Marvels & mask dances: celebrating the beauty and cultural treasures of Bhutan
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. 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.
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.
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.
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. 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.
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.
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.
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. 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.
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.
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.
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. 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.
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.
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.
Explore the majestic beauties & the architectural marvels of Bhutan with a colorful annual mask dance festival
This journey begins with an visit to Bhutan's westermost district of Haa, where the dark-green folds of the mountains open to high alpine pastures veiled in morning mist. Here, we visit remote hillside shrines and walk through traditional villages, discovering a way of life untouched by time.
From there, we travel to the lush Punakha Valley, its fertile rice terraces nourished by the Pho and Mo rivers. Within the breathtaking Punakha Dzong—one of Bhutan’s finest architectural treasures—we take part in a special blessing before exploring a series of other fine temples and monasteries dating to the 17th century and earlier. Next we stop in the high bowl of Gangtey Valley where we visit the ancient temple, learn about the rare Black-necked cranes and visit a milk and dairy cooperative that has a special connection all the way back to Switzerland!
The journey then arcs east into Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, where we attend a much-awaited mask dance festival featuring the live enactments of ancient Himalayan Buddhist moral tales. We wander through valleys dotted with whitewashed temples, explore the historic Wangduechhoeling Palace—hailed by Time magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Places”—and stroll through Jakar’s quiet streets. Gentle hikes lead to ancient monasteries nestled in whispering forests, where Bhutanese tradition and a rare sense of serenity linger.
A final flight returns us to Paro for the iconic hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on its cliffside, closing this journey of cultural immersion, spiritual connection, and timeless Himalayan beauty.
HEALTH & SAFETY
HEALTH & SAFETY
We are following strict national and international safety guidelines and protocols (Royal Government of Bhutan, WHO, and CDC (US) recommendations) to keep you, our staff, and the Bhutanese people safe. This includes new measures for maintaining personal health and hygiene, social distancing best practices, face covering requirements, cleaning, handwashing and more.
UPDATED BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY
With global travel resuming, we have changed our booking and cancellation policies back to normal. Normal cancellation policies are now in effect and final trip payment is due (4 months/120 days before trip start date, whichever is earlier). Trip cancellation policies are outlined in our trip confirmation emails and available by request.
ITINERARY
This 16-day journey blends adventure, culture, and spirituality across Bhutan’s most breathtaking landscapes. Begin in Paro before driving into the secluded Haa Valley. Continue to Punakha’s lush rice terraces and magnificent Punakha Dzong, then into the heart of central Bhutan via the lovely Gangtey Valley. Then, in Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, we attend a colorful and exciting mask dance festival that preserves the ancient traditions of Himalayan Buddhism. We explore ancient temples, the historic Wangduechhoeling Palace, and serene forest hermitages. Return to Paro for the iconic hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a dramatic finale to this unforgettable Himalayan journey.
VIEW DAY BY DAY
OCTOBER 14: ARRIVAL IN PARO FROM BANGKOK
Touch down in Paro, the emerald gateway to Bhutan, on a spectacular flight threading Himalayan peaks. This first day offers gentle acclimatization with easy touring: stroll Paro town’s markets, admire the National Museum at Ta Dzong, and rest in preparation for the journey ahead. Overnight in Paro.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Nemjo Heritage Lodge, Tiger's Nest Camp or the Olathang Lodge
OCTOBER 15–16: DRIVE INTO HAA VALLEY
After breakfast, we set out on the scenic high road to Haa. The 2.5-hour drive climbs steeply from Paro through evergreen forests to the high pass of Chele La, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. From here, deep forests open onto vast views, before descending into the pristine Haa Valley. Once we arrive, we enjoy a gentle guided village walk through the ancient village where we are staying. Our home for the next two nights is the Soednam Zingkha, a traditional lodge housed in the old home of the former governor, the “Haabi Penlop.” In the evening, cross a small wooden bridge across a rushing stream to the opposite side of the lodge to soak in traditional style in wooden tubs. Fiery cups of local rice Ara, a hot alcoholic drink will be served to heighten the experience. Afterwards, enjoy Hoentey, a rich and heavy dumpling made from buckwheat and dried and preserved vegetables.
On the second day in Haa, we walk through timeless Haatoe Village and attend an ancient shamanic prayer to the valley's suspernatural guardian before completing the scenic Haa panorama loop that takes us to remote and beautiful temples and villages. We take a well-deserved soak in the lodge's hot stone baths in the evening.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: The Soednam Zingkha Heritage Home or comparable
OCTOBER 17: HAA TO PUNAKHA VIA MENDEYGANG HERITAGE HOMESTAY
Drive eastward through landscapes that tumble from alpine passes to subtropical valleys. Arrive at the Mendeygang Heritage Homestay, a traditional farmhouse turned retreat (the ancestral home of a former Bhutanese Prime Minister) where warm Bhutanese hospitality reveals the rhythms of rural life.
The Mendegang Heritage Home is a restored ancestral farmhouse overlooking the terraces of Thinleygang, just before the Punakha Valley. After the long drive, settle into the heritage home’s hospitality. Relax in the garden courtyard, or take a short stroll into the village, followed by dinner, which is served in the timbered hall—simple, hearty fare from the family’s own fields, shared with stories of the house’s long history.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: Mendegang Heritage (Punakha)
OCTOBER 18: EXPLORE PUNAKHA VALLEY
In one of Bhutan’s most fertile and storied valleys, walk among rice paddies and riverside villages. Visit Punakha Dzong, a jewel of Himalayan architecture, glowing white against emerald fields at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Cross the country’s longest suspension bridge swaying above turquoise waters. We visit our old friend, the national award-winning artist, Asha Kama Wangdi, at his open village studio. If there's time, we take a hike to the lake above his village. Overnight in the exquisite Dhumra Farm Cottages, overlooking the valley.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: The Dhumra Farm Cottages or the Zhingkham Lodge
OCTOBER 19: VISIT PUNAKHA'S TEMPLES & MONASTERIES
Begin the day with a gentle cultural exploration. Visit the Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kunley.
Along the way, stroll through Lobesa village, where phallic symbols adorn the whitewashed houses and lively shops sell paintings, woodcarvings, and traditional crafts.
Around midday, continue up winding roads to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a serene hilltop retreat with sweeping views of the valley and distant Himalayan ranges. Here, listen to the chanting of young nuns, wander the prayer-lined courtyards, and absorb the contemplative rhythm of monastic life.
Afterward, we enjoy a traditional Nobgang culinary lunch experience, hosted in the village famed for its royal connections. This meal highlights seasonal ingredients from the fertile Punakha fields—rice, mustard greens, and river fish—prepared in authentic Bhutanese style.
Spend the afternoon on a farmhouse visit, engaging with local families to learn about their agricultural traditions, butter-tea making, rice wine brewing and weaving. For those who prefer a light walk, short trails along terraced fields offer pastoral scenes framed by blossoming jacaranda in spring or ripening rice in autumn.
Enjoy a traditional dinner at local favorite Ama Om's Homestay before continuing to your lodge for the night.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: The Dhumra Farm Cottages or the Zhingkham Lodge
OCTOBER 20: DRIVE TO GANGTEY VALLEY
Leaving the fertile Punakha Valley, the road climbs steadily into the Black Mountain Range. The journey takes about 2.5–3 hours, following winding mountain roads that rise and fall through thick forests of magnolia, birch, rhododendron, and flame-trees. If you are lucky, you may glimpse the rare white langur monkeys that inhabit this lush zone, their pale coats flashing in the greenery.
As you cross high ridges and descend into broad glacial landscapes, the scenery shifts from terraced fields to sweeping alpine meadows. Entering Gangtey Valley, one of Bhutan’s most celebrated natural sanctuaries, the forest suddenly opens to reveal a wide bowl-shaped valley carved by glaciers.
Gangtey itself is best known as the winter roosting grounds of the endangered black-necked cranes, which migrate here from the Tibetan Plateau. Upon arrival, we visit the Black-necked Crane Center to learn about conservation efforts, and take a gentle walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, which threads through wetlands, rustic villages, and open meadows.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: The Dewachen Lodge or the Gangtey Tent Resort
OCTOBER 21: A DAY IN GANGTEY; SWISS CHEESE & VILLAGE LIFE
Wake to the crisp air of the Phobjikha Valley, with mist rising above the meadows where Black-necked cranes often gather in winter. After breakfast, set out for a drive up the mountains through rustic villages and pine forests, arriving at the local dairy cooperative in Gogona. The drive takes us through forests of juniper, magnolia, and pine. The people of Gogona, once nomadic herders, still speak a dialect unique to this valley. Their timeless rhythm of life offers a glimpse into Bhutan’s living heritage. Here, farmers from across the valley bring their milk to be processed into the celebrated Swiss-style cheeses of Bhutan—a tradition introduced decades ago through a long-cherished friendship between Switzerland and Bhutan that now thrives as a unique marriage of Alpine and Himalayan culture. Observe the process of turning fresh yak and cow’s milk into wheels of Gouda and Emmenthaler, and sample the rich flavors paired with some bread and crackers and Bhutanese beer.
Pause for refreshing a tea and a picnic lunch in the courtyard of the cooperative, or at a scenic spot somewhere along the way, before returning back to Gangtey Valley.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: The Dewachen Lodge or the Gangtey Tent Resort
OCTOBER 22: DRIVE FROM GANGTEY TO BUMTHANG
Leaving the quiet meadows of Gangtey, the road begins its ascent through dense forests of rhododendron, bamboo, and towering pines. The air grows thinner as you climb into the Black Mountains, crossing high passes before descending toward Trongsa, the traditional gateway to central Bhutan. Along the way, the road curves past the striking Chendebji Chorten, a whitewashed stupa built in the style of Kathmandu’s great Boudhanath, standing sentinel in a high valley clearing.
Continuing east, the dramatic Trongsa Dzong dominates the horizon long before arrival—a fortress straddling the mountainside, once the seat of royal governors who controlled trade between east and west. Its colossal walls and strategic setting underscore its historic importance.
Beyond Trongsa, the road winds for several more hours through ever-changing scenery until you reach the Chumey Valley, the westernmost of Bumthang’s four valleys. Here, a special stop awaits at the Chumey weaving cooperative, where women work looms to create the vibrant woolen textiles known as yathra. The rich patterns—dyed in indigo, madder, and saffron—are distinctive to Bumthang and carry centuries of tradition. A visit here offers not only a chance to watch the process but also to connect with the artisans who keep this heritage alive. From Chumey, it’s a short final drive into Jakar, the heart of Bumthang. The road opens into broad fields and river plains, dotted with monasteries and apple orchards, before arriving at your lodge at Kharsumphe, opposite the historic Wangduechhoeling Palace and Museum.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: Swiss Guest House
OCTOBER 23 & 24: BUMTHANG HERITAGE EXPERIENCES & JAMBAY LHAKHANG FESTIVAL
Today , we take a gentle walk along the valley floor and meet a legendary local weaver, Aum Rinzin Wangmo, and admire her fine collection of rare quality textiles, woven in bold colors and intricate patterns unique to Bumthang.
We continue to the Swiss Guest House and enjoy a warm Bhutanese lunch. Afterward, visit the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research (UWICER) to learn about Bhutan’s pioneering conservation efforts and environmental research programs, set against the backdrop of Bumthang’s high valleys.
Later, visit the Loden Foundation’s entrepreneurship and education projects, an inspiring example of Bhutan’s social enterprise movement supporting youth and rural innovation.
In the evening, return to the Swiss Guest House for their delicious home-cooked specialities or we visit our family lodge the Mountain Resort for a dinner featuring Bumthang specialties—buckwheat noodles, potatoes, and hearty stews.
The next day is dedicated to the vibrant Jambay Lhakhang Drup festival, one of Bhutan’s most colorful and spiritual events. Held in the courtyard of the ancient Jambay Lhakhang Temple, the tshechu commemorates Guru Rimpoche’s introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan. The festivities bring together monks, villagers, and pilgrims in a festive atmosphere.
Masked dancers in resplendent brocade whirl to the beat of long horns and drums, enacting ancient tales of good and evil, compassion, and the cycles of rebirth. Each dance carries deep symbolic meaning, believed to confer blessings, purify negative karma, and protect against misfortune.
As we watch the festival, take the opportunity to meet and mingle with the locals dressed in their finest handwoven kiras and ghos. The tshechu is as much a social gathering as a religious one, with families picnicking on the temple grounds and children playing between the masked dancers.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: Swiss Guest House
OCTOBER 25: REUNION WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY JOINING FROM LAYA
Today, friends and family returning from the Laya Highland Festival will join us in Bumthang, arriving by helicopter sometime in the late morning or early afternoon. Upon their arrival, we join them on a visit to Jakar Dzong and local monasteries, before an evening of celebratory drinks and Dasho Maurer and Sonam's legendary charcuterie plates in the restaurant prior to dinner.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: Swiss Guest House
OCTOBER 26 & 27: EXPLORING BUMTHANG
Spend two days encountering Bhutan’s deepest spiritual and historical roots. We will have a detailed tour of the Wangduechhoeling Palace, the former royal residence built in 1857 by the Trongsa Penlop, Jigme Namgyel, father of Bhutan’s first king. It was the first palace in Bhutan not designed as a fortress and today serves as a museum where rooms are preserved with royal artifacts, cultural treasures, photographs, and personal belongings that bring the early monarchy to life.
From Jakar Valley we trek to Tang to visit the Ogyen Choling Museum where we enjoy the hospitality of Ashi Kunzang Roder and her Swiss Forester husband, Walter Roder at their beautiful old restored traditional Bhutanese 'castle'.
Also during our time in Jakar we set out on foot across the valley floor following the traditional Pilgrim’s Walk. The path links the major monasteries and temples that have shaped the valley’s identity for centuries. Jakar Dzong, known as the Castle of the White Bird, stands high on a ridge above the valley and has been both an administrative and monastic center since the 16th century.
Jambay Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is among the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan and remains an important site for festivals. Continuing along the trail, the walk leads to Kurjey Lhakhang, a complex of temples built around a cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left the imprint of his body in the rock. This site is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in the country. A little further lies Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by the great Bhutanese saint Pema Lingpa. Its murals, some painted by the master himself, are considered among Bhutan’s most important treasures.
After Tamshing, continue to Konchogsum Lhakhang, a temple dating to the 7th century, also linked to King Songtsen Gampo. Recently renovated after fire damage, it houses a revered statue of the Buddha that locals believe has the power to speak.
As the walk concludes, return to Jakar town for a visit to the Red Panda Brewery. Here you can taste the locally brewed beer and enjoy Swiss-style cheese made in the valley. If his health and schedule permits we meet Fritz Maurer, the Swiss pioneer who introduced cheese making to Bumthang and later founded the brewery. Over a glass of his craft beer and a plate of cheese, he shares stories of Swiss-Bhutanese friendship and his lifelong work blending the two cultures in food and drink. It is a relaxed and memorable way to close a day spent walking in the footsteps of Bhutan’s oldest royal friends and wellwishers, “Apa” Fritz and Monica von Schulthess.
On the final evening in Bumthang, raise a glass at a farewell dinner with Fritz Maurer at the historic Swiss Guest House — an institution blending Swiss alpine flavors with Bhutanese warmth.
Meals: all meals included
Lodge: Swiss Guest House
OCTOBER 28: FLIGHT TO PARO
Return by domestic flight to Paro, where leisure time allows for reflection, local shopping, or optional light touring. Overnight in Paro.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Nemjo Heritage Lodge, Tiger's Nest Camp or the Olathang Lodge
OCTOBER 29: TIGER’S NEST MONASTERY & DEPARTURE
Rise early for Bhutan’s most iconic pilgrimage: the hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, perched high on a cliffside, as though suspended between earth and sky. After a rewarding climb, enjoy a leisurely lunch back in Paro town. In the late afternoon, transfer to Paro Airport for the 4:20 pm flight to Bangkok, connecting onward to Zurich or other destinations.
*****LIST OF OPTIONAL LUXURY LODGES AT ADDITIONAL COST*****
Luxury Lodges & Pricing
(Please click on the names of each lodge to learn more about each property)
Or
From US$800 per person per night doubles (full board, inclusive of 20% Bhutan Sales and Service Taxes)
From US$1,200 per person per night singles (full board, inclusive of 20% Bhutan Sales and Service Taxes)
From US$950 per person per night doubles (full board, inclusive of 20% Bhutan Sales and Service Taxes)
From US$1,800 per person per night singles (full board, inclusive of 20% Bhutan Sales and Service Taxes)
ACCOMMODATIONS
PEACE OF MIND
PRACTICAL DETAILS
DATES & PRICES
October 14 ~ October 29, 2026
US$11,950/- per person for all Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions Land Costs for 16 days, including local traditional lodges listed on the itinerary
***If you wish to stay at luxury lodges the additional costs per person will range from $800 per person to $1,800 per person per night for a total of 5 nights. This is in addition to the Trip Price shown above***
_____________
OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS:
GOVERNMENT SDF TAXES & VISA
$1,540 per person
BANGKOK TO BHUTAN ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT* Business Class $1,400 per person
DOMESTIC FLIGHT BUMTHANG TO PARO* ONE-WAY 250 per person
PRIVATE HELICOPTER CHARTER FROM LAYA TO BUMTHANG*
From $1,700 per person
_____________________
*BHUTAN HIMALAYA EXPEDITIONS WILL BOOK & MAKE THESE ARRANGEMENTS
DATE
*When signing up together as part of the same group
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and DO NOT include international airfare to/from your destination or regional flights to Bhutan from Gateway Cities such as Bangkok or Delhi, and internal flights in the country during the expedition. We will arrange such regional flights for our guests and fares will be quoted at airline cost as a courtesy to our guests with no extra booking or reservation fees. Regional flights from Bangkok start from $980 per person & from $175 per person for internal domestic flights where a short-duration flight is included on your itinerary. Surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based upon international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals.
Single Traveler supplements will be assessed in addition to our published trip price, and are available on request. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.
If you'd like to travel with your own special group of friends or family on dates different from the ones shown above, this expedition can be arranged March through May & October through February.
TRAVEL SEASONS
US$11,950/- per person for all Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions Land Costs for 16 days, including local traditional lodges listed on the itinerary
***If you wish to stay at luxury lodges the additional costs per person will range from $800 per person to $1,800 per person per night for a total of 5 nights. This is in addition to the Trip Price shown above***
_____________
OTHER ADDITIONAL COSTS:
GOVERNMENT SDF TAXES & VISA
$1,540 per person
BANGKOK TO BHUTAN ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT* Business Class $1,400 per person
DOMESTIC FLIGHT BUMTHANG TO PARO* ONE-WAY 250 per person
PRIVATE HELICOPTER CHARTER FROM LAYA TO BUMTHANG*
From $1,700 per person
_____________________
*BHUTAN HIMALAYA EXPEDITIONS WILL BOOK & MAKE THESE ARRANGEMENTS
DATE
*When signing up together as part of the same group
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and DO NOT include international airfare to/from your destination or regional flights to Bhutan from Gateway Cities such as Bangkok or Delhi, and internal flights in the country during the expedition. We will arrange such regional flights for our guests and fares will be quoted at airline cost as a courtesy to our guests with no extra booking or reservation fees. Regional flights from Bangkok start from $980 per person & from $175 per person for internal domestic flights where a short-duration flight is included on your itinerary. Surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based upon international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals.
Single Traveler supplements will be assessed in addition to our published trip price, and are available on request. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.
If you'd like to travel with your own special group of friends or family on dates different from the ones shown above, this expedition can be arranged March through May & October through February.
TRAVEL SEASONS
2026 Dates & Prices
2026 Dates & Prices
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Flight and airfare costs to and from Bhutan, such as your international flights to a regional Gateway City (e.g., Bangkok or Delhi); roundtrip flights to Bhutan from the regional gateway cities (which will be arranged by us at cost) and internal airfare where applicable for domestic flights in the country (which will also be arranged by us at cost)
Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities
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 expedition-grade high altitude, sub-zero sleeping bags, community camping and commissary equipment (comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other community equipment), camp, cook and support staff (we reccomend you bring your own fitted hiking poles and personal sleeping bag liners)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
TRIP PHOTOGALLERY
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CUSTOM TRIPS
If this trip or schedule doesn't meet your needs, we also arrange private journeys throughout the year with flexible dates.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The activities on this trip are rated as moderate and suits a wide range of interests and physical fitness levels. The hikes on this trip can range from moderate to challenging, depending on your abilities. 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.
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.
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.
ABOUT CULTURAL EXPEDITIONS
Our cultural expeditions are bespoke itineraries designed for active travelers that combine guided excursions, cultural insights, art and customs, with distinguished accommodations featuring a traditional ambience. Our journeys are small group adventures, with a maximum of 16 guests per group. Unlike most tour providers, we seek to maintain an intimate ratio of four guests per Bhutan Himalaya Expeditions guide, not counting support staff. This ensures that our journeys feel more like a shared adventure with local friends than a tourist's jaunt through the countryside.
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.
For further details please email us contact us using the Reserve Online button on this page.
*Bangkok is the primary Gateway City and offers the most frequent and most reliable flights to Bhutan.
OUR TRAVEL EXTENSIONS
(with optional Bangkok Transit arrangements)
If you're thinking of traveling to some of the other interesting destinations in the region before or after Bhutan you may like to consider our travel extensions. That way you can spend less time juggling and coordinating multiple bookings and more time experiencing the magnificent World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, a peaceful Laotian sojourn, discovering Vietnam or experiencing India.
For further details, and to see past travel extensions, please visit our Regional Extensions page.
WHAT TRAVELERS ARE SAYING
“Karma and his team perfectly orchestrated a wonderful series of valuable insights into Bhutan and Bhutanese culture. My particular area of interest was to learn about Bhutan’s challenge of balancing the goals of their Gross National Happiness Policy with the need to grow their economy and promote industry in the kingdom, which Karma addressed by arranging fascinating meetings with Bhutan’s Economic Affairs Ministers and other Bhutanese dignitaries and media personalities. A fantastic trip all-around with great hiking, culture, current affairs, insights into Buddhism and everything in-between.”
~ Heinrich Karl Friedrich Eduard Pierer von Esch, ex CEO, Siemens AG-Germany (front, third from left)
ACCOMMODATIONS
High-end traditional lodges & our Expedition Camps included; Luxury Lodges at additional cost per night
GROUP SIZE
Private
DURATION
16 days
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy to Moderate
Or call 1-855-4-BHUTAN (248826)
TRIP TYPE
Hiking, Culture & Festival
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Travel Logistics Organizer for CBS 60 Minutes 2024 special report on Bhutan
“First, thank you for making my trip to Bhutan run smoothly. Second, for explaining your culture and customs to me and our team in a way that helped our 60 MINS story come alive. Third, for making the visit seriously fun!”
~ Lesley Stahl, Correspondent, CBS 60 Minutes, September 2024
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