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Bhutan: Women's Expedition
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: HNZW
Overview
Destination:
Bhutan,
Duration:11 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
September 2026 - November 2027
Join an 11-day trip through the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan with a group of like-minded women and a local leader by your side. Hike up a cliff to the Tiger's Nest monastery in Paro, see the huge gilded bronze Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu, meet the nuns at the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery and experience a sound bath in the Bumthang Valley. Watch local artisans at work, then browse the vibrant wares at the Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar. Learn how to make Bhutan’s national dish in a cooking class led by local women, dine at women-owned restaurants and stay at female-owned accommodation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Entry to Bhutan is very strict and travellers can only enter Bhutan on a group visa as part of a tour. All travellers must arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 11 to be eligible for a group visa. At time of booking, please provide your booking agent with a scanned colour copy of your passport, a scanned colour passport photo.
4. The Sustainable Development Fee, charged by the government of Bhutan, is included in your trip price.
5. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
6. All flights to and from Bhutan are operated by a Bhutanese national carrier which fly direct to several cities within Asia/Middle East. It is not uncommon for these airlines to make last minute changes to their flight timetables or be subject to delays. Therefore, it is recommended that you allow plenty of transit time both before your connecting flight to Bhutan, and after your flight from Bhutan ahead of your onward flight connection.
7. If you have booked additional accommodation and transfers in Kathmandu, please see the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details regarding visas and arrival in Nepal.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Entry to Bhutan is very strict and travellers can only enter Bhutan on a group visa as part of a tour. All travellers must arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 11 to be eligible for a group visa. At time of booking, please provide your booking agent with a scanned colour copy of your passport, a scanned colour passport photo.
4. The Sustainable Development Fee, charged by the government of Bhutan, is included in your trip price.
5. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
6. All flights to and from Bhutan are operated by a Bhutanese national carrier which fly direct to several cities within Asia/Middle East. It is not uncommon for these airlines to make last minute changes to their flight timetables or be subject to delays. Therefore, it is recommended that you allow plenty of transit time both before your connecting flight to Bhutan, and after your flight from Bhutan ahead of your onward flight connection.
7. If you have booked additional accommodation and transfers in Kathmandu, please see the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details regarding visas and arrival in Nepal.
Highlights:
- 1. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel. 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 3. Entry to Bhutan is very strict and travellers can only enter Bhutan on a group visa as part of a tour. All travellers must arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 11 to be eligible for a group visa. At time of booking, please provide your booking agent with a scanned colour copy of your passport, a scanned colour passport photo. 4. The Sustainable Development Fee, charged by the government of Bhutan, is included in your trip price. 5. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets. 6. All flights to and from Bhutan are operated by a Bhutanese national carrier which fly direct to several cities within Asia/Middle East. It is not uncommon for these airlines to make last minute changes to their flight timetables or be subject to delays. Therefore, it is recommended that you allow plenty of transit time both before your connecting flight to Bhutan, and after your flight from Bhutan ahead of your onward flight connection. 7. If you have booked additional accommodation and transfers in Kathmandu, please see the ‘Passports, visas and entry requirements’ section of the Essential Trip Information for details regarding visas and arrival in Nepal.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners.
- Transport: Private vehicle.
- Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (2 night).
- Thimphu - Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
- Thimphu - Bhutan Post Office Visit.
- Thimphu - Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar Visit.
- Sangay Gang - Wangditse Hike.
- Thimphu - Buddha Dordenma (Buddha Point).
- Gangtey - Gangtey Goenba Monastery Prayer Ceremony.
- Gangtey - Hands-on Cooking Class.
- Gangtey - Nature Trail.
- Trongsa Ta Dzong - Museum Visit.
- Bumthang - Chamkhar Town Visit.
- Bumthang - Yathra Textile Factory.
- Bumthang - Jambay Lhakhang Temple.
- Bumthang - Leader-led Sound Bath.
- Bumthang - Valley Walk.
- Bumthang - Kurjey Lhakhang Temple.
- Punakha - Punakha Dzong.
- Punakha - Suspension Bridge.
- Chimi Lhakhang - Visit.
- Punakha - Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery.
- Khamsum Yulley - Namgyal Chorten.
- Paro - Local Alcohol Tasting.
- Paro - Hot Stone Bath.
- Paro - National Museum (Ta Dzong).
- Paro - Farmhouse Visit.
- Paro - Cultural Show.
- Taktsang Monastery - Tiger's Nest Visit.
- Paro - Rinpung Dzong.
- Taktsang - Day Hike.
- Paro - Complimentary Departure Transfer.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 1: Thimphu
Kuzu zangpo la! Welcome to Bhutan, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. When you arrive at Paro International Airport, you’ll be met by your female local leader and transferred to your hotel in Thimphu – Bhutan’s capital city which sits at around 2300 m (7550 ft) above sea level. Catch your first glimpses of the Thimphu Valley during the drive! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. This evening, you’ll have a welcome dinner with your group. Your accommodation tonight is at Thimphu Tower – female owner Tshering Wangmo turned what was once her family home into this hotel in the 1980s and swiftly made it her goal to empower local women and girls with job opportunities in the hospitality industry. Tshering employs girls and single mothers who don’t hold a university degree – an endeavour inspired by her own challenges being taken seriously in the hospitality industry without formal training of her own.
Day 2: Thimphu
After breakfast, start your day with a light hike to Wangditse Monastery. The trail begins at the Sangaygang Viewpoint and winds through pine forests before reaching the monastery. Take a moment for some quiet reflection at this 18th-century temple, soaking in the views of the valley surrounding you. Have a Bhutanese lunch at female-owned restaurant Edelweiss, then visit the Buddha Dordenma – a 54-m-tall gilded bronze Buddha statue housing 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. Next, stop by the Bhutan Post Office Headquarters, where you can make your own personalised postal stamps – take them home as a souvenir or send a postcard home with a special touch! The Bhutan Postal Museum showcases some of the nation’s most rare and unusual stamps, like the famous ‘talking stamps’ (tiny playable vinyl records). Later, visit the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre where you can watch local artisans make their wares and buy some of your own, if you wish. End your day with a visit to the Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar, browsing the 80 stalls selling traditional handicrafts like vibrant tshoglham (embroidered boots) and thangkas (intricate paintings).
Day 3: Gangtey
This morning, head to the Gangtey Valley – known for its lush forests and meadows. Stop at Dochula Pass along the way. Sitting at 3100 m (10,170 ft), this pass provides panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas, particularly on clear days. Here, you’ll also see the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (monuments) built in honour of Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Continue your drive, then stop for lunch with a view of the Punatsangchu River. Arrive at Gangtey in the late afternoon and have some free time to relax before dinner.
Day 4: Gangtey
After breakfast, visit the Gangtey Goemba – a significant 17th-century monastery considered the centre of the Pema Lingpa tradition of the Nyingma school of Buddhism. Meet some of the monks, gain insight into monastic life and take part in a prayer ceremony. Then, go on an easy hike along the Gangtey Nature Trail, crossing meadows and farmlands – keep an eye out for local wildlife like the black-necked crane and diverse flora including the ancient rhododendron. Have lunch back at your hotel, then enjoy some downtime this afternoon. Later, learn how to make Bhutan’s national dish – ema datshi (a chili and cheese stew) – at a hands-on cooking class at a farmhouse. This class will be led by local women, and your trip leader will translate for you. Sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour, served with Bhutanese red rice. Gain insights into rural Bhutanese life as you share a meal with these women.
Day 5: Bumthang
Start your day with a scenic drive to Bumthang (known as Bhutan's spiritual heartland). On the way, make a stop to visit Trongsa Dzong – a historic watchtower that’s now a museum showcasing Bhutan’s royal history. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the way, then continue to Bumthang. When you arrive, visit the Yathra Factory – a weaving centre and shop selling textiles woven by local women, made from sheep and yak wool. End your day exploring Chamkhar Town – the centre of Bumthang, filled with bustling markets.
Day 6: Bumthang
This morning, head to Jambay Lhakhang – one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, built around the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. After, visit Kurjey Lhakhang – a monastery where Guru Rinpoche – the founder of the Nyingma school of Buddhism – is said to have meditated. You’ll also embark on a short, easy hike through the Bumthang Valley today, before your local leader guides you in a sound bath set among the pine forests. This ancient practice uses Himalayan singing bowls and is said to ease stress.
Day 7: Punakha
Travel to Punakha, Bhutan’s former capital, arriving in the afternoon. Visit the Punakha Dzong – a 17th-century palace located at the junction of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. This grand palace served as the seat of the Bhutan government until the 1950s. After, walk across the 180-m-long Punakha Suspension Bridge – one of the longest in Bhutan. Look out over the views of the river and landscape far below you. Tonight, check into your hotel and have dinner with your group.
Day 8: Punakha
This morning, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. This temple looks out over the Punakha Valley. Have a picnic lunch on the riverbank, then visit the hilltop Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Here, you’ll spend time with one of the nuns, sharing tea and snacks. Then, go on a leisurely walk across the paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang (known as the Fertility Temple).
Day 9: Paro
Drive back to Paro today, stopping for lunch on the way. When you arrive, visit Ta Dzong (the National Museum) and learn about Bhutan’s history and culture. Then, head to a female-owned farmhouse for a traditional Bhutanese cultural show. You’ll also have some time to wander around Paro – maybe browse the charming souvenir shops for a special memento to take home. This evening, take part in a spirit-making and tasting workshop back at the farmhouse, making your own Ara (Bhutan's national drink) using traditional, local methods. Later, unwind with a Bhutanese wellness tradition – a herbal hot stone bath. Have dinner at the farmhouse, then return to your hotel for the night.
Day 10: Tiger's Nest to Paro
Rise bright and early this morning – you’re heading out to visit Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous temple, more commonly known as Tiger’s Nest. Drive to the base of the cliff where the monastery is perched and begin the moderate hike up the cliffside. See the colourful prayer flags that line the trail as you hike and stop for lunch on the way. After your visit to Tiger’s Nest, spend the afternoon exploring Rinpung Dzong – a 17th-century fortress in the Paro Valley (AKA the ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’).
Day 11: Paro
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Paro International Airport. With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end.
Dates
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Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
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