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Activity Level: M-C
Start / Finish: Bangkok / Bangkok
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Happiness Reigns
Gross National Happiness is an official development goal in Bhutan. We haven’t seen the numbers, but we’re pretty confident they’ve hit their annual targets. Set against the backdrop of sacred mountains, this isolated kingdom offers an entirely unique travel experience. Granted permission to be among the mere 14,000 visitors permitted each year, we make the most of it. Life-altering moment #523: en route to Punakha, we can stop in at the remote Tashigang monastery overlooking the Thimphu Valley, where the lamas and monks greet us, sip tea with us, and then bless our journey in an elaborate (not to mention highly musical) prayer ceremony. There’s more where that came from, but sadly, we’ve hit our space limit. Fortunately, Bhutan’s wonders know none.
Here's a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke Bhutan adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Designer for further details.
Day 1 Enjoy a relaxing night in Bangkok before departing for Bhutan early the next morning
Day 2 Walk to a little-visited temple and village situated on the cliffs above Paro Valley before driving to the capital city, Thimphu
Day 3 Sip tea in the clouds atop the Dochu La Pass overlooking the Bhutanese Himalaya
Day 4 Experience a fertility blessing from a red-robed lama in the Phobjika Valley
Day 5 Take a breathtaking hike through the Sha Valley, visiting small villages rarely seen by outsiders
Day 6 Hike the Punakha Valley to the Punakha dzong
Day 7 Hike to the Tashigang monastery, a working 17thC temple complex, to meet the lamas and their students
Day 8 Climb up to the Taktshang monastery (the “Tiger’s Nest”), set into a cliff face 800 m (2,624 ft.) above the Paro Valley floor
Day 9 Take a stroll up to the 4,000 m (13,100 ft.) viewing platform of the majestic Cheli La Pass for a stunning glimpse of Bhutan’s snow-capped holy mountain, Chomolhari
Day 10 Breakfast in Paro, then laso lok le ge in Bangkok
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Price
From US$9,495 based on double occupancy and four travellers.
Dates
The best time to visit Bhutan is from March to May, and October to December.
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Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, Bangkok
This 4 star hotel is only a 10 min walk from Suvarnabhumi
International Airport in Bangkok and features excellent Thai restaurants, spa services and a business centre.
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Amankora Thimphu, Thimphu
Aman Kora Thimphu lies just outside of Thimphu secluded by a lush pine forest. The hotel is built along traditional lines, featuring rammed earth walls, bukhari stoves in every room, and wood panelled interiors. The combined living/dining room adjoins a large outdoor deck with views onto a nearby stream and wooded hillside. The spa includes three treatment rooms and a steam room.
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Amankora Gangtey, Phobjika Valley
Set on a forested hill, the Amankora Gangtey has sweeping views of the Phobjika Valley, fields of dwarf bamboo and the surrounding mountains. The hotel features a comfortable combined living and dining room, with cozy chairs and family-style dining tables, and an intimate yoga and meditation room.
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Amankora Punakha, Punakha
Situated north of the grand Punakha Dzong and across a suspension bridge over the Mo Chhu, the Amankora Punakha has eight suites in three rammed-earth buildings, with wood-panelled interiors, traditional wood-burning bukhari stoves, and king-sized beds. The surrounding citrus orchard has views across the nearby rice paddies and up the Punakha Valley.
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Amankora Paro, Paro
Located in a quiet setting below Tiger's Nest, outside of Paro. The lodge has 24 rooms set in a pine forest. Built of natural rammed earth construction, the rooms feature bukhari stoves and wood panelled interiors. There are spa services and a steam room.
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Moderate to Challenging
This trip is rated Moderate to Challenging. We are in the foothills of the Himalayas, so some hilly terrain is unavoidable, and this should be taken into account when preparing for the trip. We reach a maximum altitude of 4,000 metres (13,100 feet), so some people will be affected by the altitude. Some of the walking is over rough ground and primitive trails.
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