  
Bhutan Overview:
The Buddhist Kingdom known as Druk Yul, Bhutan is nestled in the Himalaya between Indian and Tibet. Smaller than nearby Nepal both in size (just slightly larger than Switzerland) and population (less than one million inhabitants), Bhutan seeks to preserve its culture by limiting tourism. To restrict the number of visitors, the government imposes a minimum daily tariff, which includes all food, lodging and travel expenses (guide, transportation and more). You won't find a five star resort destination but rather a real experience — an unspoiled environmental paradise unlike anywhere in the Himalayan region. Citizens have equal access to healthcare and education. Bhutan's fourth king gave up his monarch status in 2008 to empower his people with self-government. His son, the fifth King, serves a symbolic role. Though not inexpensive, Bhutan is a very worthwhile destination — it is a miracle that this wondrous land still exists!
There are two entry points for visitors to Bhutan. Druk Air flies into Paro — a short flight from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu or Calcutta. Paro is located in a pristine valley at 7,300 feet anchored amidst snow capped peaks. Bhutan's capitol city of Thimphu is a short one-to-two hour drive away. By road, Bhutan's entry point is Phutsholing, just hours from Darjeeling, India, or Gangtok, Sikkim. Bagdogra airport in India is only about five hours drive away.
Trekking Possibilities:
  Bhutan offers an array of unspoiled wilderness trails. We have experience arranging easy three day treks, like the Bumthang Trek — trekking over a 12,000 foot pass into the heart of Bhutan, in combination with one of Bhutan's many festivals. The Gangte Trek is also short yet remarkable for viewing wildlife and rhododendrons. Longer five-to-six day treks like Druk Path or the Gasa Hot Spring Treks offer special year 'round adventure at lower altitudes.
Then there are our most challenging treks... The Cholmolhari Trail is a rugged ten day trekking adventure and even more challenging is the Laya-Gasa Trek a fifteen day endeavor. The Snowman Trek covers some of the same area as Cholmolhari and Laya Gasa, but pushes you on... ascending a series of passes over 16,000 feet! To complete this trek requires 24 full days, all spent at high altitude. A minimum of four participants is needed to be practical, as all food and gear must be carried (porters or pack animals) and is generally accompanied by a staff including a full time cook.
The trekking season usually extends from early October through November and from March to May. Note that strenuous treks in Bhutan truly are just that — you need to be in shape! Campsites are well spaced and hiking days are long. Staff support is more limited than in neighboring Nepal. Talk to us about your abilities and limitations — and we'll do our best to steer you on the right trail!
Cultural Tours:
  Bhutan offers an intact culture — one of the few remaining anywhere in the world. You'll sense the difference the moment you step off the plane. People are dressed in the Kira (for woman) and the Gho (for men) — the native attire. Of course it isn't just the dress, but also an attitude about life including a ribald humor and the teasing that takes place between men and woman. Phallic symbols are proudly displayed in or on every home. There's a fierce, uncompromising brand of Tibetan Buddhism brought to Bhutan by the famous Buddhist saint Padmasambhava or "Guru Rinpoche." Regarded as a second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche had magical powers and was the founder of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism practiced in Bhutan. He came to Bhutan as Dorje Drakpo (Fierce Thunderbolt) riding on a flying tigress. He flew to the site of the famous Thaksang Monastery ("Tiger's Nest"), to meditate in a cave for three months. An excellent day hike of about one to two hours can take you up to the "Thaksang Cafeteria" (more like a local teashop, really) with views both of the Gompa and the surrounding countryside. The monastery lies another hour or more up the trail.
With the extensive road system in Bhutan, most of the interesting cultural sites can be visited by either a short walk or day hike. If you prefer having the comforts of a hotel (like a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath at night) you can still find plenty to see and do in amazing Bhutan. Join a festival while you are there! The Paro Festival in early Spring is the good and our staff will not only accompany you to it, but can offer many personal stories on celebrations in their homeland. All monasteries present annual festivals. One of the main celebrations is the Tsechu Festival where the life story of Guru Rinpoche is told in 12 dance episodes. Festivals take place throughout the country at many times during the year. For touring, you'll want to avoid the summer monsoons but winter can be a great time for avoiding many tourists and best if you aren't trekking. Most hotels and guest houses have small wood stoves or some other form of heating.
 2017 BHUTAN FESTIVAL DATES
| Festival Name | Location | Dates (Reconfirm!) | PUNAKHA DRUBCHEN | Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA | March 4 – 6 | PUNAKHA TSHECHU | Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA | March 7 – 9 | THARPALING THONGDROL | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG | March 12 | GASA TSHECHU | Gasa Dzong, GASA | April 3 – 6 | GOMPHUKORA | Gom Kora Lhakhang, TRASHIGANG | April – 4-6 | TALO TSHECHU | Talo Gonpa, PUNAKHA | April – 4-6 | ZHEMGANG TSHECHU | Zhemgang Dzong, ZHEMGANG | April 4 – 7 | PARO TSHECHU | Rinpung Dzong, PARO | April 7 – 11 | CHHUKHA TSHECHU | Chhukha Dzong, CHHUKHA | April 9 & April 11 | CHHORTEN KORA | Chorten Kora, TRASHIYANGTSHE | April 11 & April 26 | RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL | Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, THIMPHU | April 14 – 16 | DOMKHAR TSHECHU | Domkhar, Chummi, BUMTHANG | May 5 – 7 | URA YAKCHOE | Ura Lhakhang, BUMTHANG | May 7 – 10 | NIMALUNG TSHECHU | Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, BUMTHANG | July 1 – 3 | KURJEY TSHECHU | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG | July 3 | HAA SUMMER FESTIVAL | HAA | July 5 | MUSHROOM FESTIVAL | Genekha, THIMPHU | August 15 – 16 | MASUTAKI MUSHROOM FESTIVAL | Ura, BUMTHANG | August 23 – 24 | TOUR OF THE DRAGON (Bicycle Race) | BUMTHANG to THIMPHU | September 2 | THIMPHU DRUBCHEN | Tashi Chhodzong, THIMPHU | September 26 – 29 | JAKAR TSHECHU | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, BUMTHANG | September 29 – 31 | TAMSHING PHALA CHHOEPA | Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG | September 29 – October 1 | WANGDUE TSHECHU | Tencholing Army Ground, WANGDUEPHODRANG | September 29 – October 2 | THIMPHU TSHECHU | Tashi Chhodzong, THIMPHU | September 30 – October 2 | GANGTEY TSHECHU | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, WANGDUEPHODRANG | October 3 – 5 | THANGBI MANI | Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, BUMTHANG | October 4 – 6 | JUMOLHARI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL | Dangochong, THIMPHU | October 14 – 15 | DECHENPHU TSHECHU | Dechenphu Lhakhang, THIMPHU | October 30 | JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUP | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG | November 3 – 7 | PRAKHAR DUCHHOED | Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, BUMTHANG | November 4 – 6 | BLACK NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, WANGDUEPHRODRANG | November 11 | MONGAR TSHECHU | Mongar Dzong, MONGAR | November 26 – 28 | PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU | Pemagatshel Dzong, PEMAGATSHEL | November 26 – 28 | TRASHIGANG TSHECHU | Trashigang Dzong, TRASHIGANG | November 27 – 29 | JAMBAY LAKHANG SINGYE CHAM | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG | December 3 | NALAKHAR TSHECHU | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, BUMTHANG | December 3 – 5 | DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU | Dochula, THIMPHU | December 13 | TRONGSA TSHECHU | Trongsa Dzong, TRONGSA | December 26 – 28 | LHUENTSE TSHECHU | Lhuentse Dzong, LHUNTSE | December 26 – 28 | NABJI LHAKHANG DRUP | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, TRONGSA | January 2 – 4, 2018 |
Thanks Dorji Tsering & Association of Bhutanese Tour Operarors
  Handicrafts:
The thirteen traditional Bhutanese arts are: Dezo (Handmade Paper Making), Dozo (Stonework), Garzo (Blacksmithing iron goods), Jinzo (Clay art), Lhazo (Painting), Lugzo (Bronze casting), Parzo (Wood, slate, and stone carving), Shagzo (Woodturning for containers), Shingzo (Woodworking for construction), Thagzo (Weaving of fabrics produced in Asia), Trozo (Silver and Goldsmithing), Tshazo (Cane and Bamboo Work) and Tshemazo (Needlework for clothes and thangkas).
Thangkas are Buddhist paintings created on cotton and mounted on fabric that can be rolled up and carried like scrolls. Usual Thangka subjects include mandalas or Tibetan deities. You'll also see bright textiles like the woman's traditional dress, the "Kira" and the man's garment, the "Gho". They can range in price from $100USD to $2000USD. Jewelry, and Wooden Masks ($30USD to $40USD) resemble those used in festivals. Small handmade carpets are also available starting at $100USD. You'll find less expensive items too, like wooden bowels, carvings, sculptures, bamboo baskets, hand made paper products and gorgeous stamps. Prices in Bhutan are comparable to the U.S. It is much more expensive than neighboring countries but the quality of goods are also very high.
Learning Resources:
Before you decide on your trip to Bhutan, consider learning some essential things about the destination. We highly recommend the book "Beyond the Earth and Sky" by Jamie Zeppa, a teacher of English literature. Jamie's writing is beautiful and even non-traveling friends will agree this book is well worth reading. The descriptions of Bhutan and its people are highly evocative. For an actual look at the landscape and people of Bhutan find Khyentse Norbu's "Travelers & Magicians", the only movie completely made in Bhutan. It's a fable told by a monk to a fellow traveler making a story within a story... and a good one at that!
    Process:
Custom Trips are unique by definition. It can seem to be an overwhelming prospect for you to design a Custom Bhutan trip that becomes a rewarding, once–in–a–lifetime success... and that is where we come in.
Tourism is controlled by Bhutan's government in order to help preserve the country's unique culture and fragile environment. Access into Bhutan on Druk Air requires advance planning to receive a confirmed booking on the small airline, Druk Air.
Our long experience (since 1988) gives us a local familiarity with Bhutan, combined with our network of local staff that you just won't find elsewhere. Dozens of travelers explore Bhutan with us each year and you can too. There are many options to keep your trip unique, affordable, enriching and safe.
Once you have the ideas for your Bhutan trip, contact us to turn them into the adventure of your life. Give us your dream and we'll give you back an adventure that you'll never forget. Our Custom Trips page reviews how you can get started.
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