100% customisable travel idea
Essential Bhutan Holiday in the Kingdom of Gross National Happiness
Bhutan
100% customisable travel idea
Bhutan
100% customisable for you
Overnight stop in Delhi, which, along with Kolkata and Kathmandu, is one of the main gateways to Bhutan.
Flight to Paro and drive to Thimphu, set in a valley at 7,874 feet (2,400 metres) above sea level. Combining tradition and modernity, the country’s political and economic capital is rapidly expanding, yet remains a small, calm and pleasant city. It's dynamic and cultural, with bustling markets and local crafts, making it an essential stop in Bhutan. The end of the day is free for you to discover it at your own pace. Your accommodation for the next two nights was designed by a Japanese architect and sits right in the heart of Thimphu, with a distinctly Bhutanese architectural style.
In your itinerary - Three major visits are planned for the day. First is the National Memorial Chorten, built in the 1970s by the royal family. Its paintings and statues are a reminder that Bhutan is the world’s only Buddhist kingdom, and its young monarch, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is deeply revered. Next, discover Tashichho Dzong, the “fortress of the glorious religion”, now home to several government ministries. Finally, the National Library holds treasures of Buddhist literature. Weather permitting, you can also take an easy walk into the hills above the city to the small Wangditse Gomba monastery, where views over the valley and surrounding vegetation are particularly beautiful, framed by flowers and prayer flags.
The road to Punakha climbs to Dochula Pass, at over 9,843 feet (3,000 metres) above sea level, with spectacular views of the Wangdi Phodrang mountain range. Punakha was the winter capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan until 1962, and gives its name to one of the country’s 20 dzongkhags. With a very mild microclimate, vegetation here is abundant, and rhododendrons, laurels and magnolias bloom in profusion. This is also where the embalmed body of Shabdrung Ngawang, founder of Bhutan, who died in 1651, is laid to rest. The region is rich in artistic heritage, and it's impossible to speak of Punakha without mentioning its dzong, nicknamed the “palace of great bliss” - one of the oldest in the country. The first King of Bhutan was crowned here in 1907, and Bhutan’s spiritual authority still spends the winter months here.
Already included - Visit to the dzong, which has stood - strategic and imposing - over the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers since 1637. Damaged by fire and an earthquake, it has since been beautifully restored.
Drive to Paro, the gateway out of your Bhutan journey. Set at 7,333 feet (2,235 metres) above sea level, Paro is surrounded by beautiful mountains. In the heart of the valley of the same name, the town is wrapped in rich vegetation, dotted with picturesque villages and historic buildings. Above it all, the Taktshang Gompa monastery, known as the “Tiger’s Nest”, dominates the valley and stands as one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites. For a deeper immersion in Bhutanese culture, we also recommend a visit to the National Museum, housed in a beautiful building dating back to 1656.
Already included - Visit to the dzong, on a hill overlooking the town. Sometimes nicknamed the “monastery of jewels”, it was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The annual religious festival (tsechu) takes place in its main courtyard. You can also visit the ta dzong (the watchtower, closed on Saturdays and Sundays), which now houses the National Museum and its collections of art, relics, coins and thangkas.
In your itinerary - In the morning, set off for Taktsang Gompa, the legendary Tiger’s Nest, perched on a mountainside and rising more than 2,953 feet (900 metres) above the valley floor. The site owes its name to Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have arrived here on the back of a tigress to meditate. Today, it is a major pilgrimage site. In April 1998, a fire caused serious damage to the main structure. It is reached after a good two hours of fairly challenging hiking, during which the monastery gradually appears, often shrouded in wisps of cloud, giving the impression it is floating in the sky. The arrival is breathtaking and deeply moving. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, an ancient valley monastery with wonderfully preserved woodwork.
Return to India, to Delhi, by plane. A room is available to you for the day.
In your itinerary - Old Delhi, in private. This vast traditional district reveals itself as full of charm, with its lively bazaars and crowded narrow streets. A visit to this historic quarter starts with the Jama Masjid mosque, built between 1644 and 1658, with its three enormous domes of white and black marble. Its vast esplanade can accommodate, in addition to the large prayer hall, nearly 25,000 worshippers. Also on the itinerary are Chandni Chowk, a true hive of activity filled with colours and scents, and Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
At the end of the day, private transfer to the airport and return international flight. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Travel with complete freedom, guided by your interests,
ideas and passions.
250 travel specialists, organised by country and region. Driven by a passion for beauty and never short of ideas, they inspire you and design an ultra-personalised journey: itineraries, accommodation, workshops, encounters, and more.
Always at your service: with a dedicated travel specialist, Concierge service and 24/7 assistance, our teams support you and adapt in real time, for a trip that is both flexible and expertly supported.
With family, as a couple, in a group of ten, on a road trip, by train, by boat, for a weekend or a round-the-world journey... Trips tailored to your preferences, enhanced by clever services, for ever smoother travel.
