Bhutan is known as “The Land Of The Thunder Dragon”. It’s a country unlike any other. Nestled in the Himalayan Mountains, it maintains the ancient traditions of Mahayana Buddhism to the present day.
Bhutan is one of the last strongholds to be unspoiled by modernity. It was never colonised, allowing its traditional culture to remain intact. Bhutan only introduced TV in 1999. It’s a deeply spiritual country with stunning mountain landscapes and vibrant cuisine.
Until it joined the UN in the 1970s, most people didn’t even know it existed. This is your chance to see a culture that has evolved of its own accord; cut off from the rest of the world for most of history.
Call our travel experts on
+44 (0)20 7157 1570Departing on
- 4th October 2019 Friday
Group Trip Breakdown
Day 1: Paro To Thimphu
When you arrive at Paro airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to our hotel in Thimpu. After lunch, we’ll visit the King’s Memorial Chorten where people hum mantras and the prayer wheels are always spinning. It was completed in 1974 to honour the “the father of modern Bhutan”, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Later, we’ll visit Trashichhoedzong, the central hub of Bhutan’s government and religion. It was built in 1641 and reconstructed in the 1960s.
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Thimphu
Today we’ll visit the Tango Goemba monastery, founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. The building as it stands today was built by the so-called “Divine Madman”, Lama Drukpa Kunley. Further buildings were added in the 18th-century by 8th Desi, and the golden roof was added in the following century.
We’ll see some priceless manuscripts at the National Library after lunch. We’ll also visit the art school where students study Bhutan’s arts and crafts for six years before they qualify. In the evening we’ll have a cooking class and discover the intricacies of Bhutanese cuisine.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Thimphu To Paro
We’ll drive to Paro in the morning and check into our hotel. After lunch, we’ll visit Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower, it’s now a museum. Here we’ll see a rich assortment of artefacts from textiles to weaponry. We’ll then scene artworks depicting Buddhist folklore at Rinpung Dzong.
Later, we’ll have coffee with a local family in their home and catch of glimpse of daily Bhutanese life.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Paro
The Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous buildings in Bhutan. It’s perched on the side of a cliff 3000 feet above the Paro valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche travelled here on the back of a tigress, which is why the monastery is known as the Tiger’s Nest. All Bhutanese visit this place at least once in a lifetime.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the ruined fortress of Drukgyel Dzong. On the way, we’ll stop off at 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Paro
After a buffet breakfast and a leisurely morning at the hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Sounds good? Call our travel experts:
+44 (0)20 7157 1570