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, not one, but two colorful Festivals, 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. You’ll have the chance to experience two colorful and distinct festivals, the 4-day Dagala Trek, named for its stunning alpine lakes, and 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 the beautiful Punakha Valley (with a few scenic stops along the way). 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: ~3 hours
Included Meals: Lunch, Welcome Dinner
Stay: Dhumra Farm Resort Punakha 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 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.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Dhumra Farm Resort Punakha or similar

Today, we’ll attend the colorful Talo Tshechu Festival, a vibrant three-day event held in the Talo village, just outside of Punakha. This festival, celebrated annually in March, has been a tradition for over 300 years, and is famous for its mask and Atsara dances. One of its unique highlights is the Zhungdra, a classical Bhutanese song performed in a meditative style without musical instruments. The three songs of Mani Sum—Samyi Sala (first day), Drukpa Dungey (second day), and Thowachi Gangi Tselay (third day)—are deeply cherished by the Talo community. Beyond its religious significance, the festival is also a time for families and villagers to come together and celebrate!

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

We’ll start our day of exploring Bhutan’s modern capital 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.

Hike Time: 1.5+ hours
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 of 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: Paro where we’ll experience our second festival, the Paro Tshechu Festival!

Hike Time: 4+ hours
Drive Time: ~2 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: Tenzinling Paro or similar

Today we’ll experience one of Bhutan’s most prominent festivals and enjoy the celebratory mood in the streets of Paro. The Paro Tshechu is a religious and cultural festival that honors Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tshechu translates to "tenth day," as the festival falls on the tenth day of the Bhutanese lunar calendar. It’s a time for Bhutanese communities to gather, celebrate, and gain spiritual merit. A highlight of the festival is the masked dances (Cham) performed by monks, which depict stories from Bhutanese mythology and Buddhism. These dances are considered sacred, and attending the festival is believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings.

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 massage 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