Bhutan for Foodies
Slow Travel is the Best Travel
Bhutan for Foodies
Bhutan Tour
12 Days from AU$16,888
Culinary exploration of street food and culture in Himalayan Bhutan
12 Days in Bhutan from AU$16,888
Bhutan gourmet adventure that balances spicy cuisine with tree-lined trails. Himalayan cooking embraces many influences from Tibet to India, and we'll get to explore it all in detail from farmers markets to grandma's chilli-cheese.
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What Makes This Trip Special
One of the most unique culinary adventures we’ve ever designed, Bhutan embraces influences from India to Tibet. A fascinating place to explore the Himalayas, the culture and the cuisine. You’ll be travelling with a local chef Tashi Dendup and our gourmet escort Shellie Froidevaux for the duration of your tour. Tashi and Shellie will be cooking up some treats plus sharing insights into the Bhutanese way of life.
We’ll take walks through rhododendron forests, spend two days at a cultural festival and eat with the local people. An optional hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is also included. We do have some gentle hikes throughout the itinerary, taking in the stunning Himalayan scenery and some pristine wilderness, but the main focus will be gourmet culture: Street food, traditional cooking and produce of the Himalayas.
You can travel with a conscience knowing that part of your tour cost goes directly toward funding of local schools, to improve the education outcomes of Bhutanese children.
Itinerary & Highlights
Arrival in Paro & Thimphu
- Our team will collect you and the rest of the group at Paro Airport
- All meals are included during the tour
- Buddha Dordenma Picnic Breakfast
- Thimphu Forest Walk
- Momos in the capital
Punakha
- Rice Harvest and Rice Puffs
- Taxi Stop Chicken Curry
- Monks at Punakha Dzong
- Farmhouse Lunch & River Walk
Phobjikha Valley
- Lawa La Descent into Phobjikha (3100m)
- Picnic lunch amongst the Rhododendrons
- Suja ceremony with the Potato Farmers
- Ema-Datsi and Mushroom Lunch
- Phobjikha Valley Nature Trail (2900m)
- Ezay and and Momo Cooking Class
- Monks at Gangtey Gompa
Haa Valley
- Travel day to reach Haa Valley
- Chilli Chop Lunch Stop
- Haa Summer Festival
- Dancing, Exhibitions, Food Stalls
- Buckwheat and Yak Meat Dinner
- Yak Cheese and Rhododendrons
Paro
- Blue Poppies at Chele La (3400m)
- Mushroom Farm
- Dhal Bhat from the South
- Blessing with the Monks
- Tiger’s Nest Day Hike (3100m)
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Bhutan for Foodies
12 Days – Starts and finishes in Paro
Twin Share AU$16,888
Single Room +$1,480
Group Size: 12
Register for Bhutan
As of March 2022 Bhutan is yet to announce when they will open the border to travellers without quarantine restrictions, so in the meantime we're accepting registrations with no deposit. Once we can confirm international travellers are eligible to enter you will receive an email that bookings are open. At that time you will be able to confirm your place on the tour as normal.
Download PDF Brochure
Please read the PDF brochure for full itinerary details, accommodation and extras included in the tour.
Dates & Departures
Starts 2023 July 01
Finishes 2023 July 12
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Starts 2024 July 06
Finishes 2024 July 17
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FAQ for Bhutan
Are Travellers Allowed Into Bhutan?
After September there are no restrictions on vaccinated travellers coming to Bhutan.
How Long Have you Been Running Tours to Bhutan?
It's been eight years since Ewen Bell first started guiding trips to Bhutan. His favourite season is winter when the air is cool and dry in the mountains and you can enjoy the sunshine without exploding into a ball of sweat!
How Much Cash Do I Need?
Not much at all. All meals, permits and ground transport are covered already. If you're not buying much in the way of souvenirs then $20 for a sim card and maybe another $50 for drinks should cover the basics. We also provide a more detailed "Pre-Departure Pack" when you book in the tour.
What Shoes Are Good Shoes?
Solid walking boots with high ankle support is recommended. We don't do heavy walks on the Be Your Best tours, but we do expect to travese dusty and rocky trails.
How Hard is Tiger's Nest Hike
This is the really tough one. Anyone can do it, you just need to take your time and don't rush it. The trail is steep on the way up, and the final section is mostly stairs. Coming back down at the end of the day can be tough if you have knee trouble. We offer an alternate day out for those who want to sit out the Tigere's Nest.
How Warm Is The accommodation?
Very warm indeed. Bhutan is plentiful with trees and hydro-electricity, and everywhere we stay you can expect either a log fire that turns the room into a sauna, or electric panels that offer more regulated control of warmth. Often we get the benefits of both.
Do We Have Electricity Every Night
Yes. Everywhere we travel is good for electricity, although the supply can drop out for hours at a time. Charging camera batteries or a laptop each day is never a problem.
Will I Have Mobile and Internet Access?
Yes there is mobile networks at every place we stay on the tour. The networks do vary so roaming connections may vary also. We recommend a local sim-card for cheap internet access as hotel internet is often slow.
How Do I Get A Visa?
We take care of that for you too. Our ground team handle visa applications and you'll have an electronic confirmation of your visa before departing for Paro.
What Flights Options Are There?
Usually we require travellers to arrive on the same flight at the start of the tour. Druk Air fly to only a few destinations and traditionally we have used Bangkok (Thailand) as our meeting up point for the tours.