Mushrooms, Mountains and Monasteries
This tour is a cooperationwith mushroaming.com. It offers fantastic insights into the rich flora and fauna of Bhutan. Our focus is on the amazing diversity of mushrooms at different altitudes and in various habitats. Experienced mycologist Daniel Winkler, a mushroom aficionado since his early childhood, will guide you through a great mix of culture, hikes & mushrooming in the little kingdom in the clouds. Our visit to the annual Matsutake festival in Ura, Bumthang is a special highlight!
Duration: 13 nights / 14 days
Date: 2023 fully booked!
Festival: Matsutake festival
Group size: 12 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
This tour is tailored to guests with a keen interest in “mushroom-hunting”, forest ecology and hiking. The terrain is steep and demanding at times due to altitude and gradient. There might be unforeseen obstacles due to monsoon weather such as landslides, heavy rain, muddy footpaths (bring gum boots and shoes that dry quickly). We will encounter leeches on some occasions during a forest excursion in lower broad leaf areas therefore leech socks are advised. The tour will be guided by mycologist Daniel Winkler of mushroaming.com. Originally from Munich Daniel now lives in Seattle, USA. He guides bi-lingually, in German and English language.
- Exploring a variety of forests and mushroom habitats
- Expert guide: mycologist Daniel Winkler
- Additionally English speaking local cultural guides and bird watching guide
- Tentative: accompanied by Bhutan expert guide and social & cultural anthropologist Ulli Cokl
- Important cultural highlights: Tigernest monastery and Punakha Dzong
- Homestay experience and cultural immersion
- Matsutake festival in Ura (tentative!)
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, light sightseeing and rest.
DAY 2: Thimphu
Light hiking, mushroaming on the way
DAY 3: Flight to BUM & to Yongkhola (Mongar)
Approx 30 min. flight with breathtaking views, then light mushroaming on the way to Mongar, via Thrumshengla pass (approx. 7hs), on the way edible boletus reticuloceps
DAY 4: Yongkhola
Full day forest excursion, mushroaming and also bird area
DAY 5: Yongkhola to Ura (approx. 5hs)
Return to Ura village, birds and mushrooms on the way
DAY 6: Ura
Matsutake festival (tentative!) and village life, mushroaming (among others: edible boletus reticuloceps)
DAY 7: Ura to Tang (approx. 2,5-3hs)
Mushroaming in forest near Tangsibi area
DAY 8: Tang
Hike to monastery with mushroaming on the way
DAY 9: Tang to Jakar (1hr)
Drive/hike to Jakar, sightseeing and stroll through district town
DAY 10: Jakar to Punakha (approx. 7-8hs)
Long drive via Pele la and plenty of photo stops and opportunities for mushroaming
DAY 11: Punakha to Paro (approx. 3 hs)
Via Pelela, 108 chorten and hike to Lungchutse (mushrooms)
DAY 12: Paro
Mushroaming around Chele la pass, maybe hike to Kila nunnery
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