Best of Bhutan: Wilderness Adventure with Friends

Catering to families or friend groups, this once-in-a-lifetime journey hits all of Bhutan's high notes

Blanketed by forest cover, hemmed by snow-capped peaks, dotted with Buddhist monasteries, and reverent to deities, Bhutan is a remote Himalayan country likened to a Shangri-La. Closed to outsiders until 1974 and shirking GDP for Gross Domestic Happiness, journeying through the Kingdom is like visiting a place preserved in time. In no rush to modernize and deeply rooted in the tenet of environmental conservation, it's a rare, pristine paradise—one that receives far fewer visitors than neighbors Nepal, India, and Tibet.  

We created Highlights of Bhutan for families or friends traveling together. We thread together the Kingdom’s spellbinding valleys, balancing dreamy luxury lodges with an experiential, exclusive-use tented wilderness camp. We also make a special point to reserve two nights for Haa—an oft-overlooked valley—with glassy highland lakes and clear-flowing rivers. A guide and driver will navigate Bhutan’s scenic byways and winding high mountain passes so your party can enjoy the kaleidoscope of landscapes from the comfort of a private vehicle.

A little bit of everything—arresting natural beauty, culture, dzong and monastery visits, sumptuous regional gastronomy, hiking, and wellness—Highlights of Bhutan hits all the Kingdom’s high notes on a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Best of Bhutan: Wilderness Adventure with Friends : 8 Nights / 9 Days

Highlights of Bhutan Trip Highlights

An Iconic Hike: Clinging to the side of a cliff perched thousands of feet above the floor of the Paro Valley, Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) is venerated as one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. A moderately challenging hike leads your party to the monastery and rewards with spectacular views. Upon arrival, enter the sacred cave, take tea, and enjoy guided meditation alongside the high lama. 
Wilderness Camp: In Haa, a stunning valley visited by fewer than three per cent of all Bhutan travelers, spend two nights at a secretive spot ensconced by pine forest near a river. At your own exclusive-use camp, a dedicated hospitality team will cater field picnics and gourmet dinners, and assemble a bonfire Bhutanese whiskey tasting. Use Haa Sangwa Camp as a base for cultural and outdoorsy adventures such as darts and archery, and ranger-guided hikes. Otherwise, soak in a natural hot spring, receive a personalized astrology reading, enjoy a massage, go catch-and-release fishing, track wildlife after dark, or go for a joy ride in an antique royal bodyguard jeep. 
Luxury Lodges Steeped in Culture: Retreat to five-star luxury lodges nestled into secluded spots in Bhutan’s best valleys. Some offer suites sequestered in the woods, while others boast rooms with sweeping mountain views from sky-reaching perches. At Zhiwaling Heritage Hotel, Six Senses Thimphu, andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, and Amankora Paro, your party will dine on regional dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, luxuriate in dreamy pools, and experience Bhutanese rituals, all while receiving intuitive hospitality that’s delivered on a first-name basis. 
Tour Sacred Architectural Wonders: White-washed dzong fortresses, goemba (monasteries), and temples dot Bhutan’s valleys. From eye-catching to imposing, they stand like multi-tier wedding cakes, contrasted against their forested settings. On this Highlights of Bhutan travel itinerary, your group will have as many opportunities to visit them as you please. A few notable stops include Punakha Dzong (considered Bhutan's prettiest fortress), Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple (Punakha), Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang temple (Paro), and the Buddha Dordenma Statue (Thimphu).  
Hiking & Biking: Bhutan is an ideal destination for slow travel. Experience the serenity of nature on foot, while tracing forested hiking trails, or at the joyful pace of a bicycle. 
Genuine Cultural Connections: More involved than performative travel voyeurism, your bespoke journey includes unique opportunities for genuine cultural exchange. Prepare Bhutanese specialty dishes alongside villagers for a memorable lunch, join nuns in observation of evening prayers, and receive a rare audience with a high lama to receive blessings and a spiritual cleansing—to name a few. 
Memorable Al Fresco Dining: Bhutan’s enchanting landscapes are the perfect backdrop for gourmet private dining. Think: a table set within forested ruins in Haa, a meal served riverside looking upon Punakha Dzong, breakfast served at Khamsum Yulley Monastery, or a mountainside picnic unfurled mid-hike en route to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Bon appétit.

Price

Starting at $20,600 per person, based on four persons sharing in 2024.

Rate is inclusive of all accommodations, meals, guides, a private luxury vehicle and driver, special events, and government fees and visas.

Highlights of Bhutan on a Map

Easy Extensions

With flights from Delhi and Katmandu to Paro, it’s easy to combine Bhutan travel with Nepal or India. (We recommend saving luxurious Bhutan for last.)