I would like to travel to Bhutan during September or beginning of October (1 person). I would like to experience the best places of this Country, with a preference for nature and landscapes. I have basic needs regarding hotels. I know that Thimphu Festival is from September 24 - 26: the only problem, for that week, is that I have to be back by 30th september morning.

We have a departure on the tour starting on the 21st September, and finishing on the 28th, which takes in the Thimphu Festival. The only flights into and out of Bhutan are with a Bhutanese airline (Druk Air), and this does not connect with the rest of the international flight system. You need to have two separate tickets. One main international, to either Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Singapore or Bangkok. And then a Bhutanese ticket for the rest of the journey.

Is there a single supplement available on this tour?

Yes. Please take note that there will be an extra charge for a single supplement room. Please contact us to arrange this.

What is the typical group size?

This tour will go ahead with a minimum group size of just 1 and a maximum of 18. The average group size tends to be around 6.

Is this a guaranteed tour?

Yes, this is a guaranteed tour and will not be cancelled.

From

$4,710

NZ $4,240 per person

Bhutan Encounters

8 days

•

Start and end in Paro

4.5

904 traveler reviews

View all
View all

From

$4,710

-10%

NZ $4,240 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Gold Operator: Encounters Travel
Active: Thrilling adventures designed to keep you moving
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 2 - 12
Ages 8+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

Explore Bhutan's iconic Taktshang Monastery
Walk through Phobjikha Valley's nature trails
Visit the ancient Punakha Dzong fortress
Witness an archery tournament in Thimphu
Cross the scenic Dochu La Pass

Itinerary

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Introduction

Day 1 Kuzuzangpo La! and welcome to Bhutan. Afternoon sightseeing to Ta Dzong, Paro Dzong and learn the art of incense making
Day 2 Journey over the scenic Dochu La Pass, visit the fertility-blessing Chimi Lhakhang Temple.
Day 3 Walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, visit Punakha Dzong and settle in to your Phobjikha Valley homestay
Day 4 Explore Phobjikha Valley on a nature walk, visit the revered Gangtey Monastery, and experience authentic Bhutanese life with your host family.
Day 5 Head to Bhutan's modern Capital Thimphu, via Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Day 6 Exploring Thimphu, visit the Memorial Chorten, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts & Crafts & Takin Research Centre
Day 7 Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang. Optional Hot Stone bath
Day 8 Free time in Paro until transferring to the airport for departure

What's Included

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Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport
Free eSIM
TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance

Operated by

Encounters Travel

4.5

(904 reviews)

Number of tours

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

11 hours

Response rate

100%

Encounters Travel is an adventure tour operator, based in the UK but with...

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

Tour Operator
Encounters Travel
4.5

Beth
· December 19th, 2023
Our guide Jigme Yordzer and driver Sangay Kandu were excellent and wonderful. However, our schedule was a little overbooked with too much to do considering the lengthy drive times we had some days in-between destinations. Jigme was very helpful and accommodating as we needed to rearrange activities for a few days. Also, one of our days was a national election day, and the entire country was shut down. For future tours, such national election days, holidays, etc. need to be called-out in-advance in the itinerary.
Show more
Beth
· December 18th, 2023
A lovely tour. The only downside was too much was scheduled given the long drive times between two points. We were unable to cover all that was listed in the tour or the time spent at some places was too brief.
Show more
Ruby
· May 30th, 2025
There were days when the itinerary was a little rushed so our group missed out on some events I would have liked to have participated in, but overall, what I did experience was very memorable and satisfying for an 11 day tour.
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!

Ends in2d2h57m3s

-10%
From Friday
15 Aug, 2025
To Friday
22 Aug, 2025
English
From:
$4,710
NZ $4,240 per person
From Sunday
28 Sep, 2025
To Sunday
5 Oct, 2025
English
From:
NZ $5,420 per person
From Saturday
8 Nov, 2025
To Saturday
15 Nov, 2025
English
From:
NZ $5,420 per person
From Tuesday
9 Dec, 2025
To Tuesday
16 Dec, 2025
English
From:
NZ $4,710 per person
From Tuesday
30 Dec, 2025
To Tuesday
6 Jan, 2026
English
From:
NZ $4,710 per person

Why book with TourRadar?

Trusted and vetted operators
Rated excellent on
Best price guarantee

24/7 customer support
Earn $50 in travel credits
Free eSim with every purchase

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More benefits

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

R
Ross
Asked on March 13th, 2023
I would like to travel to Bhutan during September or beginning of October (1 person). I would like to experience the best places of this Country, with a preference for nature and landscapes. I have basic needs regarding hotels. I know that Thimphu Festival is from September 24 - 26: the only problem, for that week, is that I have to be back by 30th september morning.
Accommodation
Tour Details
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written March 2023
  We have a departure on the tour starting on the 21st September, and finishing on the 28th, which takes in the Thimphu Festival. The only flights into and out of Bhutan are with a Bhutanese airline (Druk Air), and this does not connect with the rest of the international flight system. You need to have two separate tickets. One main international, to either Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Singapore or Bangkok. And then a Bhutanese ticket for the rest of the journey.
- R
  Ross
  Traveler•Written March 2023
  Is there any other festival you could suggest? In the dates I share with you I can depart from Italy.
J
Joyce
Asked on September 1st, 2016
Is there a single supplement available on this tour?
Single supplement
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written September 2016
  Yes. Please take note that there will be an extra charge for a single supplement room. Please contact us to arrange this.
J
James
Asked on September 1st, 2016
What is the typical group size?
Group size
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written September 2016
  This tour will go ahead with a minimum group size of just 1 and a maximum of 18. The average group size tends to be around 6.
R
Rick
Asked on September 1st, 2016
Is this a guaranteed tour?
Other
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written September 2016
  Yes, this is a guaranteed tour and will not be cancelled.

From

$4,710

-10%

NZ $4,240 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 67255

Currency
Nu.
Ngultrum
Bhutan
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for type G.
Type G
Bhutan
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Rabies - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Bhutan. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for Bhutan. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before October 7th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after October 7th, 2025, a minimum payment of $300 is required to confirm your booking with Encounters Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Encounters Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Encounters Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Encounters Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the Encounters Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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