Bhutan Thimphu Festival & Trek

11 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Trek from Paro to Thimphu and take in the colourful Thimphu Festival
-24%
$4,899
From$6,090
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Attend the colourful and vibrant Thimphu Festival, Bhutan's biggest cultural event
    • Trek in the Bhutan Himalaya from Paro to Thimphu
    • Experience a fully supported camping based trek
    • Ascend high passes and be rewarded with stunning mountain views
    • Discover the ancient sights of Paro and climb high above the city to Taktsang 'Tiger's Nest' Monastery

What's this trip about?

    Trek from Paro to Thimphu and take in the colourful Thimphu Festival

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityParo
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Trekking & Expeditions
  • Festivals & Special Events

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Bhutan

Attractions

  • Paro
  • Thimphu
  • Tibet

Activities

  • Trekking

Trip includes

    • 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
    • airport transfers (day 1 and 11 only)
    • expert bilingual guide
    • group medical kit
    • good quality accommodation in towns
    • the use of a World Expeditions trek pack which includes a quality sleeping bag, down or fibre fill jacket and insulated mat valued at US$500
    • souvenir World Expeditions kit bag
    • all group camping equipment
    • private transportation
    • all park entrance fees and trekking permits
    • pack animals to carry all your personal equipment 20kgs
    • Bhutan Government visa and sustainability fees

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join Paro

Welcome to Bhutan! On arrival you will be met by your driver and tour guide. This afternoon we ascend a short hill up to the most obvious landmarks in the valley, the Ta Dzong, a circular fortress that once protected this valley from Tibetan invasion. The impressive w...

Day 2 Taktsang Monastery hike, walk approx 5-6hrs.

In the morning, we drive up to the base of Taktsang, famously known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on a vertical granite cliff 2000 feet above the valley floor of pine, oak and rhododendrons forests. The legend of Taktsang dates from 747 CE, when Guru Rinpoche...

Day 3 Commence trek to Jele Dzong (3,870m/12,770ft), walk approx 4-5hrs.

We rise early and after breakfast drive to Ta-Dzong and through village of Damchena from your hotel for about 1.5 Hours. And then start your trek from here bypassing a lone Mani walls, gradually climbing up for about 2 ½ hours through a forest of blue pine and silver ...

Day 4 Trek to Jangchulakha (3,770m/12,440ft), walk approx. 3-4 hrs.

We continue walking along the wooded crest high above the Paro Valley through conifer and rhododendron forest while numerous orchids, ferns and wildflowers line the trail. To the north we will sight the snow capped peak of Chomolhari in the distance. On this stage we ...

Day 5 Trek to Jigmelangtsho (3600m), walk approx. 5-6 hrs.

Today morning is a strenuous climb up for about 2 hours until we reach the top and continue north along tanned alpine ridge. En route we cross a series of small passes in the vicinity of 4050m with each marked by a stone memorial and an abundance of prayer flags. From...

Day 6 To Phajoding camp (3650m/12045f), walk approx 6-7hrs.

We trek through forests of dwarf rhododendron shrubs passing two lakes. After passing the second lake we begin to ascend gradually. From the top of the ridge at Pumola (4,100m/13,530ft), we enjoy the majestic view of Mt.Gangkar Punsum (7520m), the highest mountain in ...

Day 7 Trek to Thimphu (2,400m/8,000ft) walk approx. 2-3hrs

Today is the easiest day of trekking. We make our way for three hours downhill through pine forest. Upon reaching Motithang on the outskirt of Thimphu, we will be met by our WEX Bhutan office group to receive you with sumptuous lunch and drinks. Thimphu is Bhutan’s ca...

Day 8 Attend the Thimphu Festival

In the morning we drive to Tashichho Dzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’ which also houses the office of the King. But today you will be joining thousands of locales flocking inside the ceremonial ground to witness and observe the Thimphu Tshechu. No single...

Day 9 Drive to Punakaha (1,300m/4,500ft) via Simtokha Dzong and Dochu La

In the morning we drive up to see the tallest seated Buddha statue in the world at 51m/169ft height, initiated and built on a prophecy made, facing towards the East, bestowing infinite love and compassion to all sentient beings in the spheres. The statue houses enormo...

Day 10 Visit Punakha Dzong and transfer to Paro (2,300m/7,600ft)

In the morning we visit Punakha Dzong, one of the magnificent fortresses in the world. This remarkable fortress was built in 1637 between two rivers and once served as the old capital of Bhutan. It has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every February there is a p...

Day 11 Trip concludes in Paro

This morning drive to Paro and exit through Bhutan Immigration office and bid you farewell today. We hope you had a wonderful time in Bhutan. Tashi Delek & Bon Voyage!

meals : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,090
Price per day$554
Last Updated: 4/24/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
06 Sep 2024
16 Sep 2024
$6,090
26 Sep 2025
06 Oct 2025
$6,390

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,826
Great
249
Average
12
Disappointing
3
Terrible
3
N

Neil Davis

Feb 2024

We have never experienced service quite at this level

Bhutan is full of wonder, fantastic people and unique experiences. We did the Druk Path Trek supported with our attentive guide, our great chef and two exceptional c...

B

Bernard Roberts

Oct 2022

Fascinating country, friendly people, spectacular scenery all wrapped up in a living Bhuddist culture, complete with Gross National Happiness

Jimmy, the local guide was superb, Very attentive, alway...

V

V. Emmett

Oct 2019

The trip was excellent from the pick-up to drop-off at Paro airport

Our guide, Dendup, was extremely knowledgeable, he explained Bhutanese Buddhism and could identify plants and birds of the area which made the trekking even more int...

Write a Review

Other World Expeditions Reviews

M

Mary Anderson

Apr 2024

I had to leave the tour early because of illness

My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave...

M

Michael Scholer

Apr 2024

An amazing experience that was made truly possible by booking through World Expeditions

. The team in Nepal went above and beyond to ensure our every requirement was met within their control.. The sherpas, guides, cook, and porters were exemplary, very ...

T

Terence Gibson

Apr 2024

My wife and I had a wonderful trek in the Annapurna region

We are both 80 but fit and the route was designed to be less exacting than on our last visit to the same area. This allowed ample time to look at the flowering Rhodo...

Write a Review

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Tour Operator

World Expeditions

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Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975

Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights
    • travel insurance
    • aerated & alcoholic drinks
    • tips
    • bottled water
    • airport & departure taxes

Accommodation

6 nights hotel 4 nights camping,
Requirements
These adventures involve trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 4,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. * Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake. Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).,
Travel Insurance
We require that you take out a personal travel insurance policy to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. A suggested policy is enclosed with these notes. If you take out an alternative policy, we need to be advised of the details. It is your responsibility to ensure any and all pre-existing medical conditions are adequately covered by your insurer. Please note: if you choose credit card cover, in our experience, this may not insure against high cost needs. For example; helicopter emergency evacuation. If you do decide to choose credit card coverage, please check all policy details thoroughly. You should always carry your travel insurance policy, emergency card and photocopies of your passport and cash cards with you during your trip.
Visa requirements
Yes*
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • 6 nights hotel
  • 4 nights camping
NOTE: Visa numbers should not be expected until the week before clients depart. Chinese and Indian Passport holders, including Hong Kong passport holders, will not be issued trekking permits for many trekking routes in Bhutan. If dual national please use alternative passport.
Trip ID
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