
Protected Buddhist Kingdom
Visit a country that has carefully controlled tourism since opening to the world in 1974.

Bhutan tours through the Himalayan Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon — Tiger's Nest Monastery, Punakha Dzong, the Phobjikha Valley and traditional Tshechu festivals
Bhutan tours take you into a Himalayan kingdom unlike any other — squeezed between India and Chinese-occupied Tibet, fiercely independent and deeply proud of its Buddhist heritage. Known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan only opened to tourists in 1974 and has carefully controlled visitor numbers ever since, preserving a culture and natural environment that much of Asia has lost.
Our Bhutan holidays travel between Paro — gateway to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) — the capital Thimphu, the spectacular Punakha Valley and the magnificent Punakha Dzong, the central valleys of Bumthang and the remote Phobjikha Valley, home of the Black-Necked Crane Festival. Bhutan measures its success not in GDP but in Gross National Happiness — a philosophy that shapes everything from its approach to tourism to the way its forests are managed.


Bhutan
Bhutan rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
Sweet spot: May
The best time to visit Bhutan falls into two clear windows: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Spring brings warm days, blooming rhododendrons, and the famous Paro Tshechu festival; the air is clear and the valleys are vivid green. Autumn delivers the most reliable Himalayan views, crisp days and the timing of many major festivals including Thimphu Tshechu and the Black-Necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha. Summer (June to August) is the monsoon season — often cloudy with hidden mountain views, though valleys are at their most lush. Winter (December to February) is cold but dry, with crystal-clear mountain vistas; some high passes may close due to snow, but lower valleys remain accessible.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
Every one of our Bhutan journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
Bhutan is ideal for tailor-made holidays — every visit requires a licensed Bhutanese operator, and a private journey lets us tailor every detail to your interests. Whether you wish to focus on a specific Tshechu festival, take a deeper dive into the temples of Bumthang, spend longer in the Phobjikha Valley, or combine your visit with Nepal, we'll arrange experienced English-speaking guides, hand-picked accommodation and seamless logistics throughout. Bhutan's controlled tourism model means high-quality experiences are the standard — our role is to design a journey that matches your interests, pace and travel style while delivering genuine cultural immersion.
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Yes — Bhutan is one of Asia's safest destinations. The kingdom's careful tourism model and welcoming Buddhist culture make it secure for all travellers, including solo women.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bhutan. Bhutan is one of Asia's safest destinations. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Bhutan specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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