Your passport to adventure
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
Travel to Bhutan was only opened to tourists in 1974 and its policy of 'high value low numbers tourism' ensures that relatively few travellers have visited Bhutan since. The country's unique philosophy of promoting 'Gross National Happiness' and entrenched Buddhism, combined with extremely friendly people and beautiful Himalayan scenery makes it a place like no other.
We run regular small group Bhutan tours and treks throughout the year. Several of these are timed to fit in with some of Bhutan's famous Tsechus (festivals) and we always try and visit the huge weekend market in the capital Thimphu.
Our team will be delighted to assist you with your travel arrangements to Bhutan to join the tour. Although it is possible to enter overland from India, most people will fly into Bhutan with the national airline Druk Air from Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok or Singapore. Druk Air flights do not connect with the international flight system, so at least one night in one of these cities is normally required at either end of the tour. We are happy to arrange both your Druk Air flights and accommodation in any of these cities to help you connect your Bhutan trip with your main international flights. Please check the extension options shown on the tour or contact us for details and advice if required.
| Tour Name | Tour Type | Days | Start Date | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bhutan is a very safe destination to visit and crime is minimal.
The ngultrum is the official currency of Bhutan and it is subdivided into 100 chhertum.
October to December is the best time of the year to visit Bhutan, as the air is clear, and the temperature is mild. January and February are much colder and dry. The weather is pleasant in April and in late spring rhododendrons fill the valleys.
The dress code in Bhutan is fairly formal for the locals and visitors. When entering the monastery or temple, you should wear long sleeved tops, trousers or long skirts. It is also a good idea to dress in layers as the temperature can vary during the day.
The tap water is not safe to drink in Bhutan, so you should stick to bottled mineral water, which is readily available in hotels, restaurants and shops.
I have dealt with Anthony Horrobin on a number of occasions and it is like talking to an old friend on the phone. Anthony is super-efficient and will always go the extra mile to create the perfect trip.
Ant provided excellent service. He always responded as quickly as he could, attending to the questions I had for him. He was also very patient and pleasant. I depended on his knowledge and service to make the trip.
I liked the service and the tour guide & driver on the tour. They were professional and provided very good service. I thought 1-2 hotels on the trip were not quite 4-star. It also happened that this group of people was always late for schedule and our walk pace was too slow. It really needs the guide to make people on schedule and be punctual for the activity. Overall I think the time management of this tour needs improvement.
When a single women in her 50's, traveling from the US to Egypt, stumbles across a website offering a tour, and then they make her feel totaling comfortable about every step of the process, you know you've hit a homerun!
Anthony has been amazing throughout my planning of my tour. He has been very quick in replying to my emails and always answering with everything I wanted to know.
I look forward to hopefully planning my next trip through him next year!
My experience with Encounters was excellent from start to finish. The Tour Guide, Sheriff, was the most passionate, enthusiastic and professional guide I have ever had on a tour and his love for Egypt really made me enjoy my time so much more.
Time: GMT+6
Dial Code: +975
Area: 38,394 km²
Elevation: The lowest point in Bhutan is Drangme Chhu, 97m (318 ft.) | The highest point in Bhutan is Gangkhar Puensum, 7,570m (24,836 ft.)
Population: 817,054 (2018)
Capital: Thimphu
Governemnt: Constitutional monarchy
Language: Dzongkha
Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia. Situated in the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is bordered by Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, the Sikkim state of India and the Chumbi Valley of Tibet in the west, the Arunachal Pradesh state of India in the east, and the states of Assam and West Bengal in the south.
The country is geopolitically in South Asia and is the region's second least populous nation after the Maldives. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and the largest city, while Phuntsholing is its financial centre.
Bhutan has never been colonised and has remained independent for centuries. The distinct national identity of the Bhutanese state is based on Buddhism. The National Assembly of Bhutan is a part of the bicameral parliament of the Bhutanese democracy.
The dramatic landscape of Bhutan includes verdant subtropical plains in the south and sub-alpine Himalayan mountains in the north. The highest mountain in Bhutan is Gangkhar Puensum - one of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world.
Bhutan maintains diplomatic relations with 52 countries and the European Union. The government is a parliamentary democracy and the head of state is the king of Bhutan. Bhutan is also known for inventing the concept of Gross National Happiness.
The climate in Bhutan is influenced by elevation and the country experiences five distinct seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. There is diverse wildlife in Bhutan with rare species such as the golden langur.
Our tailor-made tours seek to create a personalised experience – one that is completely exclusive to you. By taking all your interests and requests into consideration, we design an itinerary that ticks off your specific boxes. If you are after adventurous exploration, cultural immersion, a relaxing escape or a balanced blend of everything, we can make it happen.
A highlight of our tailor-made tours is that the itinerary is flexible and incorporates plenty of free time – so you can do some exploring on your own. Our local, friendly guides, experts in their country’s history and culture, will be happy to adjust the activities or your schedule as you travel.
If you are a group of friends, a large family or a company, our tailor-made tours are an ideal, stress-free option. You can even select your own hotels or make use of our recommended accommodation. We have a varied selection of sample holiday itineraries to choose from, either as they stand or as a base for inspiration.
Our video features aim to bring our adventure tours to life in a way that no photo can, giving you a great taste of the destination.
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
The Kingdom of Bhutan is both small and remote, tucked away in the mighty Himalayan mountain range between India and China.
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