Mushrooms, Mountains and Monasteries
This unique tour is brought to you in collaboration with MushRoaming.com, offering an extraordinary journey into Bhutan’s vibrant flora and fauna. The experience highlights the remarkable diversity of mushrooms found across various altitudes and habitats. Led by experienced mycologist Daniel Winkler—a lifelong mushroom enthusiast—you’ll enjoy an exciting blend of cultural exploration, scenic hikes, and mushroom foraging in the enchanting “kingdom in the clouds.”
Duration: 13 nights / 14 days
Date: 6-19 July 2025
Festival: –
Group size: 12-14 PAX
Guides (English-speaking):
Daniel Winkler (mycologist, English- and German speaking)
English speaking local cultural guides
Group tour:
Book with our partner Daniel Winkler in the USA: MushRoaming
Tour
Mushroom Hunting, Forest Ecology, and Hiking Adventure
This tour is specially designed for enthusiasts of mushroom hunting, forest ecology, and hiking. Prepare for a thrilling journey through Bhutan’s diverse landscapes, with challenging terrain that can be steep and demanding due to altitude and gradients. Be aware of potential weather-related obstacles during the monsoon season, such as landslides, heavy rain, and muddy trails—gumboots and quick-drying shoes are highly recommended. While exploring lower broadleaf forests, you may encounter leeches, so bringing leech socks is strongly advised.
Your expert guide, Daniel Winkler of Mushroaming.com, is a renowned mycologist originally from Munich, now based in Seattle, USA. Fluent in both German and English, Daniel will lead you through an incredible exploration of Bhutan’s forests and mushroom habitats.
Highlights of the Tour:
- Expert Guidance: Led by Daniel Winkler, with additional English-speaking local cultural guides.
- Special Guests: Meet Bhutan expert and social anthropologist Ulli Cokl and Bhutanese mushroom expert Sabitra Pradhan from the National Mushroom Center (NMC).
- Cultural Immersion: Visit iconic sites like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Punakha Dzong.
- Homestay Experience: Enjoy authentic cultural immersion with local families.
- Matsutake Festival (tentative, depending on tour dates): A tentative stop at Genekha or Ura to experience a vibrant celebration of Bhutan’s prized mushrooms.
Join us for an unforgettable adventure blending nature, culture, and the fascinating world of fungi!
Itinerary 2023 has been adapted to post-Covid situation. The following is the original itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrival at Paro & to Thimphu (approx 1hr)
Drive to Thimphu, relax, light introduction
DAY 2: Thimphu (Genekha)
Excursion: mushrooms of Genekha area, bolete and matsutake
DAY 3: Thimphu
Exploration hikes to Chagri OR Phajoding (mushroaming on the way)
DAY 4: Thimphu to Tsirang
Scenic drive to the subtropical area of Tsirang
DAY 5: Tsirang
Exploration in Tsirang along a forest hike with Sabitra Pradhan (NMC)
DAY 6: Tsirang
Meet villagers and their mushrooms
DAY 7: Tsirang to Phobjikha
Scenic drive to this beautiful high Alpine valley, mushrooming on the way
DAY 8: Phobjikha
Mushroaming & Gangtey Gonpa visit, evening prayer attendance
DAY 9: Phobjikha to Tang
Mushrooming and cultural stops on the way (e.g. Trongsa Dzong, Willing Waterfall Cafe)
DAY 10: Tang
Beautiful hike to a monastery with a variety of mushrooms on the way
DAY 11: Tang to Jakar
Hunt for the famous king bolete along the way
DAY 12: Flight or drive to Paro
Visit mushroom area around Chele la
DAY 13: Paro Taktsang
Full day hike to Tigernest monastery and mushroaming on the way
DAY 14: Departure
For reasons of originality we refrain from detailing our programme here. For more information or if you want to book this tour individually please send us an email
