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Bhutan Trekking & Adventure Tours

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Experiencing a Bhutan trekking adventure is unlike anything else. Embrace the customs and natural beauty of this astonishing kingdom.

Bhutan, or the Kingdom of Bhutan to give it its full title, is located on the ancient trade route known as the Silk Road and is explored deeply on our Bhutan trekking adventures. The government of Bhutan embodies a philosophy known as 'Gross National Happiness', and we feel as though we need not say any more about what you should expect from the people of this stunning country. From the impressive vistas of the Himalayas to the sacred cliffside Tiger's Nest, you'll be amazed at the equally profound landscapes and culture of Bhutan. Embark on an adventure of a lifetime and learn a bit about yourself and the generous traditions of Buddhism along the way.
Bhutan-Trekking-Adventure-Tours

Explore Bhutan's incredible scenery and culture in comfort, on a unique Bhutan adventure

Starting from Kathmandu, you'll explore the most beautiful hikes in Bhutan, some well-known - think the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, and some less so, like the Gangte Nature Trail in the Phobjikha Valley. You’ll be looked after by two guides, one local and one native English speaker - this is a gentle introduction to the wilderness of Bhutan, taking advantage of the finest accommodations along the way. Ready?

Bhutan Trips

Himalayas

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

ActiveAdventures

Operated by our sister brand Active Adventures

4.6

  • Duration 12 days
  • Activity Level Level 2 
    • Activity Level 2

      Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.

    Read more about the Active Range

Wander the Kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley, learn about the ancient cultures of Nepal, and explore Bhutan’s numerous sacred sites, such as the Tiger's Nest Monastery. This trip combines comfort, culture, and epic scenery in an unmatched way.

Trip Start: Kathmandu Trip End: Kathmandu

Himalayas

Bhutan Adventure

ActiveAdventures

Operated by our sister brand Active Adventures

4

  • Duration 9 days
  • Activity Level Level 2 
    • Activity Level 2

      Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.

    Read more about the Active Range

Explore Bhutan's incredible scenery and culture in comfort. Enjoy gentle hikes through the wilderness, relax in the finest accommodations along the way, and gain a profound understanding of one of the happiest countries in the world. 

Trip Start: Kathmandu Trip End: Kathmandu

Hear from our Happy Guests
4.85/5 Rating | 6,500+ Reviews

What Our Guests Say

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Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Bruce H

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

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Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

B | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Robert S

"This trip provided an overview to all aspects of Nepal and Bhutan from the food to the religion to lifestyles to the urban and natural environments of these two countries and their people. Our local guides provided many unique insights weaving together the historical, sociological, and environmental forces that have shaped the countries. Our days were full with a variety of activities while still providing time for rest and reflection. I gained a better understanding of not only these two countries but the surrounding larger countries of Tibet, India, and China. The many contrasts with my life in the United States have provided me with a fuller appreciation of both its strengths and the weaknesses and made me a better citizen of the world. I would strongly recommend this trip.

read more

This trip provided an overview to all aspects of Nepal and Bhutan from the food…

"This trip provided an overview to all aspects of Nepal and Bhutan from the food to the religion to lifestyles to the urban and natural environments of these two countries and their people. Our local guides provided many unique insights weaving together the historical, sociological, and environmental forces that have shaped the countries. Our days were full with a variety of activities while still providing time for rest and reflection. I gained a better understanding of not only these two countries but the surrounding larger countries of Tibet, India, and China. The many contrasts with my life in the United States have provided me with a fuller appreciation of both its strengths and the weaknesses and made me a better citizen of the world. I would strongly recommend this trip. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

R | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Helena dean, D

"Bhutan was my favourite portion of the trip. Happiness is definitely a place in Bhutan. Our Bhutan Guides from Country Travels were wonderful: they were very knowledgeable and extremely accomodating. The hike to Tiger’s nest and the horse ride for a portion of the hike was the highlight of the trip.
Overall the Bhutan trip was organized and full of activities. Love Bhutan.

read more

Bhutan was my favourite portion of the trip. Happiness is definitely a place in…

"Bhutan was my favourite portion of the trip. Happiness is definitely a place in Bhutan. Our Bhutan Guides from Country Travels were wonderful: they were very knowledgeable and extremely accomodating. The hike to Tiger’s nest and the horse ride for a portion of the hike was the highlight of the trip.
Overall the Bhutan trip was organized and full of activities. Love Bhutan. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

H | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Ben S

"I have been dreaming about going to Bhutan for 20 years and it was well worth the wait. The variety of activities and hikes on this trip are top notch. The local guides add so much to this trip especially with their cultural insights! Our group felt like family by the end of the week and I would highly recommend others to go to the hidden gem of Bhutan!

read more

I have been dreaming about going to Bhutan for 20 years and it was well…

"I have been dreaming about going to Bhutan for 20 years and it was well worth the wait. The variety of activities and hikes on this trip are top notch. The local guides add so much to this trip especially with their cultural insights! Our group felt like family by the end of the week and I would highly recommend others to go to the hidden gem of Bhutan! read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

B | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Herodotos E

"one word-AMAZING! Mel was amazing, and so were the guides in both Kathmandu and Bhutan. We explored two different countries and embedded ourselves (thanks to Active) into their cultures. Loved every place we went, every aspect of life we encountered-orphanage and the work done to help impoverished children, cranes and their preservation, religious beliefs, simply the people and their lifestyle. Genuine people who opened their homes and hearts to us foreigners. THANK YOU!

read more

one word-AMAZING! Mel was amazing, and so were the guides in both Kathmandu and Bhutan.…

"one word-AMAZING! Mel was amazing, and so were the guides in both Kathmandu and Bhutan. We explored two different countries and embedded ourselves (thanks to Active) into their cultures. Loved every place we went, every aspect of life we encountered-orphanage and the work done to help impoverished children, cranes and their preservation, religious beliefs, simply the people and their lifestyle. Genuine people who opened their homes and hearts to us foreigners. THANK YOU! read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

H | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Elizabeth E

"Hi!
We just completed our fourth trip with Active Adventures. We've done trips in Peru, NZ, Galapagos, and just now Nepal/Bhutan. Every trip we have done is just amazing. Great logistics, amazing guides -- everybody so accommodating and going above and beyond to make our trip terrific. We appreciate being able to hike to see wonderful things, and experience the culture and meet local people. Fantastic! Each and every trip we saw the wonders of each country. We are looking for trip #5!!!!!

read more

Hi!
We just completed our fourth trip with Active Adventures. We've done trips in Peru,…

"Hi!
We just completed our fourth trip with Active Adventures. We've done trips in Peru, NZ, Galapagos, and just now Nepal/Bhutan. Every trip we have done is just amazing. Great logistics, amazing guides -- everybody so accommodating and going above and beyond to make our trip terrific. We appreciate being able to hike to see wonderful things, and experience the culture and meet local people. Fantastic! Each and every trip we saw the wonders of each country. We are looking for trip #5!!!!! read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

E | January 1970

Bhutan Adventure

Jason W

"Good, really enjoyed it

read more

Good, really enjoyed it

"Good, really enjoyed it read less

4 Stars (1 reviews)

J | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Deborah H

"Absolutely beautiful. Had a wonderful time.

read more

Absolutely beautiful. Had a wonderful time.

"Absolutely beautiful. Had a wonderful time. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

D | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Leslie K

"The change in our itinerary was not good - we only got to the resort at dark and did not have any time to take advantage of its many amenities. In fact, the trip would probably be more enjoyable if the Nepal leg were shortened of even skipped. Kathmandu is a big, dirty, noisy city, and that negatively impacted my enjoyment of the trip. Better to have the time to press even further east into Bhutan - the next valley beyond where we went has some really lovely temples. And the hike to Tiger’s Nest is the pinnacle of the trip. Maybe have people fly out the next day, as everything after that paled in comparison. I loved the farm visit in Bhutan with the hot stone bath and the dancers.

read more

The change in our itinerary was not good - we only got to the resort…

"The change in our itinerary was not good - we only got to the resort at dark and did not have any time to take advantage of its many amenities. In fact, the trip would probably be more enjoyable if the Nepal leg were shortened of even skipped. Kathmandu is a big, dirty, noisy city, and that negatively impacted my enjoyment of the trip. Better to have the time to press even further east into Bhutan - the next valley beyond where we went has some really lovely temples. And the hike to Tiger’s Nest is the pinnacle of the trip. Maybe have people fly out the next day, as everything after that paled in comparison. I loved the farm visit in Bhutan with the hot stone bath and the dancers. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

L | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Bill A

"A great way to experience these Himalayan countries, cultures, and relatively easy trails.

read more

A great way to experience these Himalayan countries, cultures, and relatively easy trails.

"A great way to experience these Himalayan countries, cultures, and relatively easy trails. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

B | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Ron D

"Great challenging hiking, beautiful scenery, lots of variety of activities, meals and accommodations. We really got to see and experience what life is like for locals in both Nepal and Bhutan. Dan was a tremendous trip leader and with help from local guides xxxx and Chunjur he adjusted our itinerary as necessary to take advantage of opportunities for festivals and local schedules. The small group of 8 travelers was the perfect size and the best group of people we have ever traveled with.

read more

Great challenging hiking, beautiful scenery, lots of variety of activities, meals and accommodations. We really…

"Great challenging hiking, beautiful scenery, lots of variety of activities, meals and accommodations. We really got to see and experience what life is like for locals in both Nepal and Bhutan. Dan was a tremendous trip leader and with help from local guides xxxx and Chunjur he adjusted our itinerary as necessary to take advantage of opportunities for festivals and local schedules. The small group of 8 travelers was the perfect size and the best group of people we have ever traveled with. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

R | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

James C

"It was great to finally get have the trip after a two year delay. The trip was everything I expected. This was my 6th trip with Active and the the third trip when Dan was one of the guides. As usual the the trip was paced perfectly and Dan always had a plan b ready to adapt to any changes. If you are looking for a mix of cultural and activity this is the trip. The trip is not as strenuous as some but the opportunities to see day to day life and visit places beyond the tourist sites makes this trip unique.

read more

It was great to finally get have the trip after a two year delay. The…

"It was great to finally get have the trip after a two year delay. The trip was everything I expected. This was my 6th trip with Active and the the third trip when Dan was one of the guides. As usual the the trip was paced perfectly and Dan always had a plan b ready to adapt to any changes. If you are looking for a mix of cultural and activity this is the trip. The trip is not as strenuous as some but the opportunities to see day to day life and visit places beyond the tourist sites makes this trip unique. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

J | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Gerry M

"I went straight from the Annapurna basecamp trek to Bhutan. The cultural contrast between the two countries couldn’t have been more vivid. If you have the time and funds, I highly recommend doing both back to back in that order.

Bhutan was unlike any place I’d ever been. With the exception of the hike up to the Tiger’s Nest, the hiking in Bhutan is pretty low key, especially compared to Annapurna or Everest basecamp. For the most part, hikes on this trip are flat, or even downhill. Nothing that requires much preparation, provided you are reasonably fit and can walk 4 or 5 miles without issues.

read more

I went straight from the Annapurna basecamp trek to Bhutan. The cultural contrast between…

"I went straight from the Annapurna basecamp trek to Bhutan. The cultural contrast between the two countries couldn’t have been more vivid. If you have the time and funds, I highly recommend doing both back to back in that order.

Bhutan was unlike any place I’d ever been. With the exception of the hike up to the Tiger’s Nest, the hiking in Bhutan is pretty low key, especially compared to Annapurna or Everest basecamp. For the most part, hikes on this trip are flat, or even downhill. Nothing that requires much preparation, provided you are reasonably fit and can walk 4 or 5 miles without issues. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

G | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Lynn D

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

read more

Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!

"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

L | January 1970

Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure

Andrew Z

"This was the inaugural Snow Leopard trip, so as with any new venture there were a few hiccups and rough spots along the way--but not to worry! Trip guide Dan and his country guides Arjun and Gangchu took everything in stride and made adjustments on the fly, creating a seamless and engrossing experience. The scenery was breathtaking, of course, but just as memorable was the variety of cultural experiences to which we were introduced, from remote villages reached only by rutted dirt roads to the dusty confusion of Kathmandu, hot stone baths, ethnic dancing, more temples and stupas than could be counted and a never-to-be forgotten introduction to the Divine Madman and his iconography. Our lodging ran the gamut from guilt-inducing luxury in Kathmandu to more modest but still quite comfortable guest houses in Bhutan, the food was predominantly vegetarian and mostly unexceptional but satisfying, and the company--guides, fellow travelers and hosts--warm and welcoming.

read more

This was the inaugural Snow Leopard trip, so as with any new venture there were…

"This was the inaugural Snow Leopard trip, so as with any new venture there were a few hiccups and rough spots along the way--but not to worry! Trip guide Dan and his country guides Arjun and Gangchu took everything in stride and made adjustments on the fly, creating a seamless and engrossing experience. The scenery was breathtaking, of course, but just as memorable was the variety of cultural experiences to which we were introduced, from remote villages reached only by rutted dirt roads to the dusty confusion of Kathmandu, hot stone baths, ethnic dancing, more temples and stupas than could be counted and a never-to-be forgotten introduction to the Divine Madman and his iconography. Our lodging ran the gamut from guilt-inducing luxury in Kathmandu to more modest but still quite comfortable guest houses in Bhutan, the food was predominantly vegetarian and mostly unexceptional but satisfying, and the company--guides, fellow travelers and hosts--warm and welcoming. read less

4.6 Stars (17 reviews)

A | January 1970

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Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply. Read more here.

Our Local Guides

Why Travel With Us

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Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.

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Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit-all-inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!

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Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.

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Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

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"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bhutan a safe place to visit?

Yes! People in Bhutan have a strong belief guests are equal to God, so all visitors can expect the warmest of welcomes. This also means Bhutan is very safe place to travel and the crime rate is very low. The only real concern to a traveler is petty theft, so we recommend taking the same common sense precautions you would in any other city. Don't bring valuable things with you unless necessary for your trip. Keep your money and other valuables in a money belt or pouch under your clothes. Lock your bags and luggage and leave valuable items you don’t need for the day (e.g. passports and credit cards) in the hotel safe.

Can you help me find international flights to Bhutan?

You'll need to fly into Nepal for the start of our Bhutan trips.

Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service you’ll want to tell your friends about!

Do I need a visa to visit Bhutan?

Yes, you are required to procure a visa and pay the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to enter the Kingdom of Bhutan. The SDF is enforced by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and contributes to activities which promote carbon-neutral tourism and building a more sustainable tourism sector.  This includes offsetting the carbon footprint of tourists and upskilling workers in the sector.

You can facilitate the procurement of your visa and payment of the SDF via this website: https://immi.gov.bt/home/

For Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure - Please be sure to enter the specific dates of arrival and departure for the Bhutan portion of your trip. Your date of arrival is the 5th day of your Kathmandu Valley & Bhutan Adventure, and the date of departure is the 11th day of your trip – a total of 6 nights.

For Bhutan Adventure  - Please be sure to enter the specific dates of arrival and departure for the Bhutan portion of your trip. Your date of arrival is the 2nd day of your Bhutan Adventure, and the date of departure is the 8th day of your trip – a total of 6 nights.

You can find essential travel advice, including passport and visa information, security details and local regulations, on the government website of your home country.

Here are some helpful links:

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Bhutan?

Bhutan does not officially require any vaccinations for entry into the country, though the further off the beaten track you go, the more necessary it is to take precautions. For the most up-to-date recommendations please check with your doctor or travel clinic, and always go with their recommendations, as these can often change. We strongly recommend you see a doctor, preferably one with experience in travel medicine, at least 8 weeks before your trip starts to discuss appropriate vaccinations.

Is altitude a concern in Bhutan?

Our Bhutan trips will take you to high altitudes, so it’s important to be aware of the causes and risks of altitude sickness, and how we manage them. You’ll be accompanied on your trip by a very experienced guide. Altitude sickness is something that can occur above 2,400m or 8,000ft and affects everybody differently regardless of fitness (after all no-body is the same). Unless you live somewhere with high elevation, it's difficult to predict how your body will react to the higher altitudes, though there are some things you can do along the way to help you acclimatize.

One of the most important of these is to walk slowly and drink plenty of water – it’s really important your body stays well hydrated at all times and you never over-exert yourself. Also, eat light meals to make it easy for your body to digest food, avoid coffee and alcohol which dehydrate you and slow your breathing down, take plenty of rests and keep yourself warm at all times. If you are concerned or have any problems, please tell your guide straight away. If you are concerned, chat to your doctor about a prescription for Diamox which is proven to help with altitude. If you need any other information please get in touch – we know the place well and we can give you plenty more specific advice.

Learn more here about dealing with altitude

What's included on your Bhutan trips?

Accommodation

All accommodation on your trip is provided in Kathmandu and Bhutan, so you don't need to worry about a thing. You'll stay at Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu, and at a comfortable B&B’s and lodges in Bhutan, all with private, ensuite bathrooms.

Meals

All your meals are included as described in the itinerary, we find most people enjoy checking out the variety of things on offer in the bigger towns. We've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. You can be assured on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed.

Transport

You'll mostly use the trusty transport of your own two feet in Bhutan, and we'll fly you between Kathmandu and Paro. There aren't too many roads in the Himalayas! You'll be using local trade routes and come across many local people selling their wares along the way, delivering goods by foot to businesses further up the mountains and travelling to visit their families.

Guides

You will be accompanied on your trek by a local guide and assistant guide who will work closely together to ensure your trip is special, fun, hassle free, safe and successful. From organizing your lodgings each night to making sure you're well fed, this is a team you couldn't do without. They are used to working together, have a great team bond and are always looking for ways to make your trip special. They will keep you entertained, motivated and happy, even on the most challenging days.

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.

What is the currency in Bhutan?

Bhutan’s currency is the Bhutanese Ngultrum - US$1 is worth about 84 Bhutanese Ngultrum (at the time of writing) - please check here for an up to date conversion.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get local currencies?

We recommend you bring a variety of payment options with you to Bhutan. US dollars are most easily exchanged, and a Visa Debit ATM card and a credit card should be carried in case of emergency.

Cash is the easiest option and most widely accepted form of payment in Bhutan. Visa and MasterCard are accepted in some places, with additional transactions fees. Be sure to let your credit card company know you are travelling to these countries. If bringing US dollars to Bhutan, bring brand new & good quality notes, the bigger the denomination the better.

We recommend bringing about US$300 in total for our Bhutan trips, not including tips. It should be plenty for extra food or drinks, bottled drinking water, as well as any souvenirs you would like to buy.

Do I need hiking boots or are hiking sneakers okay?

You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.

What if I need a special diet?

We can deal with all sorts of different diets during main meals, like…

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, but eat fish) • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)

Some people prefer to stick to vegetarian fare whilst in Bhutan to avoid any stomach upsets from the handling of meat. However as these trips are more comfort focused, you’ll be dining at high quality establishments and the meat in Bhutan is delicious! Your guides will let you know if there’s anywhere in particular to avoid meat.

Also if you have a sensitivity to dairy or gluten, and you have a favorite snack or brand of snack which suits you at home, we suggest you bring some along. There are meal options for you and a plenitude of food however gluten/dairy free biscuits, chocolate and muesli bars are hard to come by.

There are a few local customs to be aware of with regard to food and meals in Bhutan:

  • Always use your right hand for eating and handling food. The left hand is considered dirty, so don’t use it to eat or pass food to other people.
  • It’s important not to touch another person’s food.

What is the food like in Bhutan?

The food in Bhutan is healthy and nutritious, with rice being the staple in the Bhutanese diet. It’s usually accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are consumed most often. Chilies are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people wouldn’t enjoy a meal that’s not spicy.

Can I drink the water in Bhutan?

The water in Bhutan is not treated therefore contains different bacteria to what we’re used to at home. We highly recommend you do not drink it or use it for brushing teeth, even in main cities. Use treated water at all times. This also applies if you’re travelling through a developing country on your way to Bhutan.
Plastic bottles are causing a huge environmental impact in Bhutan, with plastic bottles littering some of the highest and most stunning places in the Himalayas. We’re sure you’ll agree with us this is heart-breaking to see, so please use treated water rather than buying plastic bottles, or reuse the same bottle. Our purification tabs work perfectly, we’ll provide these for you at your trip briefing, and treated drinking water is provided in the hotels where we stay.

What types of plugs and voltage do you use in Bhutan?

Bhutan operates on a 220 volt / 50Hz system with round two- and three-pin plugs (C, D and M).

Will I have access to Wi-fi?

Wi-fi is available at most of the accommodations you'll be staying at, log-in instructions will be provided, though the connection can sometimes be a bit sporadic. If you have data roaming switched on, you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone about 70% of the time during your trip, but beware of the fees!

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We welcome many solo travelers on our trips – in fact, we get so many solo travelers and they always say it’s a great way to travel alone, but not actually by themselves. You’ll have an incredible adventure sharing your experiences with other like-minded travelers, and the best part is we don't charge extra for solo travelers, providing you don’t mind sharing a room. However, for bookings within 90 days of your chosen departure, a forced single supplement will apply if there is no other guest of the same gender already booked to share with.

If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room, if one is available.

What time zone is Bhutan in?

Bhutan Standard Time (BST) is the time zone for Bhutan. It is +6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Any good books or videos about the Himalayas?

There are so many great stories to come out of the Himalayas, probably because the landscape and the people inspire such creativity and adventure. Here is a list, gathered from across the Active Adventures family, of recommended reads:

  • Seven Years in Tibet and the sequel Return to Tibet. Two autobiographical travel books written by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer. Seven Years in Tibet is based on Harrer's real life experiences in Tibet between 1944 and 1951 during the second world war and the time before the Chinese People's Liberation Army invaded. The book quickly became a best seller and has now sold millions of copies and been made into a movie twice - most recently in 1997, starring Brad Pitt!
  • The Snow Leopard is an account by Peter Mathiessen, of his and George Schaller's 1973 journey to Crystal Mountain, in the Dolpo region on the Tibetan Plateau. They went in search of the extremely rare Snow Leopard that exists only in the high parts of Asia. Published in 1978, The Snow Leopard is regarded as a classic of modern nature writing.
  • A more recent book, Michael Palin's Himalaya accompanies the successful 2004 BBC series. If you're looking for a great coffee table book to help get you inspired, this is it! There are some awesome images by Basil Pao interspersed regularly with Palin's fantastic sense of humour and easy-reading stories.
  • You can't go past Into Thin Air, by best selling author Jon Krakauer. This is a hair-raising tale of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster when eight climbers were killed and several others were stranded during a rogue storm. Whilst a little more 'extreme' than our Everest Base Camp trek, this book definitely portrays another element to mountaineering in the Himalayas! Since it was published it has raised many questions surrounding the morality and competitive nature of summiting Mt Everest.
  • For those interested in Tibetan Buddhism, The Path to Enlightenment by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso is a must read. In 1959 the Communist Chinese Government forced the non-violent Tibetan Buddhist Government into exile. Having spent the majority of his life in India, the Dalai Lama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has spent this time advocating for Tibetan's inside and outside of Tibet. Along with defining the Lam Ram, which are the stages on the spiritual path, the Dalai Lama describes the difficulty of attaining Nirvana (full Buddhahood), but urges determination.
  • Sherpas: Reflections on Change in Himalayan Nepal by James F Fisher is a fascinating snapshot of how tourism and modernisation have affected the traditional way of life of the Sherpa people - both positively and negatively. Fisher first visited the Sherpas of Nepal when he accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary in 1964, to help build school houses. One of the by-products of this new school building was a small airstrip, which dramatically increased tourism to the area.
  • Touching My Father's Soul by Jamling Tensing Norgay offers a great insight into the Sherpa world. Jamling Norgay was a mountaineer in his own right, who was a climbing leader on the ill-fated 1996 Everest IMAX expedition. As well as a first-hand account of the 96' tragedy, this book also tells little known stories of Tenzing's historic climb.

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