Best of Bhutan

Our journey begins in Delhi, India's vibrant capital, where centuries of history meet the energy of modern life. The city is a hub of colourful chaos, with rickshaws, cars and pedestrians filling busy streets adorned with markets, street vendors and more.

Arrive at any time today and settle into your hotel or head out to explore a little of the city at your own pace. With our Bhutan adventure beginning the following day, tonight is all about relaxing, soaking up the atmosphere and getting ready for the journey ahead.

Special note: This tour involves remote, and off-the-beaten-path destinations sitting at altitudes ranging from 1200 meters to just under 3500 meters, throughout the tour. Be prepared for some long travel days, including journeys on winding and steep roads. Smaller vehicles will be used due to the nature of the roads and locations. To fully enjoy this journey, flexibility and a willingness to embrace the adventure are essential.

After breakfast this morning, we'll transfer to Delhi Airport for our flight to Paro. The approach into Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in the world, as we weave between towering Himalayan peaks before descending into the lush Paro Valley.

On arrival, we'll meet our local guide before driving to Bhutan's charming capital, Thimphu. It's a city unlike any other, with no traffic lights and a wonderful mix of modern life and age-old traditions. As we make our way through the streets, you'll spot colourful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, monks in crimson robes and beautifully detailed Bhutanese buildings.

This afternoon is free to settle into our hotel, unwind after the journey and start getting to know our new surroundings. Then, in the evening, we'll gather for a group welcome dinner, where we'll enjoy our first taste of authentic Bhutanese cuisine while getting to know our fellow travellers.

Your flight time will be approximately 2 hours.

Our sightseeing begins this morning in Thimphu at the King's Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan's most revered monuments. Built in honour of the Third King, the gleaming white stupa is a place of daily worship where locals gather to pray, spin prayer wheels and pay their respects.

We'll then drive to the Choki Traditional Art School, a remarkable initiative providing free education, accommodation and meals for children from disadvantaged backgrounds while preserving Bhutan's traditional artistic heritage.

Special Experience: Take part in a traditional butter lamp lighting ceremony, an ancient spiritual ritual rooted in Bhutan's Buddhist heritage. Get ready to tap into your spiritual side as we take part in a traditional butter lamp lighting ceremony, a sacred ritual in Bhutanese Buddhism. Then, it's time to get creative in a hands-on painting session led by senior students. Next is a tour of the beautifully preserved 340-year-old building, where we can watch skilled artisans demonstrate traditional Bhutanese crafts, including painting, sculpture, weaving, embroidery and woodturning.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we'll visit the magnificent Tashichho Dzong, known as the Fortress of the Glorious Religion, before browsing the lively Centenary Farmers' Market where locals gather to buy fresh produce and handmade goods.

Today involves approximately 2-3 hours of walking.

Today's journey is one of Bhutan's most spectacular drives as we travel through the heart of the Himalayas towards the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Leaving Thimphu behind, we'll first visit the towering Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. Standing high above the capital within Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, the enormous, gilded statue offers sweeping views across the valley below.

Our scenic drive continues as we climb through dense forests of pine and rhododendron to the breathtaking Dochula Pass, sitting at an altitude of 3,100 metres. On a clear day, the pass rewards us with magnificent panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, while the 108 memorial chortens create one of Bhutan's most iconic landscapes.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, we'll continue across Lawa La Pass. Here, we'll have the opportunity to take part in the traditional hoisting of colourful prayer flags, a deeply meaningful Bhutanese custom believed to spread blessings, compassion and good fortune on the mountain winds.

By late afternoon, we'll arrive in the peaceful Phobjikha Valley and check into our hotel. Surrounded by rolling meadows and pristine mountain scenery, this tranquil valley provides the perfect setting to relax before enjoying dinner together this evening.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Our morning begins with a visit to the impressive Gangtey Monastery, one of the most important Nyingma monasteries in Bhutan. Here we'll have time to observe the daily rituals of the resident gomchens (lay monks), soak up the tranquil atmosphere and admire spectacular views across the valley.

From the monastery, we'll begin a walking down toward Gangtey Village, passing through a small local bazaar and clusters of traditional wooden houses. We'll then join the picturesque Gangtey Nature Trail. Passing a small chorten and the peaceful Khewa Lhakhang, the trail gradually descends into the heart of the valley, offering wonderful opportunities to appreciate Bhutan's untouched countryside.

Special Experience: Enjoy a simple monastic lunch shared with the monks at Gangtey Shedra, providing a rare opportunity to experience traditional Bhutanese monastic hospitality. Following our walk, we'll enjoy a special moment with the monks at the Gangtey Shedra Buddhist College, sharing a simple monastic lunch of traditional Bhutanese cuisine. Established to preserve and promote the teachings of the Nyingma tradition, Gangtey Shedra is an important hub for higher Buddhist learning. Enjoy this incredible opportunity to experience the warmth and serenity of monastic life, gaining insight into the kingdom's rich spiritual heritage.

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before dinner at our hotel.

Today involves approximately 2.5 hours of trail walking, at altitude.

Leaving Phobjikha Valley behind, we'll enjoy a steady climb to the scenic Pele La Pass which reaches a high of 3,420 meters before descending through forests and mountain villages towards Trongsa. Here we'll enjoy lunch at a local eatery before continuing on.

Our next stop is the magnificent Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress-monastery in Bhutan. Dramatically perched on a ridge overlooking the Mangde Chhu River, this remarkable fortress has played an important role throughout Bhutan's history and remains closely connected to the country's royal family.

Our scenic drive continues across the impressive Yotong La Pass before entering the beautiful Chumey Valley. Home to quaint villages and famous for its Yathra wool weaving, this peaceful area is filled with farmlands and crumbling monasteries dotted throughout the landscape.

Arriving in Bumthang this afternoon, we'll transfer to our hotel and settle into the peaceful surroundings before dinner together this evening. A region made up of four valleys — Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura — Bumthang is considered the spiritual heart of Bhutan.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

Bumthang is often described as Bhutan's cultural and spiritual soul. Home to some of the kingdom's oldest temples and monasteries, the valley is steeped in history, legend and religious significance. Rolling farmland, apple orchards and traditional villages create an idyllic setting for today's exploration.

Our morning begins at Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples. Built in the 7th century, the temple is believed to have been constructed to subdue a giant demoness whose body covered the Himalayas. From here, we'll enjoy a leisurely countryside walk to nearby Kurje Lhakhang, following quiet village roads through fertile farmland and rural communities before exploring the monastery complex. We continue by vehicle to Tamshing Lhakhang, renowned for housing some of Bhutan's oldest surviving Buddhist wall paintings.

In the afternoon, we discover another side of Bumthang's culture with visits to the Red Panda Brewery and the nearby Bumthang Swiss Cheese Factory.

Special Experience: Sample locally crafted beer and delicious artisan cheese while learning about the unique production methods that combine Bhutanese traditions with Swiss influences. Enjoy a raclette-style lunch at the Red Panda Café before touring the brewery and sampling its signature Hefeweizen beer. We'll then visit the Bumthang Swiss Cheese Factory to learn about traditional Swiss-style cheese production and taste locally made cheeses.

The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax before enjoying a simple farmhouse dinner and cooking demonstration in the evening.

Today involves approximately 1 hour of walking.

After breakfast, we farewell Bumthang and begin our journey back towards western Bhutan. Today's drive takes us once again through dramatic mountain scenery as we retrace our route across high Himalayan passes before descending into the warmer, subtropical landscapes of the Punakha Valley. As the elevation gradually decreases, dense alpine forests give way to fertile valleys filled with rice paddies, fruit orchards and colourful villages.

En route we'll stop at Chendbji Chorten, one of Bhutan's most recognisable stupas. Built in the 18th century and inspired by Nepal's famous Boudhanath Stupa, the whitewashed monument provides an ideal opportunity to stretch our legs and admire its intricate Buddhist artwork.

Following lunch, we'll continue towards Lobesa, making a stop at historic Rinchengang Village. Believed to be one of Bhutan's oldest settlements, the village is home to beautifully preserved traditional stone houses clustered together on the hillside. A short uphill walk leads us into the village, where we'll gain an appreciation for Bhutan's enduring rural lifestyle and remarkable architectural heritage.

Later this afternoon, we'll arrive at our hotel in the Punakha region and enjoy time to relax before dinner at the hotel.

Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.

Punakha was once the capital of Bhutan and remains one of the kingdom's most beautiful and historically significant destinations. Nestled at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the fertile valley enjoys a warmer climate than much of the country, making it well known for its lush rice terraces, vibrant jacaranda trees and magnificent monasteries.

Our day begins with a gentle countryside walk to Chimi Lhakhang, affectionately known as the Temple of Fertility. Following paved village lanes and narrow footpaths through rice paddies and peaceful hamlets, we'll make our way to the hilltop temple dedicated to the revered Buddhist master Drukpa Kunley, also known as the 'Divine Madman'. Before entering the shrine, we'll receive an orientation beneath the temple's sacred bodhi tree and learn about the fascinating traditions that continue to attract pilgrims from across Bhutan.

Next, we'll visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, widely regarded as Bhutan's most photogenic fortress-monastery. Beautifully positioned between two rivers, the dzong has served as the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, Bhutan's Chief Abbot, for centuries. We'll have ample time to admire its intricate woodwork, towering whitewashed walls and peaceful courtyards while learning about its important role in Bhutanese history.

Savour a relaxed picnic-style lunch in a picturesque riverside setting surrounded by tranquil natural scenery. Afterwards, return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure with time to relax and take in the peaceful atmosphere of the valley.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Today we journey west towards the beautiful Paro Valley, retracing our route over the spectacular Dochula Pass. We'll once again enjoy magnificent mountain scenery as Bhutan's diverse landscapes unfold before us.

Along the way, we'll stop for a memorable lunch at Babesa Heritage Home, a beautifully preserved 150-year-old Bhutanese residence tucked away in a quiet residential village. Lovingly maintained by the same family for generations, the heritage home offers an authentic glimpse into traditional Bhutanese architecture and hospitality. Here, we'll enjoy a home-cooked Bhutanese lunch, savouring traditional recipes and the warm hospitality of the locals.

Continuing towards Paro, we'll stop at Chuzom, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet beneath three distinctive stupas built in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese styles. We'll also visit the historic Tachog Lhakhang and its famous iron-chain suspension bridge, originally built by the renowned Tibetan engineer and saint Thangtong Gyalpo.

Arriving in the picturesque Paro Valley, we'll pause at the Nyamai Zam Footbridge for iconic views across the river towards the impressive Rinpung Dzong before transferring to our hotel.

This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together as we prepare for tomorrow's unforgettable adventure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Surrounded by towering mountains and emerald rice fields, the Paro Valley is home to many of Bhutan's most treasured cultural landmarks. Today promises to be one of the highlights of our journey as we visit the country's most iconic monastery.

Following an early breakfast, we'll travel to the trailhead to begin our hike to Taktsang Monastery, more famously known as the Tiger's Nest. Clinging dramatically to a sheer cliff face some 900 metres above the valley floor, this sacred monastery is one of the world's most extraordinary pilgrimage sites. According to Bhutanese legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to the site on the back of a tigress before meditating here in the 8th century, introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.

The Tiger's Nest Hike is a challenging return trek of approximately 6.5 kilometres, combining mountain trails, forest paths, rocky terrain, steep ascents and numerous stone staircases at altitude. The journey unfolds in three stages through fragrant pine and juniper forests, with rewarding views of the monastery and surrounding valley along the way. A lunch stop at the mountainside cafeteria provides an opportunity to rest and enjoy spectacular panoramic views. The most demanding section involves descending approximately 470 stone steps to a waterfall before climbing roughly 300 steps to reach the monastery entrance. For those who choose not to complete this demanding section, you may remain at the cafeteria until the group returns.

After the hike, we'll return to our hotel for a well-earned shower and rest. Later, unwind with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, where river stones heated over an open fire are immersed into a wooden tub infused with local herbs — a wonderfully soothing and restorative experience after today's hike.

Today involves approximately 4-6 hours of walking on rocky surfaces and at altitude.

Our final full day in Bhutan offers the perfect opportunity to experience more of the country's rich traditions and welcoming culture. First, we'll visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples. Dating back to the 7th century, the temple is believed to have been built as part of a network of monasteries constructed across the Himalayas to subdue a giant demoness. Surrounded by ancient orange trees, prayer wheels and beautifully maintained gardens, it remains an important place of pilgrimage for local worshippers.

Special Experience: Learn the fundamentals of Bhutanese archery from an experienced local archer, using traditional bamboo bows and arrows in a fun and interactive introduction to this much-loved national sport. We'll later make our way to a local archery ground where we'll discover Bhutan's national sport during a hands-on archery experience. Using traditional bamboo bows and arrows, test out your aim with the expert guidance of a professional archer.

Afterwards we'll browse the lively Ka Ja Throm Market before enjoying lunch at Namgay Artisanal Brewery, where authentic Bhutanese cuisine is accompanied by a tasting of locally brewed beer. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before we gather this evening for an exclusive Bhutanese cultural performance followed by a memorable farewell dinner as we celebrate the incredible experiences we've shared throughout our journey.

This morning, our unforgettable journey through Bhutan comes to an end. After breakfast we'll transfer to Paro International Airport for our flight to Delhi, once again enjoying spectacular views of the Himalayan mountains as we depart this remarkable country.

Our tour will come to an end when we land in Delhi. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!

Your flight time will be approximately 2.5 hours.