Adventure Bhutan
Adventure Bhutan from Live The Adventure on Vimeo.
Join us on this magical adventure across the Kingdom of Bhutan and catch a glimpse of the country’s thriving traditional culture along with some world class adventures mixed in!
Living up to its name, this magical 11 day journey through this ancient Himalayan Kingdom includes trekking, kayaking and white water rafting, journeying past colourful monasteries and ancient temples that stand silhouetted against the mountainsides just as they have for hundreds of years. Wildlife is abundant, rivers are pristine and forests unaltered is largely undiscovered by western adventurers.
Day 1 - Arrive Paro 31 March by Druk Air. During this flight, you will experience breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including, the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Spend the afternoon at your leisure in Paro and settle into your hotel. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2 - Paro-Thimphu - After breakfast we will hike up to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) perched precariously on the face of a cliff overlooking the Paro valley. Mythology has it that the Guru Rimpoche landed here in the 8th century on the back of one of his consorts. It is here that he meditated and then spread Buddhism in Bhutan. After a leisurely walk back down, we will then drive to Thimphu with a short stop at Chuzom (confluence) where the Paro River joins Thimphu River. Spend the afternoon touring and sightseeing around Thimphu. Some of the sites to visit are the Memorial Chorten, The Largest Sitting Buddha overlooking the Thimphu Valley and a short stroll around the Takin (National Animal of Bhutan) animal reserve. Spend the night at a hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3 - Thimphu - Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley. Visit the painting school; known for its thangkha paintings and the Traditional Medicine Institute where indigenous healing arts are still practiced. Also visit Handicrafts Emporium. Exotic weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basket ware, silver jewelry, thangkhas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available here.
Day 4 - Thimphu - A day excursion and hike to the Tango Cheri Monastery located in the far north end of the Thimphu valley. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 5 - Thimphu–Dopshingpang - Drive north of the valley towards Dechenchholing palace, following the Thimphu River. Our trekking in Bhutan starts towards Shong Pang which takes about 2 hours, passing through villages. Enroute vegetation is mainly blue pines, oak species, and rhododendrons. The trail ascends gradually up until you reach the Sinchula. From this point, if the weather is clear, you will be able to see Phajoding monastery. The trail drops gradually from the pass till you reach the campsite at Dopshingpang.
Day 6 - Dopshing Pang-Chorten Ningpo–Punakha - The trek to Chorten Ningpo is gradual and you will be walking through thick forests. Before reaching Cgoten Ningpo, you will pass through rice fields and visit the old temple of Choten Ningpo. Vehicle pick you at Choten Ningpo or continue walking down to Serigang if you choose. Spend the night in Punakha.
Day 7 - Bike from the hotel to the start of our rafting in Bhutan on the Mo Chhu River in the morning and in the afternoon hike to the Khamsum Yulley Monastery overlooking the Punakha Valley. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 8 - Hike and bike options to the Pho Chhu Hotsprings and camp for the night.
Day 9 - Hike back down to the put in of the upper Pho Chhu River and raft the Pho chhu all the way to the Punakha Dzong. Late afternoon take a visit to the majestic Punakha Dzong located on the confluence of the Mo and Pho Rivers. Spend the evening in Punkaka.
Day 10 - Punakha–Paro - After breakfast, drive towards Paro over the Dochula Pass. Enroute at Lobesa visit the Chhimi Lhakang aka “The Temple of the Divine Madman”. Spend the evening at leisure in Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 11 - Paro depart 9th May - After early breakfast drive to Paro airport for flight to onward destinations.
Passport Information
Your passport must have at least six months valid duration at the time of travel. We will also need a copy of your passport for our files in the UK. We also advise you carry photo copies of your passport whilst travelling.
Visa Information
Your visa for entry into Bhutan will be arranged by ‘Live the Adventure’ Worldwide Travel. We will send you a copy of the visa form for you to fill out and return to us and we will then arrange your visa for you. Dependant on your travel arrangements and your itinerary, you may be required to apply for an Indian visa if you are entering India at any time in transit. This can be done via the Indian embassy.
Medical Information
For all up-to-date medical information please visit: http://www.masta-travel-health.com. This website will inform you which inoculations to you need for the countries you are travelling to, and all advice on medical kit you may want to take with you. Inoculations must be done at least 6 weeks prior to your trip departure.
Flight Information
Live the Adventure has a dedicated flight account manager at STA Travel who understands the intricacies of our travel itineraries. If you complete the form on our Check Flights page it will be sent to STA Travel and also to Live the Adventure. If you would prefer to talk through any details with Live the Adventure first i.e. before completing the STA Travel Flight Enquiry Form below, please call us on 01746 718 436. We are very happy to talk through and recommend arrival and departure scenarios to fit in with your choosen travel itineraries, as well as different flight options and stop overs before you confirm or book your international flights and help make your flight booking process as smooth and as hassle free as possible.
Once your flights are booked, we will also need a copy of all your flight information. Bhutan Entry Flight options: all entry into Bhutan is through Paro (PBH) airport. These flights are not included in the listed price and upon confirmation of your connecting international flights we will book these for you and in doing so arrange your entry visas into Bhutan. Current flight options fly in from Delhi, Bangkok, Kathmandu and Mumbai.
Insurance Information
We have worked with many companies that supply insurance for our trips. Should you need any assistance with this we can put you in contact with them. We advise that you take your insurance out straight away so that if anything was to happen from now to the trip departure date then you will be able to claim. Your insurance must cover you for the whole of the trip and all the activities listed in your Trip Itinerary. We will need you to send us a full copy of your insurance policy before your trip departs.
28 March - 7 April 2016: $4500.00 USD per person for 2016 (£3243.00 GBP as of 29.02.16)
Prices are quoted in US Dollars. When paying for your holiday you will be charged in Pounds Sterling (GBP) based on the rate of exchange on the day of purchase.
The cost of this Bhutan Adventure Holiday expedition includes:
All accommodation on twin/double occupany basis and meals
Private land transport
Permits, fees and taxes for all itinerary destinations
All mountain bike and rafting equipment
Fully experienced and qualified cultural and activity guide
The above costs do not include the following:
Costs for consumption of alcoholic beverages, sodas and bottled drinks which will have to be paid for individually
Hot stone bath option
International Flights
Guide Gratuities
Personal insurance
Single room supplement charge of $400 per person
Option of traditional hot stone baths in Paro on one of the days
Bhutan Entry Flight options: all entry into Bhutan is through Paro (PBH) airport. These flights are not included in the listed price and upon confirmation of connecting flights we will book these for you and in doing so arrange your entry visas into Bhutan. Current flight options fly in from Delhi, Bangkok, Kathmandu and Mumbai.
Privately Guided Closed Trips: This trip can be privately guided for a minimum of 4 people with dates can be chosen to suit you.
Please contact us to check availability before completing this booking form. A 25% deposit is required with all bookings. Once we have received your completed booking form and deposit you will receive a full set of joining instructions including kit list.