Active Adventure and Masked Dance Festival in the World's Last Shangri La
Hiker’s Journey to Bhutan
Overview
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, dining with a family in their 500-year-old-home, and attending a tsechu—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
Highlights
- Attend a wildly colorful Buddhist tsechu festival
- Explore the peaceful Bumthang region, spiritual center of this Himalayan kingdom
- Hike the pilgrim trail to the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang
- Private welcome at a remote nunnery, with the opportunity to join a guided meditation
- Dine with a local family in their farmhouse and learn about Bhutanese traditions
Itinerary
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'), hike to the isolated Lungchuzekha Monastery (11,800'), then continue to the Punakha Valley to explore the breathtaking 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 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. In a setting of tidy farmhouses, orchards, and fields, we hike to some of the region'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 tsechu festivals, 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 festivals.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 3+, Moderate, according to our trip rating system. There are hikes on 7 days, ranging in length from 2 to 6 hours. The hikes are moderate and suitable for people in good shape who enjoy mountain hiking. Although you carry only a daypack, there are some steep ascents and descents, and the hikes are at moderate altitude, which can make them feel strenuous. Please note that travel times vary depending upon local conditions, and the itinerary may change while you are in Bhutan due to government regulations and local climate conditions.
Review Trip Level Details
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.
Bhutan is known to have the most unpredictable weather in the Himalaya, so it is best to be prepared for a range of conditions. During spring (mid-March to early June) in the Thimphu and Paro regions, daytime temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F but colder spells are not unusual. The autumn season arrives in September and lasts until mid-November. At this time, skies tend to be clearer and temperatures lower, sometimes falling to below freezing at night. At altitudes of 8,000 to 10,000 feet (as in Bumthang), daytime temperatures range in the 50s and 60s with nights dropping to the 40s. Clouds often form in the afternoons, disappearing at night to reveal brilliantly starry skies. At altitudes above 10,000 feet, daytime temperatures can be in the 60s but as low as the 30s and 40s if it is windy. Evening temperatures at these higher altitudes often drop to around 15°F and sometimes lower. Rain and snow are not uncommon at any time of year making waterproof rain gear a necessity for Bhutan.
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.
Client Testimonials
"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
"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
"Absolutely one of the best trips I've ever taken—an amazing experience. How can one improve upon perfection?"
Kathryn H.
Seattle, WA
"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
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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!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
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.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – 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.
Level 3 – 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.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – 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.
Level 5 – 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.
Level 6 – 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.