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.