Eco-Tourism in Bhutan: A Model of Sustainable Travel
Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom known for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH), offers a compelling model for eco-tourism and sustainable travel. Unlike many countries that have faced environmental degradation due to mass tourism, Bhutan has taken a bold, deliberate approach to preserve its natural and cultural treasures. Through its “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy, Bhutan limits tourist numbers, ensuring that tourism benefits the environment, the economy, and the wellbeing of its people.
Over 70% of Bhutan remains forested, and more than half the country is protected under national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This remarkable commitment makes Bhutan one of the world’s only carbon-negative countries, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it produces. Eco-tourism initiatives invite visitors to experience this pristine environment through low-impact activities like trekking, birdwatching, and cultural tours, all managed carefully to minimize harm.
Community-based tourism is central to Bhutan’s eco-tourism model. Homestays, village walks, and local guiding services empower rural communities and distribute the benefits of tourism more evenly. Visitors have the chance to engage deeply with Bhutanese culture, spirituality, and traditional ways of life, creating a rich, respectful travel experience that fosters mutual understanding.
Moreover, Bhutan’s environmental laws, bans on plastic bags, and strong emphasis on renewable energy further showcase how eco-tourism is integrated into the nation’s broader development goals. Instead of chasing tourist numbers, Bhutan prioritizes quality, sustainability, and authenticity.
In a time when the global travel industry seeks more responsible pathways, Bhutan stands as a shining example of how tourism, if managed thoughtfully, can protect nature, enrich lives, and inspire the world.
Explore the Pristine Natural Environment of Bhutan.
Learn about High Value, Low Impact” Tourism Policy of Bhutan.
Experience in the Carbon-Negative Country.
Explore the Rich Biodiversity of Bhutan.
Immerse in the Community-Based Tourism in Bhutan.
Enjoy the Sustainable Trekking Routes of Bhutan.
Find out about the Sustainable Tourism of Bhutan.
City tour of Paro and Thimphu valleys
Day 01. Bangkok – Paro
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. On arrival at Paro international airport, you will be received by our representative and will escort you to hotel. In the afternoon we will do a short hike which starts from the above the National Museum, which ends at UmaParo. The hike will be trough the pine forest and we can see the Paro valley, other surrounding villages and Paro International Airport beautifully from this hike. The hike will take about 1hour 30minutes. Dinner and over night stay at Paro Hotel, Ugyen Phendeyling Resort or Similar standard.
Day 02. Paro – Shana (Start of Trek)
Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the Paro river gently. We pass through the cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages. Overnight at camp Shana.
Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time 5 – 6 hours.
Day 03. Shana – Thangthangka
We pass by a few isolated farmhouses, and deep forest area. We also pass a junction en-route, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Over night camp at Thangthangka.
Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7 – 8 hours.
Day 04. Thangthangka – Jangothang
En-route a small army post, beautifully valley of Tegethang, yaks, the stunning views of mountain Jhomolhari, Jichudrake and Tsherim Gang. The ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions with wind flags, backgrounds with mountain Jhomolhari is spectacular.
Altitude 4,115 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 – 6 hours.
Day 05. Jangothang (Halt)
A rest day. A chance to acclimatize and walk up to the Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite direction.
Day 06. Jangothang- Dhumzo Chhu or Chorapang
On the way you will see the view of Jhomolhari,Jitchu Drake and the valley to Jhomolhari camp site. Your will also come across the several yak harder’s tent, Tsho Phu lakes and normally see a flock of Himalayan blue Sheep high up on the rocky slopes. If you are lucky enough you may see the footprint of Snow Leopard at the Bonte La pass. Then the trail winds up till Bonte La (16,040 ft/4890m) and is also highest pass of this trek. Take a time to enjoy the scenery, have a snack or put up some prayer flags. From here you can see Basingthang Peaks(5500m), Chatarake(Djo Drake, Jo Darkey (5570m) and Kanchenjunga,the third highest mountain in the world. The trail drops through a steep, narrow gully with gravel and loose rocks till you reached Dhmxo. The Soi yaksey Valley is a beautiful site with impressive rock cliffs, waterfalls, deep side valleys, and snow- covered peaks. Overnight at the camp.
Altitude 3800 m; Distance 16 Km; Time 5-6 hours.
Day 07. Dhumzo Chhu- ThongbueShong
You will have to climb from the camp through rhododendron, birch, oak forest draped in moss brings you to a meadow with huge Juniper tree and then lead s to Dhunge La (15,410ft/4700m) then to Tagulun La (14,880ft/4540m. You can also get a better view of Jhomolhari, Jitchu Drake and Teri Kang, and in the distance Kanchenjunga (28160ft/85840m) and even Makalu (27,760ft/8463m)blocking the view to Mount Everest. You can also see your tonight Thungbue camp. The Thangbue valley which has several stone huts-is busy in spring and autumn with number of families and hundreds of yaks, horses, dogs and goats. Thongbue camp is the second highest camp for the trek.
Altitude 4120mm; Distance 11 Km; Time 4 – 5 hours.
Day 08. Thongbue to Shana
Today you will cross the valley through a swampy area to a clear trail through rhododendron bushes climbing steeply to Thombu La (14,005ft/4270m). you can also see the several mountain peaks view from the pass. The ridge walk from the pass is one of the best parts of the trek: very high above the valleys on a good trail with a beautiful view. The trail descends steeply for 2 to 3 hours till you reach to the final night’s camp on a pleasant site by the Paro Chhu.
Altitude 2890 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 – 6 hours.
Day 09. Shana to Drugyel Dzong. (Trek Ends)
A 4 hours hike through the lovely valley, finishing at Drugyel Dzong where your transport waiting to take you to your hotel in Paro. Overnight – hotel in Paro.
Altitude 2580m; Distance 10.5 Km; Time 4 hours.
Day 10. Departure from Paro international Airport
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Authentic Bhutan Tours will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again.
This is a sample itinerary, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, tour conditions, group options and the physical condition of participants, may dictate itinerary changes either before departure or while on tour. We reserve the right to change this schedule in the interest of our guests, safety, comfort and general well being.
Start planning your tailor-made Dream Holiday to Bhutan – The Land of happiness!
In order to experience the best and rewarding fulfillment clients must plan in advance the different logistics that you have in your minds before actually venturing into the world of trips. You might have wishes and hopes for which you need to plan.
The following information will help you to plan your dream trip to Bhutan.
1. When and how to visit Bhutan?
Choose your traveling date like Arrival/Departure date. You also need to choose entry/depart Bhutan via AIR or LAND.
By Air: Druk Air, the national carriers is the only service operator in the kingdom and operates several flights per week from Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi & Kolkata (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal) to Paro (Bhutan). The Paro International Airport is located about an hour and a half drive from Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Paro airport is daylight restricted, and the flights are totally dependent on the weather. As a result, sometimes flights are delayed. It is therefore a good idea to keep at least 24 hours of transit time for connecting flights out of Paro. You might also want to consider traveling on a non-restricted ticket so that if you miss a connecting flight, you can be rerouted or seated on the first available carrier.
Sometimes flights into Paro are disrupted because of unfavorable weather conditions. If this occurs, the flight will stop for the night at the transit airport. To be prepared, you may want to carry your essential personal items in your carry-on luggage.
By Land: Phuentsholing, a Bhutanese town in the southwest has road access to India. It is located about 170 km from the Indian domestic airport at Bagdogra, West Bengal. Phuentsholing is about 172 km from Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan and is about 6hours drive distance. And S/
2. What are your itineraries?
All the tours can be customized and extended as per our valued client’s requirements. There are sample itineraries for your kind reference and it will give you some general idea of the likely trip scheduled.
Complete the tour request form and submit it to us. Send us correct name list. We will send you the flight reservation status via email.
After confirming your reservation, we need the scanned copy of member’s passport.
Please remit us full payments and send us the copy of remittance paper via email. Visa will not be accepted without full payment.
We will send you the flight ticket copy and Visa Clearance Copy prior to your departure to Bhutan via email. You need to print out and carry along with you.
Start packing and looking forward to have a memorable trip in the LandThunder Dragon, DrukYul.
Hot stone bath (Dhotsho) is a traditional bath of Bhutan, where a tradition of heating up stones and then soaking in the water that is in turn heated by the stones. This is also a curative method and is used throughout the country We Bhutanese belief that this bath has so much of medicinal benefits. Some diseases are curable-like joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorder, arthritis and many other minor diseases. Especially for the old age, where we have lots of body pains, joints pains helps a lot by this Hot Stone Bath (Dhotsho).
I think, the minerals in the rocks have certain chemicals, which can cure certain disease of our body. Hot stone bath has no side effects. It is in its pure natural form. We can organize the hot stone bath during your stay in Bhutan.
The Bhutanese textiles are rich, vibrant, and colorful and are a complex art form as well as an integral part of the Bhutanese culture. This Bhutan weaving experiences will give you an insight about the rich textiles in Bhutan. You can sit one of the handlooms of Bhutan and weave your self practically. We promise that you will really enjoy this with great satisfaction in your life.
We will also see or learn the natural coloring and dyeing. You can bring your own materials like handkerchief to dye and color. So visit Bhutan and experience it practically by yourself.
Folk Performing Arts & Music in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
We have Cultural Program Performing groups, which they will perform like Traditional folk songs, dances and keeps original tunes and dances alive. Moreover, new choreography for some traditional and regional songs is sometimes developed.
The troupe also performs mask dances that have historical and spiritual significance.
Tiger’s Nest is most visited spot in Bhutan and it is much awaited by every tourist who visits Bhutan to climb to Tiger’s Nest.
It takes about 2 hrs 30mins up steep climb through the forest of pine, oak and Rhododendron. However you can ride the horse and climb till the Taktshang cafeteria.
The above activities can be incorporated easily into your travel itinerary. However some activities need to pay some additional fees. So let us know which activities you would like to experiences so that we will include in your invoice.
Trip Length: 09 Nights/10 days
Costs
1 pax = USD
2 Pax = USD per person
3 Pax & above = USD per person.
The above price is inclusive of the followings:
- Government Royalty USD 65/person/night
- All government Taxes.
- Lodging (3* hotel – Twin Sharing)
- Meals (Three Meals a day)
- Comfortable Land Transportation within Bhutan.
- Service of guides (English Speaking)
- Camping Equipment & Haulage of trekking tours.
- Visa Fee of USD 40/person
- Mineral Water
- Tea/coffee with snacks ever evening at hotel
- Trying and wearing of our Traditional Costumes and photo shoot.
The above price shall be exclusive of the following:
- Travel Insurance Coverage
- Medical Expenses
- Laundry
- Drinks
- Sleeping bags on treks.
- Tips to guide and driver, others
- Personal bills and others
- Airfare.
Speak to a specialist
Email: info@authenticbhutantours.com
Cell: 00975-17343434
Get inspired by the trip ideas on our website and in our brochures. Then speak to us for first-hand expert advice and if you’re ready, start planning your trip in detail.
