Bhutan
The Best of Bhutan: Hidden Treasures of a Himalayan Kingdom
Program No. 19634RJ
Explore Bhutan, one of the world’s most isolated countries, with experts and locals who share their enduring culture, history and natural wonders.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Participant Reviews
Based on 57 Reviews
SHOWING
Incredible trip; the hiking, the culture, the insights into Buddist spirituality- I cannot say enough about this trip, not to mention the Himalayan terrain/views. Our guide and driver were both exceptional. The visits to local villages, lunch in a farmhouse, and of course tours of shrines were fachinating.
This is the country where they actually measure and publish GDH standards (Gross National Happiness), as well as GNP.
Go and discover the reasons! I highly recommend.
— Review left March 27, 2025
This was a fabulous trip. I had high expectations and they were exceeded. Tim, our guide, and Sonam, our driver, were a great team. Tim is knowledgeable and funny, making each day a special journey. One of my best trips ever!
— Review left January 18, 2025
Our Bhutan tour was very well organized and excellently led by our guide, Tim, and his two assistants. Throughout our two-week trip they were great companions and envoys to Bhutan and made sure we were well taken care of.
Our tour itinerary was thoughtfully prepared to help us learn about Bhutan's history, culture, governance, geolgraphy and religion. Tim was well prepared to answer our questions about diverse aspects of the country and its people.
My wife Signe and I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in learning more about Bhutan and its unique character.
— Review left December 4, 2024
This is a life-changing trip, with Himalayan vistas in a country of citizens who are proud of their new democracy and their strong Buddhist tradition. Every stop, meal, and lodging taught us more about this remarkable country. Especially memorable were the hikes from mountain passes, through rice paddies, and along ancient paths.
— Review left December 1, 2024
Trip was wonderful. The country was beautiful, the people were wonderful and the guides and driver were excellent. What a wonderful experience and education it was. I would like to commend the guides (Kun and P2) and the driver (Tandin) for their attentiveness. They were not only informative but also so caring in the way they treated all of us. I tweaked my knee on one of the hikes and Kun, P2 and espcecially Tandin were so kind in making sure I was ok. Because of this TLC, I was able to make it to my goal of the tea house half way to the Tiger's Nest. Tandin even was willing to carry me, but thankfully I made it to the tea house on my own under his caring watchful eye. Physically it was challenging but I am glad I made the trip. A trip I will never forget.
— Review left November 6, 2024
My husband and I recently enjoyed the Road Scholar tour in Bhutan. The small group size of 16 participants was big enough for variety, and small enough to get to know everyone. Make sure your quads are in good working order to tackle the many high steps without railings in the countries important religious and government sites!
— Review left November 3, 2024
This is an unforgettable trip to one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in the world.
— Review left November 1, 2024
Best tour guide! Best driver! Great trip!
— Review left October 26, 2024
Bhutan is a little known country that deserves your attention. It has a rich history and culture. Make sure you get Tim as your guide as his love of his country, his stories and knowledge of Buddhist mythology will entertain and inform you. The country is beautiful with glacier carved valleys with small villages and farms. The food is great. Be sure to try chili-cheese, red rice, curried eggs and Bhutan's own Mountain Coffee.
— Review left October 11, 2024
The program to Bhutan is a great experience! Our guide gave us a great deal of information about his country in talking about the birds, animals, and food, as well as other aspects of the culture. And the scenery is amazingly beautiful. To me the long hours on the road are well worth it.
— Review left September 17, 2024
This is an incredible trip! Our guide, Tshittim, was so kind and knowledgeable. I advocate doing all the optional activities as well, those were very valuable. All the hotels were pleasant; the food was good if a little repetitive, but was good for me as a vegetarian. There are a number of longer drives on the trip, but you take many stops for beautiful vistas, looking at animals, and drinking tea. The Tiger's Nest hike, the last hike of the trip, is definitely a difficult one and not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the effort. I definitely recommend this trip!
— Review left July 11, 2024
The RS trip to Bhutan is well worth the long journey from the US. Our leader was kind and accommodating, and the itinerary is well planned. I particularly loved learning more about the traditional crafts of Bhutan, and having time to bring some beautiful textiles back home. It is possible to have things mailed, if like me there is no more room in your suitcase. And credit cards were accepted at many places.
The food, though good, can become repetitive and occasionally lacking in protein for vegetarians. Small amounts of meat were usually provided at each meal. The hotels used fewer chiles in order to accommodate our tastes, so most food wasn’t too spicy, (although that was always available for those who enjoy hot dishes)
Several people, including myself, suffered from motion sickness on the long, winding roads of Bhutan. Bring medication and ginger chews. People were accommodating about letting me sit in the front of the bus.
And finally - the Tigers Nest hike was more difficult (and more spectacular) than I anticipated, I was able to complete it, thanks in part to the encouragement of fellow travelers and our leaders, but wish I had done a bit more hiking in preparation.
I encourage you to visit this fascinating, beautiful country.
— Review left June 28, 2024
What a fantastic trip! We learned so much about Bhutan's customs, culture, history, government, monarchy, environment, and religion. The leader was a great storyteller who had an amazing depth of knowledge with regard to all of the above, which he shared in a very engaging manner. For someone considering, be sure you are OK with the altitudes you will find yourself (as high as 11,000') and the level of activity, which for us, at 68 and coming from 5,500' in Colorado, was not a problem, but could be difficult for some. The program description was accurate and helpful in our preparations. Photos of this program can be seen at - https://lichterphoto.photoshelter.com/search?I_DSC=showcase&I_DSC_AND=t&G_ID=G0000a8NBKaat09A&C_ID=C00008LfwjEvzhXk&_ACT=usrSearch
Michael Lichter / Catherine Bowe
— Review left May 12, 2024
This was a fabulous trip that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in this unique place and to guests who enjoy hiking.
The guides were very friendly, patient, educated, and entertaining. We all felt safe with our bus driver. I would heartily recommend Tim, our main guide, to others who might do this trip. The hotels were very nice - not luxurious, but very comfortable and welcoming. The food in Bhutan is not memorable, but it was tasty and I never had any GI issues.
I especially liked the hike through the valley of the Black neck cranes (Phobjhikha valley), the perfect timing of our visit to Ura (on the final day of a festival), and the hike to the Tiger's Nest.
I learned a lot about Bhutan's history and Buddhism.
The extra lectures from a member of Bhutan's parliament, a principal from an elementary school, and a former civil servant who explained Gross National Happiness - all exceptional!
On the negative side - long and winding roadways (cannot be avoided if one wishes to see the country), barking stray dogs at night (at least most of them were neutered and given shots).
I strongly disliked Kathmandu with the exception of the Hyatt Hotel, the only respite from heat, massive crowds, dirty streets, dangerous roadways. I might suggest gathering the group in New Delhi as an alternative - at least it's got more options for touring, and there are more flights available.
One guest whose in bound flight was delayed had to join us a day later and arrived without her luggage. The poor woman also had her return flight canceled! Despite having booked the flight with Road Scholar, she received NO help from the Roads Scholar Air Dept - for her return flight, they told her to contact the United desk when she got to Delhi!! The whole idea of booking with Roads Scholar might be to ensure their help when flights are canceled, no? The rest of us on tour thought this was not handled well.
— Review left May 10, 2024
Amazing country! Unfortunately a fellow traveler was a challenge to be around. Our guide Tim handled the situation with grace and compassion. The other travelers were lovely. Our driver and second guide were great! Accommodations were very nice. Food was plentiful. The people were warm and welcoming.
— Review left May 6, 2024
My trip to Bhutan was a fascinating experience.
This small country is physically beautiful, contains handsome and genuinely kind people who love their king and his family because he cares about his people and follows a program of gross national happiness as well as environmental responsibility. Bhutan and it's leaders should act as an example for other nations.
— Review left April 11, 2024
The Best of Bhutan was a wonderful trip. The guides in Bhutan were fantastic and handled everyone's needs. They did a fantastic job of explaining the culture and history of the country. They were also very flexible. We happened to arrive during an annual festival that has been taking place for over 300 years. They adjusted the schedule a bit to ensure we could experience the festival. I have a food allergy and they ensured I never got that item. I think group travel is difficult - being around all the different personalities and sticking to someone else's schedule, but Road Scholar made this as painless as possible. I was very worried about altitude sickness, but the advice provided in advance of the trip ensured I was good to go. Even though I am in good physical shape, I was a bit unsteady on some of the hikes. The guides were very helpful. I really cannot think of any complaints and would recommend this trip. It was my first Road Scholar trip.
— Review left April 10, 2024
Visiting Bhutan was incredible and our guide Tim gave us a fantastic tour of beautiful, culturally rich Bhutan, a country guided by Gross National Happiness. Tim shared unexpected festivals/ceremonies & his own personal stories with us which further enriched our understanding of this Himalayan Buddhist country.
— Review left April 9, 2024
One of the best Road Scholar trips I have been on. Bhutan is unlike my my living experience at home. Its was enjoyable to see the world through the eyes of the other. I loved everything about the trip.
— Review left April 5, 2024
A Faraway Place in the Himalayan Mountains.
After nearly 36 hours of travel, I was thrilled to finally arrive at the Hyatt in Kathmandu ,Nepal for a shower and a few hours sleep. A 3:30 am alarm signaled a return to the airport for the final leg of the journey to Paro, Bhutan. Our group was small ( 6 of us) and we were warmly greeted by Kun and Tandin, our guide and driver for the next two weeks. Our adventures in Bhutan were educational with much focus on the culture and religion of the Bhutanese people. Our group decided to add a few new activities to the itinerary which added to the enjoyment of the trip.
I personally felt that the trip could have benefitted from some increased physical activities and our guide tried to add some longer walks for those of us seeking exercise. On several long bus trips, we were allowed off the bus to walk for a short distance to stretch our legs which was much appreciated. The planned walks were easy to moderate with the best being the hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery.
We visited family farms and a local school and had several interesting speakers from the government. We had an opportunity to try our hand at the national sport of Archery and played lawn darts.
I felt Road Scholar provided a fairly accurate description of the trip and some helpful details such as the process for obtaining a Nepalese Visa. There was a change in hotel and several of the activities on the itinerary were not available due to holiday closures. Our guide did a good job of adjusting the itinerary to include as many of the listed activities as possible.
Good people, good hosts, good guide team, good weather, added up to a good time.
— Review left March 21, 2024
(Review from Lou, Ann's husband)
Our RS trip to Bhutan was incredible. The country is beautiful, nestled in the Himalayas, with natural scenery and great views everywhere, and the people are kind and welcoming. Little kids will not hesitate to come up to you and say "hi." And if you are ever on your own and need directions or a taxi, they will go out of their way to help you (this happened to us in Paro.) What separates Bhutan from similar countries is the ever present spirituality. As a devoutly Buddhist country, this sense of mystical presence is everywhere. Of course it is there in the dzongs (fortresses) and the beautiful temples, but also in everyday places like the airport or the hotels, especially the first one in Thimphu, which was adorned with hand painted walls with Buddhist motifs, and where soothing Buddhist flute music was always wafting through the common areas.
I loved going in February. There were hardly any other tourists around, and it was actually the beginning of spring in Bhutan. That said, we did have some brief snow showers while going through one of the highest passes. That was where we got out for a break and had tea and cookies and signed some prayer flags that we hung there. And amazingly, 2 monks happened to stop by as this was going on. Tim, the most awesome guide ever, shared our tea with them, and they blessed our flags before we hung them. It's that kind of place. Pure magic!
Every day of this trip has wonderful highlights, but for me the last day in Bhutan was really special. My wife and I soon realized that being in good shape in New Hampshire was not the same as being in good shape in Bhutan. The high elevation is definitely an issue unless you are well prepared. Since we knew we'd never make it to the Tiger's Nest we spent the last day in Paro, a small city with lots of nice shops. There is a wonderful weaving center there (my wife loved all the incredible fabrics that are made by the local weavers)
An unforgettable tour!
— Review left March 3, 2024
This is an amazing program, to a beautiful country with a very different way of life and philosophy of life. If you're interested in experiencing that, it is a great choice. The leader is also excellent, both in organization and in inspiration. If you don't like the cold, you should still go, but take a lot of cold protection items.
— Review left March 2, 2024
I always hope for travel that is edgy but reasonably safe, authentic but offering creature comforts at night, and the Bhutan trip did not disappoint. We sat cross-legged (well, sort of) on temple floors, inspected strange vegetables in colorful farmers markets, joined families watching weekend archery meets, took our shoes off frequently, answered questions from curious fifth graders, sipped the local brews, walked respectfully clockwise around ancient prayer wheels, and learned to appreciate the Gross National Happiness index. We also took four increasingly vigorous hikes, with the trail to the famous Tigers Nest monastery as a thrilling grand finale. We came away with a deep love for the country and great affection for its people, especially for our warm, upbeat and resourceful guide.
— Review left February 19, 2024
One of the best trips I have ever taken! Full immersion into Bhutanese culture, people, religion, food, temples, and geography. The local trip organizer and leaders did a fabulous job of slowly acclimating us to the altitude with several warm-up hikes before we attempted Tigers Nest.
— Review left February 1, 2024
This was an absolutely wonderful trip. I have been on 19 or 20 Road Scholar trips and this was without a doubt one of the best. Tim as the lead guide was amazing as were his assistant and our driver. The trip was very comprehensive covering so much of the country. We as a group learned so much about a small, spiritual, peaceful Buddhist country. The accommodations were very good and the itinerary varied so that we could experience festivals, hiking, small villages with contact with locals. Again the trip was as close to perfect as any road scholar trip I have been on. Julia Day
— Review left January 31, 2024
This trip was so amazing. Bhutan is unlike any other place. I feel so fortunate to have experienced this unique country. Our guides were so knowledgeable about Buddhism, the history of the country, the government, birds, plants, animals you name it. I could not have asked for a better program.
— Review left December 13, 2023
My recent trip to Bhutan was one of a lifetime. This was due, apart from the natural beauty of the country, to the wonderful camaraderie of my fellow travelers and to the amazing leadership of our guide who helped create this positive interaction among us.
Tshittim Jamtsho (Tim), our guide, had an abundance of overwhelming energy, whether he was pointing out landmarks, telling the fascinating mythology stories behind the many Bhuddist traditions, or identifying all the birds that we saw. He depth of knowledge has no bounds. All presented in such an interesting way that we hung on to his every word as we were traveling. Our driver, Sonam, was incredible call navigating the roads built for single lane. He knew the size of our bus to the last centimeter. And Kun our other guide, always made sure that we were safe in any condition
I enjoyed the hotels where we stayed. The rooms were comfortable and had all the amenities. Dining was buffet style so everybody always had a choice of what they wanted to eat.
Overall, i would give this trip perfect marks. The only downside was lack of consistent connectivity to the Internet - but that's an issue of country infrastructure, nothing to do with the tour.
Road Scholar, you have nailed it!!
If I could, I would give 10 stars !!!
— Review left December 8, 2023
Team Bhutan,
Warm thanks to Tim, Kun and Sonam for an exceptional program.
Everyone (including the one who was Covid +) enjoyed the camaraderie, the discovery and the pure pleasures of your wonderful country and people.
My expectations were to learn what makes Bhutan Bhutan, what makes it unique and my hopes were exceeded.
The kingdom is more than swift rivers, deep valleys, majestic peaks (yes everywhere you look is a screensaver).
The guides were not only gentle and friendly and humble but very successful at making everyone comfortable.
There were quite open to all suggestions (and I had many...) and they sang the anthem, played music on the bus, showed us traditional dances, arranged a visit to an incense factory (not on the menu), help shopping for kiras (not in their tasks descriptions), played rooster fight for pure fun, arrange hot stone baths, and at all time, placed respect and safety above anything else.
They tweaked the schedule according to weather and so we could enjoy festivals and local events. I do wish the accommodation in Thimphu would have been closer to town (then some people could have shopped in their free rather than common times) and I do wish the evenings would have been more planned. I also do wish we would have rotated seats on the bus.
I also would have enjoyed an extra educational talk, or meditation or yoga or just showing the movie "A Yak in the classroom" with live comments (just an example). We had a couple of outdoors lunches, so so so pleasant.
Since you ask for feedback, even if a traveler is well prepared, it is always nice to review basics (and this goes for any trip, any country) with daily mini sessions of education to cover things like map of the country and itinerary, to learn common phrases in Bhutanese, to review common courtesies, gestures, rituals and mantras in temples.
Like other, my life is changed from spending even such a short time in Bhutan and I shall return for few days of trekking...
Trish
— Review left October 16, 2023
Bridge to Bhutan, a local organization, provided all of the expertise. The hotels and food were wonderful. The guides, Tim and Kun, provided information and education about the culture, Buddhism, crafts, wildlife, conservation, government, music and dance; just about everything! They were funny, compassionate, and had the ability to meet the various needs of everyone in a fairly diverse group of 16. In addition, the driver Sonam navigated us safely through all of the curves, cows, and landslides throughout the country. I would highly recommend this organization for tours and treks throughout Bhutan. My only criticism is the outdated VISA information (we did not need passport photos, all are taken electronically on site), and the Kathmandu airport in Nepal is horrible. However, maybe that negative experience helped me appreciate Bhutan that much more.
— Review left October 16, 2023
I highly recommend Road Scholar Bhutan trip for the adventurous scholar who appreciates a well organized, hassle free educational travel expedition. The hike up to Tigers Nest was my most memorable, breathtaking , awe inspiring highlight of the entire fantastic journey through Bhutan.
— Review left October 8, 2023
What a fantastic trip of a lifetime to such an exotic location. Our guide, Tim, was incredibly knowledgeable and proud about his country, his religion and the environment. Being from a small country he seemed to know or was related to many of the people we ran into. We had meetings with two government officials who presented PowerPoints about their country, and we even ran into the Minister of Tourism at one of the monasteries we were visiting, and he took the time to greet us. Tim modified the trip with our approval to go see possibly the only festival held during monsoon season, The Bhutan Mushroom Festival, when the mushrooms are in full bloom. We went hiking at the high altitudes so we would be acclimated for our final challenge, the six-mile round trip from base camp at 8500 feet to 10,500 feet then down 300 feet to Tiger's Nest, a monastery built on the side of a cliff.
I was extremely satisfied with our lodgings and meals even though they are struggling to rebuild the tourism trade lost during Covid.
The people of Bhutan were always happy to greet us, especially since some of our tourist fees go to support their education and health care facilities. My favorite encounter was in a grocery store where a 6 year old girl asked me how I had learned to speak English so well. English is taught to all students in Bhutan, and her English was as good as mine.
A special treat was while flying in from Kathmandu we got to see Mt. Everest poking above the clouds and flying out the whole range was exposed.
Our driver was especially important in getting us around the country, including driving us through the mountains during downpours on what seemed like 1 and 1/2 lane roads. Being a Buddhist country the drivers looked after each other. in America there would have doubtless been much road rage.
This has been one of my best vacations and experiences of my life.
— Review left September 4, 2023
Great program. Be prepared for higher altitude by following all the advice RS gives.
— Review left July 4, 2023
The tour to Bhutan was life changing. The country is beautiful and awe-inspiring. The mountains are majestic and the valleys are inspirational. The people are very friendly and welcoming. They generally loved to get their pictures taken and were thrilled to talk to us. We absolutely could not have had a better guide. Tim was always giving us interesting bits of information and insured that we enjoyed every second that we were in Bhutan. Sonam, our driver, was careful and dependable. I loved that Sonam and Tim are best friends. We were included in their friendship. We were molded into a caring, loving family. I made the best friends, and I look forward to visiting my new friends and going on other adventures with them. If you get a chance to go to Bhutan with Road Scholar, I highly recommend it. You will never regret it......make sure to bring something for altitude sickness. It is a high altitude country.
— Review left May 5, 2023
This program exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed all of the activities.
The hikes were well planned so we were fully acclimated by the time we ventured to the Tiger's Nest.
Bhutan has a rich history and culture. The people are amazingly warm and gracious. To go to Bhutan is to go back in time to a land filled with pristine beauty and simplicity. Go visit before it becomes more modernized.
— Review left April 26, 2023
Bhutan is a little slice of himalayan heaven. Don't miss this trip.
— Review left April 20, 2023
One of my most cherished trips ever. Wonderful guide team (Tim, Kun, Sonam) worked to fill our days with adventures and happy surprises. Bhutan is unique in the world and the people are generous & happy to have visitors.
— Review left April 18, 2023
This was an exceptional trip; every aspect of it. Tim, Kuhn and Sonam had excellent chemistry, among themselves and with the group. I truly believe that when we wrapped up the trip, most, if not all of us could have gone on for longer. The country is inviting, engaging, and leaves you with an appreciation for what makes Bhutan a truly unique country. I loved the way Tim made everything come alive. Not only do I highly recommend the trip, I would be delighted to repeat it one of these days.
— Review left April 16, 2023
You may use anything I have said
— Review left April 13, 2023
The first two I typed on the Roadscholar.org site only to receive errors each time upon submission and lost everything. Each review is getting less detailed and shorter as a consequence. This time I’m going to use cut and paste from another application!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this trip but it certainly met and/or exceeded any expectations that I might have had. I attribute this overall success directly to Tshittim (Tim, for those that either can’t pronounce it or can’t remember it first thing in the AM) and Sonam! (* amusing/anecdotal story)
The people of Bhutan are the stars. That’s because we were already there for the great views, interesting native flora/fauna and history (as a country and/intertwined with religions) without expecting that we could experience so much more.
It, especially the climb up Tigers Nest when I could actually make it all the way, makes this one of the top 10 trips of a lifetime for me. (And one that should be taken sooner rather than later).
The ability to still blend with locals (in something other than a tour), experiences - special brownies from “auntie” and allowing us to be seen as relatives (albeit “special” ones - elderly/experienced, traveler, educated, environmentally conscious) rather than tourists.
*Tshittim and Sonam were the absolute best. On our initial meeting they reminded me of my father, and some of his “crew”, immediately. They worked as a team to/for the betterment of the group and the tour as a whole. They knew *everyone* everywhere we went! (I’d go out with my father, before his death, and he would know, be related to or somehow otherwise had a connection someone everywhere he went!) With these two it was typically a relative (or classmate, next door neighbor, someone who works with) of close family (or extended family somewhere) if not one of them personally.
— Review left April 4, 2023
This was my fifth RS trip and while they have all been excellent, this is my favorite thus far. The incredible Kingdom of Bhutan as seen and shown through the eyes of our amazing Bhutanese guides is beyond compare. Our access to the local festivals, cultural and spiritual traditions, agriculture, and environmental landscapes including all the unique fauna and wildlife was beyond my imagination. The pandemic changed our travel world forever and the ease and flexibility of Tim, Kealey, and Sonam to give us the best possible access and experience was simply unparalleled.
Tim has a natural aptitude to lead. His love and intimate knowledge for all things Bhutan, is evident in all the activities, places, and people we were exposed to. He explained everything so well, patiently answered all questions, was attentive to people’s needs and demonstrated genuine concern for the group experience to be a positive one. His sense of humor, obvious synergy with his fellow guides made for a seamless and fun adventure!
I knew Bhutan was remote, and that modern infrastructure was a fairly new commodity throughout the country. I was so impressed with the way our guides planned our activities, traversing the country with the expert driving and navigation of the extraordinary Sonam, giving us opportunities to get out and walk, stretch our legs, savor majestic views, witness nature at it’s best (Bhutan’s many beautiful birds, brown monkeys and Grey Langur monkeys, yaks, horses, many, many dogs!)
The ’surprises’ to our program were incredible, from the delectable dinner at a family-owned restaurant, the ‘el fresco’ lunch overlooking the river, attending the Druk Wangyel Tshechu annual festival at the Dochula Pass and meeting the Queen Mother, her daughter the Royal Princess and the Prime Minister; the National day celebration, immersing us in the rich cultural traditions and history of the kingdom, and so many more.
I cannot recommend this trip enough!
— Review left December 29, 2022
Going to Bhutan was a dream come true! I am so glad that I went with Road Scholar. I had no worries when traveling with Road Scholar—everything was taken care of or made right immediately. The culture of Bhutan is rich and full of color and stories that our guides expertly told us in an exciting manner. The lecturers were excellent. The hotels were nice and cozy and the food was very good with many fresh organic vegetables.
— Review left December 26, 2022
The Bhutan tour was one of the best I've taken (after 24 international tours) so I can highly recommend it if you want to better understand their country and culture. I came away changed in my views about this special country and felt the experiences in each city/village helped broaden my understanding. Bhutan is a beautiful and peaceful place, the people are friendly, and the art/weaving/painting/wood carving/paper-making experiences helped to understand their unique culture. The two tour guides (Tim and Keanlay) and the bus driver (Sonam) became our friends and they did everything to accommodate our wishes or needs. We learned so much from their guidance and they explained their history, culture, religious places, and celebrations. The Himalayas and mountain driving is breath-taking...each turn of the road reflects beautiful passages and villages. One of the highlights was attending two unique festivals (not on the planned itinerary) and by chance we visited with one of the four Queen Mothers and Prime Minister at one national festival. Bhutan has a unique cultural heritage with Buddhist traditions. Their food, art, architecture, music, dance, and national dress (gho and kira) makes the experience of being there so special. We also had two days in Kathmandu, Nepal before the Bhutan tour started so we learned about the city and surrounding villages. The travel company based in Kathmandu (Venture Travels and Temple Tiger Group) who provided the local tours and transportation to and from the airport were wonderful as well. Although it takes a long time to get to Bhutan from the US, it is definitely worth the time and expense to travel there and to have this amazing experience.
— Review left December 23, 2022
Our three guides -- Kun, Keanley, and Tandin -- were superb. Like all Road Scholar guides, they were knowledgeable and attentive, but they were also funny and shared a camaraderie that was easy without being saccharine.
The hikes, it turns out, were more than I was able to cope with although my wife did better. I did attempt a couple of them. Going up was easy; coming down was a problem for me with my unsure footing.
Even though the hikes were beyond my capability, everything else made up for my overestimation of my hiking prowess. While the tour is no doubt enhanced by the walks (which increase in difficulty as the tour goes on), even if you do not walk any of the paths, a visit to Bhutan is worth the price -- at least it would be for me.
Among the highlights were a talk on Gross National Happiness: don't be put off by the name, it is a program worth hearing about. The visit to the elementary school after hearing a talk by its principal was another worthwhile stop. The children were happy to show us their work and practice their English, which they begin learning early.
After lunch at a farmhouse with the family's daughter-in-law looking on, we met four girls between the ages of seven and ten, who engaged in conversation with two of us older men. The girls seemed easier to talk to than the boys, but not one was unfriendly or reluctant.
The hotels were uniformly first-rate, the food excellent, the architecture interesting, and the temples, stupas, and fortresses were explained with aplomb by our guides. I am skipping over the Buddhist prayer festival at a site outside Thimpu and other equally important religious sites -- wonderful as they were.
Bhutan with Road Scholar is well worth the time, money, and effort even if, like me, some of the hikes are beyond your aging body.
— Review left December 23, 2022
What a wonderful trip! Bhutan is a beautiful country, and the people are warm and welcoming.
As always on a Road Scholar trip, our guides Tim and Kinga and our driver Shonan were the best. Tim is a terrific story teller, and managed to balance being extremely professional and at the same time personal. He showed an incredible generosity of spirit in the stories he shared with us. They were the perfect vehicle for us to learn that in Bhutan people put others first. They want what is best for everyone before they want what is best for them. At least that’s what it seemed like to me. And It seemed evident that attitude grew out of the beliefs of Buddhism, which they live every day. Tim never said those things explicitly, but I couldn’t help but notice.
The things we saw and the places we visited were often awe-inspiring. The views of the Himalayas from mountain passes. The Buddhist monasteries, the temples, the 500 year old dzongas (fortresses). The families of monkeys in the trees we stopped to see as we were driving down the road.
And of course - Tiger’s Nest Monastery. On the section between the tea house and the second viewing spot (you’ll see what I mean when you get there) Kinga stayed with me the whole time. He went at my pace, which was pretty slow, and by the end he was carrying my backpack for me. If it was difficult for him to have such patience, I couldn’t tell. He will always be an important part of my memory of that unique and meaningful experience.
Both the food and the accommodations were excellent. Plenty of rice and things to go with it, but some more continental options too. I loved the hotels. Most managed to have the architecture and design of a distinctly Bhutanese place, and still met our Western expectations of a large room with a private bathroom, and sometimes a balcony.
Of course, our group of 15 was comprised of amazing people, which was part of what made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
— Review left November 30, 2022
This is a sensational trip. If you are thinking about doing it, just do it. It'll change your life.
— Review left November 25, 2022
The program was well thought out and organized. Having had outstanding guides added to the pleasure of the visit. I would highly recommend this tour to any one who enjoys learning and exploring other cultures.
— Review left November 6, 2022
A spectacular trip. Road Scholar knows how to put together a trip that is both highly engaging and informative. Through this trip we learned a lot about the culture and religion of this democratic kingdom and how it is able to thrive in this complex world.
— Review left November 2, 2022
The Best of Bhutan Hidden Treasures was the best travel experience ever! Our guides were caring, knowledgeable, funny, and prepared a fantastic itinerary. Bhutan is a beautiful country with beautiful people everywhere. The guides where up-to-date on current festivals, weather, time tables and food.
The hotels were clean and comfortable and the food, including full breakfast, lunches and dinners were tasty. During our time in Bhutan there is an awesome feeling that is impossible to adequately convey both because of the majestic scenery and the welcoming and kindness of the Bhutanese people as they practice their Buddhist culture and religion.
As a couple in their late 70s who have travelled the world, we found this Road Scholar Bhutan trip a cultural adventure not to be missed.
— Review left October 23, 2022
The Road Scholar trip to Bhutan was enlightening. I was impressed by the teamwork and caring of our leaders. They also dealt with difficult situations (one participant got Covid, another lost his passport) in such a competent and professional manner.
— Review left October 19, 2022
This was the most wonderful trip in a fascinating and beautiful country!. The itinerary was masterfully planned with a balance of active hikes and visits to interesting religious and historic sites, with opportunities to visit a variety of communities. The long drives were comfortable, thanks to our skilled driver, and interesting, thanks to our guide, Tim’s, inexhaustible knowledge of flora and fauna and story telling skills. Tim and his team always seemed to go above and beyond, making sure everything went smoothly and each person was looked after. I believe that Tim’s exceptional leadership and kindness helped create a sense of camaraderie and group cohesiveness. We quickly felt we had a really great travel group.
The hikes were planned to increase gradually in difficulty,making them manageable to the most out of shape among us (me), so we were all better prepared to take on what we wanted of the hike to the Tiger’s Nest at the end of the trip.
One tip: Bring cash. No ATM worked for us in Bhutan. Larger denominations give better exchange rates.
— Review left March 7, 2020
The best of Bhutan trip was my first road scholar experience and was fantastic in every way. Extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and engaging guide. An interesting program of lectures and educational experiences. Comfortable hotels in beautiful locations. My fellow protesters on the trip were wonderful as well, and I’m quite intrigued about signing up for more trips as a result. Bhutan is a beautiful country with many interesting Sights and a culture that we can learn a lot from. Highly recommended, and a bargain for what you get.
— Review left November 28, 2019
My Road Scholar trip to Bhutan exceeded all of my expectations and was the trip of a lifetime. This is one that cannot be missed.
— Review left November 24, 2019
I find the website very graphically user friendly and clear as to where to go the information I want.
— Review left November 18, 2019
The beauty of the Himalayan Mountains, the richness of the Bhutanese culture, the friendliness of the Bhutanese people and our outstanding guide made this an experience of a lifetime!
— Review left March 12, 2019
The trip to Bhutan was outstanding! It is culturally, historically, and environmentally such an interesting country. And, it is stunningly beautiful! I had such a wonderful time. I like to get out and hike/walk and there was plenty of that. Every night af the end of a wonderful day, I thought that it could not get any better, but for 14 days, it just got better and better! We also had a wonderful and very knowledgeable guide (Fin) and a driver (Tandin) who made mountain passes seem easy and safe! Go! You won’t regret it!
— Review left March 12, 2019
Bhutan is truly an inspirational country.
— Review left March 5, 2019
This trip was one of the most amazing trips I have ever been on. I can't say enough about Tim (group leader), Thinley (second guide) and the drivers. They were wonderful and took care of the entire group with humor and confidence. The accommodations and food were fine. Both Tim and Thinley were very knowledgable and did a great job keeping us informed and providing information about Bhutan. I highly recommend them for future trips. Bhutan is a very special place.
— Review left January 2, 2019
