Journey Through Bhutan

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, Paro

The ultimate private tour of Bhutan, this itinerary is highly recommended for travelers wanting to experience the absolute best of the country. It features the favorite destinations of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro (including iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery), plus the beautiful and less-visited regions of Gangtey and Bumthang. All touring is with your own private guide and driver, and accommodation is at Bhutan’s best luxury lodges.

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, 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.

Next, travel to Gangtey in the spectacular Phobjikha Valley, where touring is an ideal combination of deep Buddhist experiences and stunning landscapes. 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. If desired, enjoy privately guided walks or hikes on nature trails amid the grasslands, native woods and rustic farms of this high-altitude, glacial valley.

Continue east toward Bumthang, driving over a scenic mountain pass and through bucolic valleys dotted with rural hamlets. Stop en route to visit Trongsa Dzong, an imposing fortress perched on a steep hillside, and the Tower of Trongsa Museum, which has a collection of items related to Bhutan’s revered royal family. Continue to Bumthang, a beautiful and remote region that's considered the spiritual heart of Bhutan. During flexible private touring, delve into Bhutanese traditions at ancient and venerated Buddhist temples and monasteries and see traditional farming villages surrounded by fruit orchards and terraced fields. Other activities include browsing for yathra textile weavings, touring hilltop Jakar Dzong, visiting the sacred Burning Lake, hiking to remote monasteries, and enjoying tastings at a local cheese producer and brewery.

Next, fly 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, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking tours and more.

A highlight of our private Bhutan tours is staying at incredible luxury lodges that offer the opportunity to experience traditional Bhutanese hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding nature.

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 2 nights with touring en route Day 2 Thimphu Full-day private cultural touring and options for hiking or other activities Day 3 Thimphu – Punakha Private transfer to Punakha  luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 4 Punakha Full-day private cultural touring and options for hiking and other activities Day 5 Punakha – Gangtey Private transfer to Gangtey luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 6 Gangtey Full-day private touring, hiking and wildlife viewing Day 7 Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang Private transfer to Bumthang  luxury lodge for 3 nights with touring in Trongsa en route Day 8 Bumthang Full-day private cultural touring and other activities Day 9 Bumthang Full-day private cultural touring and other activities Day 10 Bumthang – Paro Private transfer to airport and flight to Paro. Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 3 nights. Afternoon private tour Day 11 Paro Full-day private cultural touring and activities Day 12 Paro Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery Day 13 Depart Paro Private transfer to business-class flight to Bangkok or Delhi

Hotels

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

Cost

$23,400 Per person (double occupancy)