Original
Walking & Trekking
Hike the Trans Bhutan Trail
11 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
46 reviews
11 days
Start
Thimphu, Bhutan
Finish
Paro, Bhutan
Trip Code
HJXB
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, walking
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights)
From £4,206(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Take in panoramic views of the Himalayas from the Dochula Pass, which sits more than 3000 m above sea level and is home to many fluttering prayer flags.
Hike along the Divine Madman Trail, believed to be a trail followed by Drukpa Kuenley – a famous Buddhist monk, missionary and poet who came to Bhutan from Tibet.
Explore the country’s biggest Dzong (a complex of fortified buildings which served as a Buddhist school) in Trongsa at the end of your hike from Chendebji.
Wander around the remote, lush and beautiful Tang Valley and Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), famous for being one of the most serene places in Bhutan to meditate.
Journey to Taktsang, commonly known as the Tiger's Nest – a small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 900 m above the valley floor – and soak in its magnificence.
Is this trip right for you?
Bhutan is a high-altitude destination, so taking it easy for a day or two makes for a much more comfortable trip. Drinking tea and water and avoiding strenuous exercise will help you acclimatise after arriving.
Hiking on this trip can be strenuous and will take place on high altitude, up to 3500 metres above sea level. Please make sure you are adequately prepared physically.
Please read packing list available on Essential Trip document carefully and make sure you bring all necessary items.
Despite Bhutan being a small country, you'll experience long travel days as most roads are single lane. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
While it’s legal to consume imported meat, the slaughtering of animals for consumption within Bhutan is banned, therefore delicious veggie dishes are varied and bountiful at every meal.
Please be aware that hot water is limited in some places. Speaking of all things heated, the Bhutanese love chilli and the food can be a touch spicy.
All meals are included due to the nature of travelling in Bhutan. This means there may be limited choices on some days.
Itinerary
Immerse yourself in the past, present and future of Bhutan
The kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas sits between two spiritual hubs – Tibet and India – and is one of Asia’s best-kept secrets. On this active adventure, you’ll discover there is no better way to explore it than on foot as you hike through country that’s full of protected forest, so it absorbs more carbon than it uses. Feel closer to enlightenment as you hike along the restored Trans Bhutan Trail which will immerse you in the past, present and future. Uncover Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage on a journey that explores forested valleys, fortified monasteries and sacred mountains on your own two feet and discover the beauty of its people, landscape and culture with a local leader who will help you unlock its secrets.
Inclusions
Meals
10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, walking
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights)
Included activities
Tachogang Lhakhang temple visit
Thimphu exploratory evening walk
Thimphu - Institute for Zorig Chusum
Thimphu - National Library
Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) walk
Dochula Pass hike
Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple visit
Divine Madman Trail hike
Trans Bhutan trail hike - Pelela pass/Chendebji
Chendebji Chorten monument visit
Trongsa Dzong (Buddhist school) visit
Trans Bhutan Trail hike - Yotongla Pass/Gyaltsa village
Tang Valley walk
Ugyencholing Heritage Museum visit
Tang Valley - Farmhouse lunch
Hike: Nunnery - Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake) – Phomrong village
Pema Choling Nunnery
Trans Bhutan Trail hike - Trongsa Dzong/Mangde River/Trongsa Viewpoint
Dochula Pass to Simtokha Hike
Trans Bhutan Trail hike - Paro Valley/Dop-Shari
Ema Datshi - traditional Bhutanese lunch
Paro - Tadzong Museum
Paro - Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Entry to Bhutan is very strict and travellers can only enter Bhutan on a group visa as part of a tour. All travellers must arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 11 to be eligible for a group visa. At time of booking, please provide your booking agent with a scanned colour copy of your passport, a scanned colour passport photo.
4. The Sustainable Development Fee, charged by the government of Bhutan, is included in your trip price.
5. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
6. All flights to and from Bhutan are operated by a Bhutanese national carrier which fly direct to several cities within Asia/Middle East. It is not uncommon for these airlines to make last minute changes to their flight timetables or be subject to delays. Therefore, it is recommended that you allow plenty of transit time both before your connecting flight to Bhutan, and after your flight from Bhutan ahead of your onward flight connection.
7. If you have booked additional accommodation and transfers in Kathmandu, please see the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details regarding visas and arrival in Nepal.
8. Due to the nature of outdoor travel, please be aware that this trip will operate on an amended itinerary in high risk weather conditions.
Reviews (47)
5 stars
44
4 stars
3
Shirley
May 28, 2025
My recent trip to Bhutan was so memorable thanks to the knowledgeable, friendly guides, well planned itinerary, comfortable accommodation, varied immersive cultural experiences. A totally organised trip with nothing but to do but enjoy myself!
Fleur
May 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this trip and, to echo previous reviews, if you are considering going, just do it!! There is something for everyone - be it hiking through amazing landscapes with fabulous flora and fauna, or walking through the beautiful villages admiring their fields of freshly planted vegetables and then dining in their homes, or learning in depth about Buddhism in Bhutan and visiting the astounding temples or building your knowledge of this small kingdom's rich history and strong focus on the happiness of their people and looking after the environment. It is all food for the soul and body. So please, go and enjoy!!
Trisha
May 21, 2025
An excellent trip with lots of beautiful sights and experiences. The accommodation was very comfortable and the hikes were very enjoyable, especially the tigers nest monastery. Thank you to our wonderful tour guide Robin!
Danielle
May 19, 2025
This Bhutan tour was amazing. Right from our tour guides to our driver, the trip was truly magical. Our tour leader Robin is one of the best tour guides I have ever had, his kindness, knowledge and organizational skills made this a trip I will never forget. Bhutan needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. Thank you Robin, Hem, Rinzing and Kezang our wonderful driver for the most wonderful time I had in Bhutan.
Melissa
May 12, 2025
Excellent trip in the most inspiring and naturally beautiful country in the world where happiness is both a carefully thought through vision as well as a reality. The people love and respect their king and government in a way the West would do well to learn from!
Christiane
May 12, 2025
It was a great and very enjoyable trip to an amazing country. Hiking was great, but travelers should be aware that on several days the elevation gain looks small but what is not said is that the is a descent between 700 and 1400 m. Bhutan is the one and a lifetime trip, especially the eastern parts where they are not many tourist are very special. Also the trip to Tiger nest is an absolute highlight…
Debby
May 05, 2025
Terrific trip to Bhutan with Intrepid. They delivered much more than I expected. We stayed on schedule and did every scheduled activity. The country is fascinating with centuries-old temples. We hiked every day, finding rhododendron in bloom, bright blue birds, monkeys, grazing yaks and ponies, and peace. The hotel accommodations were great.
Marlene
May 02, 2025
Bhutan is a diamond in the rough and I feel blessed to have been able to visit this country. The landscape and people envelope you and trust you with their treasures. If you venture to this place know you will be filled with awe and overwhelmed by the beauty of the people and the land.
Stephanie
Apr 30, 2025
Such an amazing trip seeing some of the beauty that Bhutan has to offer. For me, the perfect mix of hiking, nature, people and sightseeing. Robin and the team were so friendly, organised and great at sharing their knowledge of their country.
Rebecca
Apr 30, 2025
Bhutan is such a majestic, peaceful, and special place to visit. Words and photos do not do justice to the pristine tree covered mountains, the misty clouds in the morning, the beautifully decorated wooden buildings, and the amazingly friendly people. A huge thank you to Robin, Sempa, Ugyen and Kezang for making this trip my happiest! I was in tears when I boarded the plane at Paro and can't wait to return.
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