Bhutan Travel Guide: Days 8-11, Travelling Solo, Flight To Bangkok With The Royal Family, Costs & Final Thoughts

In this penultimate episode of my Bhutan Series on Winging It, I wrap up my 11-day trip to Bhutan and share my final experiences exploring Thimphu and Paro, plus my biggest takeaways from travelling through one of the most fascinating countries in the world.

After originally planning a trek in the Haa Valley, I changed my itinerary and spent my final days wandering Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, experiencing Bhutan’s National Day celebrations, visiting local cafés, exploring markets, and eventually heading to Paro for my final night before flying back to Bangkok. I also give an idea of what budget day-to-day life is like when travelling solo in Bhutan.

Along the way I stayed in luxury glamping tents in hills of Paro, met incredible locals, and had an unexpected moment on my flight to Bangkok when I discovered the King and Queen of Bhutan were on the same plane. I managed to speak to one of their closest advisors during the flight, which was a very interesting chat indeed!

To wrap up the series, I also share my favourite experiences in Bhutan, practical Bhutan travel tips, what it actually costs to visit Bhutan, and advice for anyone planning their own trip to the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon.

If you're wondering how to visit Bhutan, what an itinerary looks like, or whether Bhutan is worth visiting, this episode brings together everything I learned from my time there.

Check out my previous Bhutan episodes

Episode 1 Interview with Ugyen Rinzin - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000743770563

Episode 2 - IMMERSIVE Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000744754502

Episode 3 - Days 1-3 solo episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000745691316

Episode 4 - Interview with a female monk - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000747763604

Episode 5 - IMMERSIVE Day in Bhutan - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000748856300

Episode 6 - Ama Om Homestay Interview - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000750963609

Episode 7 - Days 4-7 solo episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000752831510

🎧 If Bhutan has ever been on your travel radar, this series will show you why it deserves to be.

This entire journey through Bhutan was made possible by Breathe Bhutan, who created an incredible, deeply immersive itinerary that allowed me to experience the country far beyond the surface. From meeting local families to having honest conversations like this one, their focus on authentic, responsible, and meaningful travel is something I’ll be showcasing throughout this series.

Thanks & Credits

Huge thanks to Breathe Bhutan for creating an authentic, culture-focused itinerary and making experiences like this possible. Also, thanks to Tourism Bhutan for hosting me on this trip and making this series possible.

Breathe Bhutan

Website to book tours - https://www.breathebhutan.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/breathebhutan/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/breathebhutan/

Support the Podcast

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⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Intro to the Bhutan trip recap (Days 8–11)

01:45 Why I cancelled the Haa Valley trek

03:45 Returning to Thimphu and saying goodbye to my guides

06:00 Exploring Thimphu solo for the first time

07:30 Coffee at Ambient Café

08:45 Bhutan National Day celebrations at the National Stadium

10:00 Centenary Farmers Market and meeting locals at Hope Café

11:30 Discovering Bhutan’s only coffee roastery

12:45 Traveling from Thimphu to Paro

13:30 Staying at Ten Zingaling luxury glamping tents

14:35 Sunrise breakfast in the Himalayas

16:00 Exploring Paro and souvenir shopping

17:30 Dinner with locals at Himalayan Kitchen

19:00 Final morning in Paro

19:20 The surprise: flying with the King and Queen of Bhutan

22:20 My top experiences in Bhutan

23:30 Bhutan food, coffee and culture

24:15 Why Breathe Bhutan made the trip special

25:30 The cost of traveling to Bhutan explained

27:30 Flights to Bhutan and practical travel tips

28:30 Best coffee, souvenirs and cultural spots in Bhutan

29:30 When to visit Bhutan and weather tips

30:00 Final reflections on my Bhutan trip

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Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com⁠

Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/

Winging It Travel Podcast - Website

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com or james@wingingitproductions.com

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