Exclusive tour of Bhutan with the Himalayan experts since 1980

The enchanting Kingdom of Bhutan is rated among the happiest countries in the world. It’s no wonder! This earthly nirvana is filled with beauty at every turn, from lush river valleys, whitewashed homes, and terraced rice paddies, to fields covered in mustard and dwarf rhododendrons and the majestic, snowcapped peaks. Designed with the short-on-time traveler in mind, this 11-day MTS-exclusive highlights the best of this beautiful country through 3 days of moderate-to-strenuous ridgeline trekking and camping, and the rest of the time set aside for easy touring and day hikes. Bookended with time in Bangkok to explore the bustling city, you’ll quickly slow your pace to immerse yourself in Bhutan's rich Buddhist traditions. Visit its most famous monasteries—Taktsang Monastery (“the Tiger’s Nest”) and Lhakhang Kap Monastery(“the Temple of the White Dove”), and learn about Bhutanese folk art. Discover the Paro Valley and the remote and recently opened Haa Valley. Best of all, spend time amid some of the world’s most exciting peaks—the sacred Chomolhari (24,000’) and Kanchenjunga (28,208'), the third highest in the world! This is one short visit that will stay with you for a lifetime.

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Activities

3 days moderate to strenuous hiking at medium elevation (max. 13,700'), easy touring, day hikes

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the gems of Bhutan on this MTS-exclusive adventure designed for the short-on-time traveler!
• Immerse yourself in Bhutan's rich Buddhist traditions, visiting its most famous monasteries—Taktsang Monastery and Lhakhang Kap Monastery
• Learn about the Bhutanese folk arts with visits to a traditional “painting school” and several museums
• Discover the Haa Valley, only recently opened to outsiders
• Spend three days trekking and camping along a ridge with great Himalayan mountain views

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Bangkok End Location: Bangkok

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrive in Bangkok

  Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand.

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  Day 2 : Paro – Thimphu

  Fly to Paro, Bhutan. Transfer to Thimphu (7,725'), the capital.

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  Day 3 : Thimphu

  Day hike through the forested countryside to centuries-old Cheri and Tango monasteries, lying just to the north of Thimphu.

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  Day 4 : Thimphu – Paro

  Sightseeing in Thimphu, including the Folk Heritage and Textile Museums, and the School of Arts and Crafts. Drive to the sub-tropical Punakha Valley, winter seat of the highest lama in Bhutan until the 1950s.

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  Day 5 : Hike to Taktsang Monastery

  Day hike to Taktsang Monastery, a cliff hermitage nestled in a granite wall above the Paro Valley. Afternoon free to explore Paro on your own.

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  Day 6 : Haa Valley (9,400')

  Drive to the Haa Valley along the western border of Bhutan. Afternoon visit to Lhakhang Karpo ("Temple of the White Dove").

• Day 7 : Begin trek – camp below Saga La (11,800')

  Begin trek, camping for the night near Saga La pass. Posssible afternoon hike up to Saga La for views of Chomolhari and other peaks.

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  Day 8 : Ningula (12,300')

  Continue trek, hiking up to Saga La and then descending to camp at Ningula.

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  Day 9 : Kung Karpo (13,500')

  Trek through rich forests of pine, dwarf rhododendron, and primulas to a ridge with high mountain views of sacred Chomolhari and other Himalayan peaks. End trek and return to Paro.

• Day 10 : Bangkok

  Depart on your Druk Air flight to Bangkok. Explore Bangkok on your own.

• Day 11 : Fly home

  Depart Bangkok

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  Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

  Bangkok

  The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport is a 4 star hotel located 10 min walk from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. Boasting 612 comfortable and contemporary rooms, the hotel also offers 2 bars and 4 restaurants. With a 24 hr airport shuttle every 10 min from Gate 4 Level 2 and parking available, there is no better place to stay.

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  Druk Hotel

  Thimphu, Bhutan

  Experience the unique and legendary hospitality of the Bhutanese people at this fine accommodation in the midst of the Himalayas. Located in the heart of the capital city, the hotel is close to shopping, culture, and the bubbling Thimphu River.Thim

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  Zhiwa Ling Hotel

  Paro, Bhutan

  The Zhiwa Ling combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of modern comforts. Guests can enjoy a traditional outdoor hot-stone bath, a Tea House, a Meditation House, and two restaurants specializing in both contemporary international and classic Bhutanese cuisine.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Tandin Nidup

  Tandin is a graduate of Bangkok University, Thailand, majoring in Tourism and Hospitality Management. He has been leading treks and cultural tours in Bhutan since 2000. Tandin also worked for a few months as the Human Resource Manager at The Zhiwaling Hotel in Paro. Last year, he had the opportunity to work as an Interpreter for the EU Election Observers for a period of one month in Eastern Bhutan and got a very positive evaluation from them. He is very knowledgeable of the cultures, religions, and traditions of his country and enjoys sharing his experiences with you. Tandin speaks English, Nepali, Hindi and passable Thai in addition to his native Bhutanese.

• Gyamcho Wangdi

  Gyamcho Wangdi has led treks for Mountain Travel Sobek since 1988. A Bhutanese, he grew up in the small hill town of Kalimpong in the Darjeeling District of India and received his schooling from a Scottish missionary school. He studied botany and zoology and was a naturalist at Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in Nepal for eight years. While working at the park, he greeted VIPs and other celebrities such as Princess Anne, the late Rajiv Gandhi (former Prime Minister of India), King Gyanendra (present King of Nepal), Bjorn Borg (former #1 tennis player), Reinhold Messner (Everest summiteer), and actors James Coburn, Robert Redford, Goldie Hawn, and Carrie Fisher. Gyamcho’s passions are seeing new places, off-road driving, interior design, and drawing cartoons (he has published a cartoon book on the Yeti called "Mysterious Mystical Yeti," which became a hit among Nepal trekkers). His gentle, courteous manner, amusing anecdotes, and overall knowledge of Bhutan and Nepal are the key to the success of your trip. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Nepali, and Bhutanese.

• Namgay Dorji

  Namgay Dorji, the senior manager of our Bhutan office, has been leading treks and tours for the past nine years. He is very knowledge about the history, culture, and religion of Bhutan, has many relatives in the monk body, and looks forward to sharing his experience with you. Namgay speaks seven languages: English, Japanese, German, Spanish, Hindi, Nepalese, and Urdu; is a graduate of Bissau College, Meghalaya, India; and received his diploma in Tourism and Travel Management from the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Salzburg, Austria. His many personal interests include bird watching, rock climbing, trekking, and archery.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File