It's very rare that I am stumped for inspiration to write the weekly article, but in a particularly busy week in the office, I was struggling to choose a topic. So I threw out this question to the team...can you name a destination that clients should visit, but that we very rarely get inquiries for? Our Director of Travel Planning, Shanna, immediately shouted Bhutan! And so here is your Bhutan inspiration, a country whose allure lies in its pristine natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness, offering a truly transformative experience for visitors seeking authenticity and tranquility.
Top 5 - Beautiful Bhutan
1. Amankora (above and below)
Imagine a kingdom where "gross national happiness" is paramount, where culture and tradition hold strong, and where Buddhism has predominated since the 7th century. Amankora operates five unique lodges in complete harmony with their environment, offering an inside look at the rich culture and beauty of this stunning region. Stay at Amankora Thimphu, in a blue-pine forest; in Amankora Gangtey, overlooking a 16th-century monastery; or in Amankora Bumthang, neighbor to Wangdichholing, the palace of the first and second kings. Paro and Punakha lodges offer countless opportunities to explore the valley, visiting monasteries and temples.
2. G Adventures - Spirit of Bhutan Small Group Tour (above and below)
For travelers with a budget just below the luxury level, G Adventures remain our go to for great value culturally focused small group trips.
Explore the happiest country on Earth in under one week without sacrificing any of the life changing moments you expect from the kingdom of Bhutan. Discover a country of smiling monks, stunning mountain trails, and iconic dzongs. The ancient traditions of Bhutan will beckon you to slow down, breathe deep and reconnect with your inner zen.
- Travel along mystical mountains
- Visit various dzongs and Buddhist gompas
- Experience the Dragon Kingdom with cultural interactions at a local farm
- Take in stunning Himalayan mountain views
3. Backroads - Bhutan Multi-Adventure Tour (above and below)
At the higher end of small group travel suppliers are Backroads, who produce exquisite itineraries led by wonderful tour leaders. Every step of your trip is planned to the finest detail, and Backroads also excel for breaking out many of their itineraries in to different demographics. eg Couples, Families with teens etc.
Highlights of their 8-day Bhutan adventure:
- Interact with Buddhist monks between their meditations to have a chat, exchange ideas and even receive a blessing
- Bike in an ancient landscape that's often been inaccessible to foreign travelers, where life's daily rituals remain sacred
- Hike to secluded Buddhist temples and atmospheric monasteries, including 17th-century Tango Monastery and the famed Tiger's Nest
- Discover Bhutan's culturally and scenically rich valleys by foot and by bicycle—an off-the-beaten-path adventure tour
4. andBeyond - Pilgrimage to the Temple of the Divine Madman (above and below)
andBeyond are a supplier who can help us create your perfect private and fully customized itinerary in Bhutan. The example here is just one 2-hour tour option, but they have dozens of ideas and options for itineraries of up to 3 weeks in length.
This temple was built over half a millennium ago by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14th Drukpa hierarch. The stupa, meditation hall, was constructed by the "Divine Madman," the eccentric Yogi and saint Drukpa Kunley, who blessed the entire grounds. The monastery is renowned throughout Bhutan as a fertility inducing magnet, pledging that all who wish to conceive will find guidance at the temple. Thousands pilgrimage to The Fertility Temple in the hopes of having a child, as well as receiving a wang, blessing, from the saint with the ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom.’ Couples with new-borns often visit the temple so that a local lama, Buddhist teacher, can bestow a resounding forename on the child, whilst eager travellers can approach lamas for their unique Bhutanese name and special meaning. Myth and folklore cloak Chimi Lhakhang and its maverick saint, Drukpa Kunley. He preached Buddhism is an unconventional manner, by way of song, comedy, and shocking sensual connotations. Legend has it that the Yogi buried a dog-like demoness under the rotund earth, shaped in the female form, that now stands under the Stupa floor. He actively encouraged phallus symbols to be used throughout the design of the temple in paintings and carvings. To this day, the monastery safeguards the original wooden phallus symbol, embedded with a silver handle, from Tibet, that is used to bless visitors and pilgrims.
5. Six Senses Bhutan (above and below)
For those who see health and happiness as a journey of discovery, not a destination, Six Senses Bhutan offers uplifting experiences at every turn. The circuit immerses guests into Bhutan’s spirituality, culture, and hospitality as they travel between five individual lodges. Experiences include a sunrise meditation in Thimpu, afternoon cocktails riverside in a rice field in Punakha, watching Tibetan black-necked cranes at Gangtey, indulging in hot-stone baths at Bumthang, and gathering to dine and celebrate life in the stone ruins of Paro. You’ll leave feeling enlightened and reconnected (while not really wishing to leave at all).
If you are ready to experience the beauty of Bhutan on your own, click the button below to get started planning.
I love travel and I love travel planning just as much and I am proud to have built a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
