Best of Bhutan

Day 1 | Begin Delhi

The journey begins in Delhi, India's vibrant capital, where centuries of history meet the energy of modern life. Busy streets are filled with rickshaws, markets and street vendors.

Guests can arrive at any time today and settle into the hotel or head out to explore a little of the city at their own pace, relaxing ahead of the Bhutan adventure that begins tomorrow.

Special note: This tour visits remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations at altitudes ranging from 1,200 metres to just under 3,500 metres. Expect some long travel days on winding and steep roads, with smaller vehicles used due to the nature of the roads. Flexibility and a willingness to embrace the adventure are essential.

Meals: Nil

Day 2 | Delhi – Paro – Thimphu

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi Airport for the flight to Paro. The approach into Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in the world, weaving between towering Himalayan peaks before descending into the lush Paro Valley.

On arrival, meet the local guide and drive to Bhutan's charming capital, Thimphu, a city with no traffic lights and a wonderful mix of modern life and age-old traditions, with prayer flags, monks in crimson robes and beautifully detailed Bhutanese buildings.

The afternoon is free to settle in before the group welcome dinner and a first taste of authentic Bhutanese cuisine.

Flight time approximately 2 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 | Thimphu

Sightseeing begins 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 pray, spin prayer wheels and pay their respects.

Continue to the Choki Traditional Art School, which provides free education, accommodation and meals for children from disadvantaged backgrounds while preserving Bhutan's artistic heritage.

Special Experience: Take part in a traditional butter lamp lighting ceremony, a sacred ritual in Bhutanese Buddhism, then join a hands-on painting session led by senior students and tour the 340-year-old building, watching artisans demonstrate painting, sculpture, weaving, embroidery and woodturning.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the magnificent Tashichho Dzong, the 'Fortress of the Glorious Religion', before browsing the lively Centenary Farmers' Market.

Approximately 2–3 hours of walking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 | Thimphu – Dochula Pass – Gangtey

One of Bhutan's most spectacular drives heads through the heart of the Himalayas towards the Phobjikha Valley. First, visit the towering Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world, within Kuenselphodrang Nature Park.

Climb through pine and rhododendron forests to the breathtaking Dochula Pass (3,100 metres), where on a clear day the 108 memorial chortens frame panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

After lunch, continue across Lawa La Pass, with the opportunity to take part in the traditional hoisting of prayer flags, a custom believed to spread blessings and good fortune on the mountain winds.

Arrive in the peaceful Phobjikha Valley by late afternoon for dinner together at the hotel.

Travel time approximately 5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 | Gangtey

Visit the impressive Gangtey Monastery, one of the most important Nyingma monasteries in Bhutan, observing the daily rituals of the resident gomchens (lay monks) and admiring views across the valley.

Walk down towards Gangtey Village, past a small bazaar and traditional wooden houses, then join the picturesque Gangtey Nature Trail, passing a small chorten and the peaceful Khewa Lhakhang as the trail descends into the valley.

Special Experience: Share a simple monastic lunch of traditional Bhutanese cuisine with the monks at the Gangtey Shedra Buddhist College, a rare insight into the warmth and serenity of monastic life.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure before dinner at the hotel.

Active day. Approximately 2.5 hours of trail walking at altitude.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 | Gangtey – Bumthang Valley

Leaving Phobjikha Valley, climb steadily to the scenic Pele La Pass (3,420 metres) before descending through forests and mountain villages to Trongsa for lunch.

Visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress-monastery in Bhutan, dramatically perched on a ridge above the Mangde Chhu River and closely connected to the royal family.

Continue across Yotong La Pass into the Chumey Valley, known for its Yathra wool weaving, farmland and crumbling monasteries, arriving in Bumthang, the spiritual heart of Bhutan, in the afternoon.

Travel time approximately 5.5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 | Bumthang Valley

Bumthang is often described as Bhutan's cultural and spiritual soul, with some of the kingdom's oldest temples set among farmland, apple orchards and traditional villages.

Begin at the 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples, then enjoy a leisurely countryside walk to Kurje Lhakhang before continuing to Tamshing Lhakhang, renowned for some of Bhutan's oldest surviving Buddhist wall paintings.

Special Experience: Enjoy a raclette-style lunch at the Red Panda Café, tour the brewery and sample its signature Hefeweizen, then visit the Bumthang Swiss Cheese Factory to learn about Swiss-style cheese production and taste local cheeses.

The afternoon is at leisure before a simple farmhouse dinner and cooking demonstration.

Approximately 1 hour of walking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 | Bumthang Valley – Punakha

Farewell Bumthang and journey back towards western Bhutan, crossing high Himalayan passes before descending into the warmer, subtropical Punakha Valley with its rice paddies, orchards and colourful villages.

Stop at Chendbji Chorten, an 18th-century stupa inspired by Nepal's Boudhanath Stupa. After lunch, visit historic Rinchengang Village, one of Bhutan's oldest settlements, with a short uphill walk among its traditional stone houses.

Arrive at the hotel in the Punakha region later this afternoon for dinner.

Active day. Travel time approximately 6.5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 | Punakha

Once the capital of Bhutan, Punakha sits at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers and is known for its rice terraces, jacaranda trees and magnificent monasteries.

Take a gentle countryside walk through rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, dedicated to the revered 'Divine Madman', Drukpa Kunley, with an orientation beneath the temple's sacred bodhi tree.

Visit Punakha Dzong, widely regarded as Bhutan's most photogenic fortress-monastery and the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, Bhutan's Chief Abbot.

Enjoy a relaxed picnic-style lunch by the river, then return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Active day. Approximately 3 hours of walking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 | Punakha – Paro

Journey west to the Paro Valley, crossing Dochula Pass once more.

Stop for a home-cooked lunch at Babesa Heritage Home, a 150-year-old Bhutanese residence maintained by the same family for generations.

Continue to Chuzom, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet beneath three stupas in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese styles, and visit Tachog Lhakhang and its iron-chain suspension bridge, built by the Tibetan engineer and saint Thangtong Gyalpo.

Pause at the Nyamai Zam Footbridge for iconic views of Rinpung Dzong before transferring to the hotel for dinner together.

Travel time approximately 4 hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 | Paro

Today is one of the highlights of the journey. After an early breakfast, travel to the trailhead for the hike to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger's Nest, clinging to a sheer cliff some 900 metres above the valley floor. Legend says Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century, introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.

The hike is a challenging return trek of approximately 6.5 kilometres, with forest paths, rocky terrain, steep ascents and many stone staircases at altitude. A lunch stop at the mountainside cafeteria offers panoramic views. The most demanding section descends about 470 stone steps to a waterfall before climbing roughly 300 steps to the monastery entrance; guests who prefer not to complete this section can wait at the cafeteria.

Later, unwind with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, where fire-heated river stones warm a wooden tub infused with local herbs.

Active day. Approximately 4–6 hours of walking on rocky surfaces and at altitude.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 | Paro

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples, dating back to the 7th century and surrounded by ancient orange trees, prayer wheels and gardens.

Special Experience: Learn the fundamentals of Bhutanese archery, the national sport, from a professional archer using traditional bamboo bows and arrows.

Browse the lively Ka Ja Throm Market before lunch and a beer tasting at Namgay Artisanal Brewery. The afternoon is at leisure before an exclusive Bhutanese cultural performance and a farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 | Finish Paro – Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for the flight to Delhi, enjoying final views of the Himalayas. The tour ends on arrival in Delhi.

Flight time approximately 2.5 hours.

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary is subject to change and availability.