- 16 Days
- Trekking
Bhutan's classic trekking route cuts through dense, lush forests and ascends into the lofty realm above tree line, home of yak herds grazing under the watchful eyes of their shepherds. We'll trace a loop starting and ending at Drugyal Dzong, built in the 17th century to commemorate a military victory over the Tibetans, and now in standing in evocative ruin. Prayer flags flutter alongside the trail, sending blessings skyward in a land where farmers and herders eke a tenuous living from the highlands. Our route passes through a national park area, where we keep our eyes peeled for blue sheep, musk deer, snow leopard, black bear, and Bhutan's national animal, the takin. We skirt the Bhutanese-Tibetan border near the foot of sacred Chomolhari and attain the high point of the trek at 15,600 feet. Both the spring and autumn itineraries introduce you to Bhutanese life in the merry atmosphere of Buddhist dance festivals, lively social and spiritual events that epitomize the carefully maintained traditional culture of this distinctive Himalayan kingdom. The trip starts and ends in Paro.
Trip Highlights
- Visits to ornately carved, splendidly painted Buddhist temples and monasteries
- Insight inot one of the Himalaya's most distinct and traditional cultures
- Hotel accomodations in charming facilities built in Bhutanese style
- Attendance at one of Bhutan's largest and most colorful annual festivals
- Opportunity to see the making of, and to purchase beautiful handicrafts
- A deluxe, outfitted trek into the remote highlands near the Tibetan border
- The enigmatic and gravity-defying Taktsang ("Tiger's Nest") monastery
What's Included
- Services of an English-speaking trip leader
- Comfortable ground transportation with driver
- Double occupancy hotel accomodations in the towns
- Most meals, as indicated in itinerary
- Tented sleeping accomodations or guesthouses duringteh trek
- Services of a trek leader, trekking sherpas, porters, kitchen staff
- Trekking permit fees
- Monastery entrance fees
- Airport-hotel transfers
