2025 Bhutan Hiking Adventure
A curated hiking adventure by Zanna
11 Days / 10 Nights
Trip 1: 26th April – 6th May 2025
Trip 2: 6th May – 16th May 2025
£3100 (excluding flights)
Trip 1 – SOLD OUT
1 Space Remains on Trip 2
To join this trip you can email using the button below or call Intrepid Travel on 0203 308 9763.
A bespoke hiking itinerary created by Zanna for 17 like-minded adventurers who want to hike the Trans Bhutan Trail and discover the untouched natural beauty of Bhutan.
Tour Highlights
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- Explore one of the most untouched landscapes in Asia and experience the Himalayas without the crowds on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
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- Hike the Trans Bhutan Trail, visiting Pelela Pass, Rukubji Lhakhang temple, Chendebji and the Tang Valley.
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- Visit Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu and hike to the Buddha Dordenma, the country’s largest Buddha statue, where you’ll get panoramic views of the Thimphu Valley.
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- Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley floor – one of the country’s most famous temples.
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- Travel along the Dochula Pass, the highest mountain pass in Bhutan, at more than 3000m above sea level and be treated to panoramic views of the Himalayas on this scenic, peaceful trail.
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- 10 breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included in the price, as well as your visa fee, entrance fee and daily government royalties and taxes.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about how Bhutan is the absolute TOP of my bucket list. And this year, I’ve been set on making it happen, so I can’t quite believe it’s all coming together. I’ve been fortunate enough to explore so many countries over the years, and in doing so, I’ve realised how much I love the off-the-beaten-track, lesser-known destinations: enter Bhutan! For me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I’ve worked so hard to make this itinerary perfect. We’ve got everything from hikes through peaceful villages and across epic mountain passes to experiences with Bhutan’s rich culture and history.
We’ll start things off at Paro airport, where we’ll be picked up by our guide and taken straight to Thimphu, the capital city, making stops along the way before checking into our first hotel. We’ll freshen up and head out into the city for a welcome dinner and get to sample a real traditional Bhutanese feast. What’s different about this trip from many of my others is that we’ve included pretty much all of your food in the price too, as well as the countries daily taxes and fees. Bhutan is strictly controlled and it’s challenging to travel here unless you’re part of a group tour – so it really is a privilege to be hosting a trip here.
On our first full day, we’ll head out on our first hike up to Buddha Point, home to the country’s largest Buddha statue and in the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, overlooking the Thimphu Valley. From here, we’ll get panoramic views of the valley and then continue our hike into the park to Changangkha. After lunch, we’ll visit a couple of cultural hotspots including the National Library and the Institute for Zorig Chusum, an Arts & Crafts School where students learn traditional artistic skills.
On day three, we have an epic hike along the Dochula Pass, Bhutan’s highest mountain pass at more than 3000m above sea level. It’s lined with fluttering prayer flags and if we’re lucky with the weather we’ll get panoramic views of the Himalayas as we hike. Along the way, we’ll visit the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple and then hike down into the “Divine Madman” part of the trail, named after Drukpa Kuenley who is believed to have come here from Tibet to overpower evil spirits.
Days four and five are filled with incredible hikes along the Trans Bhutan Trail. We’ll start at the Pelela Pass, stopping at traditional temples along the way or for hot lunches with the locals. We’ll drive over to the beautiful village of Chendebji and visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong (fortress) in Bhutan, sat on a cliff overlooking the Mangde Chu river gorge. We’ll rejoin the trail at Yotongla Pass where we’ll hike through green meadows and open forest until we reach the Gyaltsa River. After so much exploring, we’ll have a peaceful evening to relax at the hotel.
Day six is all about the Tang Valley, a luscious, yet secluded region home to sacred shrines, herds of yaks and hillsides dotted with grazing sheep. We’ll reach the sacred Mebar Tsho, known as the Burning Lake, a great spot to pause and meditate like the locals, before we hike through the forest to the small village of Phomrong. And we may even have the opportunity to cook and share dinner with a local family in one of the village’s farmhouses.
The following day we’ll head to Punakha via Trongsa to walk along one of the most iconic sections of the Trans Bhutan Trail. We’ll start at Trongsa Dzong, and cross the Mangde River via a cantilever bridge before we start a steep ckimb throught the forest to the Trongsa viewpoint. We’ll venture along the Gangtey Nature Trail passing grass planes, farmhouses, and dense pine forests before reaching a vast open space of the wide valley.
On days eight and nine, we’ll travel all the way from the Punakha Valley to Paro, taking in local villages, the Temple of Fertility, paddy fields, the Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, a suspension bridge, the Khamsum Valley, and so much more. Day nine will give us the longest hike of the trip so there’s a restful evening planned for your return to Paro.
We’re rounding off the trip with one of the most iconic hikes in Bhutan! A five-hour hike up to Takshang Monastery, more commonly known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’ – a deeply sacred place that is visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. It sits on the side of a cliff, 900m above the Paro valley floor. After quite the uphill trek, you can freshen up and enjoy a stroll around the streets of Paro.
On our last morning, we’ll meet for breakfast and head back to the airport, after what I am sure will be the trip of a lifetime.
The full 11-day itinerary for the Bhutan adventure is available to download below. It includes essential day by day trip information as well as packing lists, medical notes and other helpful guidance.
Booking
This trip is now sold out, but places sometimes become available. To be added to the waiting list you can email using the button below or call Intrepid Travel on 0203 308 9763.
About Intrepid Travel
I have researched long and hard to partner with a travel company who is recognised as a force for good. Intrepid Travel is part of the B-Corp movement, going through a rigorous process for certification and recognition for their positive impact on the planet and the local communities that they work within. It’s an independently owned travel company that focus on sustainable, experience-rich travel, whilst operating a business with a purpose beyond profit. Read more about their Foundation here.
