Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Trekking
Destinations
Bhutan

This thrilling 12-day Bhutan itinerary showcases some of the Himalayas’ most stunning landscapes, visiting tiny remote villages and passing through maize and rice fields. Enjoy the hospitality of the locals and be humbled by the vastness of this mountainous terrain. Accompanied by guides and horses, you’ll spend most nights camping, free to enjoy a close connection with nature.

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

  • Remote Lhuntsi: This trail takes you across some of the least visited areas in the country. Lhuntsi is considered the most isolated district and few foreign visitors make it out to this northeastern corner of Bhutan, the ancestral home of royalty.
  • Textiles Heartland: The region is notably famed for its weavers and intricate woven silks. Although these textiles can be found in stores across the country, you will get to see the weavers in action and have the opportunity to purchase directly from the loom.
  • Protected Lands: Most of the district is environmentally protected, with parts of three national parks across its spectacular landscape of stark cliffs, river gorges, and dense coniferous forests. Pilgrimage and hiking trails cross these scenic lands; an abundance of wildlife making treks a delight.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Punakha

Fly to Paro and drive 4.5 hours to Punakha, 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. Check into your luxury resort and enjoy its amenities and facilities. 

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 2

Bumthang

Today you'll drive 6.5 hours 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 resort and enjoy its amenities and facilities. 

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 3

Khoma

You will start your trek from the Bhutanese town of Lhuntsi, and the monastery Lhuntsi Dzong at 5,600 feet elevation. The day’s nine-mile trek starts at a suspension bridge a few kilometers from the monastery, crossing the Kuri Chhu river and following it to the banks of the Khoma Chhu river and pilgrimage site of Singye Dzong. Along the way, you’ll trek through rice and maize fields and various tropical plants. Tonight, you’ll spend the night camping under the stars in Khoma at 5,000 feet, famed for its long tradition of weaving.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

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 4

Chengleng

The 12-mile trek to Chengleng involves a steep climb as you pass through the village of Gyonpa Karpo, a small settlement with a Nyingma Buddhist monastery at 6,500 feet. Passing Gyonpa Karpo, the trail eases a little as you encounter oak forests, and wild orchids and mushrooms arriving in Chengleng at 6,000 feet to set up camp for the night.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

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.

Chengleng
Chengleng

Day 5

Minji

Today you’ll make the 11-mile trek to the picturesque village of Minji. The trails winds through oak forest-covered gorges and around mountains on the way to a cluster of houses and rice paddies called Sham. In the afternoon you will arrive at Minji, where villagers will be waiting with a warm welcome, and where you will set up camp for the night.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

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 6

Minji

The hills and forests surrounding Minji are ripe for exploration and you have a day here to trek to a nearby temple or monastery or just relax in the village and observe rural life. The mountainous landscapes here are humbling in their size and scope, and the local Bhutanese are a deeply spiritual and gentle people, more than happy to share their way of life with visitors. Tonight, enjoy a traditional banquet with the locals and another night at your camp at Minji.

Minji
Minji

Day 7

Wambur

From Minji, you’ll head downhill to Wambur on a 12-mile trek of around 4 to 5 hours. An undulating trail will bring you to a few different villages, through rice paddies and forest to your destination in Wambur at 5,500 feet elevation. After a village and school tour, settle in for dinner and set up camp near the primary school.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

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

Domkhar

Today, you’ll make the descent to Domkhar on a trail through sparse pine tree forests and lemongrass. Domkhar village is the location of a lively three-day festival established by a Nyingma scholar in the 16th century. It’s here where you’ll enjoy dinner and set up camp for the night.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

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.

Domkhar
Domkhar

Day 9

Mongar

On the final day of your trek through Bhutan, you’ll head to Lhuntsi on foot where the horses and guides will stop. From there, you’ll drive back to Mongar and stay at the Wangchuck Hotel. Enjoy the relaxed pace and beautiful mountain views of Mongar before continuing your onward journey.

Hotel Options
About

Located in the eastern region of Bhutan, the basic Wangchuck Hotel is situated just above Mongar town on a gentle sloping hill. With a total of 33 rooms, the rooms feature a view of the mountains and valleys nearby.

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 10

Trongsa

The pretty mountain village of Trongsa 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 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.

Trongsa
Trongsa

Day 11

Thimphu

Today you drive 6 hours 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 its amenities and facilities.

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.

See Hotel
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

Day 12

Departure

On your final day in the kingdom, you'll drive 1 hour and 15 minutes to Paro for your onward flight. Dependent on your flight time, it may be possible to squeeze in some activities such as taking part in Himalayan singing bowl meditation or a visiting a local market for last minute shopping before concluding your visit.

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Amankora Punakha
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Punakha

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.

Six Senses Punakha
Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Punakha

The former capital of Bhutan, Punakha features stunning nature and enchanting cultural sites. Take in the breathtaking mountain vistas of Dochu La Pass, hike to Khamsum Yuley Monastery, or go river rafting along the Mo Chu River. The Six Senses Punakha is reached by a windy road that climbs through pine forests and passes streams, waterfalls, and chortens (Buddhist monuments). Just a 15-minute drive north of the grand Punakha Dzong, the lodge is nestled several hundred meters above the valley floor amidst the rice fields. Drawing on the region’s agricultural heritage, the hotel is designed in the style of a local farmhouse. Clean lines adorn the mud brick structures, and light fittings cleverly crafted from recycled mason jars illuminate the woven bamboo on the walls. The property offers 16 suites, a one-bedroom villa, a two-bedroom villa, and a three-bedroom villa. Facilities and services include a Living Room and Lounge, all-day dining restaurant, library, outdoor pool, and a Spa and Wellness Center with three single rooms, gym, two meditation huts, and yoga facilities. A satellite hotel of the Six Senses Bhutan, guests can travel to other cities in the country — such as Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, or Bumthang — all under the Six Senses name.

Suggested Hotels For Day 2

Amankora Bumthang
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Bumthang

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.

Six Senses Bumthang
Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Bumthang

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.

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Day 4

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Days 5–6

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Day 7

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Day 8

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Day 9

Wangchuck Hotel

Wangchuck Hotel

Located in the eastern region of Bhutan, the basic Wangchuck Hotel is situated just above Mongar town on a gentle sloping hill. With a total of 33 rooms, the rooms feature a view of the mountains and valleys nearby. In addition, the hotel features a business center, banquet hall, health club with steam and sauna, daily housekeeping services, internet access, and a restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Suggested Hotel For Day 10

Yangkhil Resort

Yangkhil Resort

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. There are three wings of guest rooms and the main building houses the reception area and the restaurant, which serves Indian, Continental and Bhutanese food. Other amenities include a business center with Internet access, a bar and laundry service.

Suggested Hotels For Day 11

Amankora Thimphu
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Thimphu

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.

Six Senses Thimphu
Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Thimphu

The capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Thimphu sits at around 8,000 feet above sea level and is 34 miles from the nation's international airport in Paro. As the nation's cultural heart, people venture to this remote capital to catch glimpses of rare Buddhist scriptures at the National Library or marvel at the Buddha Dordenma's 149-foot bronze statue. The Six Senses Thimphu is situated on the valley hillside just south of the town with spectacular views of Thimphu Valley and across to the giant Buddha. The hotel's décor has been designed to reflect the city's cultural dominance. Beautiful cultural items, handcrafted objects, and intricate weavings are abundant throughout the hotel, and modern interiors feature clean lines, wood paneling, whitewashing, and natural stone. Buildings are constructed from rust-colored bricks, and old solid wood has been repurposed into table and bench tops. The property offers 20 suites, 3 one-bedroom villas, 1 two-bedroom villa, and 1 three-bedroom villa. Facilities and services include a Living Room, all-day dining restaurant, private dining room, bar and lounge, banquet facilities, indoor pool, boutique, prayer pavilion, business center, sunken outdoor performance deck, and a Spa and Wellness Center with manicure and pedicure room, and a gym. A branch of the Six Senses Bhutan hotel, guests will be able to easily move on to Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, or Bumthang while still enjoying the comforts offered by the Six Senses brand.

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