Bhutan Travel Update: The new democratic government of Bhutan has decided to raise the daily base tariff that is charged for all tourists entering Bhutan for the first time in over 20 years. Please be aware that we, along with all tour operators in Bhutan, will have to raise our 2011 tour prices to adjust for this. If you've been wanting to get to Bhutan, it will be much more economical if you can do it before the end of 2010. Contact us if you'd like to join the fall program, or create your own custom itinerary.

Imagine for a moment, a place where people grind grain with millennia old stone wheels while talking on cell phones and visitors view gorgeous Himalayan peaks through fluttering prayer flags from the comfort of a new SUV. A country unlike any other; no where else have the rulers decided that Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. Bhutan is where the old and new are alchemically intertwined, creating magic - to the delight of all who visit.

If there is such a thing as the road less traveled, this is it! You are embarking on a journey only a handful of tourists have made. Visitors were only allowed in the Haa Valley in 2004 and only 7 of them have been to Dorikha.

In Paro, you will witness one of the biggest festivals in Bhutan, the Paro Tsechu. Performed by monks and lay monks, a Bhutanese Tsechu is performed to recount the history of Bhutan and the Buddhism in Bhutan. For Bhutanese, performing and watching a Tsechu is an act of merit building honor. You will also witness the unfurling of the world's largest religious Thangka scroll, the Paro Thongdrel.

On this cultural immersion program you will be spending time living with the villagers of Dorikha known as Dorips. Most Dorips, unlike many villagers in Bhutan, maintain two villages: a winter village and a summer village. In the summer home villagers grow potatoes, peas, barley, wheat, and buckwheat. In the warmer lower elevation winter village- they grow red rice, oranges, cardamom and other subtropical produce. Fall and spring are perfect times to visit as the timing coincides with the migration. Our spring trip will center around a home stay in the winter village and a popular festival (Paro Tsechu) in Paro. In addition, you will be seeing some of the highlights of this ancient hidden kingdom such as Punakha, Thimphu and a breathtaking visit to the Tiger's Nest.

Bhutan Spring Program: Homestay, day hikes, monasteries and valley of the Black-Necked cranes. Length: 17 days including travel. Dates: 22 Mar to 5 Apr, 2010 Grade: Easy to Moderate Fall Program: : Homestay, 3-day overnight migration trek and monasteries. Length: 17 days including travel. Dates: 6 to 22 Sep, 2010 Grade: Moderate Price: $2,840 plus intl. airfare - Single supplement is $540 - Surcharge for solo traveler is $520 - Surcharge per person (for a group of two people) is $360 Sample Itinerary (PDF)   for Bhutan!

Highlights!

Homestay in a village that has seen few visitors

Sightseeing in vibrant Thimphu

A breathtaking visit to the Tigers Nest

The ancient capitol of Punakha

Trekking in the Himalayas