Luxury Bhutan Tours

Introduction to Bhutan
(6 Days)
Thimphu, Paro

A Week in Bhutan
(7 Days)
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro

Highlights of Bhutan
(10 Days)
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha

Essence of Bhutan
(8 Days)
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha

Luxury Adventure Tour of Bhutan
(11 Days)
Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro

Journey Through Bhutan
(13 Days)
Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, Paro

Multi-country Tours

Discover Thailand & Bhutan
(12 Days)
Bangkok, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Chiang Mai

Best of the Himalayas: Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet
(13 Days)
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Lhasa

Best of Bhutan & India
(18 Days)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai

Essence of Nepal & Bhutan
(13 Days)
Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro

Hiking and Wellness Tour of Bhutan & India
(14 Days)
Delhi, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Himalayas & Rishikesh

Discover Thailand & Bhutan

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Bangkok, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Chiang Mai

This ultra-luxurious private tour features two of Asia’s most fascinating cultural destinations: Thailand and Bhutan. With your own private guide and driver in each location, explore dynamic cities, spectacular landscapes, impressive temples and monasteries, interesting markets and rich cultural traditions. Accommodation is at some of the world's most luxurious hotels.

Begin with comprehensive touring in Bangkok, Thailand. Enjoy a private longtail boat tour through Bangkok's fascinating canals. Visit Bangkok’s most important attractions, including the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Learn about Buddhist practices and influences on daily life. Explore colorful markets selling textiles, flowers, Buddhist items, food and crafts. There will also be time to enjoy the hotel spa, swim in the pool, shop for exquisite Asian art, and dine on some of Southeast Asia's best cuisine.

Next, fly to Paro, Bhutan. Continue to Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan and one of the best places to experience Bhutanese heritage. During private touring, visit important Buddhist sites, local markets, crafts workshops (Buddhist thangkas, sculptures, weavings and more) and museums to learn about Bhutanese traditions and history. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that’s the seat of the Bhutanese government, and, if desired, a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life. Depending on your interests, touring can also include privately guided hikes to temples and monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, visiting a handmade paper factory, a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home, a visit to the takin preserve to see Bhutan’s unusual national animal, watching an archery competition and private meditation sessions with monks.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochu La Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, banana plants and rice paddies. During private touring, visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, enjoy peaceful walks through farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local Buddhist temple, tour stunning Punakha Dzong, visit a Buddhist nunnery in the hills and take a short hike to a hillside chorten with panoramic views. Depending on your interests, touring can also include hikes to mountain monasteries, blessings by monks, private river rafting, a tour of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and other top activities around Punakha.

Continue to Paro, a picture-perfect Bhutanese town in a verdant river valley and the base for visiting iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. One day, enjoy a privately guided excursion to Tiger's Nest, a breathtaking cliffside Buddhist monastery (also known as Taktsang Goemba) that’s a highlight of Bhutan. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange yoga sessions and a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath—the perfect way to relax after the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in Bhutan, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking tours and more.

Return to Thailand and spend several days in rural Chiang Mai in northern Thailand at one of Asia's most luxurious and atmospheric resorts, surrounded by mountains and terraced rice paddies. Browse crafts districts specializing in ceramics, silver, wood furniture, paper umbrellas and silk weavings. Visit revered mountaintop temples, the royal family's Winter Palace, an elephant sanctuary and local hill tribe villages. Also enjoy a cooking class at the resort's renowned cooking school. During time at leisure, enjoy the resort's spa and pool or perhaps play a round at a nearby golf course. Additional cultural excursions are also available.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges and resorts that offer the opportunity to experience traditional hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments.

Itinerary Overview
Day 1

Arrive Bangkok, Thailand

VIP airport assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 2 nights

Day 2

Bangkok

Full-day private city tour, including private longtail boat ride

Day 3

Bangkok – Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu

Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Paro, Bhutan. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to Thimphu luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 4

Thimphu

Full-day private cultural touring and option for hiking

Day 5

Thimphu – Punakha

Private transfer to Punakha luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 6

Punakha

Full-day private cultural touring and customized hiking and activities

Day 7

Punakha – Paro

Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route

Day 8

Paro & Tiger’s Nest

Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Day 9

Paro – Bangkok, Thailand – Chiang Mai

Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Bangkok, Thailand. VIP airport assistance through immigration and connecting flight to Chiang Mai. Private arrival transfer to luxury resort for 3 nights

Day 10

Chiang Mai

Morning Thai cooking class and market tour. Afternoon flexible private touring and shopping. Private round-trip transfer to night market

Day 11

Chiang Mai

Option for sunrise alms giving. Half-day private tour or excursion to elephant sanctuary

Day 12

Chiang Mai – Depart Bangkok

Private transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok. VIP arrival assistance to connecting departure flight


Hotels
Bangkok: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok
Thimphu: Amankora Thimphu or Six Senses Thimphu
Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha
Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro
Chiang Mai: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Cost
$24,780 Per person (double occupancy)

Testimonials

Bhutan is beautiful and fascinating. Our guide and our driver are absolutely the A-Team! They are amazing. You got us the very best with these two.
~ S.F., Chicago, IL

Our trip to Thailand and Bhutan was terrific. We really appreciate that Artisans of Leisure’s staff is so knowledgeable about the destinations, and that your trips are so thorough. We feel that really benefited as a result.
~ A.R., New York, NY

Our tour of Southeast Asia and Bhutan was outstanding. It truly was the trip of a lifetime for us. I believe that you get what you pay for, and oh my gosh did you deliver!
~ G.G., Newtown Square, PA

Read more...

Luxury Hotels in Bhutan

luxury Bhutan tours

In the Press

Recommended by:

Departures
Conde Nast Traveler
The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
Travel + Leisure
Town & Country

Read more...

Bhutan On Our Blog

Just Back: A Private Luxury Tour of Bhutan

Tiger’s Nest Monastery: An Iconic Site in Bhutan

Just Back: Bhutan

Must Stay: Uma Punakha in Bhutan

The Best of Bhutan

Hiking in Bhutan

A Private India & Bhutan Tour: Our Travelers Share Their Photos

Archery in Bhutan: A Private Lesson in the National Pastime 

A Hot Stone Bath in Bhutan

Read more on our blog...