Overview
This meticulously crafted 8-night, 9-day private luxury holiday embodies Bhutan's philosophy of Gross National Happiness — a national conscience that prioritizes your well-being. Your journey begins in Thimphu, the heart of modern Bhutan, where bustling markets and serene monasteries reveal a nation balancing tradition with progress; traverses to lush, historic Punakha; then Bumthang, the spiritual core where Bhutan's religious roots run deepest. The tranquil Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley offers communion with nature, and the adventure culminates in Paro with the awe-inspiring trek to Tiger's Nest Monastery — a pinnacle of physical and spiritual achievement.
Engage with Bhutan's living culture — meeting artisans, monks and villagers — while uncovering the stories behind its sacred sites. The Amankora lodges, with their wood-clad suites, gourmet dining and Himalayan-inspired spas, provide a luxurious thread that ties each day together, leaving you enriched by Bhutan's peace, beauty and wisdom.
Trip Highlights
- Embody Bhutan's philosophy of Gross National Happiness across five scenic valleys.
- Stay exclusively at the five Amankora lodges — wood-clad suites, gourmet dining and Himalayan-inspired spas.
- Trek to the cliffside Tiger's Nest Monastery (3,120 m) — a pinnacle of physical and spiritual achievement.
- Cross dramatic Himalayan passes — Dochu La, Pele La and Yotong La — with views toward Gangkar Puensum (7,570 m).
- Meet artisans, monks and villagers, and uncover the stories behind Bhutan's sacred sites.
- Unwind with hot-stone baths in Punakha and yoga amid Gangtey's serene vistas.
- Optional helicopter transfers lodge-to-lodge to shorten the long, winding mountain roads.
The Amankora Lodges
- Amankora Thimphu: an urban escape in the capital amid fragrant pine forest, near the National Textile Museum and Tashichho Dzong.
- Amankora Punakha: a riverside sanctuary reached by suspension bridge, set among rice paddies and orange groves with an infinity pool.
- Amankora Bumthang: steeped in history in the Choekhor Valley, overlooking Wangdicholing Palace amid ancient temples.
- Amankora Gangtey: perched on a forested knoll with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the glacial valley.
- Amankora Paro: steps from the Tiger's Nest in a pine forest, with Jomolhari views and hot-stone spa therapies.
Cost Information
Tours start from USD 10,500 per person (range USD 10,500 – 11,500, varying by season, group size and suite selection). As a guide, expect approximately USD 1,500 per person, per night in high season (Mar–May & Sep–Nov) and USD 1,200 per person, per night in low season (Jun–Aug & Dec–Feb) — including SDF, Amankora accommodation, meals, guide and transport.
What's Included
- 5-star Amankora properties at each location
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Specified spa treatments
- All land transfers by private luxury Japanese Toyota SUV
- Sightseeing with entrance fees
- English-speaking professional cultural guide
- Bhutan visa processing fees
- Bottled water throughout the tour
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), listed separately
What's Not Included
- Flights (can be quoted separately)
- Travel insurance
- Helicopter transfers between the lodges
- Single room supplement (if any)
- Personal expenses — souvenirs, extra meals, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, laundry
- Tips & gratuities to guides and staff
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Activities: A thrilling descent into Paro — one of the world's most challenging airports, ringed by 5,000 m peaks. A traditional khata (white scarf) welcome marks the start of your journey. Drive ~1 hr (50 km) to Thimphu, stopping at Tamchog Lhakhang — the monastery and iron chain-link bridge of the 15th-century saint Thangtong Gyalpo — and at Chuzom, the sacred confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers. In the capital, explore the Centenary Farmers' Market and Craft Bazaar, with optional visits to the National Memorial Chorten or the 51 m Buddha Dordenma.
Accommodation: Amankora Thimphu.
Activities: Visit the 12th-century Changangkha Lhakhang, the valley's guardian temple where newborns are blessed. Hike the Kuenselphodrang Nature Trail (~3 hrs) through oak and rhododendron forest to the Buddha Dordenma. Watch traditional skills at the Zorig Chusum Institute of 13 Arts & Crafts, step into rural life at the Folk Heritage Museum, and admire Tashichho Dzong — the golden-spired "Fortress of Glorious Religion."
Accommodation: Amankora Thimphu.
Activities: Drive over Dochu La Pass (3,140 m), where 108 chortens overlook the snow-capped Himalayas — including Gangkar Puensum (7,570 m). Hike ~45 min through golden rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of the "Divine Madman," Lama Drukpa Kunley. Tour the majestic Punakha Dzong at the river confluence and cross the 160 m suspension bridge. Optional: Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery and the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Accommodation: Amankora Punakha.
Activities: A scenic drive over Pele La Pass (3,420 m) from subtropical valleys into alpine heights. Stop at the 18th-century Chendebji Chorten and Trongsa Dzong — Bhutan's largest fortress and ancestral home of the royal family, with the Tower of Trongsa museum and its Raven Crown. Continue over Yotong La Pass (3,425 m) into the weaving valley of Chumey and on to Bumthang.
Accommodation: Amankora Bumthang.
Activities: Visit Tamshing Monastery (1501), founded by the treasure-revealer Pema Lingpa, with its rare murals and sacred chain mail. Hike across a suspension bridge to Kurjey Lhakhang, which bears Guru Rinpoche's body imprint. Explore the Ogyen Chholing Manor museum and the mystical Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho). Optional: Jakar Dzong and the 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang.
Accommodation: Amankora Bumthang.
Activities: Drive ~4 hrs to the glacial Phobjikha wetland — winter sanctuary of the black-necked cranes (Nov–Feb). Meet young monks at Kuenzang Chholing Shedra, visit the restored 17th-century Gangtey Monastery, walk the gentle Gangtey Nature Trail through pine forest and marshland, and learn about the endangered cranes at the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre.
Accommodation: Amankora Gangtey.
Activities: Drive ~5 hrs west to Paro. Visit the National Museum in the 17th-century Ta Dzong watchtower (home to the original Raven Crown) and the towering Paro Rinpung Dzong, host of the vibrant Paro Tshechu festival. Optional: the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang and the ruined Drukgyel Dzong, with Mount Jomolhari as its backdrop.
Accommodation: Amankora Paro.
Trek: ~900 m ascent · 4–5 hrs.
Activities: Trek to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest, 3,120 m), where Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on a tigress in the 8th century. The path climbs ~900 m through pine forest hung with prayer flags, with a cafeteria midway for respite; inside, eight sacred caves and vivid altars evoke a profound stillness. Enjoy a packed lunch with monastery views, then visit Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Amankora Paro.
Activities: Enjoy a final nourishing farm-to-table breakfast, then a 20-minute private transfer to Paro Airport for your outbound flight — departing with memories of a journey that has touched your mind, body and spirit.
Festival Integration — 2026
Bhutan's tshechus feature mask dances (cham) and the unveiling of giant thongdrels. This route passes through all three great festival venues — Thimphu, Punakha and Paro — so we can time your itinerary to attend one.
| Festival & venue | Start | End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punakha Dromchoe — Punakha Dzong courtyard | 24 Feb 2026 | 26 Feb 2026 | Dramatic reenactments & rituals — align your Punakha day (Day 3) to attend. |
| Paro Tshechu — beside Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 29 Mar 2026 | 02 Apr 2026 | Colourful dances & the dawn thongdrel unfurling — time your Paro days (Day 7–8) to attend. |
| Thimphu Tshechu — Tendrel Thang, Thimphu | 21 Sep 2026 | 23 Sep 2026 | The biggest festival in the country — start around 21 Sep to catch it on Day 1–2. |
Traveller Reviews
"Drukyul Delights' wellness tour plan really does its magic. It truly helped me remove years of accumulated stress and improved my sleep pattern."
— Markus Sorrentino, Norway · 14–22 March 2026"Five Amankora lodges, five distinct moods — from Bumthang's sacred valleys to the climb to Tiger's Nest. Every detail was anticipated. A genuine odyssey."
— Sample review · replace with a real clientTrip Photos
Route Map
Thimphu (2N) → Punakha (1N) → Bumthang (2N) → Gangtey/Phobjikha (1N) → Paro (2N)
Frequently Asked Questions
Amankora is Bhutan's premier luxury lodging, with five boutique lodges in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang. Each merges traditional Bhutanese design — wood-clad interiors and minimalist elegance — with modern comforts like heated floors and private terraces, and offers exclusive experiences such as private monastery tours, archery lessons and Himalayan spa treatments. Its deep-rooted presence since 2004 provides unmatched authenticity and access.
The journey balances adventure, culture and relaxation: cultural immersion in ancient dzongs, monasteries and local markets; nature hikes like the Gangtey Nature Trail with Himalayan vistas; wellness through yoga and spa therapies at the Amankora lodges; and unique experiences — crossing suspension bridges, meeting monks and witnessing Bhutanese traditions firsthand.
Spacious suites with king-sized beds, en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor spaces; gourmet meals blending Bhutanese flavours (such as ema datshi) with international cuisine; spas with Bhutanese-inspired treatments, libraries and an infinity pool in Punakha; and personalized service from staff trained to anticipate your needs.
Decades of experience crafting luxury Bhutan itineraries; strong ties with Amankora that ensure priority access and bespoke touches; certified guides and chauffeurs with 10+ years of experience; and a sustainable, locally rooted ethos aligned with Bhutan's eco-conscious values.
Spring (March–May): mild weather and vibrant festivals such as Paro Tshechu. Autumn (September–November): clear skies, ideal for trekking and photography. Winter (December–February): a quiet season perfect for crane-watching in Gangtey. Summer (June–August): lush landscapes and fewer crowds, though rain is common.
A deposit secures your booking, with the balance due 60 days prior. Cancellations 60+ days out receive a full refund (minus deposit); 30–59 days, 50% refund; less than 30 days, no refund unless rescheduled. Travel insurance is recommended.
Visa: we handle Bhutan's visa process (US$40 fee included). Fitness: moderate fitness is needed for hikes such as Tiger's Nest (4–5 hours). Dress: modest clothing for monasteries and layers for varying climates. Respect: follow Bhutanese customs, guided by our team.