Private Journey · 7 - 12 days
The Heart of Bhutan: 12-Day Private Journey for You and Your Circle
Ancient temples, river fortresses, a valley of cranes and the walk to Tiger’s Nest, shared with the people you love. Our own team is with you every day.
LENGTH
CUSTOM
7 – 12 days
GROUP
PRIVATE
4 – 14 Guests
PACE
CLIMB OPTIONAL
Gentle
SEASON
SPRING / AUTUMN
Mar -May, Oct & Nov
PRICE
STARTING FROM
$ 8,500
BEFORE YOU READ ON
You've waited a long time for this trip. It should be perfect.
How long has Bhutan been on your list, and who do you picture beside you when you finally go?
What would make this the trip your friends thank you for, years from now?
And the quiet worries: Will the pace suit everyone? Will someone be bored? Who do we call if something goes wrong?
Those are the right questions. This journey was built to answer every one of them.
Your Bhutan Journey
Paro
1 Night
Thimphu
2 Nights
Punakha
2 Nights
Phobjikha
2 Nights
Paro
2 Nights
Your 12-day Bhutan itinerary, day by day
A starting point. Every day is shaped around your group.
Welcome to India
Day 1
→ Arrive in New Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi to a warm welcome and a short drive over to your hotel.
A landing you'll never forget
Day 2
Arrive in Paro
Your flight threads between Himalayan peaks into the Paro Valley, where your guide waits with a white silk scarf. This afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the year 659 and one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, where locals say the orange trees bear fruit all year.
Into the capital
Day 3
Paro → Thimphu
A gentle drive along the river to Thimphu. Stand beneath the giant Buddha Dordenma overlooking the valley, then watch the flag lowered at Tashichho Dzong at dusk. Welcome dinner with a Bhutanese historian on why this country measures happiness, not wealth.
Weavers, artists and a cooking lesson
Day 4
Thimphu
Meet master weavers at the Textile Museum and step into a 19th-century farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon, cook ema datshi with a local chef, then tea with an artist in their studio.
For the sportsmen: try traditional archery, Bhutan’s national sport
Over the pass to the Divine Madman's temple
Day 5
Thimphu → Punakha
Cross Dochula Pass, with 108 memorial chortens and, on clear days, a sweep of Himalayan peaks. Below, walk about 20 minutes through mustard and rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the 1499 temple of the beloved ‘Divine Madman’, where families come for blessings. Dinner with a farming family in their home.
Where two rivers meet
Day 6
Punakha
Morning at Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, at the meeting of two rivers. Walk up through rice terraces to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for the valley view, then a private conversation with a monk at a monastic school.
Or instead: raft the Mo Chhu · fly fishing with our guide · a slow afternoon at the lodge
The fortress that rose again
Day 7
Punakha → Wangdue → Phobjikha
Stop at Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, founded in 1638, lost to fire in 2012 and rebuilt by hand, then reconsecrated in 2022. Few visitors have seen it. Continue up to the glacial Phobjikha Valley and your farmhouse-style lodge.
The valley of the cranes
Day 8
Phobjikha
Visit Gangtey Monastery above the valley and sit with a senior monk. Walk the gentle Gangtey nature trail through pine forest and meadow. In late autumn and winter, the rare black-necked cranes arrive here from Tibet.
Or instead: guided journaling in the meadow · a slow morning by the fire
Village roads and a hot stone bath
Day 9
Phobjikha → Paro
A scenic drive back to Paro with village stops along the way. In the evening, soak in a traditional hot stone bath at a family farmhouse, then share their dinner.
Tiger's Nest, and a farewell feast
Day 10
Paro
The walk to the cliffside monastery at your own pace: all the way on foot, by pony halfway, or tea at the café viewpoint. Everyone shares the moment, and everyone meets again for lunch. Farewell dinner with live Bhutanese folk music.
Fly home with stories to share
Day 11
Paro → New Delhi
Breakfast with the valley view, and your guide sees you to the airport.
Where two rivers meet
Day 12
→ Home / Onward
You will be chauffeured back to the airport after breakfast.
Signature Journeys
7 days
The Essential Bhutan
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Chimi Lhakhang, ending with Tiger's Nest. For first-timers short on time.
RECOMENDED
10 days
The Heart of Bhutan
Everything above, plus Wangdue Phodrang and the Phobjikha crane valley. Our recommended pace.
15 days
Monasteries & Maharajas
Walk Bhutan’s sacred valleys, then step into Rajasthan’s royal palaces, with remarkable stays from The Oberoi to the Samode Haveli.
Guest Reflections
Comfort, safety and pace
Pace
Gentle. Most walks are under two hours and every one is optional. No more than two longer drives, each broken with stops.
Altitude
Most nights are between 4,000 and 9,800 ft. Tiger’s Nest (about 10,200 ft) comes on Day 9, after eight days to adjust.
Our team on the ground
Your guide and driver are with you every day. Our operations team is on call around the clock.
Medical access
Medical access in Bhutan may be limited; we strongly recommend evacuation insurance. Guides carry medical kits; please bring your own.
Something for everyone in your group
For the culture lovers
Kyichu Lhakhang, weavers in Thimphu, the Divine Madman's temple, monks at Gangtey and a family's kitchen.
For the outdoorsmen
Archery, rafting or fly fishing on the Mo Chhu, forest trails, cranes and the climb to Tiger's Nest.
For anyone who needs quiet
Valley views at Khamsum Yulley, meditation at Gangtey, hot stone baths and slow mornings.
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's included
- Private English-speaking guide, driver and vehicle
- 9 nights in hand-picked hotels, lodges and retreats
- All meals in Bhutan, including farmhouse dinners
- Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee
- All entrance fees, monastery visits and private conversations
- Cooking class, hot stone bath and farewell dinner
- Return flight Delhi → Paro → Delhi (Economy)
Whats Not Included
- International flights
- Travel and evacuation insurance (required)
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Drinks and personal purchases
Your Invitation
1
Call with Misty
A complimentary conversation by phone, video or in person.
2
Journey Designed
After a short pre-trip interview, we design it around your group at no cost.
3
Call with Your Group
Misty walks everyone through it and answers every question.
4
We handle the rest
Visas, flights, lodges and guides, then our team is with you in Bhutan.
Questions about this journey
No. Walks are gentle and optional. Tiger’s Nest is the only real climb, and you can ride a pony halfway or enjoy the view from the café.
Private journeys start from $8,500 per person, including your guide, lodges, meals, Bhutan’s daily Sustainable Development Fee and all logistics. Price depends on group size, season and lodges.
Yes. The 7-day version covers Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Tiger’s Nest. The 12-day version adds Trongsa and the Bumthang valleys.
Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November). Black-necked cranes are in Phobjikha from late autumn through winter.
Yes, and we arrange it for everyone in your group.