Slow Travel Bhutan Beyond the Highlights
21 days from £6,103 pp
Slow Travel Bhutan Beyond the Highlights is a private, 21-day tailor-made Bhutan itinerary at an unhurried pace, from Thimphu, Punakha and Gangtey to the quieter valleys of Trongsa, Bumthang and Haa, finishing with the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Prices start from £6,103 per person and include your private guide and driver, all hotels, your Bhutan visa and the daily Sustainable Development Fee, so there are no hidden charges. It suits guests with more time who want to meet local people, walk quiet trails and spend two or three nights in each valley. Shorter on time? Our 14-day Classic Bhutan Holiday covers the main valleys.
Trip Highlights
- Spend longer with locals and learn fascinating traditions
- Hike and raft across rivers and through beautiful valleys
- Get off the tourist path and explore Bumthang, taking on part of the ancient Trans-Bhutan Trail
- Trek to the legendary Tiger’s Nest, a true bucket-list moment
Our Expert Tip
”We always include the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery on your final day. This gives you time to acclimatise, and saves the very best until last”
Holly, Bhutan Expert
Slow Travel Bhutan Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1-3: Thimphu
Catch your flight into Paro and meet your private guide for the one hour journey to Thimphu. For the next three nights stay at Norkhil Boutique Hotel or similar, in the heart of the town, experiencing the highlights of the capital with your guide.
Ease into Bhutan the slow travel way. Your guide will take you to the National Memorial Chorten, where older Thimphu residents walk circuits each morning, and up to the Buddha Dordenma at Kuensel Phodrang, with a gentle walk in the pine forest around it. Afternoons are for wandering: the weekend farmers’ market is a highlight, piled high with chillies, cheese and red rice.
Visit the Royal Textile Academy and the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. Be fascinated by a trip to the Takin Preserve and do things differently on this slow travel holiday by visiting the Changyul Park, spanning seven acres along the Wangchhu River Corridor. You even have the chance for a private reading by an astrologer, a tradition rooted in deep Buddhist beliefs.
Day 4-6: Punakha
Leave Thimphu for the Punakha Valley, around two hours away, pausing at Dochu La for a cup of tea and, if you’re lucky, a clear view of the high Himalaya. We’ve included three nights at Meri Puensum Resort, so there’s time to appreciate Bhutan at an unhurried pace.
Spend your days exploring at your own pace: Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong, the long suspension bridge over the river and, if you fancy it, a rafting trip with an expert team. Hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten one day, and the next take on the Pho Chhu hike along the ‘male river’ (the Mo Chhu is its ‘female’ partner).
Get cultural in the Punakha Valley by visiting the nunnery for a blessing ceremony. Take a stroll through Bali Walk where you can have a go at brewing local rice wine (give it a taste, you may just like it!)
Day 7-9: Gangtey
With so much walking on offer in the Gangtey Valley, we’ve included three nights at Gangtey Tent Resort or similar. It’s around three hours from Punakha, so take your first afternoon slowly with a stroll to a nearby viewpoint, then sit in on evening prayers with the student monks at the Shedra (monastic school).
Next day, visit Gangtey Goemba and walk the Gangtey Nature Trail across the valley floor, then call in at the Black-necked Crane Centre to hear how local people protect the cranes that winter here.
Enjoy the Longtey Trail hike, which is one of our favourite walks in Bhutan, through bush bamboo, rhododendrons, and small villages. Fancy an upgrade here? See our guide to the best hotels and luxury lodges in Bhutan.
Day 10-11: Trongsa
Trongsa sits right in the middle of Bhutan, and few visitors stay long enough to get to know it. Two nights at Yangkhil Resort give you time to explore the dzong and its watchtower museum properly, and to walk the quiet trails around town.
Spend an afternoon in Trongsa’s small main street, where shopkeepers are always happy to chat, and take a day trip to Langthel and Dangdung villages, about an hour away and rarely visited by tourists.
Day 12-14: Bumthang Valley
The beautiful Bumthang Valley awaits you, which will be a highlight of your journey. Stay three nights at Kaila Guesthouse or similar and enjoy your time in the valley at a leisurely and relaxed pace; it’s all about scenery and serenity here. Visit the Jambay Lhakhang and the peaceful Jakar Dzong.
You’ll be treated to extraordinary views and epic scenery in the Tang Valley, and have the chance to hike part of the famous ancient Trans-Bhutan Trail, from Gangrithang school in Jakar to Phomdrong. The walk takes around 6 hours, passing through farmhouses, goembas, gentle slopes and beautiful forests.
Want more of the trail? Our Trans-Bhutan Trail Hiking Holiday walks six of its sections.
Day 15-16: Haa Valley
Choose to take a short domestic flight, or a longer drive day (around eight hours) back to Paro and onwards to Haa. Haa is barely touched by tourism; with only a handful of places to stay, it’s a great way to experience real, remote Bhutan, with wonderful views.
Visit Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple), associated with the arrival of Buddhism in the region, and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), both important in Bhutanese culture.
Stop by a local farmhouse, where you are welcome to help with cooking. Try out one of the famous Bhutan hot stone baths, known for their restorative properties.
Day 17-20: Paro
End your Slow Travel Bhutan holiday with four nights at Olathang Cottages, set in pine woods above Paro town. Visit the intriguing Ta Dzong, home to the National Museum, and stop off at a local farmhouse to discover more about the Bhutanese way of life. Take on a trip to Chele La Pass with a hike down to Kila Goemba. In the afternoon visit Phuba Mandala Display Centre and take some time to amble around Paro at your own pace, buying local handicrafts. Enjoy a final hiking day to Drakarpo monastery with magnificent views of Paro Valley.
Saving the best until last, your final day in Bhutan takes you to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. After nearly three weeks at altitude, the climb will feel easier than you expect, and the first sight of the monastery across the gorge is something you’ll never forget. Looking for a different route? Browse all our tailor-made Bhutan holidays.
When to Go
Best time for slow travel in Bhutan
The best months for this trip are March to May and October to November, for clear mountain views and comfortable walking in remote valleys like Haa and Bumthang. Late autumn is especially rewarding, as black-necked cranes arrive in Gangtey from late October. December to February is quiet and crisp, though Bumthang and Haa are very cold. June to August brings monsoon rain and slower road journeys. Ask us which season best suits your pace.
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
- Bhutan visa cost and daily SDF
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost aside from Bhutan
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
