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Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a tiny country home to pristine forests, extraordinary architecture, and rich cultural traditions. Join us as we journey from bustling Thimphu to the Phobjikha Valley, lush with greenery and wildlife, and finally through the small village of Haa. We’ll witness an annual festival and visit ancient dzongs, art studios, incense factories, and nature preserves—meeting artisans, monks, and farmers along the way. Our adventure will culminate with an ascent to the Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”—the striking cliffside Buddhist temple where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for four months.
As you make the dramatic descent into Paro International Airport, be sure to take in the spectacular views of the Himalayas looming high above the runway. Our first stop is Bhutan’s capital and largest city, Thimphu, where music venues and bustling bars abound. (However, you won’t find a single traffic light here.) After taking some time to settle in at the hotel, we’ll visit Kelzang Textiles, a mother-and-daughter-led textile shop, where we’ll learn about the traditional Bhutanese art form. Keep your eyes peeled for garments such as gho or kira that you could wear to the Thimphu Tsechu tomorrow. Later, we’ll learn about the daily practice of Buddhist prayer at the National Memorial Chorten. We’ll celebrate our first evening with a welcome dinner, where we’ll get to know each other over traditional Bhutanese cuisine.
Boutique Hotel, Thimphu
Welcome Dinner
This morning, we’ll head out to the spectacular Tashichho Dzong to witness the annual Thimphu Tshechu. Joined by thousands of residents dressed for the occasion, we'll turn our attention to the courtyard where dancers in elaborate masks reenact moments from the lives of celebrated Buddhist figures. Meanwhile, Atsaras in perpetually grinning, hook-nosed red masks act as comedic hype-men, cracking jokes and riling up the crowd. After a morning of celebration, we’ll visit VAST, an artist studio that connects Bhutanese youth to contemporary art. From there, we’ll head to Pangrizampa, an institute for traditional astrology founded in the early 17th century. Nestled in the mountains, the educational complex is also home to some of the biggest cypress trees in the country. We’ll begin to learn about the central role that astrology has played in Bhutanese traditions, from choosing dates for important ceremonies to picking names for newborns. After exploring the grounds, we’ll head back to our hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Boutique Hotel, Thimphu
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Note: The annual Thimphu Tsechu takes place in September; November travelers will instead visit the Motithang Takin Preserve. Here, we’ll get to know the national animal of Bhutan, the takin—a charming mammal described by one biologist as a “bee-stung moose.”
This morning, you’ll have the option of taking a behind-the-scenes tour of a traditional incense factory, catching a glimpse of the complex production process behind the creation of each fragrant stick. We’ll regroup for a visit to the Buddha Dordenma, a 169-foot golden Buddha statue perched atop a meditation hall. With 125,000 tiny, bronze Buddhas encapsulated in its chest, the statue alone renders the capital’s Buddha population larger than its human one! After taking some time to stretch our legs, we’ll embark on a five-hour drive to Phobjikha, a glacial valley home to grassy meadows, blue pines, and rare, black-necked cranes that flock to the region's marshy wetlands from mid-October to March. Arriving by early evening, we’ll settle into our hotel and enjoy the serenity of our surroundings.
Boutique Hotel, Phobjikha
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Perched atop a hill overlooking the lush, green sprawl of the Phobjikha Valley, you’ll find Gangtey Goemba, an ornate 17th-century monastery surrounded by smaller meditation centers. Gangtey's current head lama is an incarnation of the site's legendary founder and visionary, Pema Lingpa, a famous 14th-century blacksmith, saint, and terton (discoverer of spiritual treasures) who chose this site. We’ll spend the morning exploring the complex before venturing out along Gangtey Nature Trail. A moderate hike with breathtaking views, it will take about two hours to complete. (The hike is optional.) We’ll head to the Royal Society for Protection of Nature, where we’ll meet Karma, a black-necked crane that suffered multiple fractures to its left wing before it was rescued by a local farmer and rehabilitated here. After bidding farewell to our feathered friend, we’ll meet with several local agriculturalists who will teach us some of their farming practices. We’ll return to our hotel for dinner and another peaceful night’s rest.
Boutique Hotel, Phobjikha
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
*Note: Those on our November trip will have the chance to witness the annual Black-Necked Crane Festival today, when crowds flock to Gangtey Goemba’s courtyard to celebrate the arrival of the world’s only alpine cranes. Please note that the festival will take up a large part of the day, so we likely won't have time to learn about local farming practices.
This morning, we’ll drive to Punakha, a low-lying valley at the junction of two major rivers. Once we arrive, we’ll cruise down the waters of the winding Mo Chhu River via raft. Alternatively, opt to explore the town or relax by the river. Later, we’ll journey across Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge, which stretches nearly 500 feet. Hovering high above the rushing waters of the Pho Chhu River, it’s from way up here that you’ll get some of the most stunning views of the valley below. Take some time to relax this evening before we gather together for dinner.
Boutique Hotel, Punakha
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll spend the morning exploring the majestic Punakha Dzong, or Palace of Great Bliss, one of the largest and oldest institutions of its kind in the nation. Once the winter fortress of the chief hierarch of Bhutanese Buddhism, it now houses some of the country’s most sacred relics, including the remains of the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Bhutanese state. Later, we’ll visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stupa home to a slew of massive statues of wrathful deities thought to ward off evil spirits and offer spiritual protection. Tonight we’ll head back to our cozy resort for our final night in Punakha.
Boutique Hotel, Punakha
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin the day ascending a winding, densely forested trail marked by strings of prayer flags. At the top lies Cheri Monastery, a centuries-old structure that housed Bhutan’s first monastic order. After a picnic lunch by the riverbed, we’ll head back to the capital city for a free afternoon and a night out in Thimphu Town together.
Boutique Hotel, Punakha
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At an altitude of nearly 13,000 feet, Chelela Pass is one of the highest drivable stretches of road in Bhutan. We’ll enjoy stunning views as we drive across it, heading toward Haa Valley. One of the country’s smaller districts, Haa is home to bustling bazaars, terraced hillsides, and vast stretches of pristine forest. Upon arrival, we’ll explore two of the region’s most iconic temples: Lhakhang Karpo (The White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (The Black Temple). It’s said that when searching for the right place to build a new temple, the king of Tibet released two doves—one black, one white. The former landing on the site where Lhakhang Nagpo now stands while the white dove landed on the current grounds of Lhakhang Karpo. After exploring the temples, we’ll head to our cozy farm stay for the night.
Boutique Hotel, Haa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’re heading back to Paro today, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore the town at your own pace. Consider taking a gentle hike to some of the nearby temples, spectating a local archery event, or strolling through the farmers’ market. At an additional cost, you can also opt to take a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath or get a massage. Be sure to get some rest tonight; tomorrow we’re hiking up to the Taktsang Monastery!
Boutique Hotel, Paro
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll set out for Taktsang Monastery, one of the most venerated Buddhist destinations in Bhutan. Also known as the Tiger’s Nest, the monastery is set into a cliff face nearly 2,600 feet above the Paro Valley floor. The sacred site gets its name from a mythical journey in which Guru Rinpoche straddled the back of a flying tigress to reach this spot in the cliff, where he meditated for three months before bringing Buddhism to the valley below. Alas, we won’t have a flying tigress at our disposal, so the journey will require a challenging but rewarding climb, complete with spectacular views. (Note that if you’d prefer not to make the hike, other options are available.) At the top, there will be time to explore the various parts of the monastery and participate in a conversation with a high-level Bhutanese monk. After the return descent, take some time to rest and freshen up before we gather for our final dinner together.
Boutique Hotel, Paro
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we’ll say our goodbyes before returning to Paro International Airport. From here, ascend through the Himalayas and homeward. Until the next adventure!
The cost of this trip is $4,235, based on double occupancy.
You’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. We have two options for you:
Shared Room (subject to the latest Covid-19 guidelines): You'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Private Room: Have your own room, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $425. After booking your trip, please request a single room when you fill out your traveler information form and we’ll send a separate invoice for the cost.
Travelers should be comfortable walking between three and five miles per day without difficulty, and spending extended periods of time on their feet. For those interested in trekking, there will be opportunities for longer and more challenging hikes on certain days of the trip. Some of the places visited on this trip are extremely remote. It can take days to reach the nearest modern medical facility. If you're uncertain about whether this trip is a good fit, please contact us and we'd be happy to discuss with you further.
Once you've signed up for the trip, we'll get in touch to help you book your Druk Air flights in and out of Bhutan. While our group itinerary begins in Paro, Bhutan, on Day 1, you should plan to arrive and overnight in Bangkok the prior night in order to connect with your onward flight to Bhutan the following morning. Flights in and out of Bhutan are prone to schedule changes and tend to sell out, so we don't recommend a tight connection in Bangkok.
The trip ends in Paro, Bhutan on Day 11. Again, we will be in touch to assist in booking your flight out of Bhutan. You should plan to depart Bangkok any time after 9 p.m. that evening, leaving plenty of time for schedule changes or delays on the flight out of Bhutan.
The elevations reached on this trip range from approximately 4,000 feet in Punakha to approximately 11,000 feet when crossing the journey's highest pass by road. Travelers should speak with their doctors about appropriate precautions to take, and consider spending an extra night en route to rest and recover from jet lag before continuing on to Bhutan. It's important to bear in mind that high-quality emergency medical care may be a day or more away due to the remoteness of some of the areas we'll visit.
Yes, a visa is required for travel to Bhutan, but we will secure it on your behalf.
By traveling to Bhutan with Atlas Obscura, you'll also be supporting a Bhutan-based travel company that strives to achieve an unprecedented zero-waste and renewable-energy travel initiative. Our local partner utilizes a refillable, purified water system to eliminate plastic bottles and all hiking gear is solar-powered. The tourism industry is a major revenue generator for Bhutan, which enables the government to provide free education and medical services to its citizens. Beyond this, you'll also help make a positive impact on local communities and businesses which in turn encourages the efficient conservation of our natural environment and preservation of Bhutan’s unique culture and tradition. You'll also be contributing to the creation of employment and income opportunities for people who are directly or indirectly connected to the tourism industry. And finally, your participation in this trip will benefit the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature and their conservation efforts.