This trip will run from March 20th to 28th, 2025 (8 nights, 9 days) in Bhutan. When you add in travel time and a potential first or last day in Bangkok, Thailand you are looking at about 11-12 days of time away from home. We will meet everyone in Bangkok Thailand on March 19th, with a plan to fly into Paro, Bhutan the morning of March 20th, 2025.

There are two airlines that operate flights in and out of Bhutan. Druk Air is Bhutan’s national carrier, Tashi Air (also known as Bhutan Airlines) also operates flights into Bhutan. There is one international airport in Paro, Bhutan about an hour’s drive from the capital, Thimphu. There are a few different routes to Bhutan, but typically we fly with groups through Bangkok, Thailand, and then carry on to Paro, Bhutan. 

While in Bhutan participants travel on a bus that is dedicated to their group, with a dedicated driver who holds their Tourist Vehicle Drivers License. They will be with us for the duration of our trip.

Hotels

All rooms are based on double occupancy. If you attend this trip on your own, you will be paired with another solo traveler to share a room. Should you wish your own room (dependent on the number of travellers) it is possible at most hotels to secure a single room for an additional fee. There is also the possibility of adding a cot in most hotels if you are traveling in a group of 3. Hotels will be booked once the group is established, and the itinerary is finalized.

Wi-Fi in Bhutan can be spotty and at times a little slower than at home, but it’s still quite accessible. Most hotels have it in their rooms. Of course staying connected is important. We will be posting photos  throughout the trip for friends and family to follow along. It’s very easy to purchase an affordable SIM data card in Bhutan and have service there, or to add on a phone plan from your provider before leaving Canada. The biggest hurdle to staying in touch is the fact that the time zones are so different. 

Bhutan is 10 hours ahead of our Eastern Standard Time. Flipping our body’s clock is not easy. If time allows, we recommend you tack on a few extra days to the front end of the trip in Thailand so your body can get accustomed to the time shift. This will allow  you to enjoy your time in Bhutan more!

Bhutan is the world’s last surviving Himalayan Buddhist kingdom and is one of the only countries to place humility and compassion at the centre of its constitution. The three main themes of Buddhism are detachment, ephemerality (the concept of things being transitory, existing only briefly) and change. Throughout this journey, there will be ample opportunity to learn from many local people of all ages about their spirituality and culture, and how it plays a significant role in how they live their lives. This in turn will allow for many reflective moments both personally and as a group.

Bhutan is among the world’s leading countries in clean energy and was first carbon negative country in the world. As mandated in its constitution, Bhutan preserves (at all times) 60 percent of its land under forest cover. According to the decree of the King, cut one tree for whatever purpose, you must plant 3 new trees. Plastic bags are banned. These positive policies help Bhutan have a pristine environment and one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Part of the pre-departure work that we will do as a group is to work to find ways that we can work to off-set our inevitable carbon emissions.

To learn more about Bhutan’s commitment to our planet watch this inspiring TED talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lc_dlVrg5M&t=60s

March is a good time to visit Bhutan. The valleys are beginning to warm up, flowers are starting to bloom and there are clear views of the Himalaya. Temperatures tend to vary based on altitude, but on average it’s about 10-22 degrees Celsius.  

When groups land in Paro the altitude will be 2200m, groups then travel through Thimphu, altitude of 2334m, and eventually down into the Punakha region, altitude of 1242m. We will climb back up to 3000m when we are in the Phobjikha Valley. Depending on how we frame our last few days, the highest we may go will be if we visit Chelala Pass (highest mountain pass in Bhutan), altitude of 3988m (just over 13,000ft). We will definitely trek up to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) which sits at approximately 3120m (just over 10,000ft).

Yes, if the dates we are offering for our next trip in March 2025 do not work for you, we are happy to work with individuals, couples, and small groups who would like us to plan a trip to Bhutan for them. We will create the itinerary, line everything up with our partners in Bhutan and have them meet you when you arrive in Paro. Let us know if we can help you explore the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan.

Given the remoteness of this trip, participants should be able to adapt appropriately to unfamiliar living conditions such as eating different food, following different customs, and adjusting to a different time zone. From a fitness perspective participants should be comfortable hiking at altitude for up to 3-4 hours at a time (at a slow pace). They should also be comfortable moving every day. Once the group is finalized we will tailor the experience with the goal of meeting people’s hopes and goals. 

Each traveler is responsible for getting themselves to Bangkok, Thailand. They are also responsible for their own the travel insurance.

Included in the Program Fee:

• Flights between Bangkok and Paro
• One internal flight from Phobjikha Valley to Paro
• Bhutan entry visa
• Bhutanese guide and ALIVE Outdoors facilitator with the group
• Sustainable Development Fee
• Hotel for eight nights in Bhutan
• All meals in Bhutan (excluding snacks while in transit at the airports)
• Beverages (tea, bottled water, wine and beer)
• All fees required to enter the Dzongs/Monasteries, hikes, and other activity fees.
• All transportation between destinations in Bhutan with a dedicated professional bus driver and dedicated bus.

Not included in fee:

• Travel vaccinations
• Meals and snacks at airports while in transit.
• Personal spending money for souvenirs.
• Tips for guides, bus drivers (our group will tip together at the end of the trip).
• Hot stone baths and massages

If you have not already received the price summary and payment schedule, please fill out this link and we will send it your way.

The Bhutanese love chillies, so much in fact that some dishes consist entirely of chillies and are accompanied by chilli-infused condiments! However, if you are not a lover of spice, don’t worry! The buffets offered to tourists are typically not packed with the same firepower. 

Since most travel in Bhutan is via an all-inclusive package, most of your meals will be in the form of a hotel buffet comprising continental, Indian, Chinese and a few less spicy Bhutanese dishes.

On longer drives or hikes, we will not return to our hotel for lunch. Most of the time there will be a roadside/riverside picnic. This is typically a hot lunch packed inside a series of metal containers packed inside a wide insulated flask. Our local partners set up tables and chairs at a scenic lookout for a meal to remember.

Please be sure to include all your dietary needs/allergies in detail on your ALIVE Medical form so we can inform our partners in Bhutan ahead of time. 

All participants are highly encouraged to visit a travel doctor at least six weeks before their travels.  As with all travel, various illnesses from exposure to different food, and changes due to interrupted sleep patterns can interrupt your trip and make you feel miserable. Some people may feel the effects of the altitude, but typically after the first few days, most people acclimatize to the altitudes that we will spend the majority of our time at. You will need to share your destinations with your travel doctor so they can make the best recommendations possible for you.  We will be in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Phobjikha Valley.

Ngultrum (Nu) is the locally and officially accepted currency of Bhutan, Bhutan also accepts the Indian Rupee at par. The currency code is BTN, and the symbol is Nu. 100 cents make up 1 BTN. Cents in Bhutan are called Chhertum.

At the time of writing this document, $1 Canadian = 61.21 BTN (Bhutanese Ngultrum) As we get closer to the trip, this link will let you know the up-to-date exchange rate and will offer you a conversion chart that you can print and bring with you.  https://coinmill.com/BTN_CAD.html#CAD=1 

When it comes to buying souvenirs, there likely will not be too many things that you want to spend money on. Maybe a few scarves, a piece of art or small prayer wheels/beads. There is no excessive shopping in Bhutan! Some stores accept VISA. The best bet would be for you to bring USD cash with you. We can get it exchanged for you into BTN once we are there at favourable local rates. It is recommended that you bring a $100 bill to exchange rather than smaller bills. For some reason, the exchange rate is better with larger bills. $100-$200 USD should be plenty for the entire trip. (Remember that all your meals, drinks in Bhutan, etc. are covered already). The only time you will need money is when you are travelling to and from Bhutan at the airports or onboard the plane, or when you want to buy a souvenir or for tipping our guides, bus driver, etc.

Once your trip is confirmed, a clothing and equipment list will be provided. The list will outline the baggage allowances for travel, what footwear and clothing to pack, info on power adaptors, personal hygiene products, optional items, etc.