Overview: Join us on this wonderful adventure to Bhutan. The mountain views are magnificent, however, it is the Bhutanese people that make this truly a once in a lifetime experience. They are determined to preserve not only their land but also its inspiring and dynamic culture. Our schedule will hopefully allow us to attend several festivals in the Bumthang area. These include dancing and take place outside some old and interesting temples in the Bumthang Valley.

This is a comfortable tour that includes a short three day trek. Except when camping, we will be staying in hotels and guest houses. Optional hikes include altitudes up to 12,000 ft. Also note that vehicle travel can become long and fatiguing and that travel to this part of the world requires patience and flexibility. Call us if you have questions regarding the difficulties that we might encounter.

Leadership: Our Tour and Trek Leader is Gary Loth. With lengthy experience, Gary is an avid outdoorsman with training in first aid. His past experience includes the Annapurna, Langtang and Everest regions of Nepal, as well as Ladakh, Sikkim and Tibet. Previous groups are amazed with his extensive knowledge of Buddhism, which comes from years spent as a monk studying Buddhism in the Tibetan tradition. His popularity with our staff and the monks in the local monasteries centers on his warm personality, organized leadership and command of the Tibetan language. Gary is supported by our local guide, Dorji, and a professional staff (drivers, cook, helper and yakmen) to make your trip a complete success.

Bhutan Bumthang Day-To-Day Itinerary Detail:

Pre Trip Days: Fly from your home country to meet together in Bangkok, Thailand. Remember, people in the Americas 'lose' one day when crossing the international date line. Please check your air itinerary carefully. Please note that you must arrive in Bangkok, Thailand by Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Strict government guidelines limit our entry and travel in Bhutan.

Day 1: Participants arrive from around the world to join in Bangkok, Thailand. We will meet you upon arrival at the Bangkok airport. Your guide will await you outside the Customs Hall. Once you have completed customs and immigration formalities, we will transfer you to your hotel near the airport for a restful afternoon and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, we make our early departure to magical Bhutan. Meals not included today.

Day 2: Check in at the Bangkok airport for the 8:00 a.m. (current schedule, subject to change) Druk Air flight to Bhutan. Your Himalayan High Treks group leader and your Bhutanese guide will meet you at the airport on arrival at 11:40 a.m. After lunch, walk in the small town of Paro. It may be possible to visit your guide 's home on this day. Overnight is at our local hotel, located in the former 19th century residence of the governor of Paro and close to town, it has comfortable rooms and a traditional stone bath. (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Paro Sightseeing. Sightseeing in Paro includes a visit to the northern part of the valley to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong (monastery fortress). This once was a strategic post built to repel invading Tibetan forces from the north and the famous Kyichu lhakhang (temple), one of 108 sacred lhakhangs built by the Buddhist King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet. After lunch visit the Natural History Museum at Ta Dzong and the district dzong called Rinpung dzong-fortress of a mountain of jewels, which is now the seat of administration and an institute for monks. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Paro to Thimphu. Drive 35 miles in about two hours to Thimphu (elevation 7,900 feet). The drive is very scenic taking us through two river valleys and across a final bridge covered with prayer flags. The bridge is called Lunten Zampa, which means "the bridge of prophecy." In Thimphu, Bhutan 's small capital an attempt has been made to build as many structures as possible according to traditional architectural practices which use no nails.

We 'll check in at our hotel and enjoy their Chinese restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon we sight-see in town and visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the beloved King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. We will also visit the National library and the local handicraft center to see local products such as masks, traditional woodwork and paintings. Dinner will be in a local restaurant serving traditional Bhutanese cuisine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Thimpu to Punakha. Drive up to the 10,000 foot pass of Dochu La to view the stunning scenery of the Himalayan range. Then descend to the old winter capital of Punakha where we visit Punakha dzong and Wangdiphodrang Valley. Optional hike to Chimi Lhakhang, a famous 15th century temple founded by the Divine Madman Drukpa Kunley. It is believed that barren women can have children after receiving a blessing at this temple. Approximate drive time three hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Punakha to Gantey. Drive approximately two hours much of it on a dirt road to the Phobjikha Valley. This is the seat of the Gantey tulku (incarnation of a spiritual master) and one of two Nyingmapa schools of Buddhism. Gantey is also home to the black-necked cranes and a government protected sanctuary to this beautiful and endangered bird. We overnight at a simple farmhouse lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Gantey to Bumthang. All day drive (seven or eight hours) to Bumthang via Tongsa where the biggest dzong in Bhutan is located. Tongsa was the seat of power in 19th century Bhutan. We can walk to the watch tower, Ta Dzong, that once guarded the dzong below before we continue our drive to Bumthang valley. Overnight at our local lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Days 8 & 9: Bumthang Valley Sightseeing. From Jakar excursions may include the Kurjey, Jampel, Thamshing and Kentshosum Lhakhangs. Depending on the festival schedule we will choose what to see and when. Also visit the dzong known as the White Bird Dzong. Bumthang is considered the most sacred and religious of all the valleys in Bhutan. Overnight at our local lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Bumthang to Nganglhakhang. Begin our three day trek on a route around the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its richness in trout. Our lunch stop is at Tangbi Lhakhang, then we enter the "swan land" Ngang Yul with its swan temple Nganglhakhang. The Lama Namkha Samdrup dreamt a vision of how to build a gompa (temple). He shot an arrow and at the spot where the arrow landed Nganglhakhang was erected. Overnight in camp. Altitude: 9,500 feet. Hiking Distance: 7 miles. Hiking Time: 3-4 hrs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Nganglhakhang to Ugyenchholing. Climb gradually to Phephela pass at 12,000 feet - the highest point on the trek route. The trail climbs steeply up taking you through one of the most beautiful forested areas of this region. The leisurely hiking time allows for many stops to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings and to catch our breath as this is a long hard climb. Hiking Distance: 10 miles. Hiking Time: 7 hrs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12: Ugyenchholing to Jakar. The trail we follow takes you along the Tang Chu, another river filled with trout. Along the river banks is Ta Rimochen Lhakhang whose foundation is ascribed to Guru Rinpoche and its second foundation to the "Treasure Finder" Terton Pemalingpa who was reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche, the eminent Buddhist saint, Padmasambhava. At Pangshing (at approximately 9,000 feet) meet our vehicle for transportation back to Jakar. On the way visit Mebar Tso "the Flaming Lake" where sacred religious treasures were found in the 15th century by Terton Pemalingpa. Overnight at our local lodge. Hiking Distance: 6 miles. Hiking Time: 2-3 hrs. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13: Bumthang-Punakha. All day drive (approx. seven to eight hrs.) to Punakha and Wangdi valleys. Overnight at our local hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14: Punakha-Paro. Return drive over Dochu La pass. Stop for lunch in Thimpu and continue to drive back to Paro in five or six hours total drive time. Overnight at our local hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 15: Paro Valley Sightseeing. Hike up to the Tiger 's Nest known as Taktsang, one of the most spectacular and sacred pilgrimage sites. Guru Padmasambhava, one of the great founders of Tantric Buddhism is said to have flown on a tigress to meditate on the cliffs-the tigress being his consort the divine Yeshe Tsogyel. Overnight at our local hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 16: Transfer to the international airport at Paro for a 7:30 a.m. scheduled return flight to Bangkok. Due to dynamic airline schedules, we cannot guarantee the actual arrival time in Bangkok today. This fact makes same–day connections unlikely. It is prudent to spend tonight in Bangkok (at your own expense) for your departure home tomorrow. (Breakfast)

Post Trip: Departing Bangkok in the morning, it's a same day return for Americans crossing the international date line. A dreamy day filled with wonderful memories — vignettes of new faces, places and friends you'll never forget!

Important Note: This itinerary is meant only as a guide to what our days will be like. Changes will almost surely be made as we go along. These will be based on local conditions, our acclimatization, health and fitness levels, etc. Mountain weather can be warm during the day however, it can also get very cold at night. There may be occasional showers or snow at altitude.

Travel Details: If you are making your own arrangements, note that you must arrive in Bangkok, Thailand no later than November 5, 2008 and that you should not depart Bangkok earlier than November 20, 2008. Ask our ticketing agent to book a room should you have an overnight stopover on the way. You are welcome to travel early or stay late for extra days. If you prefer to exit Bhutan to locations like Darjeeling or Kathmandu, please call HHT for information on our arrangements! Ask our ticketing agent to book a room should you have an overnight stopover. You are welcome to travel early or stay for extra days at the end. Additional days in Bhutan can be arranged upon request and include transportation, accommodation, all meals and an English–speaking guide. The cost starts from $200USD per day and advance notice is necessary.

Expenses: Additional travel-related expenses include: Your flight to the trip starting point of Bangkok, Thailand and a Visa ($20USD). We must travel to Bhutan as a group (booking can only be done through our local ground operator in Bhutan). We also recommend that you purchase travel insurance (at an approximate cost of $340USD) which includes coverage for trip cancelation and emergency evacuation. Many other levels of trip insurance start at $50USD. Please see our Policy section for complete information on our trip cancellations policies. Payment for additional services may be required at the time the service is received. Please refer to the booking information section of our application form for more information.




Trip Deposit: $250USD
Trip Price (Land Cost As Described): $3800USD
In-Trip (Round-Trip) Airfare Estimate: $820USD
Single Supplement (Single accommodation where available): $550USD
Trip Difficulty Rating: Mild to Moderate
Maximum Group Size: 8