Bhutan

Bhutan is an enchanting Buddhist kingdom situated in the Himalayas, nestled between India and China. In the 1800s, various European maps conflated it with Tibet, and it has remained remote and relatively untouched down to the present day; TV and Internet, for example, were only introduced in 1999. It’s no surprise, then, that Bhutan retains an aura of mysterious allure, and visiting can still feel like stepping back in time. The land is rugged and largely virgin; the people, who always wear the national gho and kira dress, are regal yet friendly. It is a beguiling place where tobacco is illegal but marijuana grows wildly; where archery remains the national sport, and where progress is measured not in GDP but “Gross National Happiness.”

Remote Lands’ deep knowledge of Bhutan and its culture goes beyond the five valleys (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang) to far-flung eastern locales like Mongar, Lhuntse, Trashigang and more. 

Bhutan Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below.

Bhutan Itineraries

Classic Bhutan

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
From $16,800
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A Mindful and Cultural Journey | Aman Jet Expeditions | October 14–28, 2024

Date
October 14–28, 2024
Price Per Person
$108,888
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A Mindful and Cultural Journey 2025 | Aman Jet Expeditions | October 19–November 2, 2025

Date
October 19–November 2, 2025
Price Per Person
$118,888
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Ancient & Modern: Bangkok and Bhutan

Duration
16 days / 15 nights
Price Per Person
From $19,500
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Bhutan Luxury Road Trip

Duration
14 days / 13 nights
Price Per Person
From $24,700
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Druk Path Trek

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $12,200
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Following Buddha's Footsteps Across the Himalayas

Duration
19 days / 18 nights
Price Per Person
From $15,600
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Intimate India and Beautiful Bhutan: Overland from New Delhi to Bumthang

Duration
22 days / 21 nights
Price Per Person
From $20,600
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Riding the Dragon: A Cycling Adventure in Bhutan

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $13,600
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The Grandest Tour | Aman Jet Expeditions | April 13–May 4, 2024

Date
April 13–May 4, 2024
Price Per Person
$178,888
See Itinerary
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Bumthang

Bumthang, Bhutan

Amankora Bumthang is a recently opened Amankora in Bhutan, with views of buckwheat, millet and potato fields, an apple orchard, and Wangdicholing Palace, the Kingdom’s oldest palace, which is now a monastery. There are 16 suites complete with a bukhari and views of the courtyard and palace. Amankora Bumthang has a spa with three treatment rooms and a steam room. There is no business center, but the Library has an Internet station and WiFi access. The property is approximately a 15-minute drive from the new airport in Bumthang.

Preferred Hotel

Amankora Gangtey

Gangtey, Bhutan

Amankora Gangtey is in the remote Phobjikha Valley, with awe-inspiring views of a gorge and the 16th century Gangtey Goemba monastery. Each of Amankora's eight suites is fitted with a bukhari, a wood-burning stove, and wood paneling. The dining room and living room are combined and have views of the Phobjikha Valley out of floor-to-ceiling windows. There is no Internet, business center, fitness center or pool at Amankora Gangtey, but hot stone baths and a spa with two treatment rooms are available. The resort is approximately a 4.5-hour drive from the airport in Paro.

Preferred Hotel

Amankora Paro

Paro, Bhutan

Amankora Paro is located just outside of town and features sweeping views of the Paro valley and snow-capped mountains. The hotel, just 30 minutes from Paro airport, has 24 spacious suites designed to evoke a contemporary and minimalist vision of traditional Bhutanese style, incorporating local wood, stone and terrazzo tile. Each suite has a bukhari, or wood-burning stove, and a luxurious bathroom complete with soaking tub. Bhutanese cuisine and international fare are served in the hotel’s great room lounge, dining room, and terrace. The two-level spa contains private areas for massage and treatments, a glass-walled sauna, hot stone baths and a yoga room with a relaxation area. Fax services are available, as is Internet. There is no fitness center or pool, but the Amankora’s idyllic surroundings are perfect for hiking and mountain biking.

Preferred Hotel

Amankora Punakha

Punakha, Bhutan

Amankora Punakha is located just across a suspension bridge along the Mo Chu River, with suites built around a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse. A small property, there are only eight suites. The hotel is situated in an orange orchard, with views of Punakha Valley and Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful monasteries. The farmhouse has a dining room, courtyard and tea pavilion for dining and refreshments. The spa at Punakha has two treatment rooms, a steam room and a yoga and meditation area. There is fax and Internet access; however the connection is quite slow. There is no fitness center or pool, but hot stone baths are available. The hotel is approximately a four-hour drive from the airport in Paro.

Preferred Hotel

Amankora Thimphu

Thimphu, Bhutan

Amankora Thimpu is located on a hillside in a verdant pine forest far above Bhutan’s capital city. The hotel’s architecture is reminiscent of Bhutanese temples, or dzongs, and incorporates white-washed stone buildings around an enclosed courtyard. Sixteen suites are composed of living and sleeping areas, with views of the forest and nearby streams. The spacious terrazzo-tiled bathrooms have soaking tubs and twin vanities. Guests may dine either in an elegant dining room or on the adjacent terrace, both of which serve Bhutanese and international cuisine. Steam and sauna rooms are available, and massage and spa treatments are offered in private rooms nearby. Traditional hot stone baths can be scheduled. There is no fitness center. Fax and Internet are available. The resort is approximately 30 minutes from the airport in Paro.

Preferred Hotel

COMO Uma Bhutan Paro

Paro, Bhutan

COMO Uma Bhutan Paro is a 29-room hotel set in Paro Valley with breath-taking views of the Himalayas. The Bukhari restaurant, set amid pine trees, uses mostly organic food from the surrounding area for Bhutanese delicacies such as pakshee paa, a sliced pork dish with chilies and radishes; ema datsee, a chili and cheese dish, or hewa datsee, a combination of potatoes, cheese and chilies. Uma by COMO, Paro is home to the COMO Shambhala Retreat, a holistic health spa with an open-air yoga pavilion overlooking the Paro Valley. Additional facilities include a business center, fitness center and swimming pool. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the airport in Paro.

Preferred Hotel

COMO Uma Bhutan Punakha

Punakha, Bhutan

An intimate luxury lodge situated in a lush valley, the COMO Uma Bhutan Punakha is nestled amongst rice fields and orchards, and overlooks a snake-like bend in the Mo Chu River. The lodge has a selection of villas suitable for a travel party of any size, as well as nine deluxe Valley View rooms with private terraces; all rooms boast comprehensive views of the surrounding landscape. The onsite restaurant, Bukhari, is named for a traditional Bhutanese fireplace, uses ingredients from local farms and can provide delicious meals for any palate. There is also a spa, the COMO Shambhala Retreat, with a range of holistic and Asian-inspired treatments, as well as hot tubs with a birds-eye view of the stunning scenery. COMO Uma Bhutan Punakha is part of the award winning property and luxury retail group COMO Group, with a sister property in Bhutan called COMO Uma Bhutan Paro.

Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Bumthang

Bumthang, Bhutan

Conceived as a forest within a forest, this stunning Six Senses property is located amidst dense blue pine trees, right by the river. If peace and exclusivity are what you seek, look no further: the resort’s setting is a visual and auditory delight close to hallowed temples and monasteries and imbues visitors with an uncommon sense of serenity. Six Senses staff are passionate about their eco credentials. Sustainability is paramount here, from eco-friendly water and waste management to a focus on green energy, thus preserving the ethos of the world’s only carbon-negative country. The lodge has eight beautifully appointed suites and one two-bedroom villa comprising the property. Traditional Bhutanese fare is offered for diners to partake in authentic local cuisine, while at the wellness spa, stress melts away following a Bhutanese hot stone bath. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide exceptional views, interiors are clean and contemporary, while recycled wood furnishings and timber walls deliver a sense of warmth. As one of the branches of the Six Senses Bhutan umbrella, it is directly connected to the four other Six Senses hotels in Bhutan’s west.

Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Gangtey

Gangtey, Bhutan

Gangtey is widely known as the home of the picturesque Gangtey Monastery, with its elaborate gate and breathtaking valley views. The stunning Phobjikha Valley is also nearby, and the land is great for birdwatchers. Therefore, Six Senses'hotel in Gangtey includes a unique birdwatching bridge. Throughout the winter rare black-necked cranes can be viewed from the lodge, the nearby Crane Center, or the viewing hide located near the birds' nesting and feeding grounds. Aside from birding, the hotel's true focus is comfort and relaxation. Décor is dominated by uncluttered lines with a natural palate. Weathered timber floors and accented walls have been introduced, and comfy armchairs with footstools invite guests to unwind after long days spent exploring. The structure's exterior is fashioned from local stones and timber-framed windows. The property offers eight suites, one two-bedroom villa, an arrival deck, library, movie and gaming room, all-day dining restaurant, fire pit relaxation area, and a Spa and Wellness Center with two Swedana areas. One of the five locations under the umbrella of Six Senses Bhutan, tourists can move along to Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, or Bumthang knowing that the comforts of the Six Senses brand name await their arrival.

Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Paro

Paro, Bhutan

With sacred sites, traditional architecture, and historical buildings, a trip to Paro, Bhutan, is like taking a trip back in time. Nestled in a scenic river valley, the town is the first stop to Bhutan for many, as it is home to the country’s sole international airport. Six Senses Bhutan Paro is perched directly above Paro National Museum, offering incredible views of the valley. Built in the midst of old stone ruins, charming interiors of hewn stone walls and working fireplaces will contrast mid-tone vertical timbers. Community gathering sites such as an open fire pit are available, and all resources used in the construction of this resort are sustainably sourced. The property offers 16 suites, two one-bedroom villas, one two-bedroom villa, and one three-bedroom villa that is perfect for families. Other facilities and services include an all-day dining restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a bar, banquet facilities, Spa and Wellness Center with gym, outdoor sauna, yoga room, relaxation and private meditation areas, indoor pool, library, and boutique. The Six Senses Bhutan Paro is one node of the collective Six Senses Bhutan hotels, meaning that guests can conveniently travel to Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, or Bumthang assured of the consistent quality of the Six Senses brand throughout their trip.

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Seasonality & Festivals

Browse a month-by-month breakdown of suggested itineraries, seasonal activities, climate considerations and festivals.

When to Go
When to Go
Festivals
Festivals

Weather in Bhutan

The best time to visit Bhutan is in spring, between April and May and also fall, in October and November, which is ideal for outdoor pursuits.

  • The weather in Bhutan varies depending upon elevation levels.
  • Northern Bhutan is perennially covered with snow.
  • In western, central, and eastern Bhutan, winter lasts from November to March, with the exception of Punakha, which sits in a lower valley where the summer is hot and the winter is pleasant.
  • Southern Bhutan is hot and humid with a subtropical climate. The monsoon season, which lasts from June through August, brings intermittent heavy rain.
  • Temperatures drop dramatically with increases in altitude. Days are generally temperate and average about 50°F (10°C) with clear skies and sunshine. Nights are cold and require heavy woolen clothing, particularly in winter.

Multi-Country Specialists

Bhutan Goes Well With

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