Bhutan Adventure
Bhutan Adventure
Bhutan Adventure
9 Days Starting and ending in Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Visiting: Kathmandu, Tashichho Dzong, Paro, Royal Takin Preserve, Thimphu, Buddha dordenma, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Gangtey nature trail, Rinpung Dzong རིན་སྤུང་རྫོང་།, National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།, Paro Taktsang
Tour operator:
Tour code:
Bhut
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 14
Age range:
16-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Take time to experience breathtaking hikes, temples and traditions on our Bhutan Adventure. If the Kingdom of Bhutan is a must on your adventure bucket list, our 9-day Bhutan Adventure is a perfect fit. On this trip, you'll enjoy gentle hikes through the wilderness of Bhutan, take advantage of the finest accommodations along the way and gain a profound appreciation of one of the happiest countries in the world. Starting in Kathmandu, you'll anticipate the adventures ahead as you take a scenic flight above the Himalayas to Paro. From here, you'll explore the most beautiful hikes in Bhutan, some well-known - think the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery, and some less so, like the Gangte Nature Trail in the Phobjikha Valley. You'll be looked after by two guides, one local and one native English speaker, who will teach you about the warm Buddhism influences and unique Bhutanese songs and folklore along the way. This adventure through Bhutan will stick with you for years to come.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Kathmandu
Location: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marriott Hotel, Kathmandu
Meals Included: Dinner,
Your trip starts in the lively and bustling city of Kathmandu. If you arrive early, you can head out to explore the city’s labyrinth of back street courtyards, colorful market stalls and ancient temples on your own for your first taste of Nepal’s culture and friendly people. Your guide will meet you around 5pm today, and run your group through what to expect from the days ahead. Tonight we’ll take you out for dinner at a local restaurant - Nepal dining is a culinary crossroad between the influences of China, India and Europe which makes for some really delicious flavor combinations.
Elevation: Kathmandu 1400 kilometers (4,600 feet)
Day 2 : Fly To Paro, Bhutan. Visit Tashichho Dzong
Location: Tashichho Dzong, Paro, Royal Takin Preserve, Thimphu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Damisa or similar, Thimphu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Prepare to shift gears as we leave the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and fly east to the Kingdom of Bhutan. This is a country, situated on the silk road, that has endured independence for centuries and has never been colonized! Bhutan is the least populous nation in South Asia, ranking first in economic freedom, ease of doing business and peace. After driving from Paro to Thimphu, we’ll visit Tashichho Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city. Next, it’s onto the Tarkin wildlife reserve, and we’ll have lunch at Simply Bhutan, an interactive living Museum where we’ll experience an introduction into traditional life in Bhutan. Dinner this evening is at the hotel, and you’ll have a chance to soak in your first culturally-immersive day in Bhutan. Elevation: Thimphu - 2334 meters (7,657 feet)
Elevation: Thimphu - 2334 meters (7,657 feet)Hiking:Up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
Day 3 : Journey To Buddha Dordenma, Hike To Changangkha Lhakhang Temple
Location: Buddha dordenma, Punakha Dzong
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Dharma Suddhi or similar, Punakha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Making the most of our day, we’ll take an early breakfast before departing for Buddha Dordenma, overlooking Thimphu valley. This statue is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world, and we’ll visit the temple the Buddha sits on. Afterwards, we’ll hike a forest trail from Buddha Dordenma, down through the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. After lunch, we’ll journey to the lush district of Punakha, known for the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress. Our journey to Punakha will take us over the Dochula pass. When the weather is nice, this pass (3,100 m / 10,300 ft) offers tremendous views of the eastern Himalayan ranges and along the pass there are an astonishing 108 memorial chortens. We’ll take some time to explore this majestic fortress, which is the administrative center of Punakha District.
Elevation: Punakha - 1242 meters (4,075 feet)Hiking:Up to 5 kilometers (3 miles)
Day 4 : Hike To Chimi Lhakhang Temple
Location: Chimi Lhakhang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Dharma Suddhi or similar, Punakha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
We’ll stretch our legs after breakfast with a hike up the trail leading to the Klamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The stupa was built to protect Bhutan from evil forces and help bring peace to the world. Your ascent will be rewarded with incredible views overlooking the Punakha Valley. Afterwards we’ll explore the Punakha Dzong, taking a short hike from the Dzong across a swing bridge towards a local farmhouse, where we’ll enjoy lunch. We’ll then drive to Chimi Lakhang, the Fertility Temple. This Buddhist temple is renowned throughout Bhutan as a fertility inducing magnet - thousands make the pilgrimage each year in the hopes of having a child, as well as receiving a blessing from the saint with the ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’.
Elevation: Punakha - 1242 meters (4,075 feet) Hiking:Up to 3 kilometers (1.9 miles)
Day 5 : Hike The Gangte Nature Trail
Location: Gangtey nature trail
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: ABC Lodge or similar, Phobjikha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
This morning we’ll journey east to Phobjikha. The walk we’ll take here, along the Gangte Nature Trail, is spectacular! We’ll pass through flowering meadows, lush forest and a small village. At the end of our hike, we’ll arrive at Khewang Lhakhang, a 15th-century Buddhist Temple with statues of the past, present and future Buddhas. This area has some wonderful valley viewpoints, where there are opportunities to see Black-necked cranes, or ‘Thrung Thrung Karmo’, the subject of many Bhutanese songs and folklore. Our hotel tonight offers another fine example of the local hospitality you’ll experience on this trip, with outstanding service and exotic food... And did we mention the views!?
Elevation: Phobjikha - 3000 meters (9,842 feet)Hiking:7.5 kilometers (4.6 miles)
Day 6 : Journey To Thimphu, Visit The National Museum, Onto Paro
Location: Rinpung Dzong རིན་སྤུང་རྫོང་།, Paro, Thimphu, National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
Accommodation: Resort, Resort
Accommodation Name: Tashi Namgay Resort or similar, Paro
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
After breakfast we’ll depart for the journey back to Paro, taking lunch along the way. In Paro we’ll visit Rinpung Dzong, and you’ll also have views of this Buddhist monastery from your hotel, as it’s lit up in the evening.
Elevation: Paro - 2200 meters (7,218 feet)Hiking:Up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
Day 7 : Hike To Tiger's Nest
Location: Paro Taktsang
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Tashi Namgay Resort or similar, Paro
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
A trip to Bhutan is not complete until you’ve visited Paro Taktsang, Tiger’s Nest. We’ll take an early breakfast so that we can begin hiking whilst the trail is quiet - the trek is challenging - and thankfully this is what protects this extraordinary attraction from overcrowding. Once you’ve cleared the trees you’ll get your first glimpse of the Tiger’s Nest, somehow perched on the cliff high above the valley floor. Once at the monastery you’ll take a fascinating tour of the buildings, with plenty of time to find a quiet spot and soak it all in. You’ll be in awe, wondering how the Buddhists established this area, first as a meditation cave in the 8th century and later as a monastery in the 17th century. Amazing! Our final dinner will take place at the ‘Farmhouse’ for a Bhutanese Cultural performance and wait for it... Some hot stone baths!
Elevation: Paro - 2200 meters (7,218 feet)Hiking:Up to 6 kilometers (4 miles)
Day 8 : Fly To Kathmandu, Free Afternoon
Location: Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marriott Hotel, Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
We’ll take a morning flight back to Nepal, so with any luck, we’ll be treated to more spectacular Himalayan views out of the right-hand side of the plane. For those who are keen after lunch, we’ll walk to Durbar Square, the place where Nepal’s kings were crowned in past times. The square is in the center of old town Kathmandu, and is the city’s greatest example of traditional architecture, so much so that it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. Tonight we’ll meet at a local restaurant for our final dinner together to celebrate our achievements and adventures in the Himalayas.
Elevation: Kathmandu - 1400 meters (4,600 feet)
Day 9 : Depart
Location: Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast,
Today is the final day of your Bhutan cultural exploration. If you have extra time after your trip, we’re happy to give suggestions on how to make the most of it. On the other hand, if you’re on your way home today, we’ll send you back refreshed and invigorated from the great hiking and adventures you’ve had with us!
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation for the entire period you are with us. We can also organize pre and post-trip hotels for you if required.
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Meals
All your meals except where indicated in the itinerary. All drinking water, including whilst on the trekking trail. Alcohol and other drinks are not included although we’ve been known to spring a few drinks here and there!
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Guide
All guiding services. We always have an experienced Active Adventures Himalayas trip leader with every trip as well as a team of local guides and porters. You'll get the highest level of service from our guides and from our experienced team behind the scenes. We’re always here for you and we always go the extra mile.
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Transport
All ground transportation from trip start to end.
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All hiking and park entry fees and permits.
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7:1 guest-to-guide ratio
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Our ‘Red Carpet’ pre-trip customer care service available to answer questions
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Travel Wallet: a resource for everything you need to know about your trip in one secure space!
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All activities described in the itinerary
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All necessary gear where indicated in the itinerary
What's Not Included
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Additional Services
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport transfers to and from the meeting point not included.
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Insurance
Travel insurance (Mandatory for this destination)
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International Travel
International/Domestic Flights are not included.
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Optional
Optional extra activities
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Accommodation before/after the trip (but we can organize this for you if required!)
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Alcoholic beverages
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Gratuities for your guides at the end of your fabulous trip
Trip Notes
Check out our Q&As
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in itinerary.
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What is the tipping policy?
Tipping is accepted in Bhutan (and appreciated!), most people also choose to tip their Active Adventures guides. We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, for your Active Adventures trip leader, your local Nepali guide and local Bhutan guide. Your loose change (or 5%) is fine in cheaper places; around 10% in more expensive restaurants. Tips are gratefully accepted in either their local currency or US dollars.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, Local English speaking guide on this tour.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
All hiking and park entry fees and permits are included.
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What is the maximum group size?
The max group size is 12 peoples.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International/Domestic Flights are not included.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Activity Level 2,On the Move, Sure, I own some hiking boots, they're even worn in, but they don't go on long trips. I like my creature comforts and I like to give a range of activities a go.Walking: 2-4 hours per day on gentle to moderate gradient trails. No multi-day hikes. Biking: 1-3 hours, cruisy rides achievable by anyone, even first-timers. Kayaking: 1-3 hours, entry-level sea kayaking with specialist guides and stable boats. Other activities (i.e. snorkeling): Always optional and very little exertion required. A highlight for many!
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport transfers to and from the meeting point are not included.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are covered by our Active Adventures Assurance policy.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1996
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our trips attract a wide range of people from all different backgrounds, countries and ages, which makes our small group adventures all the more interesting and fun. All our people tend to enjoy active lifestyles, great food, good company and new experiences. If this sounds like you, then you’ll be in good company
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We send online booking information via our club page you’ll gain access to your trip notes, destination information, a detailed gear list and all the information you need for your trip. There are a few things to fill in – medical and dietary information, extra accommodation requests, gear hire requests etc. – to ensure you are well prepared for your adventure vacation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Travellers Against Plastic
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes,
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
When it comes to the safety of our guests, it has always been our number one priority. We’ve introduced strict protocols to adhere to current Covid safety guidelines that are relative to the destination, country and location of your adventure – these are dependent on the current rules and restrictions that are in place at the time of your trip.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Health and safety are just as important as the amazing places in the most stunning parts of the world we travel. Another focus of ours is having a good place to rest and rejuvenate at the end of a busy day, and to make sure we are fully charged for the next day’s activities, so you’ll always find yourself in a clean, comfortable room.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Active Adventures allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Active Adventures allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform active adventures, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Active Adventures requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of active adventures charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.