Bhutan Walking
A Secluded Himalayan Kingdom
Dreaming of a vacation that enlivens your adventurous spirit? Walk with us in Bhutan, a mountain nestled between India and Tibet, that has been isolated and protected for centuries by mighty Himalayan peaks. Tradition and Buddhism infuse every facet of life from the jingling brass bells of prayer wheels to ornate monasteries perched high above terraced rice paddies. Change is coming to Bhutan, but the country isn't blindly adopting modern western culture. Join us for the unique opportunity to see how the Bhutanese balance development and tradition, and to meet Namgay Tsering, our incredible local guide, who proudly shares his culture with us throughout the trip. Shangri-La may be a fictional land, but you'll find something akin to its wonders amid Bhutan's natural beauty, cultural richness and friendly people.
Trip Planning Links
- An ancient landscape where life's daily rituals remain sacred
- Hike to secluded temples and monasteries, including the famed Tiger's Nest
- Namgay, our guide and friend, opens doors normally closed to foreigners
- Ascend herders' trails to find valley views and colorful prayer flags
- Exchange ideas with Buddhist monks and receive a blessing
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Paro Valley
Meet in Bangkok, Thailand, and fly to Paro, Bhutan 
Hike on a hillside covered in prayer flags to Kyichu Lhakhang Monastery Join Namgay, our guide for the past ten years and a former National Assembly member, to explore the massive fortress of Paro Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events.
Days 3-4 Thimphu
In the capital city of Thimphu, visit an art school to see examples of the traditional thangka style of painting, embroidery and other crafts From the village of Dodina, ascend on foot to Cheri Goemba Monastery Stroll through the Thimphu Valley Meet takins, rare Himalayan creatures that are Bhutan's national animal Join a Buddhist historian for an insightful discussion of local life and the significance of Buddhism.
Days 5-6 Punakha
Shuttle to Dochu La mountain pass and take in panoramic views of snowcapped Himalayan peaks Walk through pine forests to our hotel in the Punakha Valley Hike to Chorten Nebu, a 14th-century temple accessible only by foot and rarely visited by foreigners.
Days 7-9 Paro
Explore areas of Punakha Dzong, the winter capital of Bhutan for more than 300 years Discover the shops of Paro for exotic and unique goods Follow an ancient path to the Taktshang teahouse, situated at 9,200 feet and offering superb views of the otherworldly Taktshang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, and surrounding valley Fly to Bangkok.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
Bhutan is simply an amazing place, straight out of the pages of National Geographic. I feel honored to be a guest in this extraordinary country every time I visit - the Buddhist culture & architecture make it feel like one of the last isolated kingdoms on the planet. Shangri-La is a myth, but no other country for me has such a magical allure, and exploring it on foot is truly a remarkable experience.- Regional Manager Asia & the East Coast More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Bhutan tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in Asia & the Pacific, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Asia & the Pacific walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific multisport tours click here.
Bhutan Walking
VALLEY VIEWS: Premiere Inns*
Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Paro Valley (2 nights) With impressive masonry and elaborate hand-carved cornices, this hotel on a verdant mountainside combines traditional Bhutanese warmth and hospitality with modern conveniences, including a spa, fitness center and gourmet restaurant.
Taj Tashi Hotel
Thimphu (2 nights) Designed in Bhutanese dzong architectural style, this newly opened service-oriented hotel is located in the heart of Thimpu, just steps away from cultural sites, shopping and the market.
Meri Puensum Resort
Punakha (2 nights) Sitting high above the Punakha Valley and the Puna Tsang River, this simple hotel - the best in the area - offers views over rice fields and orange trees that can't be beat.
* Casual Inn
Uma Paro
Paro (2 nights) This five-star hotel features luxurious guest rooms, gourmet dining and a spa with treatments, including traditional Bhutanese hot stone and herbal baths.
Bhutan Walking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2.8 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Walking 1, 3.7 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 2 2 Route Option Available
- Walking 1 hour
- Hiking 3.7 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Level 2 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2, 3.2 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 2 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 4.8 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Walking 3.3, 4.7 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3.3, 6.1 miles
- 1500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Conclusion of Trip