Bhutan Quest

Expect a minimum of 15 people and a maximum of 25 people. We keep group sizes small to build community and allow access to places normal tourists cannot visit.

We are diligent to make sure this is the right experience for you at this time in your life. Due to the small size of the group, we are looking for a group of socially-minded leaders and people committed to their professional and personal growth. Bhutan is a spiritual nation and very different than traveling to Tuscany or the Caribbean. For these reasons, we want to make sure expectations are aligned and you get everything you want from this immersive learning and travel experience.

Absolutely, given this is a life changing experience, many leaders find great value and transformation in bringing their significant other. However, we have also seen other leaders utilize this time for personal contemplation and reflection. We will explore this in your 30-minute interview.

Our lead guide is Dr. Dorji Wangchuk, the former Press Secretary to the King of Bhutan, Dean of Royal Thimpu college, and former head of Bhutan media. Joining Dorji is a remarkable ground team of top Bhutanese guides and wisdom keepers who ensure every detail of your experience is tended to so you can focus on your learning and growth.

You need to arrive in Bangkok by no later than the afternoon of November 1nd to receive a Thai massage and join an introductory dinner. On the return, you need to book your flights on or after 8 p.m. local time on November 8th, or the morning of November 9th. Please pay close attention to the time changes you will experience on the flight to Bangkok to ensure you book the right flight. Your flights from Bangkok to Paro are included and business class seats are provided to participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

The COMO hotel group, owners of the COMO Metropolitan Bangkok are long-term partners in Abroad so we have a wonderful relationship. We can put you in contact to book additional nights pre-post the Quest if you want to enjoy Bangkok or visit COMO's property in Phuket. If you want to spend more time in Bhutan, we can connect you with our trusted local guides.

Bhutan is famous for imposing expensive daily tourism fees and requiring certified tour guides for all travelers. They do this to ensure their pristine nation does not get overrun by tourism and backpackers like other major tourist centers. Bhutan is allocating money for each traveler to minimize the environmental impact of travel.

A full packing list will be provided once you sign up through our Bhutan Participant Dashboard.

Fundamental to Abroad's mission is building regenerative collaborations with our indigenous partners. You will learn more about this throughout the Quest, but expect at least one experience where we give back to the communities that welcome us.

Both Thimpu and Paro are around 7,500 feet altitude. During our hike to Dodedhra Monastery, we will walk two hours on a well-defined path up to 9,800+ feet. (about 2 hours up and 1.5 hours down) However, you will have a day to acclimate upon arrival in Bhutan before we do this hike. 

On the final day, we will hike the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which sits around 10,300 feet. This hike is a bit more challenging, but you will have plenty of time to acclimate and can simply take your time. (about 2-2.5 hours up and 1.5-2 hours down) If you need a donkey for the hike, that is also an option. On our previous quests, 1-2 people choose this option.

For currency, there is an ATM at the airport where you can get Bhutanese Ngultrum on arrival.  Once you are in Bhutan, you will not need to pay for anything Quest related.  The currency you take out will be for shopping and anything outside of the Quest. It is suggested to have some cash as cards are not reliable.

We advise you to check with your cell phone provider to see if you can have reasonably priced international service in Bhutan. If you need a SIM card, then it’s provided as part of your Quest.

Yes, travel insurance is required to travel with us in Bhutan, and you are also required to agree to our Terms and Conditions and release of liability. We will provide recommendations for a reasonable travel and health insurance plans, as well as plans that will cover your entire investment for the Abroad Quest should you need to cancel for unforeseen reasons.

It's never a bad idea to take all precautions. Hep A and B are good vaccines to have for all international travel. Typhoid is more of an issue in the deep rural areas and villages. We will be roaming Thimpu and Paro, two places organized well for tourists, health, and safety. Here is a link to the CDC recommendations for Bhutan.

You can wear anything, however when we visit Monasteries and Dzong you are not allowed to wear shorts, slippers, half T-shirts or hats.  Bring warm/thick socks for when you can not wear shoes.

Abroad will reserve massage times for the group and provide a staff contact at each hotel for you to reserve your massage or hot stone bath at your desired time.

Abroad will host an intro session with our faculty and Bhutan guides. After the Quest, we will schedule a group integration call and individual coaching sessions to help you integrate this powerful life experience.

Yes, you will be able to do laundry at the hotel. The cost of doing laundry will be your own expense.

+60 Days - Full Refund

+30 Days - 50% Refund

Within 30 Days - No Refund, although we will do our best to recapture any investment

We will handle and send you your Visa/Permit a couple weeks before the quest.