8 members)
Single supplement: $1175
Internal airfare: $865 (subject to change)
Paro Festival Surcharge: $140
Prices are for 2010 dates
Mar 17-28, 2010 Kinley Gyeltshen
Sep 15-26, 2010 Kipchu Dorji
Oct 10-21, 2010 Kinley Gyeltshen
Nov 7-18, 2010 Kipchu Dorji
Reading list, click here.
Arriving in Paro, we head to the traditional and steep-sided Haa Valley for fantastic day hikes to exquisite temples and shrines. Overnights on Days 2 and 3 are at a private riverside camp at 8,760 feet with walk-in tents furnished with comfortable cots. Our camp staff can even set up a Bhutanese hot-stone bath for a relaxing soak!
In the 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 that reflects 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.
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 region of small hamlets set amid terraced rice and wheat fields. One of our hikes brings us to Chimi Lhakhang (lhakhang means temple), a 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, seat of the Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s highest lama. It is one of the most striking buildings in Bhutan, spectacularly set at the confluence of two rivers. We return to Thimphu on Day 9.
In lovely Paro, we hike up 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.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Day 1 (1 night), Haa Valley,
Days 7 to 8 (2 nights), Punakha,
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 2 to 3 (2 nights), Haa Valley, Bhutan
Our lovely campsite at Yongto at 8,760 feet features large, walk-in tents furnished with cots and fresh linens. The tents are in a beautiful ...
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Day 4 (1 night),
Day 6 (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 5 to 6 (2 nights), Phobjikha, Bhutan
This rustic country lodge has classic Bhutanese architecture, magnificent views of the Phobjikha Valley from its dining room and guest rooms, and ...
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Days 10 to 11 (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.
