Bhutan

Private Luxury Bhutan Travel

Locked within snow-capped peaks and forested Himalayan walls, Bhutan is a Kingdom preserved in time. Dzong fortresses adorn its valleys like stately layer cakes, prayer flags whip in the wind, Buddhism harmonizes with daily life, and the country sets a global example with its Gross National Happiness philosophy, measuring happiness instead of GDP. It’s a place where nature is deeply imbued with mythical energy and deities, where monks perform costumed dances during tschechu festivals, and where gazing upon an elaborate thongdrel (Buddhist textile painting) is said to absolve onlookers of bad karma.

Guided by the Fourth King and four governing pillars—environmental conservation, cultural preservation, good governance, and socio-economic growth—Bhutan is in no hurry to rush into modernity, making it a unique destination for visitors. The Kingdom only rolled out the welcome mat to tourists in 1974, and it didn’t have television until 1999. Bhutan has taken a slow, measured approach, etching out a sustainable model of tourism with intention.

Crowd-free and chock full of charms, intrepid travelers are called to Bhutan for sublime hiking and multi-day treks, to commune with unspoiled nature, for wellness and self-care in a serene mountainscape, and for genuine cultural interactions and appreciation rich in connection. Often dubbed the “last Shangri-la,” Bhutan is, in fact, the last Buddhist kingdom on earth. That it exists is a gift. 

What is Bhutan Best Known For?

Bhutan is known for its spirituality, Gross National Happiness, pristine natural environment, being one of the world’s only carbon-negative countries, and sustainable tourism policy.

Experience “The Land of the Thunder Dragon” in myriad ways, from luxury lodges, authentic heritage stays, and tented wilderness camps to trekking, horseback riding, and rafting through alpine forests and subtropical oases.

If you’re looking for a serene, nature-rich escape to a place where you can slow down and reconnect with yourself, there’s no better place than Bhutan.  

Bhutan Travel Highlights

Hike to the iconic, cliff-hanging Tiger’s Nest Monastery 
Trek or helicopter to Laya village (Gasa), one of the world’s highest human settlements 
Immerse yourself in Tantric Buddhism at a tshechu (festival) 
Soak in a traditional hot stone bath infused with medicinal herbs 
Visit remote the Haa Valley for blue poppies, day hikes, and a luxury forest retreat 
Horseback and mountain bike through Bhutan’s scenic valleys  
Traverse the Trans Bhutan Trail (or parts of it), a former Buddhist pilgrimage route 
Spot black-necked cranes in Phobjikha Valley/Gangtey (October through February) 
Sample delicacies like Haa’s buckwheat dumplings, hoentey, and Bumthang’s cheeses 
Sip craft beers, taste Bhutanese whiskies, and other local spirits  
Raft the Punakha River for front-row views of Bhutan’s most beautiful dzong 
Uncover Thimphu’s thriving arts scene and nightlife 
Buy artisanal crafts, like hand-loomed textiles, handmade paper, incense, and wood-carved statues 
Track royal Bengal tiger and elephants in Royal Manas National Park 
Receive a personalized astrology reading from a Buddhist monk 

Related reading: The Best Things to do in Bhutan

What to Expect on a Luxury Trip to Bhutan

Memorable accommodations: From charming boutique properties like Gangtey Lodge to exclusive-use wilderness tented camps, Bhutan’s luxury accommodations are anything but an afterthought. If you’re looking for over-the-top luxury lodges inspired by nature, look no further than Bhutan’s Six Senses, AndBeyond, Aman Resorts’ Amankora, and COMO Uma properties.
Expert guides: Whether you’re interested in attending Buddhist tsechus (festivals), trekking to remote villages, birding in national parks, soaking in hot springs, or river rafting in Punakha, friendly, English-speaking guides will offer context and expert insight, connecting you deeper to Bhutan, its people, rituals, traditions, and daily life.
Exclusive experiences: Every trip that Extraordinary Journeys designs is bespoke; there are no copy-and-paste itineraries. On a luxury trip to Bhutan, expect privately guided dzong tours and specially arranged experiences that aren’t available to the public. Imagine: a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual ceremony led by a high lama at Paro’s sacred Rinpung Dzong; a candlelit dinner in front of Punakha Dzong; or journeying to Laya by helicopter, where you’ll be greeted with a regal welcome and gifted a traditional conical hat made by one of the last two living Layap weavers.  
Seamless, worry-free travel: Though Bhutan is a small country (roughly the size and shape of Switzerland), its mountainous terrain takes time to navigate. Self-drive touring is not possible in Bhutan (a guide is required), so leave the navigation up to your driver, absorbing the landscape from the comfort of a private vehicle. To make quick work of reaching far-flung places such as Gasa, consider a helicopter transfer. You can also fly from Bumthang back to Paro’s international airport for departure. Extraordinary Journeys will also take care of the cumbersome Bhutan visa process and arrange any en-route logistics and overnights in India, Nepal, Thailand, or Singapore that might be required to make your journey a comfortable one.  
24/7 In-destination support: Our job doesn’t end when your boarding pass is printed. Extraordinary Journeys is always by your side—even while traveling. We have reliable boots-on-the-ground support and a 24/7 concierge just a phone call away.  

Bhutan Travel FAQs

Bhutan: Best Time to Travel

Spring (March-April-May) and fall (mid-September through November) are favored as the best time to travel to Bhutan, coinciding with pleasant temperatures and notable festivals. Don’t automatically write off a wintertime visit, though. Bhutan shares a latitude with Texas and Cairo, and depending on the elevation, winters can be quite mild.

Notable Festivals: The most popular festivals take place in fall and spring. They include (but are not limited to) the Paro Tshechu (March/April), Thimphu Tshechu (September/October), Punakha Tshechu (February/March), the Royal Highland Festival in Laya (October), the Black-necked Crane Festival (November 11), and Rhododendron Festival (April). Note that Buddhist festivals follow a lunar calendar, so dates shift each year. Also, each district has its own tshechu, but the ones held in winter and summer are typically farther afield.   
Floral Delights: Rhododendron blooms and wildflowers usher in spring across the country, while blossoming jacarandas awash Punakha in purple hues. Summer sees blue poppies, Bhutan’s national flower, bloom in high-altitude regions like Haa. Come fall, October’s pink buckwheat fields are most spectacular in Bumthang.  
Avian Migration: Each fall, black-necked cranes migrate from Tibet to overwinter in two main habitats in Bhutan: the Phobjikha Valley (Gantey) and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (in the country’s northeast). They depart around mid-February.
Cautionary Bhutan Monsoons: Monsoon rains typically occur from mid-June to mid-August, and sometimes into September. Some days, the rains are just a 30-minute drizzle before the sun comes out again. Nevertheless, trekking is not advised at this time (day hikes are typically okay), and driving can occasionally be affected by landslides. Consider domestic flights when traveling long distances.  
Bhutan Peak and Shoulder Seasons: Spring and fall are peak season. We advise travelers to plan a year ahead, especially if you are looking to attend a popular tschechu. In this light, shoulder season perks (quieter, thinner crowds, added value) are alluring and more accommodating to last-minute bookings. Winter is also ideal for photographers, with clear views of the snow-capped Himalayas.  

Related reading: The Best Time to Visit Bhutan, including a month-by-month guide. 

Where to Travel in Bhutan

Given its remoteness and that you can only reach it via a Bhutanese-owned airline, we recommend spending at least a week in the Kingdom for a cultural-focused journey and longer (two-plus weeks) if you’re trekking. Ten days is optimal for visiting Bhutan’s best valleys: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha (Gangtey), and Bumthang, spanning from western to central Bhutan.

Budget more time for exploring remote places, like Haa and Laya, or excursions to Bhutan’s wild east. (Or go by helicopter.) For serious trekking, you’ll likely head north to Gasa, home to the world’s most challenging through-hike.  

Paro

If you could only visit one place in Bhutan, it should be Paro, the sacred valley that’s home to the iconic, gravity-defying Tiger’s Nest Monastery—a must for every visitor. Also consider a lesser-known, easy pilgrimage trail to the Temple of the Floating Goddess, Chumphu Nye, which follows a gentle river through a mystical pine forest.

If you fly to Bhutan, you’ll be transiting through Paro International Airport. You could easily spend your entire trip at one of the valley’s luxury accommodations, like COMO Uma’s flagship lodge and Six Senses Paro, or at a local property such as Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel, where you’ll feel like true Bhutanese royalty—but trust us, there’s much more to see. 

Punakha

This subtropical oasis beckons with its lush rice paddies, guava groves, and serpentine rivers, offering a respite from Bhutan’s chillier alpine settlements.

Punakha’s two crown jewels are its seventeenth-century dzong, which arises majestically from the pebbly riverbanks and hosts a magnificent tshechu, and its infamous fertility temple Chimi Lhakhang, founded by the venerated “Divine Madman.” Cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge, decorated with fluttering flags, raft Punakha’s thrilling rivers, and have breakfast on the grounds of Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, a gleaming, multi-tiered gilded stupa offering panoramic views of the fertile river valley. In spring, blossoming jacarandas paint the dzong purple.  

Haa Valley

Haa, the last of Bhutan’s districts to open to tourism, features steep valley walls, highland lakes, clear-flowing rivers, the world’s highest unclimbed peak, and unspoiled wilderness. For active travelers, Haa is an outdoor playground.

Despite being adjacent to Paro, fewer than two per cent of tourists visit, making it the most accessible remote district in the country. (It’s also why there are so few hotels.) But now, with the opening of a secretive wilderness tented camp near Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve—which Extraordinary Journeys has exclusive access to—there’s a compelling reason to overnight here.

Celebrate the elusive blue poppy in summer, go biking, learn how to make hoentey (buckwheat dumplings usually eaten during Loemba (Haa’s New Year), and explore some of the most incredible day-hikes and multi-night treks that Bhutan has to offer.  

Bumthang

Bumthang captivates with breathtaking landscapes, profound spirituality, rich cultural heritage, and unique gastronomy. This mystical region in central Bhutan, which can be reached by a quick domestic flight, comprises glaciers, cloud-piercing mountains, revered relics, and four distinct valleys—Ura, Tang, Chumey, and Choekhor—which turn pink in fall when the buckwheat fields bloom.

Remote Ura Valley, cradled amidst emerald slopes, served as the backdrop for Pawo Dorji’s Oscar-shortlisted film, The Monk and the Gun. Go horse trekking, shop for colorful Yathra (woven textiles), try buckwheat delicacies, or attend a festival like the Jambay Lhakhang Drup, famous for its naked fire dance.  

Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey)

A serene valley in the heart of Bhutan, the Phobjikha Valley (commonly called Gangtey) beckons with its pine forests, clear streams, marshland, and meadows. Protected against development, the nature-laded, broad valley floor teems with wildlife like bears, foxes, wild horses, and migratory black-neck cranes that roost here in winter. Walk the Gangtey Nature Trail, ride horseback, cycle bucolic roads, dine on Bhutanese dishes made with valley-grown bounty, meet young monks at Gangtey Goempa (Monastery), tour rhododendron gardens in spring, attend the annual Black-Neck Crane Festival in November, and stay at Gangtey Lodge—one of our favorite properties in all of Bhutan.  

Thimphu

Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, intrigues travelers with its quirks and charms—like being the only capital in the world without a traffic light (instead, it’s directed by a white-gloved policeman).

Sprawling across narrow Wang Valley, with a giant golden Buddha statue looming above, Thimphu—Bhutan’s biggest metropolis—boasts a blossoming restaurant and café scene, indie bookstores, avant-garde public art, and vibrant nightlife. Savor a steaming plate of momos while browsing Thimphu’s weekend market, observe art students craft Buddha statues at the National Institute for Zorig Chusom, listen to live music, and be fitted for a gho or kira—all before retreating to a five-star escape, nestled in the pine forests on the city’s edge.

Gasa

Bordering Tibet, visitors to this remote district in northern Bhutan will be awestruck by shimmering glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks, healing hot springs, and its semi-nomadic culture. Encompassed entirely by Jigme Dorji National Park, Gasa shelters rare and endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, and blue sheep—and is fantastic for trekking.

In Laya and Lunana, two of the highest settlements on earth, yak herders spend the summer harvesting cordyceps, a potent medicinal fungus. Celebrate alongside villagers at the Royal Highland Festival in October, or pass through far-flung alpine villages on the formidable, 30-day Snowman Trek, considered to be the world’s toughest.  

Explore Bhutan on a Map

Luxury Bhutan Travel Itineraries

Easy Extensions

Consider flying from Kathmandu to Paro to compare Nepal and Bhutan for yourself. While you can reverse the order, it’s better to save luxurious Bhutan for last. With easy flights from Delhi to Paro, it’s also possible to add a few days in Bhutan to a luxury India trip.

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