Bhutan adventure holiday
| country: | Bhutan |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | Small group departures of this itinerary run throughout the year and it can also be run as a tailor-made trip to suit your requirements. |
| price: | From £1730 (14 days) excluding flights. We can offer advice on flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Bhutan adventure holiday
Bhutan, also known locally as Drukyul (Land of the Thunder Dragon), is one of the most exotic destinations. Located to the north of India and south of Tibet, it is the last Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom, with a breathtaking Himalayan landscape as a backdrop. The country was never colonised, thus survived the influence of accelerated and thoughtless modernisation; which makes it one of the rarest and most unique of travel destinations.
With a population of little more than 600,000, you will experience a very different lifestyle... Bhutan has maintained a very traditional culture, yet has adapted what it needs from the modern world. The size of Switzerland, it is a country of rolling hills and towering crags, with only small patches of cultivation and very little deforestation, rich in flora and fauna. Be among the few lucky ones to visit the pristine and nature loving Kingdom of Bhutan.
Below is a sample itinerary but we can tailor-make trips of any duration to suit your requirements...
With a population of little more than 600,000, you will experience a very different lifestyle... Bhutan has maintained a very traditional culture, yet has adapted what it needs from the modern world. The size of Switzerland, it is a country of rolling hills and towering crags, with only small patches of cultivation and very little deforestation, rich in flora and fauna. Be among the few lucky ones to visit the pristine and nature loving Kingdom of Bhutan.
Below is a sample itinerary but we can tailor-make trips of any duration to suit your requirements...
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Paro. Upon arrival you will be met and transfer to your Bhutanese home - a traditional styled hotel. After lunch we will visit the National Museum of Bhutan. Take a short hike down to the traditional cantilever bridge before being picked up on the other side of the river. Time to explore Paro town before welcome dinner at the hotel. | |
| Day 2: | Taktshang Monastery. Day Excursion to Taktshang literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places and an important pilgrimage destination. Walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9200 ft., where we stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. | |
| Day 3: | Thimphu. Drive to Thimphu where the first stop will be the Traditional Paper Factory. Next we will visit Bhutan Post, where you will have time to admire and buy some stamps - Bhutan is well known among the philatelists and stamps constitute one of its delightful exports. Drive to Sangaygang - the view point also known as Lover's Point where young couples come to enjoy the birds' eye view of the Thimphu valley. Then visit the Dupthop Lhakhang, a nunnery with more than 70 practicing nuns. | |
| Day 4: | Thimphu. Visit the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum where you can get a fascinating insight into rural Bhutanese life before proceeding to a painting school where the traditional style of Thangkha painting is passed on to the next generation. After lunch we will drive north to visit the Tango Monastery founded in the 12th century and now a college teaching higher Buddhist Philosophy. | |
| Day 5: | Punakha. Today we visit the weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday evening. Resume our journey to Punakha enjoying the magnificent views of the eastern Himalayas and the hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Take an easy hike through the village of Yuwakha and its rice fields before visitng a locally owned farmhouse to get a closer look at the Kingdom's unique culture, which dictates simple hospitality extended to any and all guests, even to perfect strangers. | |
| Day 6: | Gangey - Trongsa. En route to Trongsa visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong with its breathtaking location and impressive views over both the surrounding countryside. Drive through forests of oak and rhododendron to one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winters. After time to explore and lunch we continue our journey to Trongsa. | |
| Day 7: | Jakar. After breakfast visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong - built in 1644, this is probably the most impressive dzong in the country and one of the most aesthetic and magnificent works of Bhutanese architecture. As we descend from the pass, stop at Chumey village where you will have time to admire the village weavers weaving woollen fabric popularly known as Yathra which is a speciality of Bumthang valley. Lunch on arrival in Jakar followed by time to explore the town. In the evening we will visit the Jakar Dzong - Fortress of the white bird. | |
| Day 8: | Bumthang. Today we begin with a visit to Jambay Lhakhang - one of the 108 temples built in a day across the Himalayas. After lunch at the hotel we will explore the other side of the Chamkhar Chu River on foot. It is an easy hike through wheat fields. The day will end with a visit to the Swiss farm where you may like to enjoy the soft Gouda cheese. | |
| Day 9: | Ura Valley. Today we head to the Ura Valley. En route visit the Membartsho - or Burning Lake. Enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7219m) and other mountain peaks. After lunch time to explore the valley including a visit to Ura Lhakhang (temple) which houses some remarkable paintings of Buddhist teachings. | |
| Day 10: | Punakha. Visit to the impressive Ta Dzong (watchtower) which provides an insight into historical significance of this area in the country’s history. Picnic lunch en route to Wangdiphodrang. | |
| Day 11: | Punakha. Moderate hike through the rice paddies to Khamum Yuelay Namgyel Choeten (a Buddhist monument) where the view of the surrounding valley is breathtaking. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still the winter residence of the Central Monk Body. In the afternoon explore the Nobgang valley - the home district of Their Majesties the Queens. | |
| Day 12: | Paro. Today we return to Paro stopping in Thimphu for lunch and last minute shopping. | |
| Day 13: | Haa Valley. Haa valley was recently opened to visitors and remains one of Bhutan’s most untouched areas. The valley is dotted with fields of millet, barley, potatoes and wheat. The farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted cornices and frames. After lunch explore the valley and its temples. Return to Paro for a farewell dinner. | |
| Day 14: | Departure. After breakfast drive to the Paro International Airport for your onward flight |
how this holiday makes a difference
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We try to ensure that all our trips not only minimise the negative effects of tourism but actually have a positive impact on the communities who welcome us into their villages and often their homes. Using local guides, local transport and local accommodation and paying fair wages, ensures that not only do our clients gain a unique insight into the culture they are visiting but also that as much of their money as possible stays in the local community.
Wherever possible we also contribute to community projects (helping to preserve traditional ways of life, providing education and supporting environmental initiatives) and encourage our clients to visit or even lend a helping hand. Running this trip as a small group or tailor-made and using local guides who help our clients to understand and respect the cultural differences means that our clients are often treated as welcomed guests rather than intruding foreigners. We travel at a leisurely pace to allow you the time to fully appreciate the charm of this fascinating country. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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