One of the world’s most authentic and pristine destinations, the mountain kingdom of Bhutan is the closest thing we’ve found to Shangri-La. Picture locals in traditional dress, colourful festivals, and unspoilt Himalayan valleys dotted with wooden houses and Buddhist monasteries. Breathe-in the peace and tranquillity.
If you want to get beneath the skin of this unique country, then this is your itinerary. Spend a little longer in the capital, Thimpu, to explore the markets and local life. Continue to the Punakha, Gangtey and isolated Bumthang, switching between eco lodges, heritage hotels, and even a sustainable farm project. Add in hiking, rafting, and camping, finishing at unmissable Tigers Nest Monastery, and you have truly “done” Bhutan.
See the greatest sights in Bhutan in a more active way. Try white water rafting in Punakha Valley. Cycle your way through the countryside, with bicycles in your van throughout any road journeys. Hike and camp the four-day Druk Trail. And of course, ascend the walk to Tigers Nest Monastery.
Bhutan is Asia’s most exclusive sustainable travel destination, and as a result offers some of the most stunning eco-luxury properties we have ever laid our eyes upon. Explore this mesmerising country in upmost comfort from the sublime Six Senses, Uma, Taj and Aman lodges along the way, taking in all of the highlights of Thimpu, Punakha, Gangtey and Paro.
Whether taking part yourself or watching a local game, no trip to Bhutan is complete without a spot of Archery. At the official games the singing and dancing from the spectators is just as entertaining as the match itself, and if you do try your hand please let us know if you achieve a bullseye!
Take the steep pilgrimage up to Bhutan’s most famous monastery, iconic Taktshang Goemba (The Tiger’s Nest), clinging to the cliffs high above Paro Valley. Bhutan’s strict limits on visitor numbers ensures it never feels overcrowded, despite being considered an unofficial manmade wonder of the world.
A Bhutanese festival is a special event to witness, full of spectacular costumes and masked dancing to raucous traditional music. The springtime Paro Tsechu festival is considered the most spectacular, but any of the local events taking place around the year will leave you mesmerised.
Bhutan has a population of less than 800,000 people, spread out across it’s kingdom at a rate of just 20 people per km (the UK for comparison has 275 people per km.) The capital and largest city is Thimpu, whilst the international airport is 50km away in Paro, the closest town to Tigers Nest.
Bhutan is 6 hours ahead of GMT, in what is simply called “Bhutan Time”
The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) is the country’s national currency, with approximately 100 to the pound at the time of writing.
October to December offer the sunniest days, with temperatures reaching a low in January and February, whilst the skies stay clear and dry through to April. Summer brings the warmest temperatures, but also the likelihood of showers during the monsoon season.
With no direct flights from the UK, most travellers fly first to Delhi, Kathmandu or Bangkok, from where you can connect to Paro with Druk Air. As you will be changing airlines and tickets, we recommend overnighting in those cities on the way to avoid a missed connection.
