When to go
February – March, September, and November
Price
From £3,895 pp (including flights) | Private: £4,495pp (including flights)
Flight time
9hrs 38mins
Introduction
Home to some of the world’s most wild, pristine, and sacred places, Bhutan takes enormous pride in its culture and ecosystems. You will see for yourself when you visit this majestic land. Along the way, you will admire breathtaking panoramic views of the mountain ranges, learn about the country’s Buddhist influences, and mingle with the locals in the beautiful traditional villages.
Good For
At a Glance
Duration
12 days & 9 nights
Guide price
Group: £3,895pp (including flights) | Private: £4,495pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Kathmandu | Paro | Thimphu | Punakha | Paro | Kathmandu | Doha
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Discovery
Accommodation
Hotel Himalaya | Hotel Kisa | Meri Puensum | Village Lodge | Hotel Himalaya
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 12 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Kathmandu | Kathmandu
Extensions
Tour + Gangtey & Bumthang (4 days & 4 nights) from £1,895
Highlights
Witness the Colorful Festivals in Bhutan
Bhutan has many festivals throughout the year including the Thmphu Teschu Festival, where people dress in colorful attire and watch live dance performances. Another one is the Jambay Lhakhang Drup Festival, which takes place between October and November and features locals dancing under a flaming structure made of dry grass.
Participate in a Bhutanese Cooking Class
Bhutanese cooking is renowned for its spiciness, making chillis an essential ingredient in almost every Bhutanese dish. In this engaging and informative cooking class, you will learn how to incorporate spice into a variety of dishes and try out the final meals for yourself.
Explore the Medieval Centre of Kathmandu
Kathmandu is rich with medieval spirit. While there you can explore Thamel, a traveller inclave with prominent hotels and hostels. It also features colourful stalls from people selling a wide variety of goods. You can also explore the monastery courtyards, which contain well-preserved plants and garden beds.
Meet Local Monks
At Punakha, visit the Nalanda Buddhist Institute to meet local Buddhist monks. There, you will learn about the mission of the Monastic Institute, which is to enhance the basic understanding of vast philosophy and attain higher successful studies, as well as help children with a poor background by helping them attain an education.
Dinner With Local Family
After a morning sightseeing tour of Thimphu, enjoy dinner in the evening with a local family. You can choose from a wide range of meals to suit your dietary requirements. And you will get a taste of what life in Bhutan is like for a typical family.
Recommended Hotels
Hotel Himalaya | Hotel Kisa | Meri Puensum | Village Lodge | Hotel Himalaya
Sample Itinerary
Bhutan: The Dragon Kingdom
Until 1974, the Kingdom of Bhutan was off limits to tourists. Since that historic change, the region has become a popular tourist destination, enticing travelers with its beautifully preserved forts, monasteries, and markets. You will also trek along Taktsang, also known as Tiger’s Nest, which features a monastery perched on a rocky lodge.
Day 1: Fly to Kathmandu
Fly overnight from London to Kathmandu via Doha. Regional connections available.
(N)
Day 2: Kathmandu
Arrive at Kathmandu in the afternoon. Then transfer to the Hotel Himalaya (or similar) for 2 nights. It features 125 furnished guestrooms, minibars and LCD televisions, and wireless internet. It is also within close proximity to the Banglamukhi Temple and Pashupatinath Temple.
(N)
Day 3: Kathmandu
Take a morning tour of Kathmandu. In the afternoon, visit the temple at Pashupatinath and Bodhnath. Many Tibetan Buddhist festivals take place here.
(B)
Day 4: Fly to Paro • Thimphu
Fly to Paro in the morning. Then drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon tour the Tashichho Dzong, also known as the ‘Fortress of the Glorious Religion.’ The fortress stands today thanks to the restoration efforts of 1962, which sought to fix damage caused by fires and earthquakes in 1866 and 1897, respectively.
Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Kisa (or similar).
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Thimphu
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Thimphu. This includes the National Memorial Chorten, Simply Bhutan, Buddha Point, and Textile Museum. During the tour, you will also marvel at the traditional houses, vibrant local markets, and newly built multi-storey towers that make the city feel larger than life.
Afternoon leisure. Then dinner in the evening with a local family.
(B, L, D)
Day 6: Punakha
Travel to Punakha via the Dochula Pass. The mountain pass is located near the snow-covered Himalayans and 108 memorial chortens (or stupas), a mound-like structure containing relics. From there, visit a traditional farmhouse, and enjoy an authentic village experience. Stay for 2 nights at the Meri Puensum (or similar).
(B, L, D)
Day 7: Punakha
Take a morning tour of Punakha, including the Punakha Dzong, the second-oldest and second-largest dzong in Bhutan. The building name also means ‘the place of great happiness or bliss.’ In the afternoon, visit the Nalanda Buddhist Institute to meet local Buddhist monks. The institute was established in 2001 and the name Nalanda means ‘giver of knowledge.’
(B, L, D)
Day 8: Paro
Drive to Paro. Then stay 2 nights at the Village Lodge (or similar). In the afternoon visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. The museum features ancient temples, an art technology and media room where visitors can watch documentaries, and stunning panoramic views of Para Valley from the watchtower.
Later, enjoy a cooking class in Bhutanese cuisine, introducing you to the many wonderful applications of spice in Bhutanese cooking.
(B, L, D)
Day 9: Paro
Take a morning trek to Takstang (‘Tiger’s Nest’). It is considered one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It hangs on a cliff, towering over the majestic forest of blue pine and rhododendrons. The return walk takes about 5 hours.
In the afternoon, visit Rinpung Dzong. The town features remarkable architecture and massive buttressed walls that, quite literally, tower over the town in a dramatic fashion. Most of the chapels are closed but can still be admired by tourists at a distance.
Later, have a shot at archery, the national sport of Bhutan.
(B, L, D)
Day 10: Fly to Kathmandu
In the morning, fly to Kathmandu and stay overnight at the Hotel Himilaya (or similar). Enjoy a farewell dinner at Brick Café.
(B, D)
Day 11: Fly to London via Doha
Have a day of leisure with a late hotel check-out. Fly from Kathmandu to London in the evening, via Doha.
(B)
Day 12: London
Arrive at London in the early morning.
(N)
