To many, no trip to the Himalayas is complete without walking through the rural villages and farmland of the foothills. So you breathe the fresh air and see a timeless way of life. This Bhutan holiday features a range of day-walks. Crucially, you return each night to a lovely hotel, not a tented camp. As ever, the whole trip is private and tailored to your fitness.
The idea here is the best of both worlds. So you get a superb trekking experience by day. Then you enjoy real comfort each evening. We can, of course, arrange tougher treks like the Druk Path. Even so, we feel this gives the perfect balance. As a result, you walk hard but never rough it.
From a first night in Kathmandu, fly to Paro for three nights at Naksel. Your first walk is to Tiger’s Nest, then higher along the ridge to Drukgyel Dzong. This rewards you with far better valley views. The next day brings the all-day Sagala hike to the Haa Valley. So you cross the Chele Pass, Bhutan’s highest, with stunning views back over Paro.
Next, drive to Thimphu, with an afternoon to explore on foot. The following day, set off on one of the area’s best treks, to Dodedrak. This monk village has a 12th-century temple at its heart. So you picnic in the courtyard and meet the monks. The walk takes about four to five hours. You stay at the Druk Hotel.
Then drive to Punakha for two nights at Dhensa. First, you might visit Chimi Lhakhang, followed by prayers at Punakha Dzong. The next day, walk the Giligang Trail through paddy fields and villages to the dzong. Another day brings the gentle Nobgang trek above Punakha. This starts near Talo, the Queen Mother’s native village.
Next, drive to Gangtey, stopping at the Lawola Pass to walk down to the village. The following day, a longer trek leads through a yak-herders’ village and an old rhododendron forest. So you walk through almost fairy-tale woodland to Kumbu. You stay at Dewachen, deep in this glacial valley.
Then continue to Bumthang, pausing at Trongsa en route. The next day, walk the easy-going Bushman Trail, with superb views of the Chamkar Valley. Another day brings the Shugdrak hike, one of Bumthang’s four holy cliffs. So you climb 30 minutes to incredible views, then picnic at the top. You stay at the Village Lodge.
Finally, fly back to Paro for two nights at Uma Paro. So you can properly take off your boots and relax. There is an excellent spa and a delightful pool. The cuisine, too, is wonderful. As a result, you reward yourself after all that walking. A last night at Dwarika’s Dhulikhel rounds the trip off.
Generally, spring and autumn bring the clearest skies and safest trails. They also coincide with many festivals. By contrast, the summer monsoon makes some paths harder. So we plan the walking around the seasons. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.
The great joy here is flexibility. So each walk bends to your level. For gentle days, we keep the routes short and easy. For the keen, longer and higher trails await. Meanwhile, your private guide reads the group and adjusts. As a result, everyone finishes each day happy.
Few countries reward walkers quite like Bhutan. So you pass through farmland, forest and high passes. Meanwhile, prayer flags and chortens mark the way. Festivals, too, may colour your route; the tshechus are unforgettable. As a result, every trail tells a story.
As ever, this is only a starting point. So we shape the walks, the pace and the hotels to suit. In the end, the trip is entirely your own.
Each season paints the trails differently. So spring brings blossom and rhododendron. Autumn, meanwhile, offers the crispest mountain views. In between, the festivals add bursts of colour. As a result, the timing shapes the whole experience.
Above all, this suits walkers who love comfort too. For example, it is ideal for keen ramblers wary of camping. Equally, it rewards anyone craving fresh air and culture. Couples and small groups enjoy it most.
The walking earns a proper reward at the end. So you swap boots for a spa and a pool. Meanwhile, the cuisine at Uma Paro is a treat. In the end, you relax knowing you have truly seen Bhutan.
They range from gentle to a full day on the trail. Helpfully, we tailor each one to your fitness. So your guide simply sets the pace to suit.
No. You return to a comfortable hotel every night. So you trek by day and relax in real comfort.
Yes. We can add proper treks such as the Druk Path. Equally, we can keep every day gentle. It is entirely your call.
Generally, spring and autumn are best for clear skies. We will advise on timing for your dates.
| £5995P.P |
|---|
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu | The Inn at Patan The Inn at Patan |
| Day 2-4 | Paro | Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa |
| Day 5-6 | Thimphu | Druk Hotel Druk Hotel |
| Day 7-9 | Punakha | Dhensa Dhensa |
| Day 10-11 | Gangtey | Dewachen Dewachen |
| Day 12-14 | Bumthang | Village Lodge Bumthang Village Lodge Bumthang |
| Day 15-16 | Paro | Uma Paro Uma Paro |
| Day 17-18 | Dhulikhel | Dwarika’s Dhulikhel Dwarika’s Dhulikhel |
Fly to Kathmandu and spend the night at a charming boutique hotel. Take an optional afternoon private tour of the city.
Fly to Bhutan, with the Himalayas stretching out on your left. On arrival, settle in for three nights in Paro.
Make your first trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Rather than returning the same way, climb higher to Ugyen Tshemo and follow the ridge down to Drukgyel Dzong, for far better valley views. It takes about two hours to Tiger’s Nest, then two to three hours on to Drukgyel.
Take an all-day trek through forests, farmland and mountains. The Sagala hike crosses the Chele Pass, Bhutan’s highest, with stunning views back over Paro. Descend into the Haa Valley to Makha Zampa, where a car waits to explore before returning over the pass. Total walking is about six to seven hours.
Drive to Thimphu, with the afternoon to walk around the city with your guide. The next day, trek to Dodedrak, a monk village with a 12th-century temple at its heart. Picnic in the courtyard and meet the monks. The trek takes about four to five hours.
Drive to Punakha for two nights. If you wish, add the short walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, followed by evening prayers at Punakha Dzong.
Walk the Giligang Trail through paddy fields and small villages, via the Khamsum Chorten and Giligang Temple, ending at Punakha Dzong. The trek takes about four to five hours.
Set off on the Nobgang trek on the hilltop above Punakha, starting near Talo, the Queen Mother’s native village. The walk then heads gently downhill back to Punakha, about an hour.
Drive to Gangtey, stopping at the Lawola Pass to walk down to the village, about an hour. The next day’s trek takes three to five hours through a yak-herders’ village and an ancient rhododendron forest, ending at Kumbu.
Drive to Bumthang, with a quick stop in Trongsa en route, where you can add a two-hour trek if you wish.
Set off on the easy-going Bushman Trail, a three-hour walk through typical farmland with superb views of the Chamkar Valley.
Walk the Shugdrak hike, one of Bumthang’s four holy cliffs. It is a steep 30-minute climb to the top, rewarded with incredible views and a picnic lunch.
Fly back to Paro for two nights at Uma Paro, where you can finally take off your boots. There is an excellent spa and a delightful pool, and the cuisine is wonderful.
Fly back to Kathmandu and drive up to Dwarika’s Dhulikhel on the ridge of the valley. Again, put your feet up, admire the views and perhaps dip into the spa.
This is the ultimate Nepal Trekking Holiday. The mountain scenery of Nepal is impossibly spectacular, combine Kathmandu with a five day trek in the Annapurna Range and some R&R in Pokhara.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the best treks you can do in the Nepal. We use private porters, guides and superb lodges to ensure you have the best experience possible.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.
