Overview
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. On this lodge-based Private Journey with your own private guide, hike to tiny villages of whitewashed homes, through magical forests, and up to mountainside chortens (shrines) bedecked with colorful prayer flags. Along the way from Thimphu, the capital, to the beautiful Paro and Punakha valleys, meet villagers, farmers, and red-robed monks, explore colorful markets, and marvel at the Shangri La setting of sublime fortress monasteries reigning over wooded valleys. Exciting optional add-ons include the opportunity to experience a traditional hot stone bath, get a reading by a Bhutanese astrologer, or visit a nunnery in the Punakha Valley.
The trip was excellent—it seemed like nothing could go wrong! The itinerary was well-paced: we felt like we were seeing each valley comprehensively but without straining ourselves or overdoing it. The food was uniformly excellent, exceeding my expectations at local restaurants, picnics, and even a farmhouse where we dined. Our guide Kinley was perfect in every way—extremely informative, personable, and managing to run everything smoothly while never rushing us or wasting time. All in all, this was among the best-run trips imaginable.
— Michael M., Chicago, IL
Highlights
Highlights
Experience a mystical Himalayan kingdom
Magical Taktsang, Bhutan’s legendary cliff-perched monastery
Meet Bhutanese villagers, explore colorful markets
Dine with a local family in their farmhouse and learn about traditional Bhutan
Optional activities include a traditional hot stone bath, a reading by a Bhutanese astrologer, and a visit to a nunnery set over the stunning Punakha Valley
Details
Length:
9 days
Arrive:
Paro, Bhutan
Depart:
Paro, Bhutan
Lodging:
8 nights hotels and lodges
Meals:
All meals included
Activity:
Cultural Adventures, Hiking / Trekking
Trip Level:
Moderate to steep trails, 3 hours a day, altitudes averaging 7,000-10,000 feet
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
