In the serene, secluded Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, spirituality permeates every aspect of daily life, traditional festivals are living manifestations of a national faith, and the king decrees “Gross National Happiness” as the standard by which to measure the country's wealth. On this lodge-based Private Journey with your own private guide, hike to tiny villages of whitewashed homes, through magical forests, and up to mountainside chortens (shrines) bedecked with colorful prayer flags. Along the way from Thimphu, the capital, to the beautiful Paro and Punakha valleys, meet villagers, farmers, and red-robed monks, explore colorful markets, and marvel at the Shangri La setting of sublime fortress monasteries reigning over wooded valleys. Exciting optional add-ons include the opportunity to experience a traditional hot stone bath, get a reading by a Bhutanese astrologer, or visit a nunnery in the Punakha Valley.
Arrive: Paro, Bhutan
Depart: Paro, Bhutan
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Most of the accommodations in Bhutan are somewhat rustic but very charming, and we've chosen some of the country's most well situated hotels/lodges for this journey. Please note that most hotel rooms are twin-bedded. Optional upgrades are available. All are luxurious, stylish 5-star retreats featuring beautifully appointed rooms decorated with traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, and relaxing spa facilities with Asian-inspired therapies.
Meals are included as noted in the detailed itinerary (dinners are not included at upgraded hotels unless prearranged). Generally, you will eat breakfast on your own at the lodge before meeting your guide for the day's activities. Your guides may join you for some lunches and dinners, depending on the schedule and your preference. Please be aware that many hotels/lodges in Bhutan provide simple buffets at lunch and dinner. The cuisine in Bhutan is generally based on basic rice with stir-fry and stew options. If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to advise us on your application form.
"From hiking through the beautifully untouched Himalayas, to learning all about Buddhism by visiting the most incredible monasteries, to experiencing life in traditional farm houses—our experience in Bhutan was undeniably everything we could've asked for and more! The itinerary was planned perfectly with a great mix of culture, hiking, and sight seeing. Not once did we ever feel rushed and everything was efficiently planned."
Mari N.
Oakland, CA
"The trip was excellent—it seemed like nothing could go wrong! The itinerary was well-paced: we felt like we were seeing each valley comprehensively but without straining ourselves or overdoing it. The food was uniformly excellent, exceeding my expectations at local restaurants, picnics, and even a farmhouse where we dined. Our guide Kinley was perfect in every way—extremely informative, personable, and managing to run everything smoothly while never rushing us or wasting time. All in all, this was among the best-run trips imaginable."
Michael M.
Chicago, IL
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!
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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.
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.