Cultural and Natural History Tours
Our cultural and natural history tours provide a fine balance between either of the “hardcores” and is the most recommended of our trips. In addition we can also add a few days of trekking if you so wish. During these tours we will see, study, and photograph wildflowers, bird life, and scenery. We’ll walk in open meadows and old growth forests of pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, juniper, cypress and oak. We will also thread the path less trodden and walk past charming mountain villages and monasteries. A two-week program is an ideal duration for a program of this kind, but this can either be prolonged or shortened depending upon your time available.
• Day 1: Arrive by Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. Relax at Paro. Introduction to the country’s history by a visit to the national museum. Welcome Lunch or dinner with a traditional meal at the farmhouse of your local host.
• Day 2: Excursion to Taktsang, Tiger’s Nest Monastery (5 hours), an ancient 8th century monastery. Evening experience a traditional stone bath to relax your muscles after the days hike. Overnight Paro.
• Day 3: Morning visit ancient monasteries. Afternoon drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Overnight Thimphu.
• Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing includes visits to the Textile museum, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts and Crafts, takin zoo. Overnight Thimphu
• Day 5: Drive to Punakha. Experience amazing changes in vegetation types during this 2 hour drive. Stop at Dochula pass to enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. Visit the botanical park with an interpretative tour through rhododendron and old growth forests. At Punakha visit the historic Dzong, one of the most beautiful monuments in Bhutan. Overnight Punakha.
• Day 6: Punakha sightseeing. Search for the extremely rare white-bellied heron along the river. Visit the feritility temple of the divine madman. Overnight Punakha.
• Day 7: Drive to Trongsa a scenic drive. At Trongsa visit the Dzong. Overnight Trongsa
• Day 8: Drive to Kuenga Rabten, the palace of the 2nd King. Fantastic birding along the way including honey guides. Possibility of sighting the golden langur, a primate endemic to Bhutan. Overnight Trongsa.
• Day 9: To Bumthang, the cultural heartland of Bhutan. En route stop to see weaving activites. Overnight Bumthang.
• Day 10: Bumthang sightseeing. Overnight Bumthang
• Day 11: To Phobjikha, the beautiful valley of the black-necked cranes (the cranes are here from November to March). Overnight Phobjikha.
• Day 12: Phobjikha to Thimphu. Evening shopping at Thimphu.
• Day 13: Visit farmers market. Evening drive to Paro. Try a hand at archery- the national sport of Bhutan. Explore Paro town and feel like a local by mixing with rural/urban crowd. Overnight at Paro.
• Day 14: Hike along the ridge above tree line over 4,000 meters and feel so close to heaven with views of the mountains and lush green valleys below. This peaceful and slow 5 hour hike will also take you through a nunnery. Evening farewell dinner at Paro village resort with cultural dance performed by dancing troupe.
Day 15: Depart Bhutan by Druk Air
Best months: March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
