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Trees planted for this trip: 10
Journeys: Wonders of Bhutan
10 days, Paro to Paro
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The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.
Find out what lights up the faces of the residents of Bhutan, the only country in the world that measures its well-being in GNH — Gross National Happiness. On a 10-day adventure across this bastion of Buddhist culture, explore remote mountain villages and shrines and climb magnificent heights to the cliff-side Taktsang Monastery, 900 metres (2,953 feet) above the valley floor. Amid the soaring peaks and cultural delights of this ancient place, discover your own capacity for happiness.
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: ADWNG
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys
Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
Service Level: Upgraded
Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, Avg 10.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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View our Entry Requirements toolSee how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
100
Ripple Score
Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 100
Bhutan qualifies as the Galapagos of the Himalaya—about 750 interesting endemic species call the Eastern Himalaya home.” —MIchael Hawley, “Places of a Lifetime,” National Geographic Traveler, May/June, 2003
More from Journeys: Wonders of Bhutan
Itinerary Notes
There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.
Itinerary
Day 1Paro
Arrive at any time and transfer to hotel. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner and visit Rimpung Dzong, a school for monks, and take an orientation walk in the town.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Paro/Punākha
Drive to Punakha, crossing the Dochula Pass and enjoying stunning views of the Himalayas through flickering prayer flags.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Punākha
Enjoy a full day of exploration including a visit to Punakha Dzong, and hikes to Chime Lhakhang and Wangdue Phodrang. In the afternoon, hike through rice terraces and forests to Khamsum Yueley Chorten.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Punākha/Gangtey Gonpa
Travel to Gangtey, visiting the village of Khewa en route. This evening, visit a local family's farm for a cooking demonstration and home cooked dinner.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Gangtey Gonpa
Walk to the monastery of Gangtey Goempa, known to hold the most sacred relics in Bhutan. After walk across Phobjikha Valley to Khewa Valley, where we'll visit an old temple and make an offering.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Gangtey Gonpa/Thimphu
Drive to the capital to visit the National Library, Memorial Chorten, and the Institute for Zorig Chusum, an arts and crafts school where we can watch students practicing traditional arts such as woodworking, painting, and ceramics. Meet with a Buddhist monk and scholar to discuss Buddhist beliefs and way of life, as well as values in Bhutan.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Thimphu/Haa Dzongkhag
Drive to the Haa Valley, one of the most remote and sacred valleys in Bhutan, via the Chelela Pass. En route, hike to Kila Goempa Nunnery, which clings to a rocky cliff. Drive to the valley and visit Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), and Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple).
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Haa Dzongkhag/Paro
Return to Paro and visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong fortress.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9Paro
Embark on a vigorous hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest), the most venerated pilgrim site of the Himalayan world. The view is absolutely stunning, with the monastery clinging to a cliff face towering 2,953m above the valley. Later, visit Kyichu Lhakhang Temple and the local archery grounds.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Paro
Depart at any time. Airport transfer included.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Family Farm Meal, Gangtey Gonpa
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Buddhist Monk, Thimphu
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Arrival and departure transfer
- Visit the Rimpung Dzong
- Hike to Punakha Dzong monastery and fertility shrine
- Visit the town of Wangdue and walk to Khamsum Yueley Chorten shrine
- Visit the village of Khewa
- Hike to the monastery of Gangtey Goempa
- Walk across Phobjikha and Khewa valleys
- Visit the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (arts and crafts) and the Thimphu Chorten
- Hike to Kila Goempa nunnery
- Explore shrines and temples of the Haa Valley
- Visit the fortress of Drukgyal Dzong and hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang Temple
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Hotel/lodges – 9 nts.
Meals
9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
Transportation
Private vehicle, walking, hiking.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.