Bhutan sparks rare fascination, partly because so few have been lucky enough to visit. It has kept its own Buddhist culture, national dress and astonishing architecture. So a gentle private tour can be tailored entirely around your interests. Whether you love a day-walk or simply soaking up the views, the pace is yours. As ever, you have a private guide, driver and vehicle throughout.
Begin in Kathmandu, with the afternoon at leisure. The next day, explore the city with a private guide. So you take a walking tour through the markets around Durbar Square. Then visit Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. You stay at the beautiful Dwarika’s. The flight on to Bhutan passes Everest itself.
Fly to Bhutan, seated on the left for the mountain views. After the dramatic landing at Paro, drive to Thimphu. If it is the weekend, the market is a fine place to start. We also suggest the Arts and Crafts School, where students learn Bhutan’s thirteen crafts. The Folk Museum is worth a stop too, before the main dzong. You stay at the Taj Tashi or the Druk Hotel.
Next, drive to Punakha, about three hours, via the Dochula Pass. On a clear day, the snow-capped Himalayas line the horizon. Then walk through paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. That evening, see prayers at the magnificent Punakha Dzong. The next day, climb to the Khamsum Chorten for superb views. For the active, we can add a raft or a longer day-walk. You stay at Uma Punakha or Dhensa.
Then retrace your route to Paro for three nights. Here you might try your hand at archery, the national sport. For many, though, the absolute highlight is Tiger’s Nest. So we set off early to beat the heat. The walk to Taktsang takes four to five hours, with a halfway viewpoint option. You stay at Uma Paro or Naksel.
Another day lets you explore Paro at leisure. So you might see the Paro Dzong, the national museum and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples. Then continue to Drukgyel Dzong. For those who love the countryside, a short walk leads to Drakharpo Monastery. Equally, the remote Haa Valley rewards a longer excursion.
Whenever possible, we check whether a festival falls during your visit. These tshechus are a riot of colour, masked dance and devotion. So timing your trip around one adds a real thrill. Meanwhile, they offer a rare window into Bhutanese spiritual life. As a result, they are well worth planning for.
Naturally, the hotels are lovely throughout. In Thimphu, the Taj Tashi or Druk await. Then in Punakha, Uma Punakha or Dhensa. In Paro, Uma Paro or Naksel. Either side, Dwarika’s and Dwarika’s Dhulikhel bookend the trip.
Generally, spring and autumn bring the clearest skies and finest views. They also coincide with many of the festivals. By contrast, the summer monsoon brings cloud and rain. So we usually favour those windows. Either way, we advise on the ideal timing for your dates.
The beauty of this route is its flexibility. So you do as much or as little as you like. Some guests stride out on every walk. Others simply soak up the culture and the views. Because it is private, each day bends around you. As a result, it never feels rushed.
Above all, this suits first-time visitors to Bhutan. For example, it gathers the headline highlights in one gentle loop. Equally, it rewards anyone who loves culture and scenery. Couples and small groups enjoy it most.
As ever, this is only a starting point. So we shape the pace, the walks and the hotels to suit. In the end, the trip is entirely your own.
Bhutan feels quite unlike anywhere else. So the culture remains gloriously intact. Monasteries cling to cliffs, and prayer flags line the passes. Meanwhile, the people wear national dress with pride. As a result, even a short visit leaves a deep impression.
Finally, this route pairs well with more of the region. For example, extend your time in Nepal. Equally, add a beach in the Maldives. As ever, we shape the whole journey around you.
For a first trip, this is the kindest route. So you gather the highlights without rushing. Meanwhile, the comforts stay high throughout. As a result, you leave already planning to return.
Throughout, Bhutanese hospitality shines through. So a chat with a guide or a monk becomes a memory. Meanwhile, the calm of the country is infectious. As a result, you leave feeling genuinely renewed.
It is a steady climb of four to five hours there and back. So a reasonable level of fitness helps. You can also stop at the halfway viewpoint.
Yes. We always check whether a tshechu falls near your dates. So we can build the trip around one if you wish.
Kathmandu has great international connections, and the flight to Bhutan passes Everest. You can also enter via Thailand, India or Singapore.
Entirely. The pace, hotels and walks are all shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
| £4000P.P | - | £7500P.P |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Gold |
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-2 | Kathmandu | The Inn at Patan Dwarika’s |
| Day 3-4 | Thimphu | Druk Hotel Taj Tashi |
| Days 5-6 | Punakha | Dhensa Uma Punakha |
| Days 7-9 | Paro | Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa Uma Paro |
| Day 10 | Kathmandu | Dwarika’s Dhulikhel Dwarika’s Dhulikhel |
| Day 11 | Kathmandu | Fly home |
Arrive in Kathmandu, with the afternoon at leisure. The next day, explore the city on a tailored private tour. Take a walking tour through the markets around Durbar Square, then see Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Fly to Bhutan, seated on the left for views of Everest and the high peaks. After the dramatic landing at Paro, drive to the capital, Thimphu. The next day, explore the city. At the weekend, start at the market. We suggest the Arts and Crafts School, where students learn Bhutan’s thirteen crafts, plus the Folk Museum and the main dzong.
Drive to Punakha, about three hours, via the Dochula Pass, which offers wonderful Himalayan views on a clear day. Walk through paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, dedicated to the Divine Madman. Then head to the great dzong for evening prayers.
Spend a day in Punakha, tailored to how active you wish to be. The Khamsum Chorten is well worth the hour’s climb for the views, often combined with a walk down the valley. For the active, add a gentle raft, a cycle up the Pho Chhu Valley, or a longer day-walk.
Retrace your route to Paro for your final three nights. It is worth trying your hand at archery, the national sport.
For many, the highlight is Taktsang, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Set off early to beat the heat; the walk takes about four to five hours, with the option of stopping at the halfway viewpoint.
Another day in Paro lets you see the cultural sights: the Paro Dzong, the national museum, Kyichu Lhakhang and Drukgyel Dzong. For more of rural Bhutan, take a short walk to Drakharpo Monastery, or head to the remote Haa Valley.
Fly to Nepal and spend the night at Dwarika’s Dhulikhel, on the ridge of the valley. The next day, head to the airport for your flight home.
Dust off your trekking boots and travel to one the most untouched and beautiful corners of the Himalayas in Bhutan, trekking through remote villages, off-the-beaten-track.
The luxury Amakora lodges offer a unique and exclusive experience designed to showcase Bhutan in the best way possible.
Many guests leave Bhutan wanting just a little more. After all, it is not a place you can easily return to soon. So they ask what gems lie further down the road before turning back to Paro. Happily, this route answers that, reaching all the way to remote Bumthang. As you go deeper, it simply …
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.