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 the world's most fascinating cultural destinations: Bhutan and Thailand. With your own private guides and drivers in each location, explore dynamic cities, spectacular landscapes, impressive temples and monasteries, interesting markets, delicious food, and rich cultural traditions. Accommodation is at some of the world's most luxurious hotels.

Begin with comprehensive touring in Bangkok. Enjoy a fascinating, private long-tail boat tour through Bangkok's 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 world's leading spa, swim, shop for exquisite Asian art, and dine on some of Southeast Asia's best cuisine.

Continue Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. During comprehensive private touring, experience cultural highlights such as important Buddhist sites, local markets, and various museums specializing in textiles, folk heritage, and traditional arts and crafts. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life, as well as a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that houses the Bhutanese civil government. If desired, enjoy a private hike to rural villages and monasteries tucked into the foothills of the Himalayas. Upon request, we can also arrange for special experiences such as a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home or a private meditation session with monks.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochula Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, citrus trees and banana plants. During private touring, enjoy peaceful walks through rural farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local temple, opt to hike up a mountain for beautiful panoramic views of the valley, tour the stunning Punakha Dzong, and visit a Buddhist nunnery overlooking the valley. Accommodation will be at a luxurious hotel overlooking the Mo Chhu River set among rice terraces, chili and cabbage fields and traditional Bhutanese farmhouses.

The final stop in Bhutan is Paro, a picturesque town in a verdant river valley with a charming main street brimming with shops and cafes. During private touring, visit the National Museum, browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items, and take an excursion to breathtaking Tiger's Nest, a cliffside Buddhist monastery that's a highlight of Bhutan. Also enjoy a private lesson in archery, Bhutan's national sport. Other activities can be incorporated based on your interests, such as yoga, a biking excursion, or traditional Bhutanese spa treatments.

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 lush fields of terraced rice paddies. Browse crafts districts specializing in celadon ceramics, silver, teak furniture, paper umbrellas, and beautiful 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. A day will be at leisure to enjoy the resort's spa, golf, or pool. Additional cultural excursions are also available.

Throughout the tour, enjoy flexible touring with your own guide and driver and accommodation at some of the world's most luxurious hotels. Upon request, we can incorporate activities such as overnight treks, meetings with local specialists, farm visits, monastery visits, soft-adventure activities (hiking, biking, archery, rafting or golf), shopping, cooking classes, blessings and meditations led by monks, and more.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world