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Bhutan history

Festivals and Temples of Bhutan

From $4,455 USD
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Overview

Festivals and Temples of Bhutan

Continent

Asia

Days

11 days

Nights

10 nights

Group Size

10 people

Activity

Moderate

Interest

History

Highlights

  • Explore the mysterious temples and magical monasteries of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
  • Be wowed by dramatic mountain scenery and dazzling natural wonders.
  • Experience the colorful and vibrant festival of Thimphu Tsechu.
  • Learn about life in Bhutan via conversations with artists, farmers, & spiritual leaders.
  • Get a taste for the national cuisine, by trying dishes such as Ema Datshi stew and Shakam Paa.
Bhutan 11 days 10 nights

Culture, nature, festival, ancient sites in Bhutan.

Day 1

Welcome to Thimphu!

National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, Bhutan.
National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Day 2

Thimphu Tsechu

Dancers during Thimphu tsechu.
Dancers during Thimphu tsechu., Marcy Milks
  • Special note

Day 3

Greetings from 125,000 Buddhas

Buddha Dordenma Statue.
Buddha Dordenma Statue.

Day 4

Phobjikha Valley & Black-Necked Cranes

Landscape of Phobjikha valley, Bhutan.
Landscape of Phobjikha valley, Bhutan.
  • Special note

Day 5

Exploring Punakha’s Waterways

Suspension bridge.
Suspension bridge.

Day 6

Deities, Saints & a Fertility Temple

Tokens in the fertility temple.
Tokens in the fertility temple.

Day 7

Spiritual Life in Bhutan

Prayer flags in Dochula Pass.
Prayer flags in Dochula Pass.

Day 8

Temples of Haa

Haa valley.
Haa valley.

Day 9

Paro at Your Own Pace

Monk walking towards Rinpung Monastery in Paro.
Monk walking towards Rinpung Monastery in Paro.

Day 10

To the Tiger’s Nest

The Tiger's Nest.
The Tiger's Nest.

Day 11

Departure from Paro

A view of the Himilayas.
A view of the Himilayas.

What is included?


What is not included?


Upcoming departures

3 available dates
  • Jun 15–Jun 25, 2024
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  • Sep 12–Sep 22, 2024
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  • Nov 7–Nov 17, 2024
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Additional info

Pricing

The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.

Traveling Solo?

You’re in good company.

Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $470 USD. 

Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. 

If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.

Activity Level

Travelers should be comfortable walking between three and five miles per day without difficulty, and spending extended periods of time on their feet. For those interested in trekking, there will be opportunities for longer and more challenging hikes on certain days of the trip. Some of the places visited on this trip are extremely remote. It can take days to reach the nearest modern medical facility.  Travelers prone to vertigo are discouraged to do the Suspension bridge walk in Punakha. The Tiger's Nest Hike on Day 11 is a challenging hike that requires uphill trekking and stairs. For those concerned with the difficulty level, there is the option to hike half way at a slower pace and enjoy the view from the cafe at the halfway point. 

Arrival & Departure

You should plan to arrive by 2pm on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 11. Paro International Airport (PBH) connects to a range of flight hubs in Asia, including Bangkok, Kathmandu and Kolkata.  The best flight connections to Belgrade are offered by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines.

*Airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura. 

Entry Requirements

A tourist visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders for entry into Bhutan and must be arranged prior to departure. Atlas Obscura will make all arrangements to obtainyour visa authorization. To obtain this pre-authorization, we require a scanned color copy of your passport and a color copy of a passport photo at least 75 days prior to departure.  In addition to this, proof of insurance covering COVID-19 is also required (any amount).

Elevation, Health, and Safety

The elevations reached on this trip range from approximately 4,000 feet in Punakha to approximately 11,000 feet when crossing the journey's highest pass by road. Travelers should speak with their doctors about appropriate precautions to take, and consider spending an extra night en route to rest and recover from jet lag before continuing on to Bhutan. It's important to bear in mind that high-quality emergency medical care may be a day or more away due to the remoteness of some of the areas we'll visit. 

Local Farmstay

For one night in Haa we will be hosted in a local farmstay. Our accommodations here will be comfortable but rustic, with bedding consisting of mattresses placed on the floor, shared western toilet facilities, and a home-cooked meal.

While there is running water for washing, separate drinking water, tea, and coffee will be provided. There will be no shower or bathing facilities at the farm stay for this one night.

Have more questions?

Check out the Essential Trip Information for this trip for more details.

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