Discover Thailand & Bhutan

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Bangkok, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Chiang Mai

This ultra-luxurious private tour features two of Asia’s most fascinating cultural destinations: Thailand and Bhutan. With your own private guide and driver in each location, explore dynamic cities, spectacular landscapes, impressive temples and monasteries, interesting markets and rich cultural traditions. Accommodation is at some of the world's most luxurious hotels.

Begin with comprehensive touring in Bangkok, Thailand. Enjoy a private longtail boat tour through Bangkok's fascinating canals. Visit Bangkok’s most important attractions, including the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Learn about Buddhist practices and influences on daily life. Explore colorful markets selling textiles, flowers, Buddhist items, food and crafts. There will also be time to enjoy the hotel spa, swim in the pool, shop for exquisite Asian art, and dine on some of Southeast Asia's best cuisine.

Next, fly to Paro, Bhutan. Continue to 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.

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 in Bhutan, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking tours and more.

Return to Thailand and spend several days in rural Chiang Mai in northern Thailand at one of Asia's most luxurious and atmospheric resorts, surrounded by mountains and terraced rice paddies. Browse crafts districts specializing in ceramics, silver, wood furniture, paper umbrellas and silk weavings. Visit revered mountaintop temples, the royal family's Winter Palace, an elephant sanctuary and local hill tribe villages. Also enjoy a cooking class at the resort's renowned cooking school. During time at leisure, enjoy the resort's spa and pool or perhaps play a round at a nearby golf course. Additional cultural excursions are also available.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges and resorts that offer the opportunity to experience traditional hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok, Thailand VIP airport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Bangkok Full-day private city tour, including private longtail boat ride Day 3 Bangkok – Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Paro, Bhutan. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to Thimphu luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 4 Thimphu Full-day private cultural touring and option for hiking Day 5 Thimphu – Punakha Private transfer to Punakha luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 6 Punakha Full-day private cultural touring and customized hiking and activities Day 7 Punakha – Paro Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 8 Paro & Tiger’s Nest Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery Day 9 Paro – Bangkok, Thailand – Chiang Mai Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Bangkok, Thailand. VIP airport assistance through immigration and connecting flight to Chiang Mai. Private arrival transfer to luxury resort for 3 nights Day 10 Chiang Mai Morning Thai cooking class and market tour. Afternoon flexible private touring and shopping. Private round-trip transfer to night market Day 11 Chiang Mai Option for sunrise alms giving. Half-day private tour or excursion to elephant sanctuary Day 12 Chiang Mai – Depart Bangkok Private transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok. VIP arrival assistance to connecting departure flight

Hotels

Bangkok: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok or Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River Thimphu: Amankora Thimphu or Six Senses Thimphu Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro Chiang Mai: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Cost

$24,780 Per person (double occupancy)