Bhutan

Tailor-made holidays in Bhutan

The mountain kingdom of Bhutan, 'The Land of the Thunder Dragon', is quite unique in that it has managed to retain its ancient traditions and culture in the face of a growing tourist industry. Seemingly untouched by the outside world, its beautiful mountain scenery and traditional architecture, combined with a truly warm and welcoming people make it the perfect holiday destination for anyone looking for a genuine cultural experience.

Tourism in Bhutan is a quiet a new phenomenon. Its borders only opened up for the first time in 1974 as part of a radical and long term modernisation program, which is still in motion today. The country has a unique 'high value, low volume' approach to tourism, with a minimum nightly cost that makes travel here far more expensive than in neighbouring countries. Most holiday itineraries start in Paro, site of the international airport, and this small attractive town offers a great taste of what Bhutan has to offer. The nearby stunning Taktsang monastery, which perches high on a cliff face, and Paro & Drugyal Dzongs are popular excursions. The capital city Thimpu, is just a couple of hours drive away, and has many interesting things to see and do, including cultural shows, museums, markets and monasteries. The Punakha Valley lies further east and its beautiful landscape affords wonderful scenic views and a visit to the spectacular Punakha Dzong is a highlight of any holiday to Bhutan.

Those interested in nature and wildlife should consider travelling further east as, although tourist amenities are more limited, it is a beautiful region to visit, with some of the richest and most ecologically diverse forests, and fantastic bird watching opportunities.

We offer a comprehensive range of private and tailor-made holidays throughout Bhutan. They range from a short 4-day cultural sightseeing break, to a 2-3 week trek or bird watching tour, or any combination in between. To fit in with the Druk Air flights, we combine all our tours to Bhutan with at least one night either side in India, Nepal or Thailand.

Read our guide to Bhutan