Within the folds of Bhutan’s mountains lie sacred temples, dazzling rice fields, and rural communities unchanged by time. On this enchanting eight-day luxury odyssey, experience the wonders of the last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom of the Himalaya, also called the land of Happiness. Hike to ancient fortresses, wander through serene monasteries, discover unique artistic traditions, and amid the soaring peaks and cultural delights of this ancient place, discover your own capacity for happiness.
Your adventure to this mystical land begins before your feet even touches the ground. On a clear day, your flight to Bhutan offers extraordinary views of the Himalayan range’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. Upon landing in Paro Airport, our designated guide and driver will welcome you and usher you to your SUV. Travel to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, home to the Royal Family, and the best place to witness the country’s newly embraced modernity, and where you’ll check into you hotel at the lovely Amankora Resort. Then in the afternoon pay a visit to the Buddha Dordenma, an enormous golden statue perched on a mountaintop at the edge of the city. Or Visit the National Textile Museum, where Bhutan’s finest weavings and brocades are on display. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Delve deeper into Thimphu on a private tour of the city. Gain insight into rural Bhutanese life at the Folk Heritage Museum, a replica of a traditional mud-and-timber farmhouse. Observe the delicate artistry involved in creating deh-sho, or locally handmade paper, at the Jungshi Paper Factory. Walk alongside local parents to Changangkha Lhakhang, a 12th-century monastery popular for providing blessings to newborns. End your excursion at a wildlife sanctuary for the takin, Bhutan's national animal, described as having the body of a cow and the head of a goat. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Drive to Punakha, Bhutan’s ancient capital, crossing the Dochu La pass (10,000 feet) and enjoying stunning views of the Himalaya. With its circular formation of 108 chortens set against a panoramic backdrop of majestic mountains, the pass is an awe-inspiring and spiritual place. Stop for a short hike to the Chimi Lhakhang temple, also know as the fertility temple, where childless hopefuls go to get blessed by the temple’s main relic- a sacred wooden phallus. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Spend the day discovering Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan that still retains its regal feel. Hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a spectacularly situated temple with sweeping views of the valley. After lunch, explore the elaborately designed fortress of Punakha Dzong; its positioning at the confluence of the Mo (mother) and Pho (father) Rivers helps make this dzong one of the most beautiful in the country. End the day with a blessing from the nuns at the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup temple and nunnery. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Return to Paro and journey through the emerald rice paddies and quaint farming villages of the Paro valley, and visit Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang, a unique temple designed in the architectural style of a chorten. Visit the seventh-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, and walk the archery grounds. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Spend the day discovering Paro. Explore the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong fortress, which once also defended this valley from invasions. Visit the National Museum of Bhutan, and admire the impressive architecture of the Paro Dzong, a stronghold that once defended the country from Tibetan invasions. A lovely stroll downhill from the Paro Dzong over an old cantilever bridge will wrap up an eventful sixth day in this magical kingdom. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Your journey through Bhutan culminates at the kingdom’s most iconic site: Taktsang Lhakhang, famously called the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This majestic structure is poised high above the Paro valley, built dramatically on the ledge of a granite cliff face. Legend has it that the eight century Buddhist Tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava, came to this place riding on a flaming tigress to subdue the demons wreaking havoc on the valley below. Make the steep, strenuous trek to the temple or hike to a nearby viewpoint, taking in a landscape dotted with pine trees, prayer flags, and ancient shrines. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local farmer before returning to Paro for the evening. Overnight at Amankora Resort.
Your guide and driver will accompany you to the airport and on behalf of Bhutan Spicy Shangri-La will bid you farewell with a fervent prayer that your life may be filled happiness and success!
This trip has an activity rating of moderate. Travelers should be physically fit and prepared for multiple hours of hiking over several days on high mountains. Excursions may include navigating uneven terrain, climbing stairs without handrails, and walking on paths with steep ascents and descents.
Throughout the trip, we stay at the world renowned Amankora luxury resorts. https://www.aman.com/fr-fr/resorts/amankora
A Bhutan Spicy Shangri-La expert/guide will accompany you for the entire journey.
| MONTHS | PAX | PRICING |
|---|---|---|
| March-May/September-November (High season)
December-February/June-August (Low season) |
ONE PERSON TRAVELLER | Contact us for pricing |
| TWO-THREE PERSON TRAVELLER | Contact us for pricing | |
| FAMILY | Contact us for pricing |
Prices are per person based and do not include international airfare to/from your destination or internal flights during the expedition. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change.
