Travel to see Bhutan’s stunning rhododendron flowering season

Bhutan in the Time of Rhododendrons: Spring 2020 journey

Group | 12 Days | Moderate Touring

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Dates: April 09 ~ 20, 2020

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Discover Bhutan when the kingdom’s legendary wild rhododendrons bloom like the exuberant whorls of a flamenco dancer’s dress. Hike along forested trails overhung with spring rhododendrons to enter secluded valleys and visit ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries; learn about Bhutanese culinary traditions with a curator of Bhutanese heritage foods. Experience the Himalayan landscape of Bhutan during one of the loveliest seasons of the Bhutanese year. 

•  Excellent time of year for nature enthusiasts 
   

• Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
   

• High-end, traditionally authentic lodges & accommodations
   

• Highlights of central & western Bhutan
   

• Markets, monuments, museums and more

ITINERARY

Bhutan's wild and magnificent rhododendron blooms elevate the stunning landscape, transforming the merely beautiful into an journey that is unforgettable. Old growth rhododendron forests, such as those found in Bhutan and a few other parts of the Himalayas have long fascinated explorers, botanists, collectors and enthusiasts. This journey coincides with the long season of flowering rhododendrons in Bhutan and takes us to a centuries-old village in the center of Bhutan where we get a taste of traditional life. Traveling along the east-west national highway, we stop to “smell the flowers,” and explore hiking trails redolent with the breath of Himalayan pines. Enter a series of awe-inspiring Buddhist monasteries strung across the country like pearls on a necklace before the final, spectacular, ascent to Tiger’s Nest monastery, one of Bhutan’s most beloved shrines.

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RELATED:
Our In Focus feature The Magnificent Madness of Bhutan's Wild Rhododendron Blooms

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. Trip members should be in good health and comfortable standing or walking for extended periods of time and confident navigating mixed and steep terrain that may include rocky trails, slippery conditions and, or, steps and stairs. Daily activities include city walking tours, hiking to and entering monasteries, temples and fortresses, driving over winding mountain roads and easy to moderate hiking with some strenuous options where possible. The general elevations in the valleys will mostly range from 6,800 ft to 9,000 ft, with drives that will take us over higher passes before descending to the average elevations mentioned above. The final hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery is 10,000 ft. 

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Accommodations

The high-end accommodations on this journey feature traditional Bhutanese style with modern elements. The lodges are handpicked for regional character, comfort, and hospitality, including our beautiful family lodge in the central highlands of Bhutan, the Mountain Resort (see more on the Mountain Resort below). In peak season, depending on availability, we may use lodges comparable to the ones we have listed or advertised. 

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Expedition Staff

Every expedition is curated by expert native-born guides and trip leaders who also facilitate meetings and learning experiences with other locally knowledgeable people along the way. Our experienced team shares valuable insights and local expertise to ensure a culturally rich adventure of discovery through the Himalayan landscape and traditions of Bhutan. 

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Mountain Resort - Bumthang, Bhutan

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Set against a sacred cloud forest a short distance below Bumthang's Jakar Dzong (fortress), our family-run lodge in Central Bhutan features the best elements of traditional architecture, including flagstones of river rock, the beautiful wood-and-stone masonry construction of Central Bhutan, and spacious rooms with wood paneling and post and beams of fragrant pine. Guests can enjoy a healing soak in traditional "hot stone" baths enhanced, in accordance with indigenous practices, by mugwort and other medicinal herbs. It's our perfect base for exploring the ample beauties and blessings of the central highlands of Bhutan.     

DATES & PRICES

2020 Dates

April 09 - 20, 2020

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2021 Dates

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• April 09 - 20, 2021

2020 Pricing

$4,500

Per Person doubles; Single traveler Supplement ($550/-pp)

2021 Pricing

$4,500

Per Person doubles; Single traveler Supplement ($550/-pp)

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Prices are per person based on double occupancy and do not include international airfare to/from your destination or internal flights during the expedition. Single traveler prices are available upon request. Internal flights are $980 per person & $175 per person where a short-duration flight is included on the itinerary. Surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based upon international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

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• All ground transportation, visas for Bhutan and airport transfers

• All Accommodations

• All meals, including excursions to try well-known local restaurants 

• The expertise and services of your Bhutanese Trip Leaders, Guides & dedicated trip field staff

• Courtesy booking services & arrangements for round-trip regional flights from gateway cities (such as Bangkok) to Bhutan & any internal domestic flights (airfare is additional). 

• Sightseeing, special events & receptions, visits and entry fees 

• All environmental national parks & conservation fees and permits

• All Trek Arrangements (if you signed up for a trek), including community camping and commissary equipment (comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other  community equipment), camp, cook and support staff

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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

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• Airfare to and from destination, as well as internal airfare where applicable

• Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance 

• Alcoholic beverages

• Gratuities

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GUEST COMMENT

“The country is beautiful, and its story is compelling but the special sense of a privileged view into the life of the country that you provided is beyond describing. We are very grateful; thank you!”

~ Laurie H. Z, Denver, Co.

GETTING THERE

Fly from your home city to Bangkok, Singapore, New Delhi Kolkata or Kathmandu (Main Gateway Cities)* 

Overnight

Fly from Gateway City to Paro, Bhutan.

​Important: Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions makes round-trip flight arrangements from the Gateway City of your choice to Bhutan as a courtesy to our travelers. Airfare is not included in trip price. 

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For further details please email us using the contact form on our Request Full Details page. 

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*Bangkok is the primary Gateway City & offers the most frequent and most reliable flights to Bhutan. 

TRAVEL EXTENSIONS TO
CAMBODIA & LAOS

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(with optional Bangkok Transit arrangements)

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If you'd like to spend a little more time exploring the magnificent World Heritage sites of Cambodia and Laos before or after Bhutan with arrangements in and out of Bangkok, we can take care of those details as well. Tie in a visit to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat or explore the quaint streets of Luang Prabang where French Colonial meets a distinctly unique Asian sensibility. 

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