Luxury Western Bhutan tour
Description of Luxury Western Bhutan tour
Join a luxury cultural tour of Western Bhutan, led by a local guide, which also takes in sections of the Trans Bhutan Trail, one of the country’s most renowned sustainable tourism initiatives. Bespoke, tailor made itineraries can be customised according to your own interests, while you’ll stay throughout in a succession of eco-friendly five-star hotels.
Spectacular Himalayan views are as regular as sunrise and sunset in Bhutan, of course, yet they never cease to be awe-inspiring. Colourful prayer flags flutter in the wind at high mountain passes, while traders sell their handicrafts, often woven from yak hair. They make unique souvenirs while also providing a valuable income for local craftspeople.
From the capital, Thimphu, you travel to Punakha via a trek on a section of the iconic Trans Bhutan Trail. Used by traders, pilgrims, messengers and armies for centuries, the trail has now been restored to one of the world’s great long distance walking routes. All profits are re-invested into maintaining this epic trail. Along the way you’ll pause for a homecooked lunch with a local family, the meal made from organically grown food. With your guide present to translate it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about rural ways of life in this part of Bhutan.
In Punakha you’ll visit a monastery where monks study English and higher levels of Buddhism. They’re always happy to practise their language skills with travellers in exchange for morsels of information about monastic life. You’ll also adopt Bhutanese traditional dress for an afternoon at the Punakha dzong (fortress), among the most beautiful in the country.
Via yak herder camps, temples, monasteries and steep Himalayan passes you reach the Gangtey Valley where, during the winter (December to February), rare Black necked Cranes can be seen as they escape the freezing weather in Tibet. Try a sumptuous hot stone bath here, perhaps a final taste of luxury before your return to Paro.
Bhutan may still be a land veiled in secrecy, but it's no secret now that you can enjoy its remote mountain splendour and traditional culture in style and luxury.
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Planet
Protecting Bhutan’s natural resources is one of our four pillars of sustainability, which underpin everything we do. 100% of the profits of this trip go back into sustaining the Trail and protecting it for years to come. On the days where travellers are walking on the sections of the Trans Bhutan Trail, we have worked with the Department of Forestry Royal Society for the Protection of Nature and Bhutan for Life Foundation to ensure this trip continues to protect the environment. We also plant a tree for each international guest that books with us.All of the accommodations on this trip are 5* with an emphasis on sustainability. Gangtey Lodge plants 100 trees each year as part of their environmental policy and Amankora uses kitchen gardens to source a lot of their produce. You will also enjoy a lunch on day two in a traditional farmhouse. Again, the produce served is organically grown and on the premises.
People
Community is at the heart of what we do. During this trip there will be several experiences where you will interact with the local communities and by doing this, we can continue to support them. For example, whilst enjoying lunch at the traditional farmhouses you will be able to interact with your hosts and learn about their way of life. You will also be accompanied by a local guide throughout this trip. The five star hotels we use also employ locally and from within Bhutan, meaning skill development is kept within the region.As with all of our trips, 100% of the profit that is made from them goes directly back into the communities helping keep the Trans Bhutan Trail sustainable. Through this we can employ a number of Trail Stewards and ambassadors who keep the Trail maintained and run unique experiences for our travellers. As well as the Trail Stewards, we also employ a head office team in Bhutan who manage the operations as well as domestic marketing.
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