Bhutan Encompassed

DAY 1: DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Kathmandu.

DAY 2 & 3: Kathmandu

Bhutan is only really reached internationally via India or Nepal. The pace and mountain air make Kathmandu the ideal launchpad for your Himalayan adventure. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to your hotel near the historic Thamel area. On the first evening, you’ll probably just want to relax after your flight. A second day here gives you time to explore the city’s key sites, including complexes of palaces, courtyards, and temples with incredible architecture. 

Day 4 Thimphu

The flight from Kathmandu to Paro takes just one hour, and on arrival in Bhutan, you will meet your local guide. The guide and driver will be there for you for your entire time in Bhutan. To begin the trip, you will drive straight to the capital Thimphu. En route, you will spy your first Bhutanese temple: Tamchog Lhakhang, which you can reach by walking a rickety iron-chain bridge across the Paro Chhu river. Later in the afternoon, after some time to rest, your guide will introduce you to the capital itself. Get a flavour for the sights and sounds of the city and visit its most iconic monument, the National Memorial Chorten, which has some impressive views. If it’s a market day (weekends), you’ll join the hustle and bustle as farmers from all over the country try to sell their wares.

DAY 5: THIMPHU    

Set off on a gentle one-hour walk through shaded rhododendron forests to Tango Monastery, whose origins date to the 12th Century. Rebuilt in the 15th Century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the infamous Divine Madman, it is run as a Buddhist university with 280 monks in attendance.

DAY 6: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA VIA THE DOCHULA PASS

Today you’ll set off with your guide and driver for the scenic drive to Punakha.  The journey will take you through pine and cedar forest via the Dochula Pass, where, on a clear day, the panoramic views of the Himalayan range are just incredible. Stop to explore the 108 stupas built in honour of fallen Bhutanese soldiers before trying warm Yak milk tea at a cafe. Continue to descend into the fertile Punakha valley before taking a short walk through paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, otherwise known as the Temple of Fertility. 

Day 7 & 8 PUNAKHA VALLEY

The Giligang Trail is a great way to spend a day in this lovely valley.  It’s the best day-trek in Punakha, and it takes around 4-5 hours. The trek includes a picnic breakfast in the serene gardens of the Khamsum Chorten before the temple’s visitors start to arrive. The trek will take you past rice paddies, pine forests and spectacular mountain-top views, and as you explore, your expert guide will tell you more about the region. You will end up at Punakha Dzong, arguably the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan. 

On your trek, you’ll pass the Po Chu (Father) river which is fed by glaciers in the upper Punakha valley. This area offers excellent rafting opportunities, and white-water rafting can be arranged if you’d like. It’s a spectacular spot to get an adrenaline rush as you paddle your way over 15 class 2-4 rapids, ending at the confluence by Punakha Dzong.

DAY 9: TREK TO LIMBUKHA   

All roads lead to the Dzong! Today you’ll head back there to begin your two-day trek at the confluence of the Mo Chuu and Pho Chu rivers. Follow a 12km trail climbing gradually through terraced farmland and forests to the summit of Dochula Hill before descending into Limbukha, a picturesque hamlet. Here you will spend your first night under the stars, camping in the wilderness at an altitude of 1,980m in basic but very comfortable tented accommodation.

DAY 10: TREK Day two and on to Gangtey Lodge

Rise early for today’s trek. It is 14 km in total, starting on a trail beside Dargyel Goempa, an old monastery. Your route later takes you along a ridge ascending to Dochen La, a small pass at 2,645m that is festooned with fluttering prayer flags and rewards you with incredible views of the mountains. After a picnic lunch, continue down to Chhunsakha (1,850m) where your driver will be waiting to transport you onwards to Gangtey.  The drive is incredibly scenic as it passes through fertile valleys, gradually climbing to the Lawa pass. On arrival in Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley, you’ll be welcomed at the wonderful Gangtey Lodge. The perfect place to rest and rejuvenate after your trek. The hotel has exceptional views, superb service and lovely rooms. Indulge in a wine by the fire, a relaxing massage or just sit back and take in the panorama. 

Day 11 & 12 Exploring Gangtey

There are several enjoyable treks around the valley; The Gangtey Nature Trail is a gentle two-hour trek and the best way to see the whole Valley. You could take a half-day hike through rhododendron forests up to Shashi La Pass. Wander through small local villages and chortens before descending back into the valley. Another option is to visit Gangtey Goempa - timed with the Tshewang prayer ceremony where, alongside crimson-robed monks, you’ll hear chants and blessings for personal fulfilment and long life. 

• An excellent time to visit is during the Black Neck Crane Festival, held annually in early November. Please note that hotel reservations to coincide with the festival need to be made well in advance (up to a year)

DAY 13: GANGTEY TO BUMTHANG    

It's a long drive today but worth the effort to get to Bumthang, the most remote and sacred of Bhutan’s valleys. The journey will be broken up with stops for lunch in Trongsa and at a weaving centre, a community cooperative for over 200 small households in the 13 villages across the district.

DAY 14: BUMTHANG   RELIGIOUS HEARTLAND

Bumthang is home to the oldest and most sacred of Bhutan’s monasteries. Today you will explore several of them on gentle walks, including the 7th Century temple, Jambay Lhakhang designed to convert Tibetans to Buddhism, and Kurjey Lhakhang, the final resting place of the remains of the first three Kings of Bhutan. Later visit JakarDzong, or ‘Castle of the White Bird’, initially constructed in 1549.

DAY 15: BUMTHANG   TANG VALLEY

Explore the most remote valley in the Bumthang region today, Tang valley, around a 4-hour drive from your accommodation. Visit the 16th Century Ugyen Choling Palace and museum, where you can discover how people have lived over the centuries in rural Bhutan. Afterwards, head to the Burning Lake (MebarTsho) in the Tang River, an important pilgrim site covered in fluttering prayer flags and butter lamps (butter lamps traditionally burn yak butter!).

DAY 16: PARO   AN INTRODUCTION

Depart Bumthang this morning on a 30-minute flight to Paro. After checking in to your hotel, your guide will introduce you to the historic town on an orientation tour. Visit the Paro Rinpungdzong, which towers over the town and affords impressive views of the valley. Head to the National Museum, an ancient 17th Century watchtower now home to a fascinating collection of art, costumes, and weaponry, as well as religious Thangka paintings. Later, head to JangstaDumgtseg Lhakhang, a small temple housing a Buddha that was carried here from Tibet. End the day with tea, local wine, and snacks over archery at a traditional farmhouse.

DAYS 17 & 18: BUMDRA TREK   TIGER’S NEST

This two-day moderate trek does require a reasonable level of fitness as you will reach maximum altitudes of up to 4,000m, and the ascent is quite steep in parts. Your destination and camp are under Bumdra Monastery, known as the Cave of a Thousand Prayers and located above the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Day one will see you trekking 3-4 hours through forests, ridges and past temples, with a picnic lunch along the way. On arrival at the camp, you may wish to visit Bumdra Monastery or climb to the north peak at 4,000m to hang your prayer flags - the higher the altitude, the greater the merit! Note that the facilities at this camp are basic, but the unimpeded views of the Himalayas make for an exceptional experience.

After breakfast on day two, hike 3-4 hours down, zigzagging along the monks’ trail, across a gorge and descending through the gates past a waterfall. Take in Bhutan’s most iconic site, the Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest monastery, clinging to a sheer cliff face before heading in to explore it. Later descend into the Paro valley, where your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for your final night in Bhutan.

Day 19 and 20 Kathmandu

This morning you depart Paro for the 1-hour flight back to Kathmandu. We’ve allocated two days here to explore some alternative parts of the city, such as historic Bhaktapur. If you have more time to spare, it’s possible to spend longer in Nepal and explore it in more depth.

Day 21 Fly Home 

Depart Kathmandu for your flight back to the UK.