Itinerary Include flights Leave this field blank Expand allKathmandu to Kathmandu Fly to Kathmandu.Depart London Day 1 Arrive KathmanduLand in Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. The evening is free to relax.Royal Singi Hotel or similar Day 2 Fly to Paro; visit Paro Dzong and museumWe fly to Paro today. If the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic view (from the left hand side of the plane) of much of the eastern half of the Himalaya, including Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari (Jhomolhari). After completing visa formalities in Paro, we transfer to our hotel. The Paro valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. Its blue pine-covered hills and attractive, solidly built farmhouses among the paddy fields are dominated by the massive dzong, or fort.This afternoon we aim to visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum above it. Paro Dzong is one of Bhutan's most impressive, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you will see. The inward sloping walls form a massive structure that towers over the town. Built in the 17th century it was one of Bhutan's strongest and most important fortresses and it was used on several occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet. Formally the meeting hall for the National Assembly, the dzong now houses a monastic school and district government offices. Scenes from the 1995 film 'Little Buddha' were filmed in the dzong. West of the dzong a traditional wooden covered bridge called Nyamal Zam, a reconstruction of the original bridge, which was washed away in a flood in 1969. The most famous pictures of Paro Dzong are taken from the west bank of the river, just downstream from the bridge. At the top of the hill above the dzong is the old watchtower known locally as Ta Dzong. Originally built in 1656, it was renovated in 1968 by King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to house the National Museum. Damaged by the earthquake in 2011, the museum is housed at the present time in a new building above the Ta Dzong. Inside the museum there are collections of masks and thangkas.Please note that the itinerary above could change subject to flight timings, which are generally unpredictable.Rema Resorts / Dewachen Hotel, or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Warm up hike to Taktsang also known as Tiger's Nest MonasteryToday we will have a warm-up hike to Taktsang Monastery. 'Tigers Nest' Monastery, is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former magnificence. We drive a short distance from the hotel and then hike up for about 1.5 hours to a viewpoint, for the classic views of the monastic buildings which cling impossibly to the cliff wall opposite. For the energetic, there is the chance to walk another 2 hours to the actual monastery. The walk is good for acclimatization and we recommend you wear trekking boots and take trekking poles and plenty of water. Please note there about 100 steps up and down. Returning to the hotel we have time in the afternoon to explore Paro town.Rema Resort / Dewachen Hotel, or similar Day 4 Trek to Jele DzongToday we start our trek. After breakfast, we have a short drive to about 2620m, just above the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower. The first day's trekking is not long in terms of hours but it’s uphill all the way and we gain quite a lot of height. From our trek start point it is a gentle climb for about 1.5 hours on a jeep track to a prayer wall. The trail then narrows and we continue climbing on a rocky path up a little steeper now through the forest. We have lunch about an hour further on in a clearing and then it’s about an hour’s walk in the afternoon to the Jele La (3550m) and our camp just below the pass and Jele Dzong. If the weather is clear, we can see the Paro Valley below. The energetic can walk further up the ridge from the Jele La to a ruined shepherd hut with a small Bon shrine inside. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,530m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 5 Trek to JangchulakaAfter breakfast, we walk five minutes back up to the main trail and continue climbing for about half an hour to Jele Dzong. If it is open, we can go and see inside the dzong which dates back to the 14th century. Continuing up the ridge for a short way we can see the Paro Valley way below and if the weather is clear we may even spot Chomolhari in the distance. The trail undulates through thick rhododendron forests this morning - look out for the colourful Monal and Blood Pheasants which inhabit the forests. Lunch is in a forest clearing and we have a short walk in the afternoon to our camp at Rawna at 3860m. (Please note that if there are other trekking groups around we may have to camp at Jangchu Lakha (3700m) or Tsokam (3750m). All 3 campsites are close by, each sitting in different forest clearings. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,860m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 6 Follow the ridge with spectacular views of Jichdrake to reach Jimi Lang TshoA long day today and probably the hardest walk of the trek. We climb steeply up from camp on a narrow trail for about an hour to rejoin the main trail. We continue climbing through a rocky landscape littered with small rhododendron bushes. We reach a col at 4073m marked with prayer flags and then drop down a short way to a cave. The trail then climbs again quite steeply to a ridge at 4080m, from where on a clear day we get spectacular mountain views including Chomolhari and Jichudrake. We have lunch on the ridge to enjoy the views and then continue a little further up the ridge to 4120m. From here we contour round a little and then drop steeply on a rocky trail to the shores of Jimi Lang Tscho, well known for its trout. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 3,885m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 7 Trek to LabanaAnother long but great day's walk with good mountain views. The trail climbs from camp along a rocky trail up to Janye Tscho Lake at 3956m. Climbing even higher to a col at 4150m, we then have a short descent to Simthokha Lake (4090m), the highest lake on our trek. From the lake the trail undulates all the way to our camp at Labana. Full-service Camping (sleeping altitude 4,100m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 8 Cross the Labana Pass and descend to Phajoding; transfer to ThimphuThe trail today climbs gradually up to the Labana Pass at 4235m (the highest point of this trek). The views get better and better and on a clear day we can see Gangar Punsum, Table Mountain and much of the Bhutan Himalaya. Way below is the Thimphu Valley. From the top we traverse the hillside with great mountain views and descend towards Thimphu. There are a couple of small climbs to cols but the general direction is downhill. From the Phajoding Labsa chorten we descend quite steeply to Phajoding Monastery for lunch. There are several temples here and a monastic school and the place is a visited by many Bhutanese. We descend even further through forests of blue pine to the end of our trek at Motithang, just above Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. We should reach our hotel by mid afternoon. The evening is free to explore Thimphu. Hotel Pedling / Galingkha / Gakhil, or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 9 Thimpu sightseeing, or Thimpu/Genekha/Dechenphu Festival, or day trip to PunakhaDeparture starting in Kathmandu on 16th March 2021Today we spend the day visiting the most important sites in and around Thimpu, including the Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and Buddha Point, which is a large Buddha statue built on the hillside overlooking Thimpu. There are several museums in Thimpu and an art school, the post office and the market are interesting and above the town is a takin preserve. Your leader will aim to show you as much as possible in the time available depending on opening times. In the late afternoon, we drive to Paro (1hours drive)Departures starting in Kathmandu on 18th September 2020 and 8 September 2021 will visit Thimphu Festival, whereas the 7th October 2021 departure will visit Genekha/Dechenphu FestivalWe spend the whole day experiencing one of the many vibrant festivals in Bhutan. During the festivals the Bhutanese gather to see the monks and lay dancers dressed in colourful brocade and silk costumes, wearing painted masks re-enacting the stories of the religious and lay history of Bhutan through music and dance. For several days there are masked dances and prayer meetings, and a general carnival atmosphere prevails as many villagers arrive to meet old friends. The Bhutanese all dress in their finest national dress for the festival and one of the highlights is the riot of colours of the magnificent silks on display. Paro and Thimpu are the most popular festivals in Bhutan whereas the one at Dechenphu is much smaller.Non-festival departure: starting in Kathmandu on 17th October 2020Today we take an excursion to the nearby town of Punakha. The road climbs steadily out of Thimpu Valley and winds its way through forests to the Dochula Pass. At 3050m (10,000ft) the views over the eastern Himalaya are magnificent although this is most definitely weather dependent! We descend to the valley floor and continue to sub-tropical Punakha. At an altitude of 1350m, the difference in temperature and flora is apparent. Punakha is the winter capital of Bhutan and the dzong was the second one to be built in Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is situated between two rivers and it has survived many fires, an earthquake and a glacial flood. Over the years it has been repaired and added to and has several interesting features to protect it against invasion. In the afternoon we'll drive back to Thimphu to spend the night.Rema Resorts / Dewachen Hotel, or similar in ParoHotel Pedling / Galingkha / Gakhil, or similar in Thimphu Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 10 Paro Festival, or sightseeing in Thimpu; overnight in ParoDepartures 18th September 2020, 17th October 2020, 8th September 2021 and 7th October 2021: Thimphu sightseeing; drive to ParoWe spend most of today visiting the main sights of the town including the Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and Buddha Point, which is a large Buddha statue built on the hillside overlooking Thimpu. There are several museums in Thimpu and an arts school, the post office and the market are interesting and above the town is a takin preserve. Your leader will aim to show you as much as possible in the time available depending on opening times. In the late afternoon, we drive to Paro (1 hour).Departure starting on 16th March 2021 - Paro FestivalWe spend the day at the Paro Festival.Rema Resorts / Dewachen Hotel, or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 11 Fly to KathmanduToday we fly back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to explore the temples and markets of Kathmandu or go shopping. There are several sightseeing tours on offer (ask the Exodus representative in Kathmandu), or you may want to explore Kathmandu on your own. You may want to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath or the largest Hindu temple in Nepal at Pashupatinath or the one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Asia at Boudhanath. Once you have had your fill of culture the colourful markets of Thamel are great for souvenir hunting.Royal Singi Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 End KathmanduOur trip ends in Kathmandu after breakfast.Please note that sometimes due to opening times, holidays or festivals we have to change the timings of the sightseeing around. We will endeavour to show you all the sights in the time available. In case it is not possible to visit any of the sights described in the notes above an alternative will be provided. Meals included: Breakfast Fly to London.The trip ends after breakfast.Depart from Kathmandu in the morning, you will arrive in the UK the same day.Please note that sometimes due to opening times, holidays or festivals we have to change the timings of the sightseeing around. We will endeavour to show you all the sights in the time available. In case it is not possible to visit any of the sights described in the notes above an alternative will be provided. Meals included: Breakfast
BhutanYou will need a visa for Bhutan, which we will organise for you. The cost of the visa is included in the price of the trip (USD40). You will need to send us a clear copy of your passport on booking. We need this in order to organise your Bhutan visa in advance of your arrival. Please make sure that we have a copy no later than 8 weeks before departure. The passport copy can either be sent by post or scanned, in which case it has to be very clear and in colour. If you need to get a new passport for the journey, please apply for this immediately, and send us the copy/scan as soon as you receive your new passport. It is VERY important that the information you give us is 100% correct, and that the copy of the passport you send us is the one on which you will be travelling to Bhutan. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
NepalMost nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry (at present, the Immigration Department of Nepal have suspended 'visas on arrival' for certain nationalities - please check if this applies to you). All Nepal tourist visas are multiple entry. We recommend that you apply in advance as queues on arrival can be very long – applications can be made directly through the Nepal Embassy (by post or in person) or through our recommended visa agency, Travcour. The current cost for a visa in advance is GB£20 for a 15-day visa and GB£35 for a 30-day visa for UK passport holders (plus processing and postage fees if applying through Travcour).The current cost for a visa on arrival is US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, or US$125 for 90 days for UK passport holders. The fee can be paid for in any major currency at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. On arrival in the immigration hall there are 3 queues (if you have obtained a visa in advance go straight to (3) - immigration):(Step 1) Fill in a 'Tourist Visa' form: either online before travel (recommended) via the Department of Immigration website - print the submission receipt with barcode (valid for 15 days) and bring it with you, or use the electronic kiosk machines on arrival at the airport. If using the kiosks, after inserting your passport the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport you can complete the details manually using the touch screen. We recommend taking 1 passport photo with you just in case. (Step 2) Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (we advise to take some cash) – make sure to keep the receipt. (Step 3) Lastly, go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15, 30 or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration.Non-UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
BhutanThere are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
NepalThere are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A.There is low to no risk of malaria throughout Nepal and antimalarial tablets are not usually advised although may be considered for certain higher risk groups; you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. The risk is highest in the low lying southern ‘terai’ districts bordering India.A yellow fever certificate is only required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of transmission.Dengue fever is a known risk in Nepal. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. As of August 2019, there has been a recent outbreak of Dengue fever in southeast Nepal and we therefore recommend you take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites (such as wearing full length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day as well as at dawn and dusk).Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further advice on AMS.
Hotels & Camping You will spend 7 nights in hotels with en suite rooms and 4 nights in full service camps. The hotels we use in Bhutan are simple but comfortable and all rooms have attached bathrooms.The camping will be in spacious 2-person tents. We will also provide dining and toilet tents, chairs, tables, cooking and kitchen gear and there will be a team of support staff. All groups will be accompanied by a local leader, who will be supported by a cook, assistant guides and yakmen. Whilst on the trek you will be woken up with a cup of hot tea, and we will also provide a small bowl of warm washing water in the mornings.
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Reviewed April 2019 Linda DawsonAptly described Against a background of knowing nothing of Bhutan, I found the trip so educational and broadening of my horizons with regard to the country's culture, customs, history, religion, etc. The trip fulfilled my desire to be immersed in the country's culture. I found it so interesting to listen to the two leaders in an effort to learn as much as possible of the country both of whom went to a great deal of time and effort to impart their knowledge and experience. I also enjoyed being amongst like minded people within the group and enjoyed listening to their stories, especially of their travels already made and those planned in the future.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Listening to Valerie Parkinson's descriptions of treks she has completed and generally of her experiences, especially in the Himalayas. She gave me such inspiration and an impetus to tackle more. This against a background of mixing with ladies in my normal life who are generally not very assertive and rather insular.What did you think of your group leader? 2 leaders: Valerie Parkinson & Norbu Tshering: both excellent, both looked after our every need, answered all our queries and, what I appreciated most, were only too willing to take time to impart their extensive knowledge of Bhutan and the Himalayas in general Rinchi, guide, was also excellentDo you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack Yak Trax if you have them; if not they may be purchased in Kathmandu. This was not on the list of things to take and therefore I did not take my own pair which would have been useful.
Reviewed April 2019 Caroline ScraggsParo festival and Druk Path trek What an amazing trip which exceeded my expectations. Bhutan has been on my bucket list for many years and I particularly wanted to go on a trip which combined the experience of seeing the Paro festival firsthand, a visit to the Tiger’s Nest monastery and some trekking and this trip does just that. The festival was fantastic and such a wonderful and joyous occasion with the locals in their national dress watching in their hundreds the amazing storytelling through dance. The final day we were treated to a view of the Thangka which was beautiful. It was a real privilege to be able to witness this festival and be part of it. The trek had stunning scenery and was challenging enough I just wish it had been a little warmer at night!. Waking up to snow was a little chilly but the hot water bottles in our sleeping bags at night helped to take the chill off!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing my first glimpse of the Tiger’s Nest monastery. Wow!What did you think of your group leader? Norbu was an excellent group leader, very knowledgeable and also supportive of everyone on the trek.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Thermals, thermals and more thermals! It really was very cold at night. A Nalgene water bottle would have been useful as some members of the group had theirs filled with hot water at night to use as an extra hot water bottle and then used it as drinking water during the day. I don’t normally walk with poles but found them really helpful in the snow and ice. Also if it is going to be cold buy some yak tracks in Kathmandu to help you stay on your feet. I enjoyed the hot stone bath in Paro. It was certainly an experience!Is there anything else you would like to add? This really is an amazing trip. You won’t be disappointed!
Reviewed October 2018 Noreen JennisonAmazing, fantastic, loved it Loved it, loved it, loved it! I had wanted to visit Bhutan after seeing a film about scientists looking for the Yeti decades ago. Didn't see a yeti but found a country that is so special, with a landscape that is so special and with people that are so special. After the dirty madness of landing in Kathmandu the feeling of peace on landing at Paro airport for the start of the Bhutan trip was very special. Bhutan is a clean, welcoming country at peace with itself. The trek, although not demanding, was lovely and gives a snapshot of a wonderful countryside. The visits to various dzongs and stupas was interesting and the final visit to a monastery where the monks where involved in some of their rituals for a village festival the next day was fascinating. As a vegetarian and an animal lover this country was the nearest to perfect for me. Loved the food and the fact that although there were dogs everywhere (they are mostly cared for by the community or the monks) I never saw any in distress or starving (as I did in Kathmandu).What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The explosion of colour at the monasteries, the prayer flags in the mountains, the fact that shop keepers put out food and sacking on the pavements for the street dogs, the peace, the tranquility of the mountains and the humility and care of the support crew on the trek.What did you think of your group leader? Both Norbu and Ganga were kind, gracious and thoughtful. Norbu's knowledge of his country is excellent. The whole support crew both on and off trek were kind, considerate and looked for ways to help.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Kathmandu is dirty, loud and unpleasant. I was a woman on her own and would not have been happy wandering around after sunset on my own.Is there anything else you would like to add? The trip is well with the money . I have travelled a lot and trekked in various countries around the world (sometimes with Exodus but often independently) and I have never been to such a friendly, peaceful country before. The values of the country are what we should all aspire to. The country and its people are inspirational.
Reviewed October 2018 Caroline MorseBucket List Bhutan If seeing Bhutan and hiking in the Himalayan region is on your bucket list, then the Land of the Thunder Dragon tour is for you! This trip was such a good mix, that it made me really feel like I got to see a good variety and experience Bhutan to the fullest. We got to trek for five days, seeing beautiful scenery, visit two festivals (including a really fun, smaller local one, and a more famous and larger one in the city), and visited many cultural sites. Exodus Travels has an amazing local staff in Bhutan, and the guides were all great. Everything was organized down to the last detail, and the trip was executed flawlessly. I can't recommend this trip enough!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? On the fourth day of our hike, the clouds cleared and we got to see some of the world's tallest unclimbed mountains!What did you think of your group leader? We had two leaders, Norbu and Tshering, and they were both excellent. They knew the answer to every question anyone could possibly have about Bhutan! They both had outgoing, fun personalities and worked to make sure everyone on the trip was happy and having a good time.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Pack warmer clothes than you think you'll need for the hike, and pack modest but cooler clothes for the rest of the trip if you're going in September.
Reviewed September 2018 Clair COne of the best Exodus trips Although the price is high, this is a great holiday and worth the cost. The only thing that could have been better was the weather, as we had two days of rain during the trek, but that made us appreciate all the other days of good weather more. The scenery was fantastic, the itinerary was perfect, and we were very well taken care of. We certainly left with a positive view of Bhutan.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Really, the whole holiday was inspirational. Watching the sunrise during the trek was beautiful and we were glad the guides woke us up to see it. We also visited Punakha Valley even though we were supposed to miss it as we were going to a festival and we were very glad we got to go as it was great. All the dzongs were interesting and the buildings were photo-worthy everywhere we looked.What did you think of your group leader? Norbu was very knowledgeable, attentive, and accommodating. He had clearly been a guide for a long time. Our other guide was also helpful and a very nice man, although his English and his knowledge were not quite as good.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It can be very cold on the trek, especially at night, and very hot in the valleys. You are also likely to get sunburnt on the trek, no matter how much sunscreen you apply. Pillows are provided on the trek. Take cash on the trek for the tips as this will be given to the camp crew at the end of the trek before you get to the hotel in Thimpu. The recommended tip in the trip notes didn't include the main guide on our trip. Take cash -- some people had trouble using cash machines. Leave some clean clothes in Paro before starting the trek. You will get them in Thimpu after the trek. You have free time in Kathmandu at the beginning and end of the trip -- there is nothing organised before dinner. It's not difficult to visit sites on your own but if you are a woman travelling on your own, try to go with someone else. Sole women often get harassed, probably not as badly as in some places, but enough to be a nuisance and, potentially, slightly menacing. People in our group experienced this. For myself, on one occasion I was walking behind my husband so it wasn't clear that we were together and I was followed by a man who wouldn't take no for an answer until my husband turned around and threatened him.Is there anything else you would like to add? One of our best holidays!
Reviewed April 2018 virginia morrisFabulous country, fabulous trip...go!! We did this trip with some fear and trepidation as we would be trekking at altitude for the first time. We were very keen to visit Bhutan before it modernises and we also hoped to see the rhododendron in bloom in the Himalaya. We had done quite a bit of training for the trek and this paid off as we were fit enough for the grade of walk. We loved the country, the people, the Buddhist culture and the government philosophy of 'improving gross national happiness'. This is evident everywhere and seems very genuine. From the minute you land in Paro you know you are somewhere very special. It is quite wonderful to be immersed in their culture for the whole time you are there. The trek was not what we expected as we had snow every night and had to walk on icy surfaces some days and were perhaps colder than we had anticipated. The excellent trip notes had suggested we bring adequate sleeping bags and down jackets, so we were always cosy at night. We did perhaps miss some of the spectacular views because of the weather and the rhododendrons were only just in bud..so if you want to see them you should plan your trek in May rather than April. However, we were able to be a part of the Paro festival and this was fascinating. Exodus puts together a very good and varied itinerary, in comfortable accommodation, with great guides, good transportation and excellent food throughout. You are well acclimatised to altitude and the trekking is not too hard. We were disappointed to have to share campsites with other groups. There are a lot of trekkers on the Druk path and if you want solitude on trek you should go on one of the longer treks. This is a great introduction to trekking in the mountains and we felt extremely well looked after. My gluten free meals were always varied and plentiful. The main food is rice and veggies and many differing ways of cooking them. Breakfast was always wonderful too. We thoroughly recommend this trip and Exodus as a company. Go...you won't be disappointed.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching the highest summit and hanging prayer flags.What did you think of your group leader? Our leader Norbu was absolutely fabulous. He was calm and confidant and always with a smile. His knowledge was outstanding. He always helped out if anyone was struggling with the trek or altitude.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take adequate warm clothing and a good sleeping bag.Is there anything else you would like to add? I cannot wait for my next exodus trip
Reviewed December 2017 Tim BrooksLand of the Thunder Dragon Bhutan is a country whose culture and environment are still free from the negative influences of the modern world. It's a quiet even serene place, free from pollution and benefitting from a low population (just some 700,000 people live in this small kingdom). The five day point-to-point trek was well run and enjoyable. It included visits to a couple of fascinating monasteries. The highlights have to be attending the spring festival in Paro and the half-day trek to the world-famous Tiger's Nest monastery.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Although the spring festival in the Dzong in Paro was amazing, it's the unexpected things of most trips which last in my memory. For my trip in Bhutan, this was the welcome we got from the monks in the monastery on the last day of our trek as we headed down the valley towards Thimphu.What did you think of your group leader? Our guide Norbu and his team looked after us very well. I hope to go back one day and see more of this lovely country. Norbu informed me that Exodus is thinking about opening a new trek in the high Himalayas in the north-west of the country. I couldn't see this trip as an option in 2018 - but will keep a look out for it.Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Bhutan had been on my bucket list for quite a few years and I was not disappointed. While the cost of the trip is prohibitive, the tourist tax means that there are still relatively few tourists in Bhutan, meaning it's unspoilt. Furthermore, you really don't need much spending money as the tourist tax covers pretty much everything from the accommodation and transport to meals. The only money you'll need is for drinks and souvenirs. This makes the price of the trip more bearable in the overall scheme of things.Is there anything else you would like to add? Go now before others do. We were lucky with the weather on our trek, but others are not so lucky - so go prepared with all weather clothing for the trek. The approach by plane into Paro airport is not for the faint-hearted. However, it's one of the most fascinating airports in the world, rivalling Lukla in Nepal for hairiness. You will be amazed how close the runway is to the mountains. The plane makes a sharp left-turn in its final approach to landing - so have your camera ready for some aerial shots. The terminal building is impressive too with typical Bhutanese painted walls.
Reviewed October 2017 Pam PeersInteresting trip to a fascinating country A good combination of an interesting, short trek and cultural visits, including the Thimpu festival.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Hanging lots of prayer flags at various of the summits. The momos at the end of the trek were very welcome.What did you think of your group leader? Norbu and Ganga were excellent guides! Great fun to be with and very informative about the country they are so passionate about. The team as a whole was excellent and looked after us really wellDo you have any advice for potential travellers? Take gaiters ... we didn't and regretted the omission. The descent on the final day was very muddy. Definitely take walking poles ...Is there anything else you would like to add? The Karaoke bars in Thimpu are well worth visiting , a real insight into modern day Bhutan.
Reviewed April 2016 Simon CumingBhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon (18Mar16-30Mar16) Excellent trip packing in the cultural highlights, a festival, and trekking which is kind of necessary given the daily rate charged by the Bhutanese authorities! So probably the best and most affordable! way of experiencing BhutanWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip? a toss up between the Paro festival and the 5 days trekkingWhat did you think of your group leader? Norbu was an excellent leader; extremely knowledgeable and helpful in explaining his countries culture and showing us the sights, including an impromptu archery lesson!Do you have any advice for potential travellers? For the 5 day trek I would suggest that people prepare for lower night time temperatures, possibly down to -10 degrees C
Reviewed October 2015 Marian WatsonTrekking with Culture in Bhutan Although we had disappointing weather - it rained mostly while trekking - this trip takes you to one of those beautiful places which the majority of people still haven't heard of. And that's the beauty of it. There are few tourists and the Bhutanese themselves are delightful and unspoilt. The Buddhist culture and local traditions are fascinating There is no hard sell and there are no hawkers. They are happy for you just to have a look at their crafts without buying when you go into the shops. This is after all The Land of Gross National Happiness.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? More like highlights, of which there were many. The walk up to the Tiger's Nest Monastery. An out of programme trip organised by our leaders to visit the beautiful dzong in Punakha together with an impromptu visit to a local festival in Wangdue Phodrang. Stories of the Divine Madman and seeing phalluses painted all over the houses which are a sign of good luck here. Watching boy monks dancing in costume inside their dzong. Assisting in a ceremony inside one of the temples. Watching the festival in Thimpu and observing the locals dressed in their best ceremonial clothes, and more mundane things - but not least important! - like hot water bottles at night on trek, solar lamps, delicious pizza and cake made by the camp chef.What did you think of your group leader? Norbu and Karma were excellent leaders. Both were well organised and took great care of the group. Karma took care of the monastic/temples side of the trip explaining everything about the Buddhist religion, whilst Norbu told us more about the politics, royal family and social/environmental structure of the country and how they are striving to get it all right. Both were complimentary to each other. Karma fell over backwards to try and keep us happy......during the rain! He even washed our muddy boots in the river at the end of the trek!Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is NOT a trek for BEGINNERS. The altitude is something to be taken seriously (over 4000mts asl) and also physical fitness is an absolute must. Trekking, albeit the foothills, in the Himalayas is hard on the body. However, if you are used to hill walking , you will love it.Is there anything else you would like to add? Just that if you do go, try to go over one of the festival periods as it's well worth it. Oh, and if you think you will lose weight with all the walking......you won't! The food on trek is wonderful and loads of it!
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