Active Tours

Active Tour of Switzerland
(9 Days)
Lucerne & Mount Pilatus, Interlaken & Berner Oberland, Zermatt, Lausanne

Adventure Tour of Iceland
(9 Days)
Reykjavik, Husafell, Golden Circle & South Iceland, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Blue Lagoon

Active Argentina
(13 Days)
Buenos Aires, El Chalten, El Calafate, Iguazu Falls

Australia Luxury Adventure
(16 Days)
Sydney, Arkaba & Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef

Wellness Tour of Bali
(10 Days)
Ubud, Candidasa

Luxury Adventure Tour of Bhutan
(11 Days)
Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro

Adventure Tour of Chile
(11 Days)
Atacama, Santiago & Valparaiso & Casablanca Valley, Torres del Paine

Active Tour of China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Huangshan, Yangshuo, Guilin & Longsheng, Hong Kong

Biking Tour of France
(9 Days)
Paris & Versailles, Loire Valley, Bordeaux & Saint-Emilion

Ayurveda & Yoga Tour of India
(12 Days)
Delhi, Himalayas, Goa, Mumbai

Indonesia Luxury Adventure
(15 Days)
Jimbaran Bay or Nusa Dua, Yogyakarta, Candidasa, Moyo Island, Ubud

Luxury Golf Tour of Ireland
(9 days)
Dublin, Kildare, Kenmare, Adare, Doonbeg

Family Adventure in Israel
(12 Days)
Tel Aviv, Galilee, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Eilat & Negev Desert

Hiking Tour of Japan: Nakasendo Road & the Japan Alps
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Nakasendo Road, Takayama & Kamikochi, Matsumoto, Tokyo

Historic Hikes of Japan: Kumano Kodo & Nakasendo Road
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Kumano Kodo, Ise-Shima region, Nakasendo Road, Tokyo

Active Tour of Jordan
(9 Days)
Amman & Jerash, King’s Highway, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana, Dead Sea

Hiking Tour of Lebanon
(8 Days)
Beirut, Chouf Mountains, Jabal Moussa or Tannourine (or Sidon and Tyre), Jeita Grotto, Byblos, Qadisha Valley, Baalbek

Luxury Adventure Tour of Morocco
(9 Days)
Fez, Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh

Adventure Tour of New Zealand
(9 Days)
Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, Queenstown & Milford Sound

Active & Nature Tour of Oman
(9 Days)
Muscat, Ras Al Jinz, Wahiba Sands & Nizwa, Jebel Akhdar region

Luxury Active Tour of Peru
(9 Days)
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Exclusive Inca Trail
(10 Day)
Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Family Tour of Sicily
(9 Days)
Palermo, Sciacca & Agrigento, Taormina & Mount Etna

Active Tour of Spain
(10 Days)
Madrid & Segovia, Marbella & Ronda, Granada, Barcelona & Montserrat

Nature & Northern Lights in Sweden
(8 Days)
Stockholm, Swedish Lapland

Active & Adventure Tour of Turkey
(16 Days)
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Alacati, Ephesus, Bodrum, Turquoise Coast

Luxury Golf Tour of Portugal
(9 Days)
Lisbon & environs, Algarve

Luxury Golf Tour of Spain
(10 Days)
Barcelona, Madrid, Marbella & Ronda

Luxury Golf Tour of Scotland
(10 Days)
Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Perthshire (Gleneagles)

Food & Hiking Tour of Taiwan
(11 Days)
Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Beitou

Winter & Northern Lights Tour of Norway
(6 Days)
Bergen & Sognefjord, Tromso

Luxury Golf Tour of New Zealand
(11 Days)
Bay of Islands, Hawke's Bay, Queenstown & Milford Sound

Helsinki & the Northern Lights
(7 Days)
Helsinki, Finnish Lapland

Luxury Golf Tour of Thailand
(9 Days)
Chiang Mai, Phuket & Bangkok

MULTI-COUNTRY TOURS

Patagonia Adventure: Argentina & Chile
(13 Days)
Buenos Aires, Bariloche, El Calafate, Torres del Paine, Santiago

Hiking and Wellness Tour of Bhutan & India
(14 Days)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Himalayas & Rishikesh

Culture & Adventure in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Oman
(11 days)
Zighy Bay, Dubai, Arabian Desert, Abu Dhabi

Active Tour of Iceland & Norway
(11 Days)
Reykjavik, Husafell & Langjokull Glacier, South Iceland, Blue Lagoon, Bergen & Sognefjord

Active Tour of Slovenia & Croatia
(10 Days)
Ljubljana & Lake Bled, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split, Hvar & Korcula, Dubrovnik with Lokrum & Elafiti Islands

Active Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia
(16 Days)
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Winter Northern Lights Tour of Finland & Sweden
(10 Days)
Helsinki, Finnish Lapland, Swedish Lapland, Stockholm

Luxury Adventure Tour of Bhutan

(11 Days – Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro

This private Bhutan tour is ideal for travelers wanting customized outdoor activities, in-depth cultural experiences and accommodation at Bhutan's top luxury lodges—bastions of the best in Bhutanese style, cuisine and wellness. Among the highlights are privately guided hikes to iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery and other mountain temples, private bike rides through rural villages, views of stunning natural scenery, touring the most interesting Buddhist temples and dzongs (fortresses), private archery lessons and private river rafting in one of Bhutan’s most beautiful valleys.

Begin in Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan and one of the best places to experience Bhutanese heritage. During private touring, visit important Buddhist sites, local markets, crafts workshops (Buddhist thangkas, sculptures, weavings and more) and museums to learn about Bhutanese traditions and history. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that’s the seat of the Bhutanese government, and, if desired, a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life. Depending on your interests, touring can also include privately guided hikes to temples and monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, visiting a handmade paper factory, a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home, a visit to the takin preserve to see Bhutan’s unusual national animal, watching an archery competition and private meditation sessions with monks.

Next, travel to Gangtey in the spectacular Phobjikha Valley, where touring is an ideal combination of deep Buddhist experiences and stunning landscapes. Enjoy privately guided hikes on nature trails amid the grasslands, native woods and rustic farms of this high-altitude, glacial valley. Visit Gangtey Monastery and Gangtey Shedra (Buddhist college) to observe Buddhist ceremonies, participate in meditations and see the lively monk population. Also learn about the endangered black-necked cranes that fly from Tibet to spend the winter here every year.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochu La Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, banana plants and rice paddies. During private touring, visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, enjoy peaceful walks through farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local Buddhist temple, tour stunning Punakha Dzong, visit a Buddhist nunnery in the hills and take a short hike to a hillside chorten with panoramic views. Depending on your interests, touring can also include hikes to mountain monasteries, blessings by monks, private river rafting, a tour of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and other top activities around Punakha.

Continue to Paro, a picture-perfect Bhutanese town in a verdant river valley and the base for visiting iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. One day, enjoy a privately guided excursion to Tiger's Nest, a breathtaking cliffside Buddhist monastery (also known as Taktsang Goemba) that’s a highlight of Bhutan. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange yoga sessions and a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath—the perfect way to relax after the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities during your private Bhutan tour, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, meditations led by monks, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hoisting Buddhist prayer flags and visits to local farms.

Itinerary Overview
Day 1

Arrive Paro – Thimphu

Business-class flight from Bangkok or Delhi. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to Thimphu luxury lodge for 3 nights with touring en route

Day 2

Thimphu

Full-day private cultural touring and options for hiking or other activities

Day 3

Thimphu

Full-day private cultural touring and options for hiking or other activities

Day 4

Thimphu – Gangtey

Private transfer to Gangtey luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 5

Gangtey

Full-day private touring, hiking and wildlife viewing

Day 6

Gangtey – Punakha

Private transfer to Punakha luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 7

Punakha

Full-day private cultural touring and options for hiking and other activities

Day 8

Punakha – Paro

Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 3 nights with touring or hiking at Dochu La Pass en route. Afternoon private tour

Day 9

Paro

Full-day private cultural touring and activities

Day 10

Paro

Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Day 11

Depart Paro

Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Bangkok or Delhi


Hotels
Thimphu:

Six Senses Thimphu or Amankora Thimphu

Gangtey: Amankora Gangtey or Gangtey Lodge
Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha
Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro

Cost
$19,800 Per person (double occupancy)

Active Tours

Active Tour of Switzerland
(9 Days)
Lucerne & Mount Pilatus, Interlaken & Berner Oberland, Zermatt, Lausanne

Adventure Tour of Iceland
(9 Days)
Reykjavik, Husafell, Golden Circle & South Iceland, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Blue Lagoon

Active Argentina
(13 Days)
Buenos Aires, El Chalten, El Calafate, Iguazu Falls

Australia Luxury Adventure
(16 Days)
Sydney, Arkaba & Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef

Wellness Tour of Bali
(10 Days)
Ubud, Candidasa

Luxury Adventure Tour of Bhutan
(11 Days)
Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro

Adventure Tour of Chile
(11 Days)
Atacama, Santiago & Valparaiso & Casablanca Valley, Torres del Paine

Active Tour of China
(13 Days)
Beijing & Great Wall, Huangshan, Yangshuo, Guilin & Longsheng, Hong Kong

Biking Tour of France
(9 Days)
Paris & Versailles, Loire Valley, Bordeaux & Saint-Emilion

Ayurveda & Yoga Tour of India
(12 Days)
Delhi, Himalayas, Goa, Mumbai

Indonesia Luxury Adventure
(15 Days)
Jimbaran Bay or Nusa Dua, Yogyakarta, Candidasa, Moyo Island, Ubud

Luxury Golf Tour of Ireland
(9 days)
Dublin, Kildare, Kenmare, Adare, Doonbeg

Family Adventure in Israel
(12 Days)
Tel Aviv, Galilee, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Eilat & Negev Desert

Hiking Tour of Japan: Nakasendo Road & the Japan Alps
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Nakasendo Road, Takayama & Kamikochi, Matsumoto, Tokyo

Historic Hikes of Japan: Kumano Kodo & Nakasendo Road
(12 Days)
Kyoto, Kumano Kodo, Ise-Shima region, Nakasendo Road, Tokyo

Active Tour of Jordan
(9 Days)
Amman & Jerash, King’s Highway, Petra, Wadi Rum, Dana, Dead Sea

Hiking Tour of Lebanon
(8 Days)
Beirut, Chouf Mountains, Jabal Moussa or Tannourine (or Sidon and Tyre), Jeita Grotto, Byblos, Qadisha Valley, Baalbek

Luxury Adventure Tour of Morocco
(9 Days)
Fez, Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh

Adventure Tour of New Zealand
(9 Days)
Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, Queenstown & Milford Sound

Active & Nature Tour of Oman
(9 Days)
Muscat, Ras Al Jinz, Wahiba Sands & Nizwa, Jebel Akhdar region

Luxury Active Tour of Peru
(9 Days)
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Exclusive Inca Trail
(10 Day)
Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Family Tour of Sicily
(9 Days)
Palermo, Sciacca & Agrigento, Taormina & Mount Etna

Active Tour of Spain
(10 Days)
Madrid & Segovia, Marbella & Ronda, Granada, Barcelona & Montserrat

Nature & Northern Lights in Sweden
(8 Days)
Stockholm, Swedish Lapland

Active & Adventure Tour of Turkey
(16 Days)
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Alacati, Ephesus, Bodrum, Turquoise Coast

Luxury Golf Tour of Portugal
(9 Days)
Lisbon & environs, Algarve

Luxury Golf Tour of Spain
(10 Days)
Barcelona, Madrid, Marbella & Ronda

Luxury Golf Tour of Scotland
(10 Days)
Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Perthshire (Gleneagles)

Food & Hiking Tour of Taiwan
(11 Days)
Taipei, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Beitou

Winter & Northern Lights Tour of Norway
(6 Days)
Bergen & Sognefjord, Tromso

Luxury Golf Tour of New Zealand
(11 Days)
Bay of Islands, Hawke's Bay, Queenstown & Milford Sound

Helsinki & the Northern Lights
(7 Days)
Helsinki, Finnish Lapland

Luxury Golf Tour of Thailand
(9 Days)
Chiang Mai, Phuket & Bangkok

MULTI-COUNTRY TOURS

Patagonia Adventure: Argentina & Chile
(13 Days)
Buenos Aires, Bariloche, El Calafate, Torres del Paine, Santiago

Hiking and Wellness Tour of Bhutan & India
(14 Days)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Himalayas & Rishikesh

Culture & Adventure in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Oman
(11 days)
Zighy Bay, Dubai, Arabian Desert, Abu Dhabi

Active Tour of Iceland & Norway
(11 Days)
Reykjavik, Husafell & Langjokull Glacier, South Iceland, Blue Lagoon, Bergen & Sognefjord

Active Tour of Slovenia & Croatia
(10 Days)
Ljubljana & Lake Bled, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split, Hvar & Korcula, Dubrovnik with Lokrum & Elafiti Islands

Active Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia
(16 Days)
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Saigon, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Winter Northern Lights Tour of Finland & Sweden
(10 Days)
Helsinki, Finnish Lapland, Swedish Lapland, Stockholm

Testimonials

This was truly the trip of a lifetime…In New Zealand, all six of us caught trout, went horse riding, helicoptering, jet boating…all the while being cared for by the most wonderful people ever.
~ P.F., Gwynedd Valley, PA

Peru was absolutely outstanding. Our guide gave me the encouragement and help I needed in climbing to the very top of Huayna Picchu – an accomplishment of which I will always be thankful!! 
~ P.C., Smyrna, GA

We had a wonderful time in Asia!!! Highlights in Indonesia were the airplane view of the volcanoes on Java, walking each level of Borobudur by ourselves with no one else around, the trek to Selogriyo and its breathtaking terraced rice fields…
~ T.T., New York, NY

Read more...

In the Press

Recommended by:

Departures
Conde Nast Traveler
The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Travel + Leisure
Town & Country

Read more...

Active & Adventure On Our Blog

Just Back: An Active Luxury Tour of Iceland & Norway

Postcard from Mexico: Cenote Snorkeling in the Riviera Maya

The Best of Oman: Culture, Adventure & Luxury

Hiking and Active Tours in Patagonia and Igauzu Falls, Argentina

Italy: The Best of the Dolomites

Hiking Along the Caldera in Santorini, Greece

Just Back: Rwanda & Its National Parks

Just Back from Chile: The Best of the Atacama Desert & Patagonia

Israel Off the Beaten Track: The Stunning Negev

Luxury Tented Camps in Remote Northern India

Hiking on the Lycian Way

Our Top 5 Best Adventure Tours

Read more on our blog...