Fly Fishing Expedition · Bhutan
Golden Mahseer in Bhutan: 12-Day Fly Fishing Float Expedition
Five nights at Panbang, where two Himalayan rivers meet to form the Manas. Float, fish, repeat. Every decision handled.
LENGTH
CUSTOM
12 days
ANGLERS
PRIVATE
6 anglers
On the water
CLIMB OPTIONAL
5 Full Days
SEASON
SPRING / AUTUMN
Mar -May, Oct & Nov
PRICE
STARTING FROM
$ 8,975
BEFORE YOU READ ON
You don't need another vacation. You need a river.
You’ve fished trout, salmon and steelhead. When did a river last make your hands shake?
When were you last somewhere nothing needed you, and nobody could pull you back?
And the honest one: is this worth twelve days of your time?
Fair question. Here is exactly what you get.
Built for anglers who've done everything else
Rare access
A remote river system few anglers will ever fish, on the edge of Royal Manas National Park, guided with the local river community.
The fish of a lifetime
Golden Mahseer, the 'tiger of the river'. Fish that straighten hooks and run like freight trains. All catch-and-release.
Zero decisions
Flights, permits, boats, guides, meals and gear are set before you land. You fish. That's the job.
Your Bhutan Journey
Delhi
1 Night
Punakha
1 Night
Trongsa
1 Night
Panbang
5 Nights
Trongsa
1 Night
Paro
1 Night
Delhi
1 Night
Your 12-day Golden Mahseer itinerary, day by day
Days 4 to 8 are all river.
Touch down, switch off
Day 1
→ Arrive in New Delhi
You’re met at the airport and taken to a quiet hotel nearby. Nothing to plan, nothing to carry. Sleep.
Into the Himalaya
Day 2
Welcome to Bhutan
A short flight past the high peaks into Paro before you are met by your guide. Drive crossing the 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.
Over the passes
Day 3
Punakha → Trongsa
A long, spectacular drive east over Dochula and Pele La to Trongsa, its great dzong the ancestral seat of Bhutan’s royal family. Private vehicle, stops whenever you want.
Down to the river
Day 4
Trongsa → Panbang
South through Zhemgang as pine forest turns to subtropical jungle. Arrive at Panbang Eco Lodge, rig up, and fish the evening where the Mangde Chhu and Drangme Chhu meet.
Float day one: the Mangde Chhu
Day 5 - 8
Panbang
Your first full day on the water. The Mangde runs steadier, with long pools and seams that hold fish. Lunch on a sandbar. Your guide reads the water; you cast. Fishing is done mostly from the raft and some from the banks.
Downstream toward Royal Manas National Park, one of the wildest corners of Asia. Watch the banks for elephants between fish.
Go back to the water that fished best, or push to new runs. Your guides tailor the last day around you.
Or: a half day on the river and an afternoon in a riverside village
Back up the mountain
Day 9
Panbang → Trongsa
Climb out of the valley to Trongsa. A long, quiet drive with time to let the week land.
West to Paro
Day 10
Trongsa → Paro
Back over the passes to Paro. A hot stone bath and a farewell dinner.
Fly out
Day 11
→ Home / Onward
Morning flight to Delhi. Connect onward or rest at the airport hotel.
Home, recalibrated
Day 12
Paro → New Delhi → Home / Onward
Your international flight home. The clearest head you’ve had in years.
Signature Journeys
10 days
The Essential Bhutan
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Chimi Lhakhang, ending with Tiger's Nest. For first-timers short on time.
RECOMENDED
12 days
The Heart of Bhutan
Everything above, plus Wangdue Phodrang and the Phobjikha crane valley. Our recommended pace.
14 days
Bhutan in Full
Add the central valleys: over Pele La pass to Trongsa, then Bumthang's 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. Fly back to Paro.
In Their Words
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.
Rare access and untouched water. Bhutan opened select beats in Royal Manas only recently, and visitor numbers stay intentionally low. You’re fishing near the source, where the rivers are at their cleanest and wildest. Few anglers anywhere can say they’ve done it.
What does "High Value, Low Impact" mean for my trip?
Bhutan limits tourism to protect its culture and environment. Every visitor pays a Sustainable Development Fee that supports conservation and local communities. For you, that means no crowds, pristine rivers, and an experience that stays exclusive. We include and handle it all.
Spring and fall offer the best conditions, with clear water and active fish. Permits for these beats are limited each season, so early booking secures your dates.
How do I get there, and how much travel is involved?
You’ll fly into Bhutan on a short regional connection, often via Bangkok, Delhi, or Kathmandu. From there, our team takes care of every transfer to the river. You won’t plan a single leg.
Comfortable, private riverside camps inside the wilderness, with every detail handled by our team. You’ll get great food, a good night’s sleep, and the river at your doorstep. It’s off-grid, but never out of reach.
Can I combine fishing with culture or bring my spouse?
Absolutely. Many guests pair the river with a few days in Paro and Thimphu, visiting dzongs, monasteries, and the iconic Tiger’s Nest. Non-anglers can enjoy wildlife, rafting, or simply the views. It’s a journey with something for everyone.
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 $7,500 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.
Your journey begins here.
Mahseer Fishing Adventure in Bhutan's Himalayan Backcountry.
Mangde Chhu and Dranme Chhu river in Bhutan's border with India.
Bhutan one of the final frontiers for fly fishing for golden Mahseer fishing. Access here is rare. Bhutan has only recently permitted fishing on select beats inside Royal Manas National Park, and very few anglers in the world have cast these waters.
You’ll fish these rivers close to their Himalayan source, before they reach the plains below, where growing populations take their toll. The water is clear, cold, and wild, just as it has been for centuries. This is true frontier fishing, surrounded by pristine jungle, tigers, elephants, and rare birdlife.
It’s all made possible by Bhutan’s “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy, which keeps visitor numbers small and protects the land for generations. Our own team handles every permit, every detail, and every decision.