This small Himalayan Kingdom is renowned for celebrating happiness above all - so much so they even have a name for it - Gross National Happiness! This philosophy resonates through everything in Bhutan, making this Himalayan hiking adventure invigorating for both the body and soul. We’ll hike to the iconic cliffside Buddhist monastery, Tiger’s Nest, join the colorful Chhukhua Tshechu Festival, and live like nomadic yak herders on the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek. Immersing ourselves in local tradition, culture, and landscapes that make the Land of the Thunder Dragon so magical!

This adventure is designed to give you the chance to deeply immerse yourself in the culture, natural beauty, and spirituality of Bhutan. It starts with culture at the colorful Chhukha Festival, then on to the 4-day Dagala Trek, named for its stunning alpine lakes, and finishing off with the iconic Tiger’s Nest. Along the way, you’ll get the special opportunity to connect with Bhutanese nuns, guides, farmers and entrepreneurs, and gain insight into the country’s fascinating past and bright future.

We’ll be doing most of our exploring by foot because it’s the best (and often only!) way to access treasures like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and views of Mount Everest. Be ready to let go of the weight of your expectations, and deeply connect with nature and joy in a way the Bhutanese have mastered!

We rated this Bhutan trip a 4 out of 5 on the WHOA Adventure difficulty scale because of the amount of walking we’ll be doing, and the Dagala Thousand Lake Trek takes you up to altitudes as high as 14,700 ft above sea level.

Due to its geography and position nestled beneath the Himalayas, Bhutan experiences particularly mild and pleasant weather during the autumn and spring - perfect for exploring! Daytime temperatures range from high 50s to mid 70s °F, with lots of clear skies and stunning visibility of the mountains. It can get quite cold at night, especially at higher altitudes, where there’s even a chance for snowfall (which only adds to the scenic beauty)!

The highest elevation we’ll sleep at is 14,425 ft above sea level during the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek. It’s not uncommon to feel the effects of altitude, like shortness of breath or mild headaches at this elevation. So be sure to drink lots of water, and rest assured knowing this trek is paced to give you time to acclimatize while also taking in the panoramic mountain views.

As with all of our adventures, you will be on your feet and on the move a lot. You can expect to be hiking for over 6 hours a day, at altitude which builds in an extra layer of challenge. The better trained and stronger you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be! Stay active, break in your boots and rain gear early, and be prepared for a life-changing physical and spiritual journey!

Welcome to the Land of the Thunder Dragon! When you step off the plane in Paro, you’ll be greeted by our team and jaw-dropping views of the Himalayan mountains surrounding this small, peaceful kingdom! From there, we’ll head to Thimphu, the modern capital city of Bhutan. En route, we’ll stop at Tachogang Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Thang Tong Gyalpo, a spiritual leader and engineer known as the "Iron Bridge Builder." We'll have the chance to walk across the iron suspension bridge decorated with prayer flags, and take in the surrounding valley. In Thimphu, you’ll have the chance to settle in and explore before our special WHOA Welcome Dinner, where you’ll meet your team and get briefed on the adventure that lies ahead!

Drive Time: ~1 hour
Included Meals: Lunch, Welcome Dinner
Stay: Access Suites Thimphu or similar
Arrival Logistics: Plan to fly into Paro by 3PM on the adventure start date. We recommend connecting through Delhi or Kathmandu on Druk Air, and will provide more details on flights and booking assistance prior to your adventure!

Today, we’ll venture south to the Chhukha Valley, to experience one of the most unique highlights of our trip - the Chhukha Tshechu Festival! This vibrant celebration is held in the courtyard of Chhukha Dzong, a fortress that symbolizes Bhutanese cultural and spiritual heritage. It's a colorful festival with masked dancers and traditional folk music, and gives us the opportunity to see Bhutanese culture at its most vibrant! We’ll be there on the 3rd and final day, which is considered the most auspicious because it features the unfurling of the Throngdroel of Guru Rinpoche, a large tapestry and significant religious artifact that brings blessings and spiritual merit to those who witness it. After a full day of festivities, we’ll drive back to Thimphu for another chance to try some more delicious Bhutanese dishes at dinner! (We recommend Ema Datshi, the national dish of Bhutan, a hearty soup made of simmered chilies and cheese!)

Drive Time: ~1.5+ hours each way
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Access Suites Thimphu or similar

Off we go to the mountains to start the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek! This 4-day hike is named for the many shimmering high-altitude lakes we’ll encounter, and is one of Bhutan's most serene and scenic trails. We’ll experience life like the nomadic yak herders who call this region home and have time to reflect and connect with our beautiful surroundings. Today, we’ll hike through lush forests and alpine meadows with Rhododendrons and Blue Poppies, before reaching our camp for the evening, where we’ll enjoy the sunset together.

Drive Time: ~1 hour
Hike Time: 4+ hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camp: Kapchin (3,300 m / 10,825 ft)

Today, we’ll continue our way through the stunning alpine terrain, and be treated to breathtaking views, including a glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world! When we reach camp, we’ll enjoy a warm cup tea among the mountains and lakes that make this trek so exceptional. 

Hike Time: 6+ hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camp: Labatama (4,400 m / 14,425 ft)

This is the most challenging (and rewarding!) day of our trek. We'll pass through a series of high-altitude lakes where we’ll get unparalleled views of the world’s highest peaks - Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Jomolhari, and even Mount Everest! Some of the day’s highlights include the mesmerizing Dala Tsho Lake, and walking along the Doccha Chhu River to our last camp where we’ll have one final evening sleeping under the stars together.

Hike Time: 6.5+ hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camp: Panka (4,000 m / 13,123 ft)

On the final day of our hike, we’ll be able to see Thimphu (and Buddha Dordenma!) as we descend to Chamgang Village to complete the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek. While the hike might be over, the adventure continues. Next stop: Punakha Valley! En route, we’ll stop for a special fresh farm-to-table cooking experience with a local female cook and drive over the iconic Dochula Pass (3,150 m), home to 108 memorial chortens and more epic views of the Himalayas!

Hike Time: 4+ hours
Drive Time: ~2 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Meri Puensum Punakha or similar

Today we’ll explore the highlights of the old capital of Bhutan - Punakha. We’ll visit the iconic Punakha Dzong, also known as the Fortress of Great Bliss, it is beautifully situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River). We’ll also have the opportunity to meet the nuns of the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, and trade stories and learn about their spiritual practices. In the evening, drive back to Thimphu, and have the evening free to experience the nightlife of Bhutan’s modern capital!

Drive Time: ~2 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Access Suites Thimphu or similar

We’ll start the day with a hike up and around Kuensel Phodrang, and get up close and personal to Thimphu’s enormous Buddha Point statue (it’s the world's largest)! We’ll also visit the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s beloved national animal, a sacred (and cute!) creature with the body of a cow and the head of a goat. We’ll round out the day with a visit to the Green Weaving Center, an initiative supporting women artisans who are keeping the weaving traditions of their ancestors alive. In the evening, we’ll drive back west to Paro, for the final stop on our adventure.

Hike Time: 1.5+ hours
Drive Time: 1+ hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Tenzinling Paro or similar

We’ll rise bright and early to hike to the Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic landmark, famously known as the Tiger’s Nest. Perched on a cliff 10,235 ft above sea level, the hike takes around 5 hours, and we’ll be rewarded with stunning views and a profound sense of spirituality. Afterwards, we’ll be treated to a traditional hot stone bath to relax our muscles after the trek, and a home cooked lunch at a local farmhouse, run by a dynamic mother and daughter duo. In the evening, we’ll toast to our epic adventure over a local feast at our Farewell Dinner!

Hike Time: 5+ hours
Drive Time: ~1 hour
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Stay: Tenzinling Paro or similar

Our journey through the Kingdom of Bhutan has come to an end (but the memories of this magical place will last forever)! After breakfast, we'll head to Paro International Airport to catch our flights onward. Log jay gay (good bye, we'll meet again)!

Drive Time: 20 mins
Included Meals: Breakfast