Festivals, Culture and Beauty: A Luxury Tour through Bhutan

Paro, one of the kingdom’s widest valleys, is covered in fertile rice fields and crisscrossed by a beautiful meandering river. Explore the town’s architectural charms of impressive monasteries, ancient ruins and the National Museum. The main street of the town was only built in 1985 but it’s lined with cheerfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants in a classic Bhutanese style.

Next up is Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, Bumthang. Spend your days in this rural and historic region exploring the vast number of ancient temples and sacred sites among the agricultural lands. Comprised of four mountain valleys, Bumthang means ‘beautiful land’. Here you’ll find four farming villages, an intricate and imposing dzong and two national parks that are home to the Bengal tiger, snow leopard and Himalayan black bear.

Gangtey, or Gangteng Valley (also known as the Phobjikhii Valley), is a glacial basin populated with an alluring mix of forests. Visit the impressive 17th century Gangteng Goempa – Bhutan’s largest Nyingmapa monastery – and its surrounding quaint village. You’ll have our list of recommended tours, restaurants and attractions to make sure you make the most of your time here.

The little town of Punakha still enjoys a serene and regal ambience left over from its stately days. Found in a fertile valley at a relatively low 12,000 meters above sea level, travelers here enjoy activities such as mountain biking, trekking and river rafting.

Step into the area’s history with a visit to the town’s show-stopping Punakha Dzong, fully restored to its original splendor and considered one of the country’s most striking ancient fortresses. You’ll then spend your evening in the company of the nuns at the local Wolokha Nunnery.

Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city, is your next destination. Spend your time exploring the market and the monastery of Tashichho Dzong. A wander around Thimphu’s relaxed and friendly city gives a look at a more urban side of Bhutan. Visits to the Arts and Crafts School, the Textile Museum and the Traditional Medicine Hospital are recommended.

Returning to Paro, it’s on this visit that you’ll hike to the awe-inspiring eighth-century Taktsang, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high on a sheer cliff face. Just outside the town, you will also see the dominating Paro Dzong – a prime example of Bhutanese architecture – and the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, which was one of the first Buddhist temples built in the country.