The Magical Kingdom of Bhutan

Nestled deep in the Himalayas, between the powers of India and Nepal lies Bhutan – one of the most beautiful and isolated places on earth. It is now the last living Buddhist kingdom, where, during the seventh century, the teachings of the Buddha became the country’s state religion. In Bhutan, the government’s official development policy first articulated by the old king, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk is known as “Gross National Happiness”. Facing the daunting challenges of modernization and globalization, Bhutan balances economic development with other values: maintaining the integrity of spiritual and cultural traditions and good governance.

The results of the balance of values represented by “Gross National Happiness” are immediately evident to the visitor. Bhutan is a country where the vitality of traditional culture and the purity and beauty of the natural environment make this one of the most unique and appealing countries in the world.

Each journey will be designed to provide an opportunity to explore many of the cultural highlights of Bhutan but will also offer a chance to venture out on day hikes or short optional treks for our more active travelers.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1. Thimphu. Arrival in Paro. Transfer to Thimphu. Afternoon sightseeing to include a visit to the Memorial Chorten and a stroll through the town.

Day 2. Thimphu. During a full day of touring explore the town’s highlights such as the Great Buddha Dordenma which houses 125,000 Buddhas. Visit Zorig Chusum, a school where 13 traditional arts and crafts include wood carving, embroidery, statue carving, painting and many more are being taught. Conclude the day at Tashichoo Dzong, the magnificent monastery fortress located on the northern edge of the town on the banks of the Wang Chu River.

Day 3. Thimphu. Full day excursion to Cheri Monastery with a stop to view an archery tournament en route.

Day 4. Punakha. Make your way east crossing Dochu-la Pass towards the town of Punakha and visit the famous and beautiful Punakha Dzong and the Temple of the Divine Madman.

Day 5. Punakha. Enjoy a beautiful day of hiking from Talo, the queens’ hometown to Nobgang.

Day 6. Bumthang Valley/Jakar. Drive to Bumthang Valley the cultural and historic heart of the kingdom. Here, the valleys are wide and open, and the mountains have relatively gentle slopes, which give the surroundings a feeling of spaciousness that is unequaled in any other part of Bhutan.

Day 6. Bumthang Valley/Jakar. Drive to Bumthang Valley the cultural and historic heart of the kingdom. Here, the valleys are wide and open, and the mountains have relatively gentle slopes, which give the surroundings a feeling of spaciousness that is unequaled in any other part of Bhutan.

Day 7. Bumthang Valley/Jakar. Visit the monasteries of Kurjey, Jambey and Tamshing Goemba while walking through the villages and participate in a private blessing ceremony at Pema Choling Nunnery.

Day 8. Bumthang Valley/Jakar. Spend time with the students at the local village school before heading to Membartsho “Fire Lake”.

Day 9. Paro. A short flight takes you back to Paro. Afternoon visit to Paro Dzong and the Temple of Avalokiteshvara, one of the oldest in the country.

Day 10. Paro. The final highlight of any trip to Bhutan is a hike to the famous “Tiger’s Nest” which clings to sheer cliffs 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. It is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the world.

Day 11. Departure.

This itinerary serves as a sample outline, providing a glimpse of what your journey could look like. However, we understand that every traveler is unique, and we are delighted to tailor every detail to your individual preferences, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable experience.

Our Top-Choice Hotel Picks:

Thimpu:

  • Hotel Pemako

  • Hotel Meridien

  • Hotel Druk

Punakha:

  • Beyond Punakha River Lodge

  • Six Senses Punakha

  • Como Uma Punakha

  • Dhensa Resort

Bumthang

  • Six Senses Bumthang

  • Mountain Lodge

Paro:

  • COMO Uma Resort

  • Le Meridien

  • Six Senses Paro Lodge

  • Naksel Boutique Hotel

Optional inclusions and activities:

  • The sacred monastery of Baylangdra which is situated completely off the beaten path where very few tourists ever visit.

  • Kunzandrak Monastery in Bumthang which can only be reached by hiking uphill for 1.5 hours but is one of the most sacred places in the country.

  • Gangtey Valley where you will find the famous black-necked cranes after their migration flight from Tibet.

Best Time to Visit: 

  • April/May   

  • September/November