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Bhutan Multi-sport Adventure Retreat

Paro, Bhutan
Cost: $7990
Oct 21st – Nov 1st, 2025

The Bhutan Adventure Retreat is our exclusive offering designed to give you an unparalleled experience in Bhutan. Indescribable magic awaits you on Women’s Quest’s annual trip to the “Land of the Dragon,” giving you the chance to discover the culture, nature, people, and Bhutanese way of life. We will start most mornings with a yoga practice and spectacular views. We will spend our days with adventures, from hiking through the hills and lush valleys, visiting towns and monasteries, and meeting the local communities. We will travel through several towns and villages, including Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Tangsibje, Bumthang, and Paro. The trip will culminate with our most challenging and scenic hike: the Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest), which is Bhutan’s most iconic temple and landmark.

We will also raft down the stunning Puna Tsang Chu River, which is framed by quaint riverside villages and rice fields. A chilly dip in the glacial river will leave you invigorated before we picnic in this beautiful Punakha Valley. A crowd favorite of this retreat is the opportunity to spend time with a Bhutanese family in their traditional pastoral hamlet. Two days of living, sleeping, and working with this family truly helps us understand their traditions and life. This country’s traditions, spirituality, and culture have been beautifully preserved, making Bhutan the “Happiest Country in the World.” And of course, we will visit the ancient temples and fortresses where we will learn and participate in their spiritual ceremonies and traditional festivals. After our challenging hike to the Tiger’s Nest, we will fill our final night with relaxation and festivity. Try the local hot stone baths before ending our night with a closing ceremony, delicious dinner, and slumber at National Geographic’s hidden gem, the 5-star hotel Zhiwa Ling.

Every day of this Women’s Quest adventure retreat will be laden with activities, attractions, and views that will enliven your senses. Join us as we hike, raft, bike, and drive through the soul of Bhutan. This trip will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Trust us, you won’t leave the same way as you came.  Happiness awaits in magical Bhutan!

What to Expect:

Bhutan has recently opened its borders for tours. We will be part of an exclusive offering designed to give you an unparalleled experience. You will get the chance to explore and get to know the culture, the people, and the Bhutanese way of life. Enjoy daily yoga and meditation practices, hikes through spectacular landscapes, rafting trips in Punakha, and all the thrills of riding your mountain bike through the best kept secret trails of Bhutan and the Phobjikha valley.

We will then venture further into the countryside by car to visit our Bhutanese family’s village in Trongsa. Here, we will experience the traditional lifestyles of rural Bhutan – a totally off-the-beaten-path exclusive experience. We will proceed to the central heartland of Bumthang Valley to witness a beautiful festival and enjoy impressive day hikes. Finally, we will fly back to Paro to visit Bhutan’s ultimate highlight – the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Highlights:

  • 11 days of adventure-filled activities – hiking, yoga, philanthropic activities, cultural experiences, optional mountain biking and much more
  • 10-nights of accommodations that range from 5-star hotels to guest homes
  • Our last 2 nights will be spent at the Zhiwa Ling – one of National Geographic’s Hidden Gem. The Zhiwa Ling is a work of art, painstakingly constructed, carved, and painted by Bhutanese artisans over five years. It is not an old hotel—it first opened its doors in 2005 and is equipped with all the modern amenities you’d expect—yet the stunning architecture conveys an atmosphere of timeless tradition that fits right into Bhutan’s cultural landscape. The hotel’s temple exemplifies this emphasis on the authentic: it was built using 450-year-old wood from the original Gangtey Goemba monastery, one of Bhutan’s most cherished sites.
  • Restaurant with indoor and garden seating
  • Yoga classes
  • Meditation sessions in tranquil Meditation House
  • Tea House with traditional Bhutanese teas
  • Spa, steam room, and massage offerings
  • Boutique with local goods
  • Greenhouse with rare Bhutanese orchids and other beautiful plants
  • The Herbal hot stone bath at a local farm will calm and relax us on our last night. Afterwards, we will eat a delicious meal and end the trip with our closing ceremony.  
  • Hikes to many Buddhist temples, including the Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. This temple is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The most Memorable challenging hike with incredible views but also an amazing spiritual experience
  • Rafting in the spectacular Punakha valley will enhance our adventure. As we float down the river surrounded by incredible views, we will stop for a quick and somewhat chilly swim in the glacial river.  
  • Cultural walks and visits to temples, bridges, stupas, gardens, and more
  • Sunrise yoga most mornings – most with spectacular views
  • Village life: two incredible days with our guide’s family, enjoying their traditional lifestyle and listening to stories, legends, and music from the locals. We will also try our skills at archery (national sport), dart throwing, and milking the cows.
  • Handloom weaving demonstration
  • Craft beer and music
  • We love to give back! We will visit the Dsraktsho Foundation which supports children with disabilities. Get to know the children and enjoy a special concert performed exclusively for us. We will have the chance to support this organization by purchasing any of the art, baskets, toys, and other memorabilia that they create.
  • Lifelong friendships and magical experiences

Included in the Price:

  • 11 day/10-night accommodations in Bhutan that range from five-star hotels to guest homes – double occupancy (see below for details about single rooms)
  • All accommodations in 3-5 star hotels, resorts, and guest house
  • Domestic airfare from Bumthang to Paro
  • Airport transfers on arrival into and departure from Paro
  • All ground transportation in our comfortable bus
  • All meals, evening tea, and drinking mineral water throughout the trip
  • Bhutan Tourism Royalty/Levy ($65 per day per person)
  • Visa Fees ($40 per person)
  • All necessary permit fees
  • All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees
  • Women’s Quest staff leader and culture expert tour leader
  • Rafting in Punakha
  • Gentle morning yoga and meditation practice

What is NOT Included in the Price:

  • International round trip airfare from your hometown to Bangkok, Thailand
  • Round-trip airfare from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan, which is arranged by our guides. You pay the airlines directly — estimated around $900-$990 – to be finalized at time of booking
  • Travel insurance – required
  • Additional spa services beyond the traditional hot-stone bath
  • Yoga mat for daily practice
  • All personal expenses (e.g., shopping, laundry, telephone)
  • Tips for guides, drivers, and baggage handlers

What are the accommodations?

The accommodations in Bhutan are always clean, comfortable and have a traditional ambiance. We will be staying in hotels that range from 3-5 stars and a guest home. Most of our questers love the guest home as we eat, sleep, and adventure with our hosts, really enjoying the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. But the final 2 nights at the 5-star Zhiwa Ling are an unforgettable experience!

Single Rooms are available at an additional cost of $2000. Please email colleen@womensquest.com to check on availability.

How do we get there?

We recommend flying into Bangkok (BKK) at least a day early. Please arrive no later than the night of Oct 22nd. Our flight to Bhutan is early morning on October 23rd. We will be returning to Bangkok on Nov 2nd. Please do not book your return flights until late on Nov 3rd or 4th. We recommend staying in the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel if you need accommodations before and after the Bhutan adventure and yoga retreat.

The flight between Bangkok and Paro Bhutan will be booked (at a group rate) by our guides and you will pay them directly for this flight (around $900-$990 determined at a later date). The ticket will be emailed to you after purchase. Make sure you bring the email and a copy.

For citizens of Canada and the United States: You will need your passport, valid for 6 months beyond your travel. It also must have two blank facing pages. A tourist visa is needed to enter Bhutan, and we will provide the visas for the group and email you a copy to bring. 

What will the food be like?

Food staples for the Bhutanese include rice, beef, pork, poultry, goat, yak, and fish. Yak cheese is part of the diet of upland nomads. Meat soups, rice or corn, and spiced chilies comprise daily food. Beverages include buttered tea and beer distilled from cereal grains. Menus of restaurants in Bhutan are a fantasy concocted of the ingredients a restaurant would like to have and what is actually on their shelves.

As this is an all-inclusive Women’s Quest adventure, expect to eat most meals at our hotel (buffet fans are in for a treat — and were not appreciated, al a carte meals may be provided). The buffet dishes are usually soup, rice, noodles, seasonal vegetables, potato, dal (lentils), and some protein (chicken/pork/beef).

This course is followed by a sweet dish, usually fresh fruits or a fruit cocktail. Tea and coffee (Nescafe) are also served. These foods are tampered to western taste and therefore are not spicy or hot as locals would eat. Your guide can arrange dinner at local restaurants but beware: traditional Bhutanese food always features chilies and the most popular dish is ema datse made with large, green hot chilies in a cheese sauce.

Though there is plenty of white rice, Bhutanese prefer a local, slightly nutty, red variety. At high altitudes, wheat is the staple. Several Tibetan-style dishes are common, including momos (dumplings) and thukpa (noodles).

While touring, we will likely eat breakfasts and dinners in our hotel. In the countryside and on long drives, we will enjoy picnic lunches. In some cases, we will stop at roadside restaurants.

*Please be informed that Bhutanese cuisine is limited in diversity due to the age-old isolation and lack of western ingredients and expertise. Guests who are very sensitive about food are advised to notify us in advance so that we can try to cater to your needs wherever possible. Please make sure you tell us of your dietary restrictions.

What about the yoga?

We will wake in the morning to a gentle yoga and meditation practice. Please bring your yoga mats.

What about hiking?

We will be doing some extensive hiking throughout the trip. Some of this hiking will be at altitude. We suggest starting an aerobic conditioning routine as soon as possible. We will hike to the tops of some mountains with an altitude of 12,000 feet, but we will be sure to go at a pace that is good for everyone. There is always the option of a shorter hike, relaxing at the hotel, or meditating at a temple.  

What about rafting?

The rafting is a gentle float in a 10-person raft accompanied by expert guides. We will stop for a brief swim in the chilly glacial water before ending with a picnic alongside the beautiful river.

What weather can I expect?

October to December is the ideal time to visit Bhutan. Expect it to be mid 70’s to low 80’s in the sun, but there will be cooler temperatures in the evenings and at higher altitudes.

What is the average age on this adventure and yoga retreat?

We have a wide range of women who attend our retreats, from 15-75 years young.

What if I am coming alone?

The majority of the women who attend our retreats come by themselves. Bhutan is a safe and easy country to travel as a single woman. English is spoken in most tourist areas and we are here to answer any questions about travel that you may have. Although you may come alone, you will leave the retreat with new, lifelong friends!

Do I have to participate in everything on the schedule?

No! All activities and outings are optional. This is YOUR retreat. We encourage you to do what feels most nurturing and right for you. You will be fully supported in doing as much or as little as you choose. All of our activities will be guided by expert staff, and instruction and support will be offered for every activity according to your experience level.

Am I in good enough shape to do this retreat?

This is a retreat that everyone can do but you will love it even more if you are in good shape – please start your training program now.

Payment Policy

To secure your spot on a retreat, a non-refundable deposit is required:

  • $500 for domestic retreats
  • $1,000 for international retreats

Single room reservations may require an additional $200 deposit. Reservations cannot be held without a deposit.

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the retreat. If payment is not received by this deadline, you may lose your reservation. For bookings made within 90 days of the retreat, payment in full is required at the time of registration.

Payment Options:

  • Avoid fees by paying via check or Zelle.  
  • Payments via PayPal or Stripe incur a 4% processing fee.  

Cancellation Policy

  • 91+ days before the retreat: Refund of payments (minus your deposit).
  • 90 or fewer days before the retreat: Payments are non-refundable.

Women’s Quest reserves the right to cancel retreats with insufficient participant interest. In such cases, all payments will be refunded; however, Women’s Quest is not responsible for personal expenses, such as airline tickets, due to schedule changes or cancellations.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case unforeseen circumstances prevent you from attending or completing the retreat.

Travel insurance is particularly important in the event you:

  • Need to cancel due to illness or injury (including testing positive for COVID-19).
  • Require medical care during the retreat.
  • Face trip interruptions, delays, or unexpected quarantine requirements.

We suggest a policy that covers:

  • Trip cancellation and interruption
  • Medical expenses
  • Quarantine costs

For maximum flexibility, consider a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policy, which provides additional peace of mind. While this type of coverage is more expensive, it offers the most protection for unforeseen changes.

To compare and purchase travel insurance, we recommend using Squaremouth, a trusted platform to find the best policy for your needs.https://www.squaremouth.com/22393

Before purchasing any policy, consult a travel insurance agent to ensure it meets your coverage expectations.

Are you ready to join Women’s Quest on our Bhutan retreat? Sign up today!