The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom

17 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Explore Bhutan, one of the world’s most isolated countries, with experts and locals who share their enduring culture, history and natural wonders.
From$4,449
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
    • I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
    • Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game

What's this trip about?

    Explore Bhutan, one of the world’s most isolated countries, with experts and locals who share their enduring culture, history and natural wonders.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityKathmandu
End CityParo

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Culinary & Wine
  • Photography
  • National Parks
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Holy Land

Destinations

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Departures In Flight

Day 2 Arrival Kathmandu Kathmandu

Hotel check-in from 2:00pm. Please note that there is no official programming on this day. A local Road Scholar representative will connect with everyone today and inform participants about travel plans and logistics for getting to Bhutan tomorrow morning. Your Group ...

Day 3 Fly to Bhutan, National Museum, Drive to Thimpu Thimphu

The flight from Kathmandu to Paro is approximately 1½ hours. Flight times are based on seasonal schedules and departure times are subject to change. Visas and flights to and from Bhutan are pre-arranged and the schedule and travel documents will be given out in Nepal....

Day 4 Traditional Arts & Crafts, Gross National Happiness Thimphu

The National Memorial Stupa is a 600 meter (0.4 mile/15 minutes) walk from the hotel. The private bus transfer is 1 mile to the National Institute for Traditional Arts and Culture and a further 1.5 miles to the National Textile Museum. Walking and standing for up to 3...

Day 5 Takin Preserve, Buddha Dordenma, Archery, Tashichho Dzong Thimphu

Private motorcoach to all locations. Takin Preserve requires 10-20 minutes gradual uphill hike on partially paved footpaths, tall steps and uneven ground. At the Sitting Buddha, 10-30 minutes walk on even ground, steps around the statue. Archery grounds, 20-30 minutes...

Day 6 Phobjikha Valley, Beautiful Himalayan Mountain Views Phobjikha Valley

The drive to the Phobjikha Valley is 80 miles/5-6 hours, with stops along the way. We drive over the Dochola Pass at 10,100 feet and arrive in the Phobjika Valley at 9,800 feet.

This morning we depart for the Phobjikha Valley. Our scenic drive begins with a grad...

Day 7 Phobjikha Hike, Crane Center Phobjikha Valley

Moderate 2.5 mile / 3 hour hike on predominantly flat ground. Expect to hike on uneven trails with a gradual descent during the first 20 minutes.

After breakfast, we take a 2 – 3 hour nature hike around the valley, through the village. We explore the Crane Obser...

Day 8 Drive to Central Bhutan, Pele La Pass, Bumthang Valley Bumthang

Our drive today is approximately 100 miles/5-6 hours, with stops along the way. We cross over Pele La Pass, arriving in the Bumthang Valley at 9,185 feet.

Today begins with an early morning departure for Bumthang, the easternmost point of our program. The drive ...

Day 9 School Visit, Sherthang Pass, Ura Bumthang

Private motorcoach 5 minute drive to the school. Approximately 70 miles/3 hours drive from Bumthang to Ura village and return. Hike to village is 2.5 hours downhill on an uneven dirt trail, slippery when wet. The hike involves a fairly steep descent. 15 minutes walk t...

Day 10 Jambay & Kurjey Temples, Bumthang Valley, Spiritual Hike Bumthang

There are walking opportunities today in both the morning and afternoon. In the morning we walk from Jambay to Kurjey, a walk of 1 mile/½ hour on fairly flat ground. After lunch, there is an optional hike of approximately 3 miles/2 hours. Apart from a 10 minute uphill...

Day 11 Trongsa Dzong Trongsa

Our private motorcoach drive from Bumthang to Trongsa is approximately 50 miles/3 hours, with stops along the way. The elevation in Trongsa is 7,215 feet. Walking on uneven steps and stairs inside and outside the museum. Standing for up to 30 - 40 minutes in the museu...

Day 12 Scenic Drive to Punakha Valley, Chimi Lhakhang Temple Wangdue Phodrang

The drive to Wangdue Phodrang and the Punakha Valley is approximately 80 miles/6 hours, with rest stops along the way. The elevation in Punakha Valley is 4,430 feet. The hike to Chimi Lhakhang and return is more than an hour on gentle slopes, uneven steps, on dirt tra...

Day 13 Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Stupa, Punakha Fortress Wangdue Phodrang

Private motorcoach 1 hour drive to trail head. Up to 2.5 hours hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Stupa and return. About half a mile steep ascent/descent with switchbacks. Hiking on uneven ground through rice terraces, slippery when wet. Private motorcoach 15 minute driv...

Day 14 Paro Town, Paro Dzong Paro

Private motorcoach 70 miles/3-4 hours drive to Paro, with stops along the way. Elevation in Paro is 7,382 feet. Up to 1 hour exploring Paro covering about half a mile on the streets,paved footpaths and roads with open drains and uneven steps. 15 minute drive to hotel....

Day 15 Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery Paro

This is an all-day hike involving steep climbs and drops, with an elevation gain of 1,900 feet over 3 hours. The hike is strenuous and you must be physically fit to complete it. For those unable to complete the full hike, there is an option to hike halfway to a viewin...

Day 16 Fly to Kathmandu, Free Time, Program Concludes, Departures In Flight

There is no programming today. Morning flight from Paro to Kathmandu takes 1 hour. This flight is pre-booked for all participants on the program. In Kathmandu, participants will be provided a hotel room for the full night, due to late night and possible next day depar...

Day 17 Arrive home In Flight

Hotel check-out at 12:00noon today.

Hotel check-out is at 12:00noon today for those with later departure flights.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,449
Price per day$262
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 14
  • Number of Lunch: 13
  • Number of Dinner: 14
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-8520

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