With exuberant festivals to honor the guardian deities, gold-spired temples in every valley, and a guiding philosophy of “Gross National Happiness,” Bhutan is truly one of the world’s last Shangri-Las. Combining hiking and cultural exploration, we transport you into this rare world, roaming the ancient trails and taking time to experience local life, including a private visit to a nunnery, with an opportunity for a guided meditation, and attending a tshechu—a colorful Tibetan Buddhist celebration with elaborate dance-dramas. Three days of our journey are in the ethereal Bumthang region, the spiritual center of the kingdom.
Arrive: Paro, Bhutan
Depart: Paro, Bhutan
From Bhutan’s green Paro Valley, we head across the countryside to Thimphu, the tiny capital. We’ll drive over the Dochu La (10,000’), whose summit is festooned with fluttering prayer flags, for a hike through pristine forests to the isolated Lungchuzekha Monastery (11,800’). In the broad Punakha Valley, we explore the Punakha Dzong, an architectural masterpiece built in 1637. A hike through riverside villages brings us to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the Tibetan Buddhist saint known as “the Divine Madman” for his unconventional ways. We’ll also explore the peaceful Phobjikha Valley, with its grazing yaks and alpine setting on the western slope of the Black Mountains.
The Bumthang region, where Buddhism was introduced to the country in the 7th century, has an extraordinary concentration of sacred monasteries and ancient forests of juniper, rhododendron, and pine. In a setting of tidy farmhouses, orchards, and buckwheat fields, we hike to some of Bumthang’s holiest sites, including 17th century Kurjey Lhakhang, whose temples are the resting place of Bhutan’s first three kings. We’ll watch monks perform their morning prayers, meet villagers in their homes, and enjoy a welcome at a fascinating nunnery not usually open to visitors. Back in Paro, our final hike is to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world. Depart on Day 12 or join one of our extensions.
Please Note: Due to the timing of our group flights to and from Bhutan, all participants must arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, at least one day before Day 1. Trip members will also need to spend the night in Bangkok on Day 12, the last day of the trip. All overnight(s) in Bangkok are on your own (at additional cost).
The itinerary above is our planned schedule. Please note that hiking times are general estimates and vary depending on local weather, daily trail conditions, and festival schedules. Internal flights are also subject to change.
A note about Bhutan's festivals: It is an extraordinary privilege to witness one of Bhutan's traditional tshechu, a celebration of events in the life of Padmasambhava, the 8th century master who brought Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan. He is considered by members of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism to be their founder. Such festivals are celebrated throughout Bhutan, and are attended by Bhutanese from all around the countryside, who leave their farms and dress in their finery to gather and celebrate with friends. Activities include sacred dance-dramas performed by monks or laymen wearing costumes of silk and brocade and, for certain dances, masks representing animals or deities. The dances take place in beautiful monastery courtyards under the brilliant cobalt sky. Each trip will witness one of these tshechus.
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition for the journey by hiking, running, swimming, bicycling, or engaging in other forms of aerobic exercise well beyond your normal routine. Walking up and down flights of stairs is also an effective way to train for the steep ascents and descents in the Himalaya. Weekend hikes that involve long sections of uphill and downhill walking are great for conditioning your legs.
Our accommodations in Bhutan range from rustic to very comfortable. The hotels in Paro and Thimphu offer a great deal of comfort, while the lodges in Punakha, the Phobjikha Valley, and Bumthang are rustic, but well-situated and cozy. Most rooms are twin-bedded.
At most guesthouses, simple buffets are provided at lunch and dinner. Bhutan's cuisine is generally based on basic rice with stir-fry and stew options.
"Loved this trip. It was a great combination of hiking and cultural activities, with the comfort of staying in hotels and lodges."
Andy C.
Carrboro, NC
"Hiking to a local farm and meeting the family was a lovely experience, and attending the Paro festival was magical in its own way, adding to the sense of connecting more deeply with this country. The King happened to be there on our second day and mingling with the people, which was a learning experience in its own right."
Barbara C.
Tempe, AZ
"This was an excellent trip. It was my first experience with a group tour and I will definitely join another in the future. I enjoyed the mix of hiking and cultural education. Throughout the trip, food and rooms were beautiful, and the staff at hotels were exceptional."
Beth B.
Seattle, WA
"Bhutan is a very special place and our itinerary gave us the chance to really experience the culture, the environment and the people in-depth. Loved the trip and would highly recommend it to our friends."
Celes E.
Seattle, WA
"Best trip I've ever taken! Our Trip Leader was absolutely a treasure and so knowledgeable about everything."
Ellen K.
Boulder, CO
"This trip truly exceeded my expectations. The country is beautiful, our group was fun, the guides were awesome. I absolutely loved it - no surprise, I've loved every one of the Wilderness Travel trips I've taken."
Irene R.
Steilacoom,WA
"WOW! I want to go back. Superb planning and execution at every step of the process."
Jack G.
New York, NY
"Loved the trip—it was such a rich cultural experience."
Jan S.
Boise, ID
"The trip was a great mix of hiking and visiting cultural sites.I loved the artwork and architecture of the dzongs/temples/monasteries/nunneries, but more importantly I enjoyed learning about bhuddism and how it developed and impacted Bhutan."
Karl S.
Midway, UT
"Absolutely one of the best trips I've ever taken—an amazing experience. How can one improve upon perfection?"
Kathryn H.
Seattle, WA
"I loved all aspects of the trip, from the challenging hikes to the spiritual visits to monasteries and temples. And to top it off, having the privilege to attend the Paro Tshechu to watch dancers in costumes as well as see the joyful expressions of thousands of locals in their finest clothes."
Lee R.
New York, NY
"Our trip leader was one reason we loved the trip so much. He introduced us to his culture, country, and religion and we appreciated every climb, every monastery, every van ride, and every experience. He was extremely knowledgable and interesting."
Peggy and Michael W.
Hingham, MA
"A very valuable trip for people who want to experience Bhutan with feet-on-the-ground."
Peter R.
Santa Clara, CA
"A spectacular trip!"
Susan H.
Boulder, CO
"Going to Bhutan was a longtime dream, and the trip more than met my expectations."
Susan M.
Minden, NV
"This trip was fabulous. Having an amazing guide like Kipchu makes such a huge difference. Bhutan is a very spiritual place and Kipchu's spirituality really allowed us to experience that."
Vicki V.
Baltimore, MD
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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