Asia · Bhutan · Himalayas
Paro to Thimphu to Punakha and back to Paro
About This Expedition
“Bhutan is not a destination to rush through — it is a place to slow down, to breathe differently, and to experience life through ritual, nature and silence.”
This journey moves through Bhutan's most culturally and spiritually significant valleys, combining sacred sites, scenic landscapes and deeply personal encounters that are impossible to arrange independently. Bhutan limits visitor numbers deliberately, and its character reflects that — unhurried, intentional and unlike anywhere else on earth.
The experience is anchored by Bhutan's finest lodges — Six Senses, Amankora and COMO Uma — where architecture, wellness and service are designed to complement rather than compete with the surrounding landscape. Each property feels native to its valley, low-built and quiet, with views that open onto forest, river or monastery.
Travel is entirely private, with a dedicated guide and driver throughout. Days unfold between monasteries, forest trails, rivers and cultural rituals — with no fixed pace and no crowds. The Tiger's Nest hike is the journey's spiritual climax, but it is far from its only defining moment.
What Is Included
Day by Day
Every day has been sequenced to create a natural rhythm — arriving rested, departing enriched, and never once conscious of the machinery moving beneath you.
“The best journeys are felt in the body before they are understood by the mind.”
Paro to Thimphu — A Gentle Arrival
The approach to Paro Airport is among the most extraordinary of any landing in the world — the aircraft weaving between Himalayan peaks before touching down in the narrow valley floor. A private transfer carries you to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital and one of the world's smallest. Check in to Six Senses Thimphu, a serene retreat set among pine forests above the city with panoramic valley views. The afternoon includes a visit to Buddha Dordenma — a 51-metre gilded bronze statue watching over the valley from its hilltop perch. The evening is left open: dinner at the lodge, an early walk, and the beginning of Bhutan time.
Six Senses Thimphu
Bhutan's valleys and forests — the landscape that defines the kingdom's character
Punakha — Valleys, Rivers & Spiritual Heritage
The drive to Punakha crosses the Dochula Pass — at 3,100 metres, with 108 memorial chortens and, on clear days, views across the Himalayan peaks stretching east. On the descent, the Divine Madman Trail winds through the valley with a stop at Thinleygang Lhakhang, a striking monastery perched above the fields. A private picnic is arranged in the valley. Punakha Dzong stands at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers — one of Bhutan's most important and beautiful fortresses, reflecting perfectly in the water when the season allows. A guided section of the Trans Bhutan Trail carries you through villages and farmland for a different scale of encounter. The Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten sits atop a gentle hill above the valley — a shorter hike rewarded by a hilltop temple and extraordinary views. The final Punakha morning is given to gentle rafting on the Mo Chhu River.
Amankora Punakha
Amankora Punakha, surrounded by rice fields in the valley below the dzong
Paro — Sacred Peaks & Reflection
The scenic drive back to Paro passes through Thimphu and the Paro Valley, one of Bhutan's most fertile and storied landscapes. A visit to the National Museum and the valley's cultural sites provides context before checking in to COMO Uma Paro — set on a hillside above the valley with panoramic views and one of Bhutan's finest wellness centres. The Tiger's Nest hike comes next: Taktsang Monastery clings to the cliff face 1,000 metres above the valley floor, reachable through pine forests draped in prayer flags. It remains one of the world's most spiritually charged places to stand still in. Recovery follows at COMO Shambhala Retreat — treatments drawing on Bhutanese herbs, techniques and healing philosophy. The final day is left intentionally flexible: spa rituals, a traditional hot stone bath, a quiet forest walk, or simply sitting with the valley view.
COMO Uma Paro
Tiger's Nest Monastery, 1,000 metres above the Paro Valley floor
Paro — Departure
A private transfer returns you to Paro Airport for departure. You leave Bhutan not with a checklist completed, but with a sense of calm, perspective and connection — the essence of the journey.
COMO Uma ParoWhere You Will Stay
Hotel · Thimphu
Thimphu, Bhutan
A contemporary sanctuary set among pine forests above Thimphu, offering panoramic valley views and a strong focus on wellness.
Lodge · Punakha
Punakha Valley, Bhutan
A refined riverside retreat surrounded by rice fields, combining Aman's signature minimalism with Bhutanese tradition.
Hotel · Paro
Paro, Bhutan
A hillside retreat in Paro offering panoramic views of the valley, refined Bhutanese-influenced cuisine and one of the country's leading wellness centres.
Private Enquiry
This itinerary is a point of departure, not a fixed schedule. We will adapt every element to your preferences, your travel party, and the season of travel. Submit your details and a Martins Travel advisor will respond personally within 24 hours.