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Heroes and Heroines Paro
Bordered by forested mountain peaks, Paro is a small valley town in western Bhutan and one of the most beautiful arrival points…
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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
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Heroes and Heroines The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.
Bhutan holidays
An enigma that few tourists even know exists. We were one of the first accredited operators for the country – and have been enlightening travellers with Bhutan’s peaceful disposition and unique identity for over 20 years.
Bhutan nudged its door open to tourism in the late 80s and by the mid-90s was allowing a restricted 3,000 people in per year. We were one of the first companies to be fully accredited and have been organising holidays there ever since. In Bhutan, it is still who you know rather than what you know, and we know all the right people.
Thimpu
Bhutan's young capital Thimpu, established in 1961 is the beating heart of Bhutan. With a colourful weekend market, regular archery competitions and…
Punakha
Bhutan's ancient capital for more than 300 years, the town of Punakha lies in a lush valley at the confluence of the…
Gangtey
The village of Gangtey overlooks the Phojikha Valley, a wide glacial vale in altitudinous central Bhutan.
Bumthang
Central Bhutan includes some of the most significant historical and religious sites in the country. As it is seldom visited, it also…
Eastern Bhutan
The Eastern region of Bhutan is the most remote and least visited; however, it offers some of the most spectacular scenery and…
Why We Like Bhutan
One cannot fail to like a country which measures itself through gross national happiness. It offers peace and tranquillity, unmatched physical beauty, an attractive culture and people and a genuine sense of wellbeing and enlightenment. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the ancient monasteries, or dzongs, which serve as the administrative headquarters for each region. Bhutan is a tonic for the soul and should be visited by everyone once in their lifetime.
What to Expect on Your Bhutan Holiday
In the early days, Bhutan was considered the preserve of the more dedicated traveller. Travel was challenging, the roads were poor and the standard of hotels left much to be desired. However, with the opening of new luxury lodges, holidays to Bhutan have taken on a different aspect and it is now possible to drive and fly (by internal flight or private helicopter) the width of the country in great comfort.
Our local partners are some of the best in the business and provide the highest standard of service, offering incredible guiding, extremely experienced drivers and the most comfortable vehicles available. Visiting the key sites of Bhutan are of course important during your trip, but we endeavour to always show you something a little different, away from the usual tourist routes.
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Bhutan's Accommodation Options Explained
In an effort to protect Bhutan’s environment and culture, the government has placed a minimum fee of $250 per person per night for visitors to Bhutan. Included in this cost is standard accommodation, all meals at the standard hotels and local restaurants, services of an English speaking guide, private transport with an experienced driver, sightseeing, entrance fees, basic camping experience/equipment and taxes.
Steppes uses the best standard hotels available in each region, however, they can be very simple the further east you travel. If you prefer a more luxurious approach to travel, luxury hotel brands such as Como, Taj, Six Senses and Aman operate across Bhutan and we’d be happy to discuss which of these would suit you best.
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Explore Bhutan
- Paro
- Thimpu
- Punakha
- Gangtey and Phobjikha Valley
- Bumthang
Experiences
It’s all here. Things to see and do, places to explore and moments to discover.
Places to stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Cultural Holidays
Bhutan Family Adventure
Travelling with kids in Bhutan isn’t going to be a walk in the park, but it’s certainly a worthy experience. Swap the kids club for a more enriching holiday for the entire family.
The type of family that comes to Bhutan loves exploring and getting stuck in. With the constant reassurance of your excellent guide, kids can have a go at so many activities.
Suggested Itinerary
An Introduction to Bhutan
This 13-day classic journey is the perfect holiday for anybody visiting Bhutan for the first time, taking in the main sites of Western and Central Bhutan whilst staying in a mix of traditional Bhutanese guest houses and uniquely styled five star comfortable hotels.
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Kate Hitchen
My travels were first inspired by my love of the UK, which I take as much pleasure in exploring as countries far and wide. For me, travel is all about the adventure, the people I meet and the food I sample along the way.
In fact, I am never happier than when I’m cycling, trekking or simply eating my way through a country! My heart and head regularly pull me east, notably to India but I may also be found wandering through the galleries and piazzas of Italy or daydreaming about fresh ceviche in the far west.
Talk with our experts
- 1 855 2037885
Joe Parkes
As a child I read voraciously so the seed of travel was planted by none other than Enid Blyton. Family holidays ran the gamut from icy dips in the early summer seas of Cornwall, to camel rides in north Africa, from Times Square to Tenerife. A GAP year upon leaving school cemented the travel bug. After graduating University and before stumbling, happily, into a career in the travel industry I spent a couple of glorious years exploring southern and east Africa, large swathes of South-east Asia, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Talk with our experts
- 1 855 2037885
How will I get around the country?
Transfers within the country are done by road, which is a fantastic way to see the countryside. On longer journeys it is possible to stop off along the way and see some of the many sights Bhutan has to offer.
Is Bhutan safe to travel around?
Bhutan is extremely safe and travellers on the whole never come into any problems during their trips. We always advise to keep an eye on your belongings and leave your valuables at home.
Is the national dish really chili in cheese?
It most certainly is and is known locally as Ema Datshi. I actually really liked it but be warned a lot of the food in Bhutan looks quite similar and (as our Bhutan specialist Joe learnt to his peril) it is very easy to mistake it for another less fiery dish such as runner beans in a sauce. If you aren’t expecting Ema Datshi it can give you quite a shock!
Is there anything I should read before leaving for Bhutan?
This travel blog by Sophy Roberts tells the story of her recent trip to Bhutan with her young son, and is a descriptive and charming insight into travelling around Bhutan: http://www.departures.com/articles/the-wonders-of-bhutan.
What should I see in Bhutan?
Despite being a small, landlocked country, Bhutan is home to some of the Indian Subcontinents most stunning and majestic scenery. The famous Taktsang Monastery, also known at the Tigers Nest, perched on the edge of a cliff in the Paro Valley, is a truly breathtaking sight and a visit to this ancient Buddhist monastery should not be missed off any itinerary.
A friend told me to make sure I sit on the left-hand side of the plane on the flight to Paro. Is this true?
If you are flying to Paro from Kathmandu or Delhi a seat on the left-hand side of the plane will give you superb views of the Himalayas. It is not possible to pre-book these seats so we advise checking in nice and early to avoid disappointment. Don’t forget to carry your camera in your hand luggage.
Are there any traditions or social etiquettes I need to remember during my visit?
When visiting Bhutan, it is always important to walk around Chortens (stupas) and spin prayer wheels clockwise. When photographing local people, it is best to ask beforehand. If in the country during a festival, visitors must stay within the crowd and not move into the performance area to get a better photograph – this is thought of as extremely rude by the locals.
Does a trip to Bhutan involve lots of trekking?
While it certainly could most visits to Bhutan focus on the many cultural highlights of the country rather than trekking. On a typical visit, the main trek that most people would do is up to the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery near Paro.
This climb is reasonably strenuous and will take between 2-3 hours up, and 1.5-2 hours back down. There is a cafeteria halfway with fabulous views and your guide will encourage you to go at your own pace and no faster. If you are interested in trekking there are some terrific options ranging from half a day to the epic Snowman Trek that takes around 25 days – the latter recognised as one of the world’s hardest treks.
How long are the flights to Bhutan from the UK?
From London Heathrow to Nepal or India, the flight time is between 10 and 12 ½ hours. The onward flight to Paro is then approximately two hours.
What is the time zone in Bhutan?
Bhutan is six hours ahead of GMT.
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01285 601 784Why Choose Steppes?
These may be uncertain times but they are, without a doubt, still full of opportunity to discover the extraordinary safely. Through knowledge and expertise, we can connect you to those destinations embracing travellers with the added confidence of flexible booking and decades of insight.
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