Bhutan
The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom
Program No. 19634RJ
Explore Bhutan, one of the world’s most isolated countries, with experts and locals who share their enduring culture, history and natural wonders.
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800-454-5768
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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Sep 17 - Oct 3, 2024
Starting at
6,999Oct 8 - Oct 24, 2024
Starting at
6,999Oct 15 - Oct 31, 2024
Starting at
6,999Oct 22 - Nov 7, 2024
Starting at
6,999DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Aug 13 - Aug 29, 2024
Starting at
6,999Sep 17 - Oct 3, 2024
Starting at
6,999Oct 8 - Oct 24, 2024
Starting at
6,999Oct 15 - Oct 31, 2024
Starting at
6,999Oct 22 - Nov 7, 2024
Starting at
6,999Nov 5 - Nov 21, 2024
Starting at
6,999Nov 30 - Dec 16, 2024
Starting at
6,999Feb 11 - Feb 27, 2025
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6,999Feb 25 - Mar 13, 2025
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6,999Mar 18 - Apr 3, 2025
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6,999Apr 15 - May 1, 2025
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6,999Jun 10 - Jun 26, 2025
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6,999Aug 12 - Aug 28, 2025
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6,999Sep 9 - Sep 25, 2025
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6,999Sep 23 - Oct 9, 2025
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6,999Oct 7 - Oct 23, 2025
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6,999Nov 4 - Nov 20, 2025
Starting at
6,999Nov 18 - Dec 4, 2025
Starting at
6,999Dec 2 - Dec 18, 2025
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17 days
16 nights
41 meals
14B 13L 14D
1
Departures
In Flight
2
Arrival Kathmandu
Kathmandu
6
Phobjikha Valley, Beautiful Himalayan Mountain Views
Phobjikha Valley
7
Phobjikha Hike, Crane Center
Phobjikha Valley
9
School Visit, Sherthang Pass, Ura
Bumthang
11
Trongsa Dzong
Trongsa
12
Scenic Drive to Punakha Valley, Chimi Lhakhang Temple
Wangdue Phodrang
13
Hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Stupa, Punakha Fortress
Wangdue Phodrang
17
Arrive home
In Flight
At a Glance
Shrouded in mystique, the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan sits wedged amongst the mighty Himalayas in a mountainous landscape cut by deep river valleys and terraced rice fields. Known to its people as Druk Yul, or “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” it is the last bastion of authentic Himalayan Buddhism.
Extend Your Adventure
This program includes an optional program extension.
Extension: Nepal: The Best of the Kathmandu Valley
Delve deeper into the ancient spaces and sacred places of Kathmandu! Explore sites of Hindu and Buddhist importance and hike to the town of Changu in search of views of the Himalaya.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain; some stairs without railings. Elevations of 7,000-10,000 feet. Some bus rides up to 6 hours with rest stops and sightseeing along the way
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Encounter the warmth and hospitality of Bhutanese people.
- Learn about Bhutan's Gross National Happiness philosophy.
- Hike to a remote village, a tiny monastery tucked in the midst of rice paddies and the awesome Tiger’s Nest.
General Notes
The elevation of areas traveled on this program range from 7,000-10,000 feet for the entire duration of the stay in Bhutan. This program has a maximum of 18 participants. Looking to extend your stay? This program has a post-extension on corresponding dates, program "Nepal: The Best of the Kathmandu Valley" (#22616). Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Bridge to Bhutan
Bridge To Bhutan is our Road Scholar vendor for tour operations in Bhutan.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Bridge to Bhutan
View biography
Bridge To Bhutan is our Road Scholar vendor for tour operations in Bhutan.
Temple Tiger
View biography
Temple Tiger / Venture Travel is Road Scholar's Site Coordinator in Nepal. For emergencies, once in Nepal, please contact our local partner Rita Pradhan on the numbers shown.
If dialing from a local number or with a SIM card, dial as below:
(0) 1 980 236 0042
(0) 1 532 1585
(0) 1 985 113 9310.
Suggested Reading List
(14 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom
Program Number: 19634
Turning the Mind Into an Ally
A guide to meditation and practical introduction to teachings of the Shambhala Buddhist community, which has strong ties to Bhutan.
The Raven Crown
Aris chronicles the rise of the Wangchuk dynasty in this beautifully illustrated history of the kingdom and its 20th-century monarchy, featuring 106 rare photographs.
Travellers and Magicians
The first feature shot on location in Bhutan, this film, directed by a respected lama, follows a young official on his odyssey across the country. Along the way he is joined by a mischievous monk, an elderly peddler and an old man with his daughter.
Essential Tibetan Buddhism
The foremost Western scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, Thurman has chosen well from that tradition's sacred literature and helpfully includes suggested further reading, explanatory notes and a directory of sacred sites.
Married to Bhutan
Enraptured by the customs, land and people of Bhutan, where she has lived and worked for ten years, Leaming writes with humor and candor about her often-bumpy cultural immersion, her romance with a Buddhist artist and her unexpected path to happiness.
Bhutan, A Trekker's Guide
A compact, practical guide to 27 treks and walks throughout the mountain kingdom with color photographs and detailed sketch maps throughout.
So Close to Heaven, The Vanishing Buddhist Kingdoms of the Himalayas
Asia correspondent for the New York Times, Crossette portrays Bhutan and neighboring Ladakh and Sikkim as strongholds of Tantric Buddhism in an increasingly homogenized world.
Bhutan Map
A double-sided traveler's map at an excellent scale of 1:345,000 with a larger scale map of Northern India on the reverse.
The Blessings of Bhutan
Head-over-heels in love with Bhutan, the Carpenters introduce their adopted home, its people, customs, religion and history.
Beyond the Sky and the Earth
Zeppa's memoir of her time as teacher in a remote village shows her growing love and commitment to the people and culture.
Radio Shangri-La
Napoli's memoir of her time working on a fledgling Bhutanese radion station. She writes with frankness and clarity about the contradictions, poverty and reality of much mythologized Bhutan.
Photographic Guide to Birds of the Himalayas
A pocket guide to 250 birds found from the foothills up to high elevations ranging from the Hindu Kush and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayas. With brief descriptive information, maps and 260 full-color illustrations.
Bhutan, The Land of Serenity
A Buddhist monk, photographer, and French interpreter for the Dalai Lama, Ricard, draws on his time in Bhutan over the last 25 years for this intimate portrait. With illuminating chapters on the remarkable Khyentse Rinpoche, sacred art, architecture, dancing monks and ceremonies.
The Circle of Karma, A Novel
The first novel by a Bhutanese woman, this lyrical coming-of-age story explores the rituals of daily life in Bhutan. When Tsomo's mother suddenly dies, the young girl must travel alone across Bhutan and into India.