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Bhutan five valleys
USD 13950
JAN-DEC
14 NIGHTS
Select your style
We are able to vary the price of this trip considerably, simply by swapping out the lodges that it contains. This is likely to have a very significant effect on the level of polish of the trip, but in all cases it will remain cool and authentic. Make your selection here and the lodges will automatically change in the itinerary below.
USD
13950
per person
This trip includes very cool, well-located and relatively well-priced lodges, suitable for more adventurous, easy-going and outdoorsy travellers.
Trip Summary
Start location :
Paro Airport
Thimphu
01
:
Zhiwa Ling Ascent
02
:
Zhiwa Ling Ascent
Punakha
03
:
Dhumra Farm Resort
04
:
Dhumra Farm Resort
05
:
Dhumra Farm Resort
Gangtey
06
:
Dewachen Hotel
07
:
Dewachen Hotel
Bumthang
08
:
Swiss Guest House
09
:
Swiss Guest House
10
:
Ogyen Choling Manor
11
:
Ogyen Choling Manor
Paro
12
:
Nemjo Heritage Lodge
13
:
Nemjo Heritage Lodge
14
:
Nemjo Heritage Lodge
End location :
Paro Airport
Thimphu
Set in western Bhutan, Thimphu is the capital of the country, a relatively modest little place with a reasonably intimate atmosphere and some strong cultural aspects, but which tends to feature relatively fleetingly in most trips.
Day 1 , 2
Arrival : Paro International
lodge
Zhiwa Ling Ascent
Zhiwa Ling Ascent is located in the Thimphu area of western Bhutan.
Guest accommodation is in around 20 rooms, mostly Deluxe ...
... and with some larger Premium Suites.
The capital, Thimphu, is guarded by the huge Buddha Dordenma statue.
With only around 120,000 inhabitants, the city is relatively intimate and laid back.
There's no Starbucks, no MacDonalds, not even a single set of traffic lights.
The National Memorial Chorten is located just south of city centre ...
... whilst the main square is marked by a modest clocktower.
At the top of town is the impressive Tashichho Dzong Palace ...
... which hosts impressive but rather busy festivals, usually early October.
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Punakha
Set in western Bhutan, Punakha is the middle of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, much lower in altitude and having a considerably warmer climate, with some fascinating history and culture, great options for hiking, biking and rafting, as well as an excellent range of accommodation options.
Day 3 , 4 , 5
lodge
Dhumra Farm Resort
Dhumra Farm Resort is located in the Punakha area of western Bhutan.
Guest accommodation is in 8 simple rooms.
Arriving in from Thimphu, the main road traverses the sacred Dochula La pass ...
... with its impressive collection of Buddhist chortens.
The Punakha Valley lies at much lower altitude and has a much milder climate.
It is known as 'the rice bowl' of Bhutan, being one of the few places where the crop can be cultivated.
Punakha is also famously home to the religious phallus symbol ...
... which really are everywhere.
At the top end of the valley there is a major river confluence ...
... guarded by the hugely impressive Punakha Dzong ...
... which hosts a major festival, usually in mid-March.
The extremely beautiful upper valley is home to three upmarket lodges ...
... as well as the pretty Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten.
The valley leads on up to the remote Gasa Dzong, which hosts a superb festival usually mid-April.
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Gangtey
Set in central Bhutan, Gangtey is the second most easterly of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, at higher altitude, centred on an impressive monastery, with some pleasant rural scenery, black-necked cranes, lovely hiking and some great accommodation options.
Day 6 , 7
lodge
Dewachen Hotel
Dewachen Hotel is located in the Gangtey area of central Bhutan.
Guest accommodation is in 28 comfortable rooms.
Gangtey is at much higher altitude than the preceding Punakha Valley.
This area is at much higher altitude that the preceding Punakha Valley.
It is centred on a substantial marshland ...
... which is home to rare and sacred black-necked cranes.
The area is commanded by the impressive Gangtey Gonpa Monastery ...
... where guests can join monks for morning prayers ...
... and which hosts a major festival, usually in early October.
The Gangtey area offers some superb hiking ...
... exploring the bucolic
rural scenery.
rural scenery.
There's also lots of options for mountain biking.
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Bumthang
Set in central Bhutan, Bumthang is the most easterly of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, noticeably more remote and at higher altitude, with some gorgeous scenery, impressive architecture, particularly interesting culture, abundant festivals and some great accommodation options.
Day 8 , 9
lodge
Swiss Guest House
Swiss Guest House is located in the Bumthang area of central Bhutan.
Guest accommodation is in around 12 simple rooms.
The ancient trade route east from Gangtey is guarded by the historic Trongsa Dzong.
The Bumthang Valley is one of the most sacred areas of Bhutan.
It is dominated by the impressive Jakara Dzong Fortress ...
... which hosts an important festival, usually early November.
Archery is an important ritual sport throughout Bhutan.
To the southeast lies the charming village of Ura ...
... which hosts an excellent festival, usually mid-May.
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Day 10 , 11
lodge
Ogyen Choling Manor
Ogyen Choling is located in the Bumthang area of central Bhutan.
The lodge is contained within a fabulously authentic manor house.
Guest accommodation is in fourteen extremely simple rooms, each with a private bathroom.
The bedrooms are accessed via steep ladder steps.
The ancient trade route east from Gangtey is guarded by the historic Trongsa Dzong.
The Bumthang Valley is one of the most sacred areas of Bhutan.
It is dominated by the impressive Jakara Dzong Fortress ...
... which hosts an important festival, usually early November.
Archery is an important ritual sport throughout Bhutan.
To the southeast lies the charming village of Ura ...
... which hosts an excellent festival, usually mid-May.
Browse our collections of sample trips ...
Paro
Set in western Bhutan, Paro is the most westerly of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, the location of the main airport and more heavily inhabited than more easterly areas, it is home to the renowned Tiger’s Nest Monastery, with excellent hiking trails and a wide range of accommodation options.
Day 12 , 13 , 14
Fly : Bumthang BUT to Paro PBH
lodge
Nemjo Heritage Lodge
Nemjo Heritage Lodge is located in the Paro area of western Bhutan.
The Paro Valley is the logical start or end point for most trips.
The valley is home to the country's main international airport.
It is dominated by the impressive Rinpung Dzong Fortress ...
... which hosts a very large and important festival, usually mid-April.
Above the fortress sits the quaint national museum ...
... whilst the important Kyichu Lhakhang Temple lies a little further west.
The crowning glory of the Paro Valley is the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery ...
... which can be reach in around 2 hours by foot or on horseback.
A little further north, guarding the pass to Sikkim, is the Drukgyel Dzong.
The valley continues on up to the Jomolhari Range, where there is some superb trekking.
Heading west, the Chele La Pass provides epic mountain views.
From there it's possible to hike to the remote Kila Goenpa Nunnery.
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Day 15
Departure : Paro Airport
Alternative Trips
Here is a small selection of related sample trips.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
Of course, your actual trip will be precisely tailor-made.
