Bhutan
Walking through Bhutan
14 days from £5,495pp
Includes: flights, transport, all meals in Bhutan, visas, activities as per itinerary
Overview & Highlights
Over 60% of the magical mountain kingdom of Bhutan is legally protected land as national parks or sanctuaries and largely inaccessible by vehicles so putting on hiking boots and taking to the hills is the perfect way to explore the country.
On a variety of day trails discover some of the country’s most fascinating sights. Visit Bhutan’s first monastery, Cheri Goemba and enjoy views of the secluded Haa Valley on a trek across the Cheli-La Ridge where on a clear day Mount Jomulhari can be seen in the distance.
Famous for soaring views of snow-capped mountain ranges decorated with prayer flags and dotted with ancient monasteries, a holiday to Bhutan never fails to inspire and entice travellers from far and wide.
This stunning nation full of natural beauty sits at the eastern end of the Himalayas, sandwiched between India and the Tibetan Plateau. From the iconic mountains that dominate the horizon to the forested hills and fast-flowing rivers of the valleys, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ is home to a great variety of well-conserved ecosystems and remains as biodiverse as it is spiritual.
Price Includes
Return flights in economy class with Qatar Airways to Kathmandu, via Doha, from London Heathrow – Return flights in economy class with Druk Air from Kathmandu to Paro – All airport taxes & security charges
Accommodation as stated – Bed & Breakfast meal basis in Kathmandu
Full Board meal basis in Bhutan – All transport in air-conditioned vehicles (4WD vehicles in Bhutan) – Sightseeing and airport transfers with English-speaking guide/driver – Bhutan visa included as part of an inclusive tour – Tourism development levy
Highlights
- Explore Cheri Monastery
- Visit the Thangkha Painting School
- Hike to the Temple of the Divine Mad Monk
- Trek part of the Samtengang Winter trail
- Discover Punakha Dzong
- Search for black-necked cranes
“Bhutan is such a stunning country; with so many beautiful mountains, valleys and walking trails, the perfect way to experience its culture and natural history is on foot.”
Bhutan has had little interaction with the outside world, resulting in a strong historical cultural identity and a populace keen to make new friends. Holidays here enjoy the endless potential for adventure, cultural immersion and exploration. This includes hiking to Taktshang Monastery (‘Tiger’s Nest) which clings to a steep cliff, to watching the vibrant festival celebrations at one of the country’s energetic ‘Tsechu’ festivals or heading out in search of the mystical yeti in the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary.
This tour can be tailor made and other flight options are available.
- Day 1: Fly to Katmandu (Nepal) via Delhi
- Day 2: Land Kathmandu transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
- Day 3: Return to the airport and fly to Paro in Bhutan. Drive to Thimphu for a short wander around town, a welcome dinner and briefing. (B,D)
- Day 4: Today talk a walk to Cheri Goemba, Bhutan’s first monastery. Drive to the start of the trail and walk across the cantilevered bridge over the Wang Chhu (river). Climb steeply to the goemba enjoying stunning views along the way. Special permits have been arranged for a visit to the temple sites. Return to Thimphu and explore the town in a little more detail: visit the Memorial Chorten, the National Library, the thangkha painting school and Changlimithang Lhakhang. (B,L,D)
- Day 5: Today drive to Punakha, a scenic journey via the impressive Dochula Pass at 3,048 metres. Drop down into the fertile Punakha Valley and this afternoon, hike to the temple of Chimi Lhakhang, or the ‘Temple of the Divine Mad Monk’. The walk is beautiful and passes through a lovely local village. Drive alongside the Mo Chhu to Punakha Dzong and explore the inner courtyard. Overnight Punakha. (B,L,D)
- Day 6: Today enjoy a day hike to pretty Lumakha Village which is an easier, low altitude trek and the first leg of the Samtengang Winter trek. The trek crosses the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, crosses the powerful Pho Chhu and passes through terraced fields and forests. End the walk and return to Punakha for overnight. (B,L,D)
- Day 7: Today will be a long drive across the country to Bumthang but the scenery along the way is simply outstanding. The road travels through forested landscapes and over the Pele La Pass at 3,300 metres. In places the road is carved out of the cliff sides. Descend to Trongsa and break the journey with a visit to Trongsa Dzong and the adjacent museum. Continue on the drive to Bumthang and cross another high altitude pass, the Yotung La at 3425 metres before dropping once more into the valley. Overnight Jakar. (B,L,D)
- Day 8: Today enjoy a hike to Tamshing Goemba. Starting from the hotel, visit Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang then cross the suspension bridge to Tamshing Goemba. Continue on to the bazaar and then either be driven back to the hotel or walk. This is an easy 4-5 hour walk of the pretty Jakar valley. Depending on your walking speed there will also be time to visit the cheese factory, Red Panda Brewery and Jakar Dzong. Overnight Jakar. (B,L,D)
- Day 9: Today drive to the Phobjikha Valley, one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and home to the rare and migratory black-necked cranes. Explore the valley including Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. Overnight Gangtey. (B,L,D)
- Day 10: This morning explore the valley in search of the black-necked cranes (Nov-Feb). Drive back to Thimphu and time permitting stop in Thimphu for a spot of shopping. This evening, drive down the winding road to Paro and overnight. (B,L,D)
- Day 11: Today hike the stunning Cheli La Ridge. This journey is a real hiking highlight, on clear days Mt Jomulhari and many other high peaks can be seen. The path passes through flower meadows and offers superb views of the Haa Valley and Taktshang Monastery. From the summit, descend through yak pastures and forest to the cliff side Kila nunnery, home to about 30 nuns. Return to the Paro Valley and visit Drukgyal Dzong – a fantastic view of Jhomolhari Peak at 7314 metres can be seen from here. Overnight Paro. (B,L,D)
- Day 12: Enjoy a hike to the iconic Taktshang Monastery perched high on a cliff overlooking the whole valley. In the afternoon visit Bhutan’s national museum housed in an old watchtower located above Paro Dzong. At the end of the day there will be time avaialble to take a wander around Paro. (B,L,D)
- Day 13: Take a morning transfer to Paro airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Enjoy an afternoon city tour and overnight Kathmandu. (B)
- Day 14: Fly home to London (via Delhi)
This is just one example of a walking holiday to Bhutan. There are many variations on itineraries (and flight routes) available, including a longer journey;
Bhutan from West to East
Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Trongsa – Jakar – Mongar – Trashigang
19 days from £7335 per person
A few impressions…
“For the last 10 years we have been using Jules to arrange our holidays. We would thoroughly recommend using Travel with Jules to anyone contemplating wishing to travel on a wildlife & sightseeing adventure.
We loved our adventure to Bhutan!”
David and Maureen C
Let us begin the journey that will create memories to last a lifetime.
