Journey · 8 nights

The Autumn Valleys

Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Phobjikha, timed so that you are in Thimphu for the tshechu and in Phobjikha when the black-necked cranes come in.

Masked cham dancers in the courtyard of the dzong during the Thimphu Tshechu — Photograph — the Thimphu Tshechu, Tashichho Dzong

8 nightsArriving and departing Paro
From USD 2,360Per person, everything included
2 to 8 peopleOne group at a time, never merged
AutumnLate September to mid-November

Day by day

Nine days, and room to change them.

This is a starting point. Every itinerary we run gets rewritten at least once before departure, and usually once more while you are here.

Day 1

Arrive Paro

You land with the mountains close on both sides — the approach is worth staying awake for. We meet you outside the terminal, and if you have the energy we walk up to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, before an early night at 2,200 metres.

Day 2

Paro · Taktsang

The Tiger's Nest, clinging to a cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. Up early to beat both the heat and the crowd. Horses are available for the first two-thirds and nobody will make anything of it if you take one. Afternoon free.

Day 3

Paro to Thimphu

An hour and a half along the river to the capital — a city of about 100,000 people and no traffic lights. The National Memorial Chorten in the late afternoon, when it fills with people walking the circuit after work, and dinner somewhere ordinary.

Day 4

Thimphu Tshechu

A full day at the festival in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong. We go in early for a seat with a view of the floor. Masked cham dances run most of the day; you can come and go. This is the day everyone remembers.

Day 5

Thimphu to Punakha

Over the Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres, where 108 chortens stand on the hillside and, on a clear autumn morning, the eastern Himalaya stands up behind them. Down into the warm Punakha valley, and Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers — the most beautiful building in Bhutan and we will not be argued out of it.

Day 6

Punakha to Phobjikha

Through the terraces — gold this month — and up into the Black Mountains. Phobjikha is a wide glacial bowl at 3,000 metres with no high-rise, no rush and, from late October, the cranes. Night in a farmhouse.

Day 7

Phobjikha

Gangtey Goenpa in the morning, then the valley trail on foot: four easy hours through dwarf bamboo and potato fields, past houses where you will be asked in for tea whether you have time or not. The crane centre in the afternoon.

Day 8

Back to Paro

The long way west, stopping where you want to rather than where the schedule says. Last night in Paro.

Day 9

Depart

Morning flight. We take you to the airport and wait until you are through.

What it costs

USD 2,360 per person.

Based on two people sharing. Solo travellers and groups of five or more are priced differently — ask and we will tell you exactly what changes.

Sustainable Development Fee, 8 nightsUSD 800
Hotels, all meals, transport, guide, driver, entriesUSD 1,408
Goods & Services Tax at 5%USD 152
Per personUSD 2,360

Not included: international flights to Paro, the USD 40 visa fee, travel insurance, alcohol and anything you buy for yourself.

25% deposit to confirm, balance 30 days before you arrive.How to pay Cancellation terms Questions

Next step

Tell us your dates.

We will come back with a real itinerary and a total price, usually within a day. No deposit until you are happy with it.

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