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INDIA: Himalaya: Ladakh & Kashmir
Genuine, Mystical and Spectacular - Hiking Tours behind the Scenes Culture Holiday Bhutan
• 8 days / 7 overnights in hotels • three hiking tours with 5 - 6 hrs. walking time each • not very demanding •
• height up to max. 3500 m above sea level • Accompanied by guide •
The small mountain country between Northeast India and Tibet still retains, despite its increasing openness to modern influences, since several years, its indigenous culture with completely original, Buddhist traditions. Also the broad nature and biodiversity of the region is being protected in a unique and successful way. So until today two-thirds of the country are forested, and these forests are managed exclusively in an environmentally sustainable way. A quarter of the national territory is also under special protection, and energy production is being carried out exclusively with the most modern hydroelectric power plants.
What is regarded by some Western economists as 'backward', due to the relatively low per capita income, is enshrined in the constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan as Gross National Happiness; this puts the conservation of nature and the satisfaction of the citizens above economic growth. A state that we Europeans are hardly able to imagine - but touches an innermost longing of many, and makes the "Land of the Thunder Dragon" an increasingly coveted holiday destination. Personal relationships allow us to show you, next to the major sightseeing attractions, the true Bhutan, off the beaten track, and take you along into the real life of the local population.
Visit Buddhist monasteries amidst original, mystical forests, and let yourself be enchanted by the legends surrounding these and other sacred places. In the surroundings of solitary lakes, the air seems to vibrate with energy, and the real recognition of the unity of all life, as it is enshrined in Buddhism, grasps our hearts. Many a steep climb rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view of deep green valleys and mighty, snow covered Himalayan peaks, a panorama that is unchanged since centuries. You can complement your Bhutan holiday with this travel module, to gain unique, profound insights into the country, and to sustainably strengthen your personal bridge to Bhutan.
Highlights
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) near Paro
- Monastery Chumphu with levitating Buddha statue
- Thimphu & Punakha as well as monasteries and gems in the vicinity
- Walks through untouched nature
- Visit touristically hardly known places
- Encounters with the local people
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival in Paro, visit to the Taktsang Monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Chumbu Monastery, Paro. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 : Drive on to Thimphu, visit to the Phajoding monastery. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 : Visit to the Lungchutse monastery. Continuation to Punakha. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 : Sightseeing in Punakha, hike to the Khamsum Chorten. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 : Forest hike to the lake Hokotsho, drive on to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 : Sightseeing in Thimphu, drive on to Paro. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 : Departure or onward journey
Best Travel Period
Ideal for a holiday in Bhutan are the months of spring and autumn. In March and April nature awakens, and colorful flowers cover meadows and the woods, and the sowing takes place in the fields. In autumn, from October to early December, the weather is ideal for a trekking holiday and for hiking in Bhutan. Those interested in culture will be especially attracted in the months of April, September and October, because now the majority of the local festivals are taking place.
Options
- This journey can be ideally combined with additional travel days in central Bhutan, or with a trekking.
Tags: hiking tours, visit bhutan, monastery visit, tibetan culture, sightseeing, visit paro, local people, village walk