Best of Bhutan: The Ultimate Luxury Grand Tour

13 days from £11,220 for 2023 per person

• Thimphu
• Punakha
• Gangtey
• Bumthang
• Paro

Tucked away between India and Tibet lies the kingdom of Bhutan, the most magical and mysterious of all the Himalayan nations. It is a land of pristine alpine valleys, which are woven together by fluttering prayer flags and dotted with ancient mist-wrapped monasteries that cling to impossibly steep mountains. This comprehensive itinerary covers the most important highlights of this breathtaking country, staying in the country’s finest hotels.

Your Bhutan journey begins in the bustling capital of Thimphu, just a 45 minute drive from Paro airport. This charming capital city is a fantastic introduction to Bhutan as you explore the weekend market, Thimphu dzong, the Textile Museum and Folk Heritage Museum. From Thimphu continue onto Punakha, the tropical valley with its own microclimate and home to one of the country's most important and most magnificent monastery, Punakha Dzong. The Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers carve through the luscious valley, leaving a patchwork of rice paddies and blooming orchards in their wake. Drive onwards to the scenic Phobjikha Valley in central Bhutan, en-route stopping at interesting points along the beautiful mountain roads. Gangtey is the winter home of the rare black-necked crane, which migrate from the Tibetan Plateau in order to avoid the extremely cold winters. Follow on to the serene alpine valley of Bumthang, renowned for its rich and fertile high lands sturdy stone houses and plethora of monasteries. For those who enjoy light trekking this can easily be included into the itinerary. Saving the best for last, relax in the pristine alpine valley of Paro in western Bhutan. Rich in culture and scenic beauty Paro is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries.

Throughout your stay you will be staying at some of the best hotels in the world, experiencing gracious hospitality and rural living for an unforgettable insight into this magical kingdom. Luxury accommodation in Bhutan has only really been part of the tourist scene for the last fifteen or so years, and the brand new Six Senses are the latest luxury lodges to open in Bhutan. This dramatic increase in luxury comes at a price which is reflected in the difference in cost between our superior and luxury tours.

This luxury tour is purely a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your own perfect tailor-made holiday to Bhutan. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our Honeymoon and Ultimate Luxury collections, as well as our other Active, Family-Friendly, Wildlife, Mountains & Trekking and Spa & Wellness itineraries.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller