Bhutan Walking & Hiking Tour
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Premiere Hotels
Bhutan Walking & Hiking Tour
8 days
7 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Premiere Hotels
2024: Dec2025: Feb-Apr, Sep-Dec2026: Feb-May, Sep-Dec
Buddhist Culture, Himalayan Peaks & Tiger's Nest
Wonderfully unique. Incredibly dramatic. From the rich Buddhist culture to its remote Himalaya setting, its magical essence can't be articulated. Here the people live hard but full lives, rooted in age-old tradition and guided by Gross National Happiness. Bhutan seems like a place that couldn't exist in today’s world. Join us on this one-of-a-kind hiking tour and feel the magic.
Highlights
- Hike to secluded temples and monasteries, including the famed Tiger's Nest, which clings to the side of a cliff
- Meet our knowledgeable Bhutanese guides and friends who open doors normally closed to foreign travelers
- Climb herders' trails to spectacular panoramic views framed by fluttering strings of colorful prayer flags
- Exchange ideas with Buddhist monks—and receive a blessing—at a monastery where foreign groups are seldom received
Start/EndBangkok, Thailand
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Bhutan! Touch down in this adventure travel paradise and the self-proclaimed happiest country on Earth • Hike to Dzongdrakha, a seldom-visited cliffside temple complex set high above the valley • Admire the views of Paro—Bhutan's second largest city—as you pass nomads wandering into town from the high mountains.
Night 1
This upscale resort is nestled between the Himalayan foothills and Paro Chhu River. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
At the top of Dochula Pass, take in a panorama of snowcapped Himalayan peaks • Hike a portion of the historic Trans Bhutan Trail • Sip tea while you learn the story of the 108 memorial chortens (or stupas) built along the pass • Pine forests line our path on a hiking adventure through Punakha Valley • Cross a scenic suspension bridge to Queen's Temple, a gilded pagoda built to honor all princesses and princes of Bhutan.
Nights 2-3
Surrounded by thick pine forests in the heart of the Punakha Valley, this secluded contemporary hotel is perched above lush rice fields and the Punakha River. (spa)
Days 4-5
Ascend herders' trails to find valley views and colorful prayer flags • Raft down the Punakha's Pochu River on our way to the exquisite riverside Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's winter capital • Enjoy the valley views from the meticulously cared for Wangditse temple, built in 1715.
Nights 4-5
Designed in Bhutanese dzong architectural style, and just steps away from Thimphu's lively central square. (pool, spa)
Days 6-8
Visit a giant golden Buddha that houses 125,000 smaller figures inside • Stay at a remarkable luxury hotel that celebrates the colorful and ornate architecture of Bhutan • Hike to secluded monasteries and temples, including the otherworldly cliff-clinging Tiger's Nest • Walk trails with thousands of prayer flags flapping in the wind • Sip a hot brew 9,200 feet up at Taktsang teahouse • Practice your aim as you learn archery, Bhutan's national sport.
Nights 6-7
With impressive masonry and elaborate hand-carved cornices, this hotel is set on a verdant mountainside and combines Bhutanese hospitality with modern conveniences. (spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Some hotels and restaurants we visit see few Western travelers and therefore lack many Western-style services. The leisurely service found in neighborhood restaurants and the limited supply of beer can all be appreciated as part of the journey.
Bhutan is a remote corner of the world where ancient culture, traditions and religion are still the deep-rooted cornerstones of everyday life. That said, modern Bhutan is not always the Shangri-La depicted in glossy travel magazines. Rather, it's a developing country, where the scenes of poverty, trash and pollution can be jarring. And yet, the beauty of the people, the culture and the landscape shine through. Our itineraries and Trip Leaders remove as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible, but we can't remove haze and noise from the air, or replace a poorly maintained road or trail—it's all part of the experience here!
This trip includes travel on a commercial flight so that we can explore the best of your destination. Please note that flight schedules can change with little advance warning, which may require us to adjust our activities on a travel day. Your Trip Leaders will provide more details on any changes should this occur.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
Premiere Hotel
This upscale resort is nestled between the Himalayan foothills and Paro Chhu River. (pool, spa)
Nights 2-3
*Deluxe Hotel
Surrounded by thick pine forests in the heart of the Punakha Valley, this secluded contemporary hotel is perched above lush rice fields and the Punakha River. (spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Designed in Bhutanese dzong architectural style, and just steps away from Thimphu's lively central square. (pool, spa)
Nights 6-7
Premiere Hotel
With impressive masonry and elaborate hand-carved cornices, this hotel is set on a verdant mountainside and combines Bhutanese hospitality with modern conveniences. (spa)
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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