2 min summary When to go Map & highlights Things to do Buddhism Combining countries Festivals The Druk Path LGBT Families Advice Responsible tourism

Combining Bhutan with other countries

Holidays in Bhutan are one thing but why not fly over the Himalayas to visit Nepal, Tibet or India as part of the same trip? Find out more about how you can incorporate three of South Asia's most fascinating countries in one amazing trip to Bhutan. Opportunities like this don't come along every day so now's the chance to travel to Bhutan... and beyond.

Home\Asia\Bhutan

COMBINING BHUTAN WITH OTHER COUNTRIES

Landlocked within the eastern Himalaya and ideally situated on the Silk Route between Tibet, India and Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the region’s safest and most peaceful nations providing security and harmony for happy inhabitants. Although spending time in Bhutan is the best way to begin to understand how Buddhism and happiness ratings intertwine with daily life, combining countries is an excellent option if you’re hoping to compare cuisine and cultural customs, and to explore some of South Asia’s most incredible natural environments as part of the same trip.

Organised tours are by far the best means of cutting down on the paperwork and waiting time associated with visa controls, as well as offering the added security of knowing you’re in the safe hands of an expert tour leader. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about languages, locations and lifestyles and gain immediate insight from a trusted source in a world of often limited communication channels.

Opulent royal palaces, precariously placed monasteries and visits to artisan workshops and remote rural villages all combine within one amazing tour. If you’re looking for a few highlights from the trip of a lifetime then read on for three favourites that go hand in hand with a trip to Bhutan.

See all our Bhutan Holidays

Give us a call

Our Bhutan Holidays

Bhutan & Nepal

From the gilded cages and colourful depictions of Kal Bhairav in Durbar Square to the eyes of Buddha looking out from Swayamhbu Stupa over the historic monuments in the valley below, Kathmandu in Nepal makes for a stunning start to a tour prior to flying to Paro in Bhutan. Nepal boasts not only the highest point on the planet, Mount Everest, but also the birthplace of Gautama Buddha with a colourful trading heritage matched only by the transitional tale that saw Nepal switch from being the last Hindu monarchy to a secular state. Unravelling the threads of Hinduism before taking the one-hour flight on to Buddhist Bhutan is a real treat for cultural travellers.

Bhutan to India

Thimphu and Tashichho Dzong followed by views over Phobjikha Valley, by way of Dochhu La Pass, and trips to the incredible Taktsang Monastery, are what make visits to Bhutan such an enviable prospect but head from Paro to Guwahati and you’ll find yourself at the gateway to northeast India. Safaris within the realm of Kaziranga National Park will have you looking for tigers, elephants and one horned rhinos in one of India’s best regarded areas for wildlife conservation before heading to the largest river island on the planet, Majuli, and onwards to the rolling hills and lochs of Shillong. Combining a tour of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan with the subtropical forests and agricultural plantations of Meghalaya, in northeast India, is about as eclectic an experience as you can imagine.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Bhutan or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Nepal, Bhutan & Tibet

Make the most of your time in the Himalayas with an hour-long flight from Paro, Bhutan, to Kathmandu, Nepal, then onwards to Lhasa in Tibet, ideal for avoiding otherwise impassable peaks. A two-week tour of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet can incorporate Bhaktapur, Punakha and the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, in one amazing experience. Tibet is a remarkable country with unbreakable ties to Bhutan. Trips to the palaces of the Dalai Lama, Drepung and Sera monasteries and the sacred Jolkhang Temple offer a unique introduction to the region to ensure travellers are enlightened, experienced and eager for more.

Combining trips to Bhutan with any of the countries mentioned above is certain to make wizened travellers take note, just as readily as newbies to Asia, and well planned routes enable organic exploration rather than simply whizzing from one highlight to the next.

Approximate flight times:

Paro, Bhutan to Kathmandu, Nepal: 1 hour
Paro, Bhutan to Guwahati, northeast India: 1 hour
Paro, Bhutan to Gonggar, Lhasa: 6 hours

More about Bhutan

Bhutan travel guide

We've packed almost as much into our Bhutan travel guide as the country itself and all you have to do to unlock the secrets of the dzongs, the Dagala Thousand Lakes and the colourful Buddhist festivals is read on and prepare for peace and a whole lot more besides.

Best time to visit Bhutan

Check out our temperature and rainfall chart that gives some indication as to the best time to visit Bhutan as well as a handy month by month guide and expert recommendations from our friends on the ground.

Bhutan itineraries

Make the most of your time in Bhutan by reading our handy highlights map and by initiating an itinerary that encapsulates all of the country's best bits from Bumthang, close to the northern borders with Tibet, to Takung Valley, in central Bhutan.

Things to do in Bhutan

Bhutan is quite rightly regarded as hiking heaven however, if you're looking for more things to do in Bhutan then read on as we can help you untangle your Zen from your dzongs and your tshechus as you put your best foot forwards and enter one of the world's leading biodiversity hot spots.

Buddhism in Bhutan

Tours of Bhutan will inevitably feature Buddhism and monks which is why this article sets out to explain some of the principles of Buddhism in Bhutan and the etiquette associated with visiting a monastery, dzong, temple or meeting monks in Bhutan.

Festivals in Bhutan

Experiencing a Buddhist festival in Bhutan is the best way to understand the meaning and symbolism that features throughout an event that can last anything up to four days.

Druk Path Trek, Bhutan

Soaring Himalayan scenery, local life and beautiful cultural sites, all compactly contained within a short and spectacular route – the Druk Path is one of Bhutan’s best and most accessible trails.

LGBT holidays in Bhutan

Bhutan’s main issue with homosexuality seems to be that it is ‘non Bhutanese’. But times are changing, lamas and politicians are calling for acceptance, and anyone taking an LGBT holiday in Bhutan should not face discrimination or harassment.

Bhutan with kids

Travelling with kids in Bhutan isn't going to be a walk in the park, but it's certainly an experience worth considering.

Bhutan travel advice

Find out what Rajat Kumar, Sunita Subba and Ralph Foulds have to say when it comes to Bhutan travel advice because between them they've been there, done that and got the yak hair t-shirt.

Responsible tourism in Bhutan

If you're hoping to travel right and learn more about responsible tourism in Bhutan then we've compiled the following information and practical tips to help you learn how to travel like a local and ensure your experience is beneficial for both yourself and Bhutan, as a whole.