Bhutan

Included

• Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
• All leaders, transport, park entry fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
• Sustainable Development Fee ($100 per person per day).
• Transfers in Bhutan.
• One internal flight (Bumthang to Paro).
• Bhutan visa fee.
• Accommodations for the nights of May 1 through 15.
• Meals from lunch on May 1 through breakfast on May 16.
• Drinking water on the bus and during all included meals.
• Gratuities for lodge/hotel porters and restaurant waitstaff in Bhutan.
• Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.

Not Included

• Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
• Passport fees.
• All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees. The round-trip flights between Bangkok and Paro will be added to your trip balance based on rates at the time of booking.
• Accommodations, transportation, and meals in Bangkok.
• Transfers and hotels in Bangkok.
• Gratuities for assistant guide and driver.
• Optional emergency evacuation insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, beverages other than water, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.

Climate

Early May is generally drier and clearer, though some rain and overcast skies are still possible. Temperatures can vary greatly throughout Bhutan, and while winds are generally calmer than in March and April, be prepared for both warm days and cool evenings depending on altitude. Expect daytime temperatures in the 60s°F at higher altitudes to the 80s°F at lower altitudes in the southern region. Expect early morning and nighttime temperatures in the 40s°F at higher altitudes to the 60s°F at lower altitudes in the southern region.

Fitness Level

You will be at high elevations; your overnights at these elevations range from about 4,500ft at Punakha and Yongkhola to about 9,500ft at Phobjikha. This high elevation makes typically manageable activity a little more difficult. You will need to get in and out of a Toyota Coaster bus and walk from 1 to 2 miles per day at a slow pace along the road with stops to observe and photograph wildlife and Himalayan Mountain scenery. Terrain in Bhutan includes gravel, pavement, dirt paths, uneven ground with inclines, and many stairs. Travelers must be fully mobile and physically independent.

The optional Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike (10,300ft) is the most strenuous activity, covering 6 miles round-trip with 3,000ft of elevation gain and approximately 1,500 stairs; it requires good balance and mobility, though two rest points provide monastery views without completing the full hike. The roundtrip hike can take about 4 to 6 hours depending on pace, fitness, and how long you stop to rest or take photos. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.

Flights

Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you. We strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.

Flights you book

• Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) by 6:00am on May 1 to connect with your morning group flight to Bhutan.
• Depart Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) after 11:59pm on May 16.

Flights we book

• The round-trip flights between Bangkok and Paro; we’ll add the flight cost to your final trip balance.
• One internal flight from Bumthang to Paro is included in the trip price.

FAQ

Why visit Bhutan?

Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom, the size of Switzerland, renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes, deeply rooted Buddhist culture, and a unique approach to development that prioritizes Gross National Happiness over economic growth. Nestled between India and Tibet, it remains one of the world’s most preserved and peaceful countries, with dramatic monasteries perched on cliffs, traditional architecture, and pristine forests covering over 70 percent of its land. Bhutan boasts 20 peaks exceeding 23,000ft, making it a wonderful place to photograph stunning mountain scenery, while also spotting spectacular birds and charming mammals. Visitors are drawn to Bhutan not just for its natural beauty, but also for the warmth of its people, vibrant festivals, and spiritual atmosphere. With limited tourism and a focus on sustainability, Bhutan offers a rare and authentic travel experience.

What wildlife can you expect to see?

Bhutan lies in an area designated as one of the world’s top ten biodiversity hotspots. More than 770 bird species inhabit Bhutan, including some of the most exotic and rare species in the Eastern Himalayas. Because of their abundance, birds are the main wildlife you will encounter. Bhutan is also home to at least 170 mammal species, including langurs, macaques, Himalayan black bears, alpine musk deer, yaks, and the endangered takin, which graze on grasses along mountain sides. You may find tiger tracks along the bases of the foothills, up to and above the tree line, although this predator is seldom seen. Red pandas are very rarely seen but are considered good luck if spotted.

When is the best time to visit Bhutan?

Generally, October to December and March to May are the best times to visit Bhutan, with low rainfall and temperatures that are ideal for full days of sightseeing. Monsoon season runs from June to August. Whether spring or fall is the better fit for you depends on your priorities. Fall tends to bring clear skies and sunshine, making it the best season for views of the Himalayan peaks, and November to December is the best time to spot Black-necked Cranes. Spring, on the other hand, is when the mountains come alive with blooming rhododendrons and when bird life is at its most active and abundant, though overcast skies and wind are more common, particularly at mountain passes. Spring is also the best season to spot a Satyr Tragopan, and birders can expect to see roughly twice as many species compared to a fall visit.

What is a dzong?

A dzong is a fortress that continues to serve as Bhutan’s administrative and religious center. You’ll also see monasteries, including the famous Tiger’s Nest, as well as smaller chortens (stupas), all of which are important features of Bhutan’s rich religious and cultural heritage. You will have the opportunity to examine traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, which represent a vital aspect of Bhutan’s living heritage, as well as its spiritual and intellectual life.

What is Gross National Happiness (GNH)?

GNH is a government index that not only measures the happiness and well-being of the Bhutanese people but also intentionally guides policy. The four pillars of GNH are fair and sustainable socio-economic development, conservation and promotion of culture, environmental protection (including the constitutionally mandated protection of 60% of the nation as forest land), and good governance.

Why is visiting Bhutan so special?

Until recently, Bhutan’s remoteness, steep terrain, and tightly controlled tourism ensured that its incredible beauty and fascinating people remained largely unknown to the world. Bhutan was closed to outsiders until 1960; its first roads were built in 1961, and no tourists were officially permitted until 1974. Bhutan is a developing country, yet its unique agrarian Buddhist culture is still intact. You will encounter red-robed monks and herders with their cows or yaks on the road, along with vehicles.

Accommodations

Throughout your journey, you’ll stay in lodges and hotels that combine comfort with the charm of Bhutanese architecture. All accommodations have electricity, heat, and private bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Many also provide hair dryers and eco-friendly toiletries, including soap, shampoo, and conditioner in reusable containers, and most rooms have adapters for your devices.

Lodging ranges from deluxe hotels to cozy, remote lodges, each offering its own unique character. Wherever you stay, you’ll be surrounded by authentic Bhutanese design, often with beautiful grounds or breathtaking views to enjoy at your leisure.

Motion Sickness

Transportation

You will drive across Bhutan in Hishey’s roomy, brand new 20-seat Toyota Coaster bus with large windows that open. Although you’ll often stop to enjoy the pristine Himalayan air and to photograph the stunning scenery, you may at times have to photograph from the vehicle. Expect winding mountain roads and sometimes slow, bumpy drives, depending on road conditions. In Bhutan, distances are usually estimated by time rather than by mileage (the average driving speed is 25mph), and the roads are well kept. Because you look for birds along the roads, you may spend a full day traveling from one destination to another.

Conservation

Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:

• Ecotourism and Conservation for Bhutan.
• Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
• Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.

Conditions

Read our current Terms and Conditions.