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.
• Transfers in Bhutan.
• Bhutan visa fee.
• Accommodations for the nights of November 6 through November 25.
• Meals from lunch on November 6 through breakfast on November 25.
• 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. The estimated cost is $1,300.
• Accommodations, transportation, and meals in Bangkok.
• Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights 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

The weather in November is generally dry with clear skies but be prepared for a slight chance of rain or snow. Temperatures can vary greatly throughout Bhutan, so come prepared. Expect daytime temperatures in the 50s°F (10°C) at higher altitudes to the 70s°F (21°C) at lower altitudes in the southern region. Expect early morning and nighttime temperatures around 10 to 40°F (-12 to 4°C) at higher altitudes to the 50s°F (10°C) 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 (10,300 ft) is the most strenuous activity, covering 6 miles round-trip with 3,000 feet 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.

Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.

Flights you book

• Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) by 11:59pm on November 5 to connect with your early-morning group flight to Bhutan on November 6.
• Depart Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) after 11:59pm on November 26.

Flights we book

• The round-trip flights between Bangkok and Paro; we’ll add the flight cost to your final trip balance.

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 23,000 ft, 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 – rainfall is low, and temperatures are conducive to active days of sightseeing. The monsoon season occurs from June to August. Choosing spring or fall will depend on your priorities. In the fall, days are usually very pleasant with clear skies and sunshine, providing the best opportunities to view Himalayan peaks. November to December is the best time to see Black-necked Cranes, and spring is the best time to spot a Satyr Tragopan. In the spring, the mountains are covered with blooming rhododendrons, and the bird life is more numerous and more active, although overcast skies and wind are more common, especially at passes. In spring, you tend to find about twice as many bird species compared to fall.

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. In Tingtibe, Panbang, and Nganglam, accommodations are very basic—but still welcoming. 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, 22-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.