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View from Cheri Monastery in the Thimphu valley in Bhutan
View from Cheri Monastery © Robin Boustead
Tiger's Nest © Pelden Dorji
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Journey to Shangri-La

Bhutan Highlights

In Bhutan, you will visit the must-see sacred temples, medieval fortresses (Dzongs), monasteries, and museums. You will balance the sacred with the ‘mundane’ – taking time in local marketplaces and interacting with skilled artisans. You have the chance to get close to authentic local culture and experience the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle.

  • Duration: 9 Days
  • Difficulty Grade: Easy

Itinerary

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Day 01: Welcome to Bhutan, Stay in Paro

The flight to Bhutan from Kathmandu takes you close to the great Himalayas; offering dazzling scenic views of world’s highest glacial peaks. Where you’ll be greeted by Mt.Everest and Mt.Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomo lhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. As you enter the Paro valley, you will pass forested hills with the slivery Pa chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watchtower) on the hill above the town.

In the afternoon, we visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. And the amazing National Museum of Bhutan http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.bt/

Stroll around town in the evening and then proceed to your resort.

** We can help you live like a Bhutanese while in Bhutan. If you like you can try wearing the traditional attire and we’re sure you’ll love the traditional Bhutanese textiles! We can take you to some of the best weavers to showcase their craft and for you to hire (or buy) your own Bhutanese ‘Gho’ or ‘Kira’ (men’s and women’s attire).

Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Resort or similar
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Flying into Paro © Margus Riga

Day 02: Drive from Paro to Haa

This morning your host will meet you at your hotel and you settle into your comfortable car and drive about 3 hours to the Haa Valley. On the way we will visit Kila Goempa nunnery which is located on the cliffs below Chele pass at about 3,500m. There are around seven small temples and several retreat huts built into a dizzying sheer Cliffside, where between 30 to 70 nuns live in self-imposed isolation. They rarely get visitors, as the hike up from the main road takes almost an hour each way, through forest and steep slopes. There is also another trail descending from Chelela pass at 3810m down the slopes to Kila that takes between 1-2hrs.

Once back in the car we drive the last bit of the way to Haa, which has an idyllic rural setting with semi-nomadic farming communities. In winter, most yak herders are in the valley with their families, so it is a good time to pay a visit. Tonight and tomorrow night you stay in a farmhouse which is more than 200 years old and is built in the traditional Bhutanese style typically seen all over Bhutan.

In Haa we stay in Ugyen’s farmhouse, our guests have been helping to support Ugyen’s family for a number of years by staying here and love this authentic community-based experience. It is a large home displaying some fine features of days gone by, yet fitted with some welcome amenities to make the stay more comfortable for western guests. You have a short walk, crossing a bubbling stream and past an ancient Buddhist Chorten (stupa) before being shown down a stone-lined path to be greeted by the whole family. Spend the afternoon with your host Ugyen and his family, learning about real life in rural Bhutan and then the chance to enjoy a delightful soak in an herbal hot-stone bath. Known to be therapeutic, this helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches, besides simply soothing your mind and body…and it goes just perfectly with some of the locally brewed alcohol (ara). Enjoy a traditional dinner and plenty of stories with the family!

Note: There are no good restaurants on the way so you can choose to have brunch before you go and an early dinner, or take a packed lunch to eat on the way. Please let us know in advance which option you prefer and we will arrange it for you.

Accommodation: Ugyen’s Farmhouse
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Traditional farmhouse © Michele Bjornson

Day 03: Rural life in the Haa Valley and the Capital Thimphu

Wake up in the peaceful atmosphere, enjoy a fantastic breakfast experience and enjoy being part of the family where you can help with the daily chores such as make offerings in the family alter in the mornings, milk the cows, make butter and cheese the Bhutanese way, learn how to make the famed Suja (buttered tea) with traditional Haa valley culinary.

By mid morning we leave this rural village and head for the capital Thimphu, it is a stunning drive and we should reach Thimphu for a late lunch. While the capital is cosmopolitan compared to the Haa valley it is still a small town.

On arrival in Thimphu your host will help you check in to your accommodation so you can rest up a bit before taking a stroll around town to get a feel for the unique place you find yourselves in. You can visit the National Memorial Chorten and the stunning Tashichho Dzong (fortress), the government of Bhutan’s central administration quarters and also the office of His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister.You will have dinner at Thimphu’s most popular fusion restaurant called Chha Bistro (you won’t suffer forgettable hotel buffets on this adventure!) to wrap up your first day in style. Our good friend and owner of the restaurant is a very friendly person and will definitely add a personal touch to your meal.

** We can help you live like a Bhutanese while in Bhutan. If you like you can try wearing the traditional attire and we’re sure you’ll love the traditional Bhutanese textiles! We can take you to some of the best weavers to showcase their craft and for you to hire (or buy) your own Bhutanese ‘Gho’ or ‘Kira’ (men’s and women’s attire).

Accommodation: Bhutan Suites/ Hotel Pedling/ Peaceful Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Thimphu

This morning depending on your energy levels, you can take a stroll down to the Takin Preserve Centre, helping to protect the national animal of Bhutan. Unique to Bhutan and a small pocket of Himalayan India, this strange animal looks somewhere in between a cow and a goat yet scientists have been unable to find any genetic links to any other animal.

Later in the morning you visit the National Folk Heritage Museum and enjoy a nice lunch here served in a traditional setting as if you are in a traditional Bhutanese home. After lunch you can choose a between visiting the Zorig Chusum school of 13 traditional arts/crafts where you will see students honing their crafts and can have an interactive lesson of the 13 different traditional artforms. The Ayala Gallery to see local artists of Bhutan at work. The gallery is an initiative of a group of freelance artists who voluntarily teaches art to young aspiring artists.

Tonight, enjoy another great dinner at one of Thimphu’s best restaurants.

Accommodation: Bhutan Suites/ Hotel Pedling/ Peaceful Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05: Tango Monastery Hike

After breakfast we have an excursion to Tango and Cheri Monasteries, two of the most highly respected Buddhist academic monasteries in Bhutan. Drive along country lanes on the way to the trail and then hike uphill for just under one hour before reaching Tango Monastery, one of the most important institutes of Buddhist studies for the monks of Bhutan. Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded the monastic school at Tango Monastery in the 12th century and the present building was built in the 15th century by the ‘divine madman’, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Tango is the residence of an important Tulku (reincarnate lama) who is recognized as the seventh reincarnation of the highly respected fourth Desi, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, whose previous incarnation passed away in 1830.
A picnic lunch will be served near the riverside before continue to Cheri Monastery, which is another good climb up from the road.

Accommodation: Bhutan Suites/ Hotel Pedling/ Peaceful Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

View of Cheri Monastery on the hike up © Robin Boustead

Day 06: The post office and out into the countryside in Punakha

This morning it will be fun to try the quirky experience of a visit to the Bhutan Post Office where you can actually make your own stamps with your photos on it and post them to your friends and family back home – or even to yourself so you have a fun souvenir waiting for you when you get home! So choose your pics over dinner the night before (or before you leave home!) and have them ready to create a unique memento, Bhutan style.

After tea you load up into your comfortable car, bid farewell to Thimphu and set off to explore rural Bhutan. Your destination for today is Punakha, with a total drive time of approximately 4 hours, with great stops along the way, the first being the Dochu La (pass). The pass offers spectacular views over the distant Himalayan ranges of northern Bhutan. Situated atop the pass at the backdrop of fluttering prayer flags are the Druk Wangyal Chortens – a collection of 108 stupas built in honour of His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan.

From the pass you descend to the low-lying Lobesa valley and take a nice, short hike through a beautiful village surrounded by rice paddy fields to visit the famous Chhimi Lhakhang. At this temple you can learn about and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic religious figures, nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’. The temple is also called the fertility temple and your guide will explain the unusual story behind it.

Extra energy option 1 * If you have plenty of energy and would like an extra hike please let us know as you can also hike from Dochu La and climb through Rhododendron forests and alpine vegetation up to a peak where the Lungtsezekha temple stands at 3800m. From here, you can see the great Himalayan peaks of northern Bhutan as well as the valleys of southern Bhutan and you might come across some yaks as we often spot them around here.

Extra energy option 2 * In the afternoon you take a short drive to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery, perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang. Here you can meet the nuns, who love to practice their English with visitors and learn about the ways of the wider world.

Accommodation: Hotel Lobesa / Punatshangchhu cottage
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07: Punakha Dzong, Drive to Paro and Rest or Explore

After breakfast we visit the Punakha Dzong, situated at the confluence of two rivers and said to be the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutan’s rich art and architecture, and our guide who is an expert in iconography will explain all aspects of art, architecture, history and its significance.

We then head west, back to the beautiful city of Paro where we started our Bhutan journey. It’s a long drive (approx. 5 hours) through stunning countryside and we will have lunch on the way. You can choose to break up the trip and do some exploring along the way, or simply get to Paro and explore the beautiful and historic sites around this old city.

In the evening, explore Paro town on foot and see the various handicrafts and art centres before dinner and an early night to be rested and ready for tomorrow!

Accommodation: Metta Resort / Gangtey Palace
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08: Excursion to Tiger’s Nest

Saved the best for the last! An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery, built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy.The hike to Taktsang is a steep uphill walk and takes approximately 3 hours to reach. The trail is certainly quite a hard walk and you will no doubt be short of breath from the altitude, but it is also a stunning hike as you climb through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You can stop to rest your legs and have some light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) which is about half way up.

From here you do have views of the monastery, but after a rest you can take the rest of the walk (about another hour and a half uphill) to gain a truly incredible view of the Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of the sheer 800m cliff!As this is the last night in Bhutan, take your time to stroll around town and perhaps do any last minute shopping for gifts or mementos of our great time in Bhutan.

Accommodation: Metta Resort / Gangtey Palace
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 09: Farewell for now...

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and when it is time your guide will take you to the airport, help you with the formalities and fare you well before your flight to home.

Meals included: Breakfast
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Included In Price

  • Hotels as per itinerary on twin share BB basis
  • All entrance fees and guide for sightseeing
  • Bhutan visa with your international flight from Kathmandu to Paro
  • Transportation as per the detailed itinerary
  • Meals as per itinerary

Not Included In Price

  • Single supplement, please see single supplement charge
  • International flights to and from Kathmandu; Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes; any excess baggage charges
  • Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and emergency rescue / evacuation that covers all of the activities you will undertake during your trip should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
  • Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary above (eg additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours)
  • Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice about gear to bring/buy/rent
  • Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
  • Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
  • Tips for your city guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, etc (please ask if you would like guidance about appropriate tips)
  • Costs incurred due to unforeseen events (eg caused by natural disasters, adverse road conditions/flight delays, labor strikes, fuel shortages, extreme exchange rate changes, etc)
Adventure travel: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in the mountains, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of fellow travelers can all contribute to changes. We will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy- going nature will be an asset!

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Google reviews

From the outset Himalayan Trails were nothing but efficient helping us to plan exactly what we wanted from our trip. Amanda was quick to respond to any queries and provided lots of additional useful information to ensure we were well prepared in advance. The accommodation we had was full of character and in traditional Nepali style rather than anonymous chain hotels, every pick up or meeting happened on time, Amanda even managed to find us last minute accommodation when one of our guest houses had overbooked. Our trekking guide, Mindu, kept us safe, fed and watered and motivated when we needed it - his cheerful singing and whistling along with his infectious laugh kept us entertained for 4 days on the Muldai Trek. Our city guide, Subash, was always on hand to answer our endless questions and was great company painting pictures of the sights we visited with lots of stories. He soon joined in our teasing and banter (and gave as good as he got!). We had a fabulous trip but it was the people we met who made it so special.I struggled to say goodbye to both our guides but know we have made some new friends for life. We have fallen in love with Nepal and will definitely be back and will not hesitate to use Himalayan Trails again. Thank you everyone - you did an amazing job!

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thumb Cheryl Robins
01.06.2020

An amazing 28 day adventure from Himalayan Trails, encompassing fantastic, beautiful scenery, diverse cultures and the wonderful friendly people of Nepal. Our bespoke trek from sunrise at Pikey Peak, a visit to Choling monastery (magic) Lukla, on to Gokyo where we had perfect views of Everest from Gokyo Ri and the less visited 5th Lake. Then back to Kathmandu via Renjo La, Namche, and an exciting flight from Lukla .After the trek, on Mads recommendation we went to Bardia National Park staying at quirky Racy Shade Resort. We saw tiger, one horned Rhinos, and lots of other wildlife on safari and rafting down the Karnali river. What a way to recoup from 20 days treking! At the beginning and end of our journey we were immmersed in the culture and unique ancient architecture of the old cities of the Kathmandu valley. An absolutely brilliant holiday- the guides, porters, tea houses, hotels, transfers, just flowed in that beautiful Nepalese way. Thoroughly recommend Himalayan Trails.

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thumb COLIN PATEMAN
10.02.2020

Pikey Peak hiking and Nargakot Mountain biking were such unforgettable experiences. Stunning scenery and beautiful people. Thanks again guys 5 stars straight up

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thumb matt mcleod
12.02.2020

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Looking for something you don’t see yet? Get a trip that‘s customized just for you! (And actually, this is where our best work happens.)
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We escaped the madness and got into the mountains! We escaped the madness and got into the mountains! Sad that people are missing out this season because of the coronavirus and travel restrictions. It was glorious up there! The autumn months are gonna be magic too... just sayin 😊 ⛰ 🥾 💖 #nepaltrekking
Illuminated snaps from our guest/ friend Corinna a Illuminated snaps from our guest/ friend Corinna and guide Pasang on the Manaslu Circuit trek. They’re having a Great time! Thanks for sharing!! #nepaltrekking #manaslu #manaslucircuit @himalayantrails
Hello from our intrepid trekkers’ early morning Hello from our intrepid trekkers’ early morning jaunt to Thronga La. As you do at the end of an almost outer-worldly trek through Upper Mustang, if you’re as ambitious as Georgina and Claire! 🏔 🇳🇵 #uppermustang #nepaltrekking
They got big air in very thin air! Spectacular sho They got big air in very thin air! Spectacular shots from @bjpartyof3 ! Thanks for posting such gorgeous, and athletic, shots from your trek with Chiring! 😊💥 -check out their feed, it’s inspirational and beautiful! #treknepal #gokyolakestrek #ebc
Happy Birthday Raj! Raj is the powerhouse behind t Happy Birthday Raj! Raj is the powerhouse behind the scenes, making HT Treks and Awesome Expeditions run smoothly. He got about 10 mins to celebrate today, with the rest of the operations staff, because we have a ton of adventurers arriving and on trail. He’s thinking of moving his birthday until July 🤣 Cheers Raj!! #lovethefireworkcandles! #treknepal
These guests weren’t up for trekking but wanted These guests weren’t up for trekking but wanted to see the tallest mountains in the world. The peaks were  so close you could almost touch them. This was our heli ride to Lukla, then a jaw dropping photo stop at Kala Patar, followed by a bit of brekkie with views of the tallest mountain in the world, and then back to the Kathmandu valley. Not bad for a Monday morning. #nepal #everestandfriends #areyoukiddingme! #windyheli 🤣
Awe man, this adventure is happening Now! Our gues Awe man, this adventure is happening Now! Our guests, guide, and porter trekking to Everest Base camp and and Gokyo Ri. Absolutely gorgeous! #nepal #trekking #gokyovalleytrek #ebc
Exploring Phaplu and Junbesi in the summertime wit Exploring Phaplu and Junbesi in the summertime with @delecca and the Puppies!
Well he’s a tad older than the 2 ‘candles’/ Well he’s a tad older than the 2 ‘candles’/ cake-fireworks suggest; he’s 100! Happy Birthday Mads! @himalayantrails #happynepalinewyear #2076!
Out for a little ride.... Out for a little ride....
Who’s the mystery man contemplating the view in Who’s the mystery man contemplating the view in Panchase? Loving the uncrowded short treks in Nepal- let’s keep this amongst ourselves ... 🤫. #nepaltrekking #trekkinginnepal #stopandsmellthemountains ...but if u want to make this happen we will.. discreetly.
Not many other souls in sight while revisiting the Not many other souls in sight while revisiting these trails that haven’t seen much traffic for years. #whereisthis?#nepaltrekking #trekking #camping #sunrise #himalayas #thatsenoughclues.
Lazimpath, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Email: info@himalayan-trails.com
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