Bhutan 2026

4 - 16 NOVEMBER

THE COST:

• PRICE: $8795 USD

• Price is per person for twin share (hotel room and tents will both be shared with another guest).

• Single Supplement $1100 (Includes single room and tent for the entire trip)

• Deposit of $1500 USD is required to hold your spot on the trip. Deposits are non-refundable

• Remaining balance due by July 1st, 2026. Registrations after that date must be paid in full.

• Plus flight from gateway airport to Paro - arranged and booked by us ***Not included in price

THE INCLUSIONS:

• ALL ACCOMMODATIONS (MIX OF TENTS, GUESTHOUSES AND 4/5 STAR HOTELS)

• EXPEDITION TRAIL RUN (7 DAYS) All facilities and staff required on trail run including horse teams, 1 chief guide and 2 assistant guides, cooks, camp helpers and horses to carry luggage and tents; spare horses as needed in case of emergency; extra teams of staff to travel ahead to prepare shelter and carry lunch and refreshments.

• TENTS provided. Include sleeping, dining, cook tents and toilet tent. Note sleeping bags are not provided.

• GUIDE/S

• TRAINING PLAN For those who wish, professional trail runner Anna Frost will prepare a training plan specifically for this trip. Includes an initial Skype session with Anna to discuss where you are at with your running in order that she can plan appropriate to your level. For each guest, we will encourage you to contact Anna via Skype at anytime with questions or concerns.

• LOCAL GUIDES AND EXPERTS Throughout the tour from arrival to departure and extra guides while on trail. In country logistics and hosting is being arranged by renowned operator, Blue Poppy Tours, who is a full production partner in this first ever expedition run of the Jomolhari Laya Gasa trail. Without Blue Poppy Tours, this expedition would not be possible and we give huge kudos and thanks to Choki and the team in Bhutan!

• SIGHTSEEING All sightseeing and entrance fees including Tigers Nest (Paro Taktsang), Punakha Dzong and more.

• TRANSPORT Meet on arrival, airport transfers on arrival and departure and all overland transport within Bhutan

• VISAS All required royalties, visas and permits inclusive - arranged and submitted by us

• FOOD Full board throughout the trip, mineral water in the bus and boiled water on the trail

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International flights from home country to gateway airport city (see list below. You must arrange yourself)

• International flights from gateway city to Paro return - we will arrange the booking and payment of these flights in and out, using the expertise of in-country partner, Blue Poppy Tours

• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, alcohol, personal preference trail hydration and nutrition products, laundry and tips

• Massages (Can be arranged at hotels)

• MANDATORY INSURANCE You will need to show proof of insurance that covers overseas medical and helicopter extraction at high altitude. We recommend: Global Rescue

BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS:

Flights to one of the gateway cities (Delhi (India), Kathmandu (Nepal), Bangkok (Thailand), Calcutta (India) or Singapore (Singapore), must be booked and paid for by the guest/s on their own arrangement. You must book your flights (and be responsible for any extra accommodation etc at gateway city), to ensure you are able to make the connecting flight to Paro. See following point.

Flights from your nominated gateway city to Paro, Bhutan, will be booked directly via us, using the services of Blue Poppy Tours. We will in partnership with Blue Poppy, collect your requests re: gateway city prior to paying your tour deposit, and then advise which flight you need to catch, time and cost. This will happen prior to you paying your tour deposit. The cost of your confirmed gateway-Paro-gateway flight will be invoiced at the same time as your tour deposit is due.

From the gateway, we will determine which Druk Air/Tashi Air flights will best suit you. We will then add the price of those tickets to your Tour Deposit. Rates for the gateway-Paro-gateway flights fluctuate and are subject to confirmation on issue of tickets.  Current prices in economy class are:

• Delhi/Paro/Delhi: $800

• Kathmandu/Paro/Kathmandu: US$760

• Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok: US$900

• Calcutta/Paro/Calcutta: US$800

• Singapore/Paro/Singapore: US$1050

Business Class is also available on request.

*Prices for flights subject to change

MANDATORY VISAS FOR BHUTAN

All visitors will need to have valid Visas. Via our partner in this expedition, Blue Poppy Tours, will organise visas for Bhutan, which is inclusive in the tour price. We will require scanned copies of your passports.  As we can apply for the visas only after funds for the trip have arrived in Bhutan, we request that the financials for the trip be organised as a priority so we can secure the required permits and visas ahead of time. As you may be aware, travel in Bhutan is controlled by numbers and thus we are required to be very organised and prompt in our payments and applications. 

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - ARRIVE - ACCLIMATISATION
Wednesday, November 4th 

• Arrive at Paro International Airport from Bangkok or Delhi. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.

• Check into accommodation

• Lunch at hotel and welcome briefing

• Sightseeing today depends on flight timing

• Afternoon at leisure, wander in town and visit handicraft shops (optional)

• Short hike or run to Zuri Dzong (optional)

• Massage can be added today (Not included in price)

• Dinner and briefing

• Overnight at Amba Paro Hotel

DAY 2 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION
Thursday, November 5th

• Breakfast at Hotel

• To acclimatise for the trek we will take a run up to the ‘Tiger’s Nest,’ the sacred Taktshang Monastery, which clings to the rock face 900 meters above the valley floor

• Tiger’s Nest is one of the most sacred places for Bhutanese people and is a highlight for many visitors. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress, and he subsequently meditated there for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites, attracting pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. Once at the monastery, those who want to can climb higher to various points above – the guide will discuss with the group how far they want to go higher and those who don’t wish to can descend

• Lunch at restaurant

• Dinner at Hotel

• Hike distance (up to the monastery): (6.5 km, 5 to 6 hours)

  Starting elevation – 2610 metres

  Highest elevation – 3155 metres

  Ending elevation – 2610 metres

• Massages can be organized

• Overnight at Amba Paro Hotel

DAY 3 - LEISURE - ACCLIMATISATION
Friday, November 6th  

• Breakfast at Hotel

• Today you can do a second acclimatisation hike. First drive about an hour and a half to Chele La pass at about 3800 metres where you will have a splendid view of the Himalaya range, weather permitting. From the road you can walk up the incline around 2 hours towards Gung Karpo La (4100m), continuing above the tree line along the ridge that divides Paro and Haa valleys. Here if the day is clear you will see even more breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains, including Mount Jomolhari and other further peaks such as Kanchenjunga. Walk down the hill through rhododendron and hemlock forest towards Kila Gompa, a nunnery inhabited by about 30 nuns who live a life of contemplation and seclusion, with daily prayer and spiritual practice. The community is one of the oldest of seven nunneries in Bhutan and was initially established in the early 9th century as a meditation site.  The main temple houses ancient statues of Chenrezig and Guru Rinpoche, among others. After visiting the nunnery you can return to the car, and drive back to Paro which takes about 1 hour.

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (6 km, 3-4 hours)

  Starting elevation – 2800 metres

  Highest elevation – 4100 metres

  Ending elevation – 3630 metres

• This evening you can sort out your luggage for the trek. Anything you don’t need to carry with you will be driven safely to Gasa to await your arrival.

• Overnight at Amba Paro Hotel

• Picinic Lunch

• Dinner at Hotel

DAY 4 - BEGIN THE EXPEDITION - TRAIL RUN DAY 1
Saturday, November 7th

• Breakfast at hotel

• Early in the morning we will drive about 2 hours through farm road to Shana, where you will start your trek. We ascend through the river valley and beautiful pine and

  rhododendron forests.

• We stop for lunch by the first bridge over the river and then continue to follow the right bank for a couple of hours until we reach a junction of two valleys, marked by a stupa. Here we turn north towards Mount Jomolhari, which can be seen from the top of the valley.  Our first camp will be at 3620 metres. 

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (21 km, 7 to 8 hours)

  Starting elevation – 2880 metres

  Highest elevation – 3620 metres

  Ending elevation – 3620 metres

• Packed lunch

• Dinner at camp site

• Accommodations: Tent camping *Your tents will be set up for you when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you

DAY 5 - TRAIL RUN DAY 2
Sunday, November 8th

• Wake up to coffee/tea in the tent and then enjoy a breakfast before starting our run

• Today we run from Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang. The path passes a small, border army post where the valley begins to widen again and we leave the forest behind.  Enjoy views of snow-capped peaks, high mountain ridges and yaks and yak herders.  We will stop for lunch in a small hamlet where the family will welcome us. You can also stop to visit a small local school at Soe, before reaching Jangothang. From here it is not far to reach camp, which is in a beautiful grassy meadow beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mount Jomolhari (4100 m). 

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (16 km, 5 to 6 hours)

  Starting elevation – 3620 metres

  Highest elevation – 4100 metres

  Ending elevation – 4100 metres

• Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)

• Dinner at camp site after the run

• Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you

DAY 6 - TRAIL RUN DAY 3
Monday, November 9th

• Coffee/Tea delivered to the tent. Breakfast before the run

• Today we run from Jangothang to Chebisa. The trail climbs gradually and then more steeply to Nyeli La (4870 m).  On the way you will be rewarded when you stop for breath with tremendous views toward Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. If the weather is clear, Lingshi Dzong can be clearly seen as we descend into the Lingshi basin, and Tserim Kang with its glaciers can be seen to the north.  Follow the ridge for a long way until you drop through the forests till you reach Lingshi village at 4000 metres.  Then continue on the path along the hillside with views across the valley. After a few hours you will catch a splendid view of Tserim Kang, before descending to Gang Yul (‘village at the pass’), a picturesque village of about 150 people. From here it is only an hour or so on a path which runs along the hillside until we reach our camp at Chebisa (3860m), where it is possible to visit some village houses and a waterfall just behind the village.

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (27 km, 8 to 9 hours)

  Starting elevation – 4100 metres

  Highest elevation – 4800 metres

  Ending elevation – 3860 metres

• Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)

• Dinner at camp site after run

• Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you

DAY 7 - TRAIL RUN DAY 4
Tuesday, November 10th

• Coffee/tea delivered to the tent, followed by breakfast.

• Today we will run from Chebisa to Shomuthang. The trail climbs gradually at first, getting steeper and steeper through wild pastures where yaks graze.  You may also catch sight of blue sheep and eagles. Eventually we cross Gobu La (4400 m). From here it is a short run down through rhododendron forest to the stream where we will stop for lunch. The afternoon’s run is through a pine and rhododendron forest, with a gradual ascent for about 30 minutes, followed by a gradual descent towards Zhache Pasang, where you will cross the river. From there, the path traverses the hillside before climbing steeply once more to Shomuthang (3970 m).  The camp is near a tributary to the Mo Chu, which emerges below the Gasa Tsachu (Hot Spring).  From here you can see the helipad, sometimes used if the passes get snowed in.

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (17 km, 6 to 7 hours)

  Starting elevation – 3860 metres

  Highest elevation – 4420 metres

  Ending elevation – 4220 metres

• Lunch (packed lunch to take on the trail)

• Dinner at camp site after run

• Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you

DAY 8- TRAIL RUN DAY 5 
Wednesday, November 11th       

• Coffee/tea delivered to the tent, followed by breakfast

• Today we run from Shomuthang to Robluthang. We start with a climb to Jhari La (4720 m) where we are rewarded with quite stunning views, then descend again through forest to Tsharijathang, the valley where herds of takin can normally be seen. Today’s scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Cross the river and clamber up the hillside for an hour or so to camp at Robluthang (4150 m).

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (15 km, 5 to 6 hours)

  Starting elevation – 4220 metres

  Highest elevation – 4720 metres

  Ending elevation – 4150 metres

• Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)

• Dinner at camp site after run

• Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and larger bags will be waiting for you

DAY 9 - TRAIL RUN DAY 6 
Thursday, November 12th     

• Coffee/Tea delivered to your tent, followed by breakfast

• Today we run from Robluthang to Limithang. Above camp the yak trail which is our path today can be seen, taking us through a hanging valley and past a yak herder’s hut after about one or two hours on the trail. From here we take the left side of the valley and soon the Sinche La comes into view. It is a tough climb to the pass, which marks the boundary of the Laya district (5010 m). From here the path descends rapidly through the valley to a huge bank of moraine on the edge of a lake, and behind the Gang Che Ta (‘Great Tiger Mountain’) can be seen.  We camp here in a meadow by the river at Limithang in the Laya district, where the locals will be seen wearing unique regional dress (4090 m).

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (19 km, 7 to 8 hours)

  Starting elevation – 4150 metres

  Highest elevation – 5010 metres

  Ending elevation – 4130 metres

• Lunch (Packed lunch to take on the trail)

• Dinner at camp site after run

• Accommodations: Tent Camping *Your tents will be set up when you arrive, and your larger bags will be waiting for you

DAY 10 - TRAIL RUN DAY 7
Friday, November 13th

• Coffee/tea delivered to your tent, followed by breakfast

• Today we run from Limithang to Tongchu Ja via Laya. Today is one of the shortest days, where fast runners can reach Laya village in about 3 hours; however, some runners may take longer. The path goes downhill at first through a winding river valley with forest of spruce and juniper. We climb gradually from the river until we enter the eastern end of Laya village (3810 m). Here you may like to walk around the village for a few minutes before continuing for about 1.5 hours to Taktshe Makha (army camp). It is possible that the farm road from Gasa may reach all the way to the army camp. If not, then you would have to continue for about one more hour to Tongchu Ja.

• Estimated distance and hiking/running time: (15 km, 5 to 6 hours)

  Starting elevation – 4130 metres

  Highest elevation – 4130 metres

  Ending elevation – 3810 metres

• Here you will be picked up by an Indian Mahindra Bolero Pick-Up truck for the drive to Gasa which will take around 2.5 hours.

• Lunch (Packed lunch to take on trail)

• Dinner at guest house

• Accommodations: Basic guest house in Gasa

DAY 11 - CHILL & ACTIVITIES DAY
Saturday, November 14th

• Breakfast at guest house

• This morning your bus will be available to take you down to the Gasa Hot Springs where you can have a bath. The spring is believed to be effective in curing various ailments including aching joints, and many Bhutanese families visit every winter. There are eight pools, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot.

• After the hot springs, we will drive 3 hours past rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and oak and pine forests to reach the old capital, Punakha, at 1250

  metres. 

• Option to go white water rafting in the afternoon (*Not included in price)

• Visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu.

• Lunch at restaurant

• Dinner at hotel

• Accommodations: Dhensa Hotel Punakha

DAY 12 - TRAVEL DAY
Sunday, November 15th

• Breakfast at hotel

• Today we return to Paro which will take around 4 hours.

• Afternoon at leisure. You may like to enjoy some spa treatments or try your hand at archery. (Spa treatments not included in price)

• This evening you could visit Namgay Artisanal Brewery for dinner and try some locally brewed beer (drinks not included in price).

• Lunch at restaurant

• Dinner at Hotel and celebrate the amazing 2 weeks we have had!

• Accommodations: Zhiwaling Hotel Paro

DAY 13 - DEPARTURE DAY
Monday, November 16th - Depart

• Breakfast at hotel

• Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).

THE LOGISTICS

DEPOSIT / PAYMENT POLICY / CANCELLATION TERMS

1)   We (Tour de Trails) must supply to in-country authorities a final group number on the tour at least 6-8 months ahead of departure to secure all services (OUR NOMINATED DEPOSIT DUE DATE: May 1).  We need to pay a 50% overall deposit to in country operators at this time. Thus we require each guests's deposit of 50% of the tour fee PLUS the full amount for your gateway-PARO-gateway return flight (note that this does not include your return flight from home nation to gateway airport, see above. You must arrange that privately by March 15th.  This deposit is refunded (90% - 10% will be withheld for administration costs) only if you cancel your booking prior to 12+ weeks before arrival i.e. prior 1 August. This is a firm policy. NO REFUND OF DEPOSIT WILL BE MADE AFTER THIS DATE AS COSTS WILL HAVE BEEN INCURRED. Refund of airfare component will be advised by Blue Poppy Tours.

2)   Regarding flights, Blue Poppy are unable to hold block bookings of seats on the >Bhutan flights and so require full names of pax travelling as on their passports to hold seats and issue flight tickets (this is for the gateway-Paro-gateway leg, booking on one of the Bhutan National Airlines).  Bookings are always subject to availability.  

3)   We must pay remaining amount for all services, accommodation etc 12 weeks before departure.  Payment is to be made in US$ by bank transfer. Bank details TBC via an invoice. The sum of US$50 will be included on the invoice to cover bank charges.  Receipt of on-payment to Bhutan suppliers / authorities is required before visas can be authorised, approximately one week after payment to TdT. 

4)   Cancellation policy for tours is as follows: 

a. From SIX MONTHS before the start of the tour: 100% of DEPOSIT FEE will be withheld (fully refundable prior)

b. From 3 months out from departure (FULL AMOUNT DUE) and 30 days: 50% of the full rates will be withheld

c. 30 days before the start: 100% of the full rates will be withheld

e. After arrival in Bhutan: 100% of the rates** (see below for what would happen in this instance)

5)   Note that the charges for Accommodation apply separately from the above – no refund is due if a room is cancelled less than 45 days before arrival.

6)   We need to pay for any gateway-Paro-gateway flights in advance in order to secure the bookings.  We reserve the right to invoice for full advance payment along with tour deposit (DUE April 15) to cover the flight tickets to assist with cash flow.  

7)   Cancellation policy for flights (in accordance with Druk Air regulations) is as follows – in each case a cancellation charge of US$25 applies:

a.    75% refund for tickets cancelled more than 30 days before the date of travel

b.    50% refund for tickets cancelled between 30 days and 10 days before the date of travel

c.     25% refund for tickets cancelled between 10 days and 3 days before the date of travel

d.    No refund for tickets cancelled less than 3 days before the date of travel

8)  In the circumstance of a client arriving in Bhutan and then having to cancel their on trail run component (be that prior to setting off or during), the client agrees to be liable for any extra costs incurred regarding accommodation and food and sightseeing while staying back at a nominated town/city, while the remainder of the group completes the run. Extraction from the run due to injury or altitude problems will be covered by your tour fee if it is on foot / by mule. HELICOPTER extraction (emergency only - helicopters come from India or Nepal) and the costs incurred (significant) is the responsibility and liability of the guest, hence WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND FINDING TRAVEL INSURANCE THAT COVERS THIS. We can assist finding an appropriate cover should you require. All in town inclusions in the tour are of course covered as per regular itinerary. Blue Poppy Tours will of course assist with emergency booking of accommodation and suggestions of how you may enjoy your time in Bhutan regardless of pulling from the run. They will be your in country 'hosts' while the team is on trail, noting any guiding services you engage them in are at your cost. 

BLUE POPPY TOURS
OUR PARTNER, YOUR HOSTS 

To make this very special expedition trip happen, we Tour de Trails had to find in-country partners who were willing to try something never before done in Bhutan. With our remit of entwining the highest possible quality experience, luxury and cultural engagements  with the logistical difficulties of moving a group of runners along a very remote, wild trail, it was a big ask and many operators would have put it in the too hard basket and stuck to trekking clientele. Not so  Blue Poppy Tours and Treks, in whom we have found not just a supplier, but a true partner in our quest to run this trail. We're just lucky that the can-do operator is also pretty much the best in Bhutan (and you can check that out via other referrers if you like!)

Blue Poppy has many years of experience revealing to clients the mysteries of Bhutan’s traditions and majestic landscapes. Whether you’re interested in visiting ancient Buddhist monasteries, experiencing a traditional Bhutanese festival, or trekking in stunning mountain scenery - or as we are, running through it! - their speciality is to tailor trips to needs and make it an unforgettable experience.

“We specialise in tailor made itineraries for independent travellers, we pride ourselves on our extensive local contacts and on going the extra mile to make each trip special,” says Choki from Blue Poppy.

"We pride ourselves on our extensive local contacts and on going the extra mile to make each trip special. We can arrange stays in traditional Bhutanese farmhouses, bird-watching, mountain biking, archery lessons, tours focusing on local textiles, photography, filming, Buddhist meditation and much more. Let us help you to see Bhutan through Bhutanese eyes."

Blue Poppy also proudly works with a local charitable foundation called the Loden Foundation. Its objectives are to promote education and learning in Bhutan, to foster an educational, literary and intellectual culture and to cultivate an enlightened ethos in Bhutanese society at large. In addition to its early learning centres, the first of their kind in Bhutan, Loden offers a successful entrepreneurship programme aimed at helping young Bhutanese become self-starters in business. If you would be interested to find out more about Loden’s work and to visit them during your time in Bhutan let us know and we would be pleased to facilitate this. Let us know when you contact us that you are interested in Loden’s work and if you would like to contribute in any way.

Tour de Trails is very proud to be partnering with Blue Poppy Tours, knowing in them and their team that we have partnered with the best to ensure our expedition is run to the highest possible standards, in safety and with unique cultural access and, as is the way in Bhutan, always with a smile. 

We'd like to thank Blue Poppy and urge our clients to recommend them to any friends or family who are considering visiting Bhutan for any reason (not just running!). 

www.bluepoppybhutan.com