Example Itinerary

Bhutan Luxury Road Trip

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
Destinations
Bhutan

This 14-day luxury itinerary showcases Bhutan's must-see sites, with time spent in the major cities of Paro and Thimphu, plus visits to remote mountain villages and farmhouses. There's plenty of history and culture in this tour – you'll see ancient fortresses, far-flung monasteries and countless chortens, fluttering prayer flags and ancient Buddhist sites. Each night you'll bed down in style, staying in a selection of Bhutan's most luxurious Himalaya resorts.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Tiger's Nest: This impressive cliffside monastery is Bhutan’s most iconic site and also its most sacred. Take the pilgrimage, a half day endeavor that rewards with sweeping views and blessings.
  • Local Insight: Spend time with a local family in their farmhouse to learn about their rural lifestyle, and enjoy a home cooked meal.
  • Religious Heartland: Travel out to Bumthang, a land of rustic tranquility and home to some of the oldest temples and monasteries in the kingdom.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Paro

You start your Bhutan odyssey in Paro, where you'll visit the ancient fortresses the Rimpung Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong, the latter a UNESCO-protected location and perhaps the most important archeological site in the country. After that, visit the Kyichu Lhakhang – a centuries-old Buddhist temple – and in the evening check into a luxurious Paro hotel. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Spa: The Aman spa contains private saunas, steam rooms, a yoga studio and private treatment rooms with showers and outdoor stone baths.

Accommodation: The hotel has just 24 select suites featuring traditional Bhutanese wood-burning stoves and generous terrazzo-clad baths.

Location: The resort overlooks a 17th century Drukyel Dzong and snow-capped Mt. Jumolhari.

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Amankora Paro Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Forest-covered mountains, tiny villages and terraced crop fields, valley rivers and rich history. One of the most scenic locations in Bhutan, Six Senses Paro is perched at an altitude of 2,250 meters, putting the spotlight on its epic views.

Sustainability: Six Senses Paro is committed to low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community - befitting Bhutan, the world's only carbon-negative country.

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Six Senses Paro Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Paro

Get an early start to see more of picturesque Paro. First, see the Kila Nunnery located on a cliffside, then learn a bit about local history at the National Museum. In the afternoon, get some insight into local life with a home visit to a farmhouse before enjoying a relaxing night back at your hotel.

Paro
Paro

Day 3

Punakha

Today, make your way to Punakha, a 4-hour drive away and the old capital of Bhutan, enjoying the views from Dochu La Pass on the way. There are many historic sites to explore in Punakha, including the island fortress Punakha Dzong and the Chime Lhakhang, a uniquely-adorned 15th century temple said to bless visiting couples with fertility. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Exclusivity: The hotel has just eight suites making the hotel intimate, welcoming and private.

History: The hotel is housed in a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built as a home by the Royal Bhutanese Queen to oversee the local farmland.

Spa: The resort's indulgent spa looks over rice fields and comprises a meditation room, private treatment rooms and a steam room and changing area.

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Amankora Punakha Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set at a lower altitude and with warmer temperatures, Phunakha is a favorite winter destination for local Bhutanese. Blending seamlessly into emerald steps of crop fields, this lodge is a "flying farmhouse" providing a rustic, yet luxurious, stay.

Sustainability: All of Six Senses' Bhutan properties are focused on low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community; echoing the values of Bhutan, which is the world's only carbon-negative country.

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Six Senses Punakha Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Punakha

Get out into the fresh mountain air today with a hike to Khamsum Yuley Monastery and the elaborate temple chorten that took 10 years to complete. After that, enjoy rafting along the Mo Chu River. There is the option to visit a local farmhouse today before returning to your hotel for the evening. 

Day 5

Gangtey

You'll head to Gangtey today, located some 3 hours away in the picturesque and treeless Phobjikha Valley. It's here in the wetlands that the black-necked cranes nest and you'll get to learn more about this intriguing species at the Crane Center. This is also the home of the beautiful old Gangtey Monastery with its elaborate gate and breathtaking valley views. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy leisure time.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The hotel is situated in one of Bhutan’s most significant nature reserves, famous for endangered Black Neck Cranes.

Activities: Nature lovers will enjoy the treks and walks on the hotel’s doorstep through forests, mountains, the rural settlement of Gangtey and traditional farmlands.

Views: From the cozy suites decorated with wooden paneling and Bhutanese paintings, guests may look out onto the stunning glacial valley.

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Amankora Gangtey Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

A Birdwatcher’s Natural Paradise: The lodge’s strategic position showcases the Phobjikha Valley in all its beauty. This quaint, charming area in central Bhutan is the winter residence of the spiritual black-necked cranes that arrive from Tibet each October. Be front-and-center for their arrival, and wander the countryside on foot or with a guide to learn more about this unique natural sanctuary.

Bhutanese Hospitality and Happiness: The community- and sustainability-oriented Six Senses had a good reason to open, not just one, but five luxury accommodations in Bhutan; a nation guided by the principles of Gross National Happiness. Y

Wellness at its Best: Swedana treatments, a pyramid meditation room and breathtaking 180-degree views of the Phobjikha Valley combine with the pioneering wellness approach woven into the fabric of every Six Senses property.

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Six Senses Gangtey Preferred Hotel
Gangtey
Gangtey

Day 6

Gangtey

Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley offers plenty of opportunities to hike, with marshlands, lots of flat open terrain and, being away from the more heavily touristed areas, ultimate peace and serenity. After a day exploring the area at your leisure return to your hotel for a gourmet dinner and relaxation.

Day 7

Trongsa

The pretty mountain village of Trongsa, 2 hours' drive away, is your next destination. Here, you'll see the famous fortress Trongsa Dzong, perched over the village on the mountainside. Next, you'll have the chance to learn about Bhutanese history at the Trongsa Museum of Monarchy, with more than 100 years of royal history on display. Tonight, check into the luxurious Yangkhil Resort, offering stunning views over the dzong.

Hotel Options
About

The three-star boutique Yangkhil Resort is the best in Trongsa and has just 21 rooms, all equipped with full bathroom, central heating and large windows and/or private balconies overlooking Trongsa Dzong, rice fields and small farmhouses. The resort is comprised of a cluster of buildings painted with traditional Bhutanese motifs and built on a hillside.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Bumthang

Today you'll head 2 hours away to Bumthang, which is home to a high concentration of sacred sites. You'll visit the Yathra Center in Chume, the beautiful Kyichu Lhakhang Temple – the oldest monastery in Bhutan – and see the Swiss Farm, which makes its own cheese using Jersey cow milk and brews the national beer, Red Panda. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy leisure time.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Bumthang is one of the most remote, least visited parts of Bhutan –known as the spiritual hub of Bhutan and steeped in folklore and stories- providing a unique and authentic visitor experience.

Décor: The 16 guest suites balance Bhutanese flair and contemporary luxury, each suite is centered around a traditional bukhari wood-burning stove.

View: The resort looks out towards the crumbling Wandichholing Palace the birthplace of Bhutan’s monarchy in Jakar in the Choekhor valley.

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Amankora Bumthang Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Tranquility: For harmony with nature, the lodge is hard to beat. It serves as an ideal base from which to explore nature and to experience a peaceful part of the planet that relatively few people have explored.

Generous Accommodations: Beautifully appointed and spacious suites wholly complement and meld with lush forest surroundings. For even more roominess, the two-bedroom villa provides all the space you need to breathe, stretch out and unwind.

Sustainability: Six Senses Bumthang is committed to low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community - befitting Bhutan, the world's only carbon-negative country.

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Six Senses Bumthang Preferred Hotel
Bumthang
Bumthang

Day 9

Bumthang

Rise early for a visit to Tang Valley, where farm houses and fields are dotted between heavily-forested mountains. You'll see Mebartso, the "Burning Lake", a deep pool in the river gorge with religious significance. Today you'll also visit Pemacholing Nunnery, a monastic school with nuns from 12 to 70 years of age, situated at the start of Tang Valley. Ura Village is also on the itinerary today, the highest village in Bumthang, with resident sheep and yak herders. Enjoy dinner back at your luxury resort in Bumthang.

Day 10

Bumthang

There’s a lot of ground to cover in Bumthang, and today you’ll see more of the region, starting with a trip to Ugyencholing. The 16th century palace here has been converted into a museum where you can enjoy an al fresco lunch in the sunshine, complete with valley views. Afterwards, browse historic artifacts in the galleries and learn more of Bhutan’s monarchy. In the evening, you’ll return to the comfort of your resort in Bumthang.

Day 11

Thimphu

Today you begin your journey back to Thimphu, starting with a flight to Paro, then a 1-hour drive on to Thimphu. Visit the Royal Textile Academy detailing the traditional Bhutanese craft of weaving, then continue to the National Library, a major repository for Buddhist scripture holding many rare manuscripts. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy leisure time.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Tranquility: The resort has a relaxed pace of life, residing in a pine forest in the upper Thimphu Valley away from the lively Bhutanese capital.

Location: The resort is an ideal retreat from the capital city of Thimphu, yet within easy reach to the city’s main attractions.

Library: In the evenings guests may get cozy with a hot drink or glass of wine in the on-site library which boasts a collection of literature on Bhutanese culture and art.

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Amankora Thimphu Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Secluded between apple orchards and young pine forest, Six Senses Thimphu is a "Palace in the Sky," perched 2,650 meters up in the hillside. From here, you can peer down at Thimphu Valley and across to the giant Buddha, but you're still close to all of the capital's main attractions.

Sustainability: Fitting with the other Six Senses' Bhutan properties and Bhutan's reputation as the world's only carbon-negative country, Six Senses Thimphu aims to have a low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community.

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Six Senses Thimphu Preferred Hotel
Thimphu
Thimphu

Day 12

Thimphu

As Bhutan’s cultural heart, Thimphu has much to offer travelers. Today you will visit the Folk Heritage Museum, where you have the chance to try a hearty Bhutanese lunch, then it’s off to the paper mill, where paper is recycled into items such as bags and lampshades. Before returning to your Thimphu resort for the night, you’ll visit Buddha Dordenma, where a 149-foot bronze statue of the Buddha presides over the capital.

Day 13

Paro

You’ll return to Paro today and embark upon a hike to the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Taktsang Palphug is perched on a cliff overlooking Paro Valley and is one of Bhutan’s most iconic sites. The monastery is home to sacred paintings, a prayer wheel, several buddhas and many religious relics. After exploring the temples here you will return to Paro for your final night of this tour at your luxury hotel. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Spa: The Aman spa contains private saunas, steam rooms, a yoga studio and private treatment rooms with showers and outdoor stone baths.

Accommodation: The hotel has just 24 select suites featuring traditional Bhutanese wood-burning stoves and generous terrazzo-clad baths.

Location: The resort overlooks a 17th century Drukyel Dzong and snow-capped Mt. Jumolhari.

Read More
Amankora Paro Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Forest-covered mountains, tiny villages and terraced crop fields, valley rivers and rich history. One of the most scenic locations in Bhutan, Six Senses Paro is perched at an altitude of 2,250 meters, putting the spotlight on its epic views.

Sustainability: Six Senses Paro is committed to low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community - befitting Bhutan, the world's only carbon-negative country.

Read More
Six Senses Paro Preferred Hotel

Day 14

Departure

Today, enjoy your final day of our itinerary at your leisure. You may stay to enjoy Bhutan or arrange for transport to the airport to continue on your travels.

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With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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