I highly recommend this local travel specialist! We had a wonderful experience. Thinley was very accommodating to our needs- even last minute changes. Our guide, Lhab, was very knowledgeable and he and our drivers were delightful to spend time with. I cannot say enough good things.
From ancient heritages to bustling cities and stunning beaches to stunning rural scenery, this comprehensive, 20-day Sri Lanka tour will bring you face to face with the best that this country has to offer. Starting from Negombo, you will travel to Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Sigriya, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya during this tour before heading off to Waskaduwa to relax on the beach.
Get the glimpse of Sri Lanka's history across millennia in Anuradhapura, and Sigiriya among other places and explore the modern cities of Kandy, Nanu Oya and Galle to understand the country's more-recent colonial past.
Along the way you can also choose to explore Sri Lanka's pristine national parks and get a chance to see herds of elephants in the wild. You'll also be able to see rescued baby elephants at Udawalwe’s Elephant Transit Home. Also learn the local way of life during a train ride from Kany to Nuwara Eliya and enjoy an intriguing crab-cooking session in Jaffna.
After experiencing the verdant hills and expansive tea plantation inland, end your trip soaking up some sun on the picturesque beaches of Kalutara.
This 8-day adventure through Bhutan is a captivating journey through a land where ancient traditions meet modern aspirations. From the moment you arrive at Paro International Airport, often hailed as the world's most beautiful, you'll be immersed in a realm of breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.
Explore historic fortresses like Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong, now a museum housing exquisite artifacts. Discover the art of incense making, hike to the iconic Tiger's Nest monastery perched on a cliff, and witness the unique Takin, Bhutan's national animal. Journey over high mountain passes, visit sacred temples, and wander through bustling markets in the capital city of Thimphu.
But this tour offers more than just sightseeing. You'll experience authentic Bhutanese life with a homestay in the Phobjikha Valley, sharing meals and stories with a local family. You'll witness the resilience of Bhutanese architecture at the ruined Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and perhaps even catch the excitement of an archery tournament.
This is a journey that will awaken your senses, challenge your body, and nourish your soul. It's an opportunity to connect with a culture that values happiness and harmony, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.
We've carefully selected some of our departure dates to coincide with Bhutan's vibrant tsechus – religious festivals that bring the dzongs (fortresses) to life with colorful masked dances, lively processions, and unique cultural performances. These festivals offer a rare glimpse into Bhutan's spiritual heart and are a truly unforgettable experience.
To ensure you fully immerse yourself in these captivating celebrations, we may adjust the itinerary slightly on these special departure dates. This allows us to maximize your time at the festivals and also takes into account the limited accommodation availability during these popular events.
Flights to Bhutan are available with Druk Air, the national airline, with convenient connections from Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, and Kathmandu.
Want to extend your adventure beyond Bhutan? We offer a range of options to combine this tour with time in Nepal and/or India:
- Temples, Dzongs and Taj - This tour combines our Bhutan Encounters tour with an exploration of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and time visiting Delhi and Agra (including the Taj Mahal) in India.
- Himalayan Kingdoms - This tour add times in Nepal before and after our Bhutan Encounters Tour
Coulours, friendly charming local people. Perfect arrangements by the Exodus tour leader and good local guides. Not a dull moment and beautiful drives on local roads.
The tour provided a great opportunity to observe Indian culture close-up, while also visiting many of the key tourist sites of northern india. On the whole, a great balance.
I had an amazing wonderful experience visiting Bhutan with this company over the past week. From the start to the end of the trip, I was very well taken care of by Tsenrig (owner), Kar Chung (guide) & Leki (driver). My itinerary was adapted to my likings (nature, local cultural experience & food) and Maebar delivered well!
Key highlights of the trip include: leisurely walks across the pine forests at Phobjikha Valley & rustic authentic villages, a challenging hike to Tiger's Nest at 4000m high, a unique local hot stone bath & cuisine dinner in a village home, immersing myself in ancient architectures & monastery way of life at Punakha and Rinpung Dzongs hundreds of years old etc.
All hotel lodgings arranged were very comfortable, clean & spacious. The all inclusive food was a good mix of familiar international cuisine, as well as additional local Bhutanese food.
I leave Bhutan with fond memories and appreciation of its unique & rich heritage. Many thanks to Tsenrig, Kar Chung and Leki for a wonderful trip!
We had an excellent tour of Golden Triangle and Varanasi thru Ghuam India Ghuam company. We highly recommend Praakash Chaubey as a great tour guide in Varanasi. He was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. He took us to many interesting places including Sacred Ganges River, many temples and world famous evening prayer ceremony. He told us many interesting facts and showed us real Varanasi. We highly recommend him if you visit Varanasi
The remnants of a spiritual past await your discovery in Sri Lanka, from the ancient cliff-built complex of Lion Rock in Sigiriya to the ruins of the Sinhalese capital in Anuradhapura. Explore wonders of nature and humanity – often both at once – on this 8-day adventure through the cities, jungles and caves of Sri Lanka. Beginning in Negombo, travel through verdant countryside, past tea plantations, into the wildlife-filled Minneriya National Park and to the thriving capital of Colombo. An immersive and cultural Sri Lankan escapade awaits – the only thing left to choose is when to go.
Discover the colourful culture and history, friendly people, and the timeless wonders of Sri Lanka on the 8-day Splendours of Ceylon. An island blessed with green forests, vast sandy beaches and stunning ancient treasures, Sri Lanka is a true hidden gem of South-East Asia. Start your adventure at the metropolitan city of Colombo and explore impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered around the island. Hop on your jeep in Walpattu, Horton Plains and Minneriya to spot elephants or the famed Sri Lankan Leopard. Trek through lush forests, climb up to temples carved in huge boulders and have a sip of exotic Sri Lankan tea.
