Iron chain bridge of Tachog lhakhang monastery in Paro, Bhutan

Enchanting Bhutan Trekking Vacation

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Bhutan

Places Visited

Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa, Bumthang...

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Suggested Duration

11 Days

Intimate and invigorating, this 11-day Bhutan tour will lead you on a journey through the country’s cultural highlights and hidden villages. Immerse yourself in the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Centered around a unique 3-day cultural trek, this itinerary explores tradition, change, spirituality, serenity, legendary history, and ongoing fable. Book your tour today to discover the astonishing sites that can be found throughout Western Bhutan and escape into the isolated Bumthang region.

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Spend three days trekking through rural Bhutan and stop at traditional villages and temples that are unconnected by roads
  • Explore the enchanting city of Paro, including the quintessential dzongs that dot its surrounding valley
  • Cross majestic alpine passes and surround yourself with the beauty of the Himalayas, most notably on the journey from Thimphu to Trongsa
  • Spend a day in Punakha, where the great dzong is just one of the cultural highlights
  • Take a stroll through one of the world’s calmest capital cities and meet the artisans at the Institute for Zorig Chusum
  • Converse and engage with the locals and get a real feel for life in Bhutan

Detailed Description

The best way to see Bhutan is to travel slowly, and the slowest way you can travel is on foot. Trekking in Bhutan’s Himalayan landscapes is a majestic experience that will have you adventuring in the shadow of snowy peaks and feeling the silence of the wilderness. Your trekking journey will be made even more memorable through cultural encounters. Small communities can be found all over this remote land, and as you explore them, you will stay in villages that are incredibly welcoming to visitors. This experience will provide you with deep insight into rural Bhutanese life. On this private tour, the trekking will not be overly challenging, and you will not be ascending any peaks. Instead, the route traverses old pedestrian trails that have forever connected parts of the Bumthang region to the rest of Bhutan.

In addition to a three-day cultural trek, this 11-day tour also celebrates the quintessential highlights of Western Bhutan. You will fly to Paro for your first impressions of the dzongs that you will soon find across the country. These ancient fortresses showcase an ingenious architectural style and still form the heart of local life. You will then travel to Thimphu for a fascinating day in the capital, which will include a visit to the Institute for Zorig Chusum. Here, you can meet artisans who practice the country’s 13 traditional crafts. Afterward, you will cross the mountains to Trongsa for a sublime journey that will surround you with 7,000-meter peaks.

Gradually, you will make your way to the Bumthang region, which is a place that is steeped in legend and mystery. You will have a day to discover the old stories, which will be told by your guide and the people you meet. This will be the starting point for your trek, and the route will include overnight stops in Ngang Lhakhang and Ugyen Choling. You will camp in the villages because there is no formal accommodation, but your camps will be luxurious and spacious. You will complete this handcrafted Bhutan tour with a day in Punakha before indulging in a relaxing journey through the towns and temples en route to Paro.

As with all Bhutan tours, you will be accompanied by both a driver and guide. There are some misconceptions about travel in the country. Although you have to be accompanied by a guide and can only visit on a government-approved tour, there are very few limitations on where you go and with whom you can speak. Rather than hide the country from you, this system is to prevent you from imposing too much influence on it. Such a system may seem undemocratic, but in a staunchly traditional and Buddhist nation, it is hard to predict how the winds of Western change could transform Bhutan. While in Bhutan, you will be free to explore, and you will have countless opportunities to share stories with the locals, especially with a 3-day trek to places that rarely see foreign faces.

Starting Price

$2,855 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

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