Overview
Prayer flags across mountain passes, ancient dzongs, a river to raft, a farmhouse stay in the Crane Valley, and a climb to the Tiger's Nest. Xpdtion Bhutan is seven days through Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and Paro, experiencing Bhutan through its landscapes, traditions and local communities.
Schedule
Day 1 | Cross The Border, Climb To Thimphu
Meet at Phuentsholing and complete biometrics, permits and border formalities before driving into the mountains towards Thimphu. Stop along the way for views as the landscape changes from the plains to pine forests and low cloud. Arrive in Thimphu, settle in and meet the crew.
Day 2 | Thimphu, Up Close
Visit Buddha Dordenma, Pangri Zampa, Choki Traditional Art School and the traditional paper factory. After lunch, visit Simply Bhutan, the takin preserve and the craft bazaar. Evening free in Thimphu.
Day 3 | Over Dochula, Down to Punakha
Stop at Simtokha Dzong before climbing to Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres and its 108 chortens. Continue to Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong and the suspension bridge, followed by a picnic lunch and rafting on the Mo Chhu.
Day 4 | Into the Crane Valley
Drive to Phobjikha and hike to Gangtey Goenpa. Visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre before walking through the village and marshland. Stay overnight in a farmhouse, eat with the family and spend the evening around a fire.
Day 5 | The Road to Paro
Drive towards Paro, stopping at the viewpoint above the airport to watch aircraft navigate the mountain approach. Visit Rinpung Dzong and its traditional cantilever bridge. Get fitted into Bhutanese gho and kira and wear the national dress for the evening in town.
Day 6 | Hiking Up Tiger's Nest
Take on the 10 km round-trip hike to Taktsang, climbing approximately 900 metres to the Tiger's Nest monastery at 3,000 metres. After the hike, play khuru with local players before ending the day with a traditional hot stone bath.
Day 7 | Back Down to the Plains
Drive back towards Phuentsholing, with lunch on the road. Time and energy permitting, explore the border town, visit Zangto Pelri Lhakhang and the market before completing exit formalities and crossing back into India.
Phuentsholing, Bhutan
Starting Point
Phuentsholing, Bhutan
Ending Point
What's Included
6 nights accommodation on a twin-sharing basis
All meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
Bhutan entry permit and route permits, processed at the border
Sustainable Development Fee for the full duration
English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout
All internal transfers by private vehicle
Entry to all dzongs, monasteries and monuments listed
River rafting on the Mo Chhu, Punakha
Traditional hot stone bath in Paro
National dress fitting in Paro
Khuru session with local players
What's not Included
Travel to and from Phuentsholing (flights to Bagdogra, trains, buses are not included)
Personal expenditure of any kind (laundry, room service, camera charges etc.)
Medical expenses if any
Expenses incurred due to reasons beyond the organizers' control
Anything not mentioned above in What's Included
Bucket List
Hike 10 km up to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest
Cross Dochula Pass at 3,100 m with its 108 chortens
Raft the Mo Chhu past Punakha Dzong
Get your chart read by monks at Pangri Zampa
Sleep in a Phobjikha farmhouse, dinner around the fire
Watch black-necked cranes in the Crane Valley
Wear gho and kira for a full evening in Paro
Throw khuru with local players
Soak in a traditional hot stone bath
Getting There
Fly into Bagdogra by 9 AM on Day 1 (or land the night before). The group minibus from Bagdogra to Phuentsholing (about 4.5 to 5.5 hours) is included. On Day 7, book your flight out for after 5 PM. Stays are 3 to 4 star or similar, twin sharing; the Phobjikha farmhouse has non-attached bathrooms.
Gallery
Xpdtions You May Like
Xpdtion Kenya
14 of us, five ecosystems, and a single thread that runs from the geothermal gorges of the Rift Valley to the Indian Ocean at Watamu.
₹2,95,000
Xpdtion Sri Lanka
Ten days across Sri Lanka, from ancient rock fortresses and tea country to the southern coast, ending with New Year's Eve on the beach.
₹85,000
