WONDERS OF BHUTAN
A 5-DAY JOURNEY THROUGH BHUTAN’S CULTURE, MOUNTAINS & TRADITIONS
Trip Style: Explore
CULTURE, NATURE & HIKING IN THIMPU, PUNAKHA & PARO
Trip Highlights
Sunrise hike to the Tiger’s Nest with your local guide followed by a forest picnic
Traditional farmhouse lunch featuring seasonal Bhutanese dishes
Mountain lodge stay with exclusive views of the Punakha Dzong
Private temple, monastery and dzong excursions & visit with a local monk
Traditional hot stone bath at a local family’s farm & restaurant
Bhutan is a country best experienced slowly, with time to look beyond its famous monasteries and mountain landscapes and into the traditions and daily rhythms that shape life here. This five-day journey travels through the valleys of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, combining cultural sites, local food and markets, village walks and mountain hikes with some of Bhutan’s most remarkable landscapes.
Begin in Thimphu with a traditional Bhutanese lunch at a heritage farmhouse and a visit to the bustling weekend market, where farmers from across the country gather with red rice, dried chiles, wild greens, mushrooms and other seasonal produce. Continue to Tashichhodzong and the enormous Buddha Dordenma before crossing the Dochu-la Pass into the Punakha Valley, where your mountain lodge overlooks the spectacular Punakha Dzong.
From Punakha, walk through rice fields and village landscapes to Chimi Lhakhang, then continue to the fertile Paro Valley and Bhutan’s most iconic experience: an early-morning hike to Tiger’s Nest. Afterward, there’s time to slow down with a traditional hot stone bath and farmhouse farewell dinner — a fitting end to a journey that brings together Bhutan’s landscapes, food, history and living traditions.
Book our 5-day Bhutan group trip or choose custom dates in spring, summer or fall, starting at $3,495 per person. Consider pairing your Bhutan adventure with our Discover Nepal or Northern India Eco Tour for a deeper journey through the region.
why this trip?
Bhutan is one of the world's most distinctive destinations, but the real magic comes from experiencing how people live here, not simply seeing the sights. This journey takes you into local markets, heritage farmhouses, and quiet villages where you can experience Bhutanese traditions firsthand. You'll learn about the ingredients and techniques behind Bhutan's deliciously bold cuisine, share meals in local homes, and encounter a way of life where culture and spirituality remains woven into everyday routines.
The journey takes you through three very different settings: Thimphu, the country’s capital; the warmer, fertile Punakha Valley, surrounded by mountains and terraced fields; and Paro, home to the country’s international airport and the trail to Tiger’s Nest. Along the way, the scenery changes dramatically, from high mountain passes decorated with prayer flags to rice fields, forests and deep river valleys. Rather than simply checking Tiger's Nest off the list, you'll make an early-morning sunrise hike to the monastery, arriving before the crowds and having time to take in the significance of this sacred place. Afterward, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch - perhaps some momos with Bhutan’s famous chili cheese - at the base before returning to Paro for a slow afternoon and a traditional hot stone bath.
Throughout the journey, you'll move at a pace that leaves room for connection, curiosity, and reflection - whether you're tasting something new at the market, learning about Bhutanese traditions from a local host, or looking out across the mountains from a quiet village trail. The result is a Bhutan experience that feels less like a tour and more like an invitation into the culture.
Travel with purpose. Every Traverse Journeys departure includes a contribution to a carefully selected Community Partner, supporting local organizations creating meaningful impact in the destinations we visit. For this trip, your booking supports heritage agriculture in the region.
TESTIMONIALS
TRIP INCLUsions
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3 or 4 star hotels & mountain lodge + all meals
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Airport transfers on arrival/departure day
Private guide & driver
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Explore Thimphu’s markets, Buddha point and Trashichhoedzong fortress
Paro Valley explorations including the Punakha Dzong
Temple hikes and excursions
Sunrise hike to the Tigers Nest with picnic lunch
Farmhouse visit + optional traditional hot stone bath
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3 meals daily with a focus on seasonal, local fare
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Bhutan SDF fee ($100/night)
Bhutan visa fee
Taxes + entrance feesAssistance with airfare from Delhi or Kathmandu
Experience with our local Community Partner + donation to their organization
Dedicated local guide
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
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11-day Discover Nepal itinerary
10-day Northern India Eco Tour itinerary
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International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Tips to your local guides and drivers
Temple donations
Alcohol, unless specified
Required travel insurance
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$3,495 per person, double occupancy
+$395 “my own room”
Bhutan recently had a major revamp in its tourism policy. The Governmental Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) which was earlier called ‘Royalty’ was hiked from USD $65 to USD $200 per person per night, into effect June 20th, 2022. Also entrance fees to monuments are significantly increased. As of September 1, 2023 the SDF fee was lowered to $100 per person per night. Your price includes this fee.
So while an investment into visiting Bhutan may not be cheap, it is certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and supports the livelihoods of those that you’ll be visiting in this unique country.
Airfare from Delhi (India trip) or Kathmandu (Nepal trip) will be booked for you and the price billed back to you based on current airfare pricing plus a 10% service charge.
Roundtrip airfare typically costs $500-$800 depending on your departure city (Delhi or Nepal)
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Bhutan makes a great pairing with two of our other trips! Click the links below for the full itinerary and date options.
FAQs
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Yes, you do and we will acquire that for you as part of the trip cost.
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We'll book your roundtrip flight from either Delhi or Kathmandu to Paro, depending on your desired travel plans. Bhutan is a rare case for our trips in that with the visa and governmental requirements it's best for us to book your airfare for you to ensure everything is aligned correctly. We'll then bill you back for the cost of airfare + 5% service fee.
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There will be short hikes each day to temples and other sites. These trails are relatively easy and non-technical. The hike to the Tiger’s nest is 4 miles / 6.4 km round trip and takes 3-5 hours round trip, depending on the group’s pace. The Tiger’s Nest Hike is a moderate difficulty level due to some steep inclines and rocky terrain. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for the Tiger’s Nest hike.
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Yes! Bhutan makes a great combination with our Welcome to India and Discover Nepal itineraries with easy flights to both.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
