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2008 is a very special year in Bhutan.
The Crown Price takes over from his father and the
very first democratic elections take place.
2009 is also significant - the Eclipse Tour and the Snowman Trek
By any standards, Bhutan is unique. Tucked up against the southern side of the Himalayas, it is no bigger than Switzerland, steeped in Buddhist history and culture with a huge variety of trekking. With no infrastructure in the mountains it is truly one of the great remaining wildernesses left. The Bhutanese people are proud of their traditions; they are at ease with their 'lot'. A visit to this very special place will not be forgotten. |
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The trekking and culture touring options in Bhutan are vast from gentle day walks to 3 day treks in remote valleys right up to the awesome Snowman, reputed to be the toughest long distance trek in the world. You can mix and match as much as you wish.
Any visit to Bhutan is not complete without visiting the magnificent Tigers Nest Monastery (real name Taktshang) perched some 900m up a cliff (pictured top left)! Surely the 8th Wonder of the World. Also try a Hot Stone Bath, a traditional and popular form of medication and relaxation.
Bhutan's government monitors the number of visitors to its country and it therefore has a 'system' to match. If you do intend to travel there please take the time to read the notes on travelling to Bhutan to ensure that you are familiar with how it all works. |
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Use these links and downloads to find out more:
Fact Sheet on getting to Bhutan and some sample itineraries
About Bhutan, Chomolhari Trek, Druk Path Trek, Thimphu Festival, Eclipse Tour July 2009
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This is going to be a popular tour.....download the full itinerary now.
In July 2009, Travel and Trek is running a trip to Bhutan specifically to coincide with the longest total eclipse of the sun in our lifetime! What better way to see Bhutan than to combine it with this historic event!
On Wed 22 Jul 09, a total eclipse of the Sun will occur from within a narrow corridor that traverses half of Earth. The path of the Moon's umbral shadow begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China before disappearing across the Pacific Ocean.
The group is scheduled to fly into Bhutan on the 19th Jul and then conduct a cultural tour of this unique country before being pre-positioning for the eclipse. Even in the capital of Thimphu, the totality will last 3 minutes and 01sec; up to 4 minutes on the southern border (5 hrs away).
Transport is by comfortable exclusive minibus(s) and therefore there is flexibility to move as the group sees fit. This link from NASA will show you the path of the eclipse.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2009/TSE2009fig/TSE2009-fig09.pdf
The remainder of your time in Bhutan will be spend visiting the iconic Tigers Nest monastery, the massive fortress like Dzong in Paro, the circular structure of the National museum, Thimphu (the capital), rural Bhutan as you tour along its few roads and much much more.
Bhutan's unique system means that your Druk Air flight into the country and the visa will all be taken care of for you. Travel and Trek's experience in this country will ensure that you have a safe and smooth passage in/out of Bhutan and will assist you in your choice of 'access city' too. |
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Details
Solar Eclipse Tour :
Arrive Bhutan Sat 19 Jul 09
Depart Bhutan Sat 26 Jul 09
download full details
Price: £630pp
Based on 7 nights
plus international flight from link city to Paro
Link city details
No of nights in Bhutan: 7
Min/Max Group Size: 3/12
Supplements apply if group is under 3
Inclusions and Exclusions: Click here
Booking Form |
Go straight to Cultural Tours or Thimphu Festival
Trekking. This table gives you an idea of the treks that are available and roughly where they are. Those in Central and East Bhutan will require a few days to drive there and then back again (days quoted are for the trek only): |
Druk Path trek
(5 /6 days) |
Convenient 5 or 6 day trek starting in Paro (where the airport is) and ending in Thimpu (the captial). Goes up to 4100m. |
Chomolhari trek
(9 days) |
A longer option from Paro - Thimpu taking in the base of Mt Jomolhari. Follows the superbly clear Paro Chu (river) for miles. Gets up to 4900m on the Passes. Herds of yak all over the mountain sides. |
Laya Gasa trek
(14 days) |
Even longer Paro - Thimpu trek with beautiful lakes and the hot springs en route. Consistently up around the 4000m mark. |
Dur Hot Spring trek
(8 days) |
A less taxing trek with the natural hot springs awaiting you on 3 of the days! This trek starts in the central part of Bhutan and therefore takes a few days to drive there. |
Bumthang Cultural trek
(3 days)
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At 3 days, a very short trek but this starts and finishes well into central Bhutan. A good trek for those perhaps more interested in the culture of Bhutan as well as a bit of trekking. |
| Gangtey Ganpa Black Necked Crane trek (3 days) |
No guesses for this trek is all about! Central Bhutan with lots of culture involved. |
Dagala Thousand Lakes trek
(9 days) |
Starts/finishes in Thimpu, lots of lakes and Yaks! Climbs over 4500m occasionally. |
Lunana Snowman trek
(up to 31 days)
Specialist trek, please e-mail for details |
The toughest in the world and lasts up to 31 days but can be shortened. Regularly camping at over 4000m and trekking across numerous 5000m Passes may not seem extreme but the sheer length of trek, potential cold conditions and consistent high altitude takes its toll.
This trek requires significant support and is very physically demanding. Fewer than 50% of those that attempt it do not finish either through physical problems on the trek or heavy snowfall. You need to be robust too, air rescue is not easy! Sept and Oct are the best months to attempt this. A cracking challenge though! |
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The Druk Path trek conveniently starts in Paro (the location of the airport) and ends in the capital Thimpu. In between is 5 days of uninhabited, forested and mountainous terrain of the western part of Bhutan. The feeling of remoteness, where snow leopards still genuinely roam is thought provoking! Fantastic in May when the spectacular rhododendron forests are in bloom. Moderately physically demanding with average walking days of 6 hrs.
This trek, due to its proximity to Paro and Thimpu is probably the shortest that you can do in Bhutan without involving a lot of driving.
Download full itinerary and details
| Day 1 |
Arrive Paro from access city, settle in to hotel |
| Day 2 |
Start trek - Paro - Jeledzong |
| Day 3 |
Jeledzong - Jangchulakha |
| Day 4 |
Jangchulakha - Jimilangtsho |
| Day 5 |
Jimilangtsho - Simkota |
| Day 6 |
Simkota - Phajoding |
| Day 7 |
Phajoding - Thimphu (some sightseeing) |
| Day 8 |
Drive Thimphu - Paro (<2hrs), trek to Tigers Nest |
| Day 9 |
Depart Bhutan |
The number of days shown above may increase depending on your chosen dates due to the Druk Air scheduling. Travel and Trek can confirm this when considering itineraries.
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Starting in Paro, this 9 day challenging trek in testing conditions initially passes through scattered isolated hamlets and farmland before progressing into richly forested valleys. This ultimately leads to the high alpine pastureland that appears to be home to hundreds of roaming yak! The rare blue sheep can also be seen here.
This route follows the crystal clear and fast flowing Paro Chu (river) north for several days as well as the high ridge that separates Bhutan from Tibet. There are several very high peaks along here notably Jomolhari (7315m). On day 5 you will head over the first of two Passes, during which time you turn and head south towards Thimphu.
This trek offers great variety, gets you into the wild and very remote terrain of Bhutan and is a good enough length to give you that feeling of having achieved something. There is enough time on the front and back end of this trip for you to experience the culture of this unique country but you are welcome to extend your stay if you wish. You will most certainly have the time to visit the unmissable Tigers Nest Monastery. Download full itinerary and details |
| Day 1 |
Arrive Paro from access city, settle in to hotel |
| Day 2 |
Start trek - Paro - Shana |
| Day 3 |
Shana- Soi Thangthagkha |
| Day 4 |
Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang. |
| Day 5 |
Jangothang (acclimatisation day, altitude 4000m) |
| Day 6 |
Jangothang - Lingshi (over the 4800m Nygile La (Pass)) |
| Day 7 |
Lingshi - Shodu (over the 4850m Yale La) |
| Day 8 |
Shodu - Barshong |
| Day 9 |
Barshong - Dolam Kencho |
| Day 10 |
Dolam Kencho - Thimphu (some sightseeing) |
| Day 11 |
Drive Thimphu - Paro (<2hrs), trek to Tigers Nest |
| Day 12 |
Depart Bhutan |
The number of days shown above may increase depending on your chosen dates due to the Druk Air scheduling. Travel and Trek can confirm this when considering itineraries.
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Yes, the date is correct - 2009. The Snowman is not something that should be taken lightly, hence the lead in time on this. It is one of the longest, toughest treks there is around. What makes it so tough? It is a combination of living under basic conditions (ie tents), sustained very high altitude (consistently above 4000m) and cold weather (potential snow) all for a prolonged period in excess of 20 days. It might not sound much but if you are not experienced with altitude, it will wear you down and potentially stop you in your tracks. The weather is also unpredictable; there is a realistic chance that the group will not complete it. The route, once up high goes across numerous Passes and it therefore becomes very remote indeed. You will also have to be robust enough to cope should an injury or illness occur.
But don't let that put you off. This is a very achievable challenge that should appeal to experienced trekkers or anyone that fancies a go!
The group is likely to go in through Bangkok, although any city served by Druk Air is good enough as long as we arrive on the same day.
The exact itinerary is not finalised yet so keep your eye on this page or if you wish, e-mail me and I will inform you of updates as they occur.
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The Thimphu Festival is one of the highlights of the year. Locals come from miles around to attend this festival of dance, feasting and socialising. This itineray has been designed to show you Bhutan at its finest, focusing on the Festival itself and catching the Tigers Nest Monastery just before you leave.
On your arrival day, you will have ample opportunity to visit the huge and impressive fortress like structure seen from the aircraft on the way in – Paro's Rinpung Dzong. It is well used and there are many monks that still live there. In addition, just around the corner is the equally impressive Ta Dzong, the distinctive circular building that houses the National museum (both pictured below).
The following day, you will head straight for the capital Thimphu for lunch before continuing on to Punakha and staying overnight in Wangdi. Return to Thimphu to explore the city further before settling in to 2 days of colourful Festival. The festival takes place in a huge Dzong and often takes the form of stories, played out by the masked dancers who have rehearsed for many weeks; it is a wonderful social occasion. You will be escorted in and out of this very colourful event to make best use of your time. The festival itself is to commemorate the birth of the great Saint who introduced Buddhism to the Kingdom.
Having spent two nights in Thimphu, you will drive back through Paro to visit one of the icons of Bhutan – the Tigers Nest Monastery. Perched 900m up a cliff, this impressive structure is a 90 min walk up the hillside but well worth it. After you have spent some time learning about its impressive history it is time to descend and return to your hotel for the final night.
At some point, there will be an opportunity to try a hot stone bath at a local farm, which will include a meal. The mountain water in these traditional wooden built baths is heated by stones heated on fires for many hours and it is surprising just how fast the water gets hot! Don't be shy, have a go, you may only be there once! |
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| Day 1 |
Arrive Paro from access city, settle in to hotel |
| Day 2 |
Drive to Thimphu and onto Panakha (overnight Wangdi) |
| Day 3 |
Drive back to Thimphu, explore city |
| Day 4 |
Thimphu Festival |
| Day 5 |
Thimphu Festival |
| Day 6 |
Drive Thimphu - Paro (<2hrs), trek to Tigers Nest |
| Day 7 |
Depart Bhutan |
The number of days shown can be increased to suit your chosen itinerary but may have to be adjusted due to the Druk Air scheduling. Travel and Trek can confirm this when considering itineraries. |
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Amazingly, only 30% of travellers that visited Bhutan in 2006 went purely to trek. Despite the lack of a decent road network (by western standards anyway!), touring this unique country is quite popular and if you get into Central or Eastern Bhutan, some of the shorter 3 days treks are superb. Treks that get to see the Black Necked Cranes and the National Flower (the Blue Poppy) are just 3 days long and emanate from very remote locations.
Touring deep into Bhutan will show you how engrained this Buddhist culture is; their very tranquil way of life without the stress of the west.
This example itinerary demonstrates how you could spend some of your time touring (accommodation would be hotels), whilst slotting in a 3 day trek to see the totally unspoilt wilderness that this land protects so well. |
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| Day 1 |
Arrive Paro from access city, settle in to hotel |
| Day 2 |
Touring to Thimpu |
| Day 3 |
Tour into Central Bhutan |
| Day 4 |
Drive to trek start point |
| Day 5 |
Day 1 of 3 day trek (tents) |
| Day 6 |
Day 2 of 3 day trek (tents) |
| Day 7 |
Day 3 of 3 day trek, back into hotel |
| Day 8 |
Touring |
| Day 9 |
Touring |
| Day 10 |
Drive Thimphu - Paro (<2hrs), trek to Tigers Nest |
| Day 11 |
Depart Bhutan |
The number of days shown can be increased to suit your chosen itinerary but may have to be adjusted due to the Druk Air scheduling. Travel and Trek can confirm this when considering itineraries.
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Travelling To Bhutan
• You can only travel into Bhutan using a recognised Agent; you cannot organise it yourself. Your visa is part of the service and therefore if you just turned up at the border or airport you would be turned away (no visa). Your chosen Agent will book everything for you, including the Druk Air flight. Your visa will be waiting for you on entry into Bhutan (cost US$20).
• The Bhutanese Govt ‘monitor' visitors into and out of Bhutan; they do not restrict. In order to do this, you MUST fly in at least one direction either in or out of Bhutan through its only international airport – Paro.
• The only airline that serves Bhutan is Druk Air, the National carrier of Bhutan . It is slowly increasing its frequency of flights and also the number of cities that it flies to. At the time of going to print, you can access Bhutan via the following cities:
Delhi (DEL), Kathmandu (KTM),
Bangkok (BKK), Dhaka (DAC),
Bodhgayo (GAY, India) and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) (CCU).
• You must therefore travel to one of the above cities first in order to link into the Druk Air flight schedule. Be aware that Druk Air does not fly daily to these destinations so your itinerary needs to be planned carefully in order to take account of this. Druk Air flight schedules can change and therefore you should be aware that your dates can change too (not common but it can happen). This is another good reason for factoring in a couple of days on either end of your Bhutan stay in the access city. It is possible that the exact number of nights that you wish to spend in Bhutan on a specific set of dates may not be possible due to the flight schedule. You can check (but not book) the details of the flight destinations and flight schedules on the Druk Air website.
• On entry into Bhutan , you will be met by your Guide who will escort you everywhere. He will be with you until you depart Bhutan (even if you had a UK Leader too).
• The cost for staying in Bhutan is a flat rate of US$200 per night halt per person (less if you travel in the low season, see the table on the right) regardless of what you are doing there (trekking or cultural). See below for the inclusions and exclusions. With the level of the US$ - £, this represents very good value.
• The nightly rate does not include the Druk Air flight.
| Inclusions and Exclusions |
| US$200 per person per night may sound expensive but you get everything you need for your money (refers to Bhutan only): |
| Inclusions: |
International return airfare into Bhutan from Kathmandu. Other access cities are available at a slightly increased cost
All hotel accommodation (good standard), regardless of how many nights on a twin share basis (no surcharge for singles)
All ground transport (from pick up at the airport to return to airport)
All meals and mineral water (bottled)
The services of your Bhutanese Guide, full time. Large groups may have a UK Leader with them
All staff and pack ponies for the trek (if applicable)
All accommodation for the trek (tents)
Fees to monuments, monastaries, etc..
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| Exclusions: |
International flights from UK to the access city
Tourist Visa fee (currently US$20) and Tourist Development fund fee (currently US$10), both payable on arrival in Bhutan
Accommodation/food/transport in your chosen access city. Travel and Trek will gladly organise your transit through Kathmandu and/or Delhi
Local trek staff gratuities
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The Tariff
For groups of 3 persons (or more)
travelling together:
| Season |
Month |
Tariff |
| High |
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun,
Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec |
US$200 pp
per night |
| Low |
Jul and Aug |
US$165 pp
per night |
There is a surcharge for groups
under 3 people:
Single person travelling
alone
- an extra US$40 per night
Two people travelling alone
- an extra US$30 per person per night. |
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