Travel Counsellors experience the magic of Bhutan

02 October 2026

Bhutan offers a rare sense of stepping away from the familiar. On a recent eight-night journey, a group of Travel Counsellors travelled from Thimphu to Gangtey, Punakha, and Paro, experiencing mountain passes, riverside valleys, ancient monasteries, local communities, and peaceful highland landscapes along the way. The itinerary combined significant landmarks with hands-on experiences and quieter moments, offering a thoughtful introduction to a country that still feels wonderfully untouched.

Travel Counsellors experience the magic of Bhutan

Thimphu and the spirit of Gross National Happiness

The journey began in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, reached by a scenic drive through the Paro Valley and past Chuzom, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet. Before dinner at Six Senses Thimphu, the group attended a presentation by a Buddhist scholar about Gross National Happiness, Bhutan’s guiding philosophy, which places wellbeing, sustainability, spirituality, and national identity at the heart of everyday life. The following day brought visits to the National Memorial Chorten, where locals gather to pray, the Bhutan Postal Museum, and Ka Ja Throm market quarter, before a particularly engaging visit to Choki Traditional Art School.

“We barely saw other tourists and really felt like pioneers witnessing a lesser-known landscape and paths less trodden,” Daniel Adams, Travel Counsellor

Mountain scenery in Gangtey

Leaving Thimphu, the group travelled towards Gangtey over Dochula Pass, stopping to see the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and take part in a prayer flag hoisting ceremony against a backdrop of Himalayan peaks. The road continued towards the wide-open landscapes of the Phobjikha Valley, where the pace became quieter and the scenery more expansive. A visit to Gangtey Goenpa, one of Bhutan’s important Nyingma monasteries, was followed by a walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, passing through open valley landscapes, forested stretches, and small settlements. Staying at Taj Gangtey added to the experience, with its peaceful setting, Bhutanese design, and views across the surrounding meadows and mountains.

“To say a visit to Bhutan is transformative would be an understatement. There’s nothing false, contrived, or overhyped there.” – Charlotte McKay, Travel Counsellor

Punakha’s rivers, monasteries, and rural life

The journey then moved down to Punakha, where the warmer climate and lower elevation created a noticeable change in scenery. At Punakha Dzong, set at the meeting point of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, richly painted courtyards, intricate woodwork, and a beautiful riverside setting revealed why it is considered one of Bhutan’s most impressive fortress-monasteries. The group also visited Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, walking through rice fields and the village of Pana to reach the hilltop shrine. A visit to a Buddhist nunnery and lunch at Gatshothang Farmhouse offered a more personal view of life in the valley, with time spent in a traditional farmhouse setting and an opportunity to experience the warmth of local hospitality.

Paro and the climb to Tiger’s Nest

The final part of the itinerary brought the group back to Paro, where a visit to Ta Dzong, the former watchtower now home to Bhutan’s National Museum, offered an absorbing introduction to the kingdom’s history and artistic heritage. The defining experience came the following morning with an early hike to Taktshang Monastery, better known as Tiger’s Nest. Perched dramatically on a cliff above the Paro Valley, the 16th-century monastery is reached by a challenging trail through pine forest and mountain scenery. At around 10,400 feet, the climb tested everyone, but reaching the sanctuary made the effort worthwhile.

“As we each reached the top, we were all very emotional, sharing hugs and tears. Each of us shared our struggles and emotions, and reaching the top was something we were all going to do and achieve. It’s a day that is etched in my mind forever.” – Sarah Martin, Travel Counsellor

A journey that stays with you

After the hike, there was time to relax at Taj Paro Resort & Spa before an evening performance of traditional music, dance, and ceremonial storytelling. It provided a fitting conclusion to a journey that had moved from the energy of Thimphu to the stillness of Gangtey, the rivers and monasteries of Punakha, and the dramatic mountain setting of Paro. Yet, for the Travel Counsellors who visited, Bhutan offered more than beautiful scenery and remarkable landmarks, it provided a whole new perspective on travel and culture that they will carry with them forever.

To book your own unforgettable Bhutan adventure, speak to your Travel Counsellor today.

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