Twelve days in the Last Shangri-La, timed to the one week of the year when Paro's dzong courtyard fills with masked dancers for the Tshechu, and the valley fills again with ideas as the Bhutan Innovation Forum gathers global thinkers at nearby Dungkar Dzong. You're based throughout at The Happiness Farm, about an hour's drive from Paro, with Dorji and Kezang as your hosts — watch the festival's opening dances, rise before dawn for the unveiling of the great Thongdrel, and hike to Tiger's Nest. Midway through the trip, the group splits by interest: stay close to the action at the Forum, or head over Dochula Pass to raft the Mo Chhu and wander Punakha's rice valleys as an Explorer, with nights in Punakha itself. Either way, everyone reunites at the Farm for a final cooking session, a village walk, and a farewell barbecue under the stars.

This is a small-group journey (6–14 guests) open to guests across a wide range of ages. The pace throughout is easy, and a vehicle is always close by.

After arriving in Paro, your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Happiness Farm, a serene retreat nestled in Bhutan’s countryside. Your stay includes visits to historical sites like Kichu Lhakhang and cultural gems such as the Dobji Dzong fortress, while soaking in the simple joys of farm life. From farm-to-table meals to gentle village hikes, the Happiness Farm offers an authentic Bhutanese experience to start your journey.

From Paro, the tour continues with explorations of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, where ancient traditions meet modern influences. You'll visit the Giant Buddha and Takin Preserve, hike up to Wangditse for panoramic views, and experience the lively local markets. Each evening, unwind in accommodations that blend luxury with local charm, and enjoy private dinners with a focus on Bhutanese cuisine.

In Punakha, the famed Punakha Dzong offers a majestic start, followed by rafting on the Mo Chhu river and visits to remote spiritual sites. A stop at the Khamsum Yuelling stupa combines serene hiking with cultural discovery, while the nearby Phobjikha Valley offers a glimpse into Bhutan’s rural life, with yak herders and untouched landscapes inviting peaceful reflection.

The journey culminates with a visit to the iconic Tiger’s Nest, where you'll hike through a pine forest to this cliffside monastery, one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites. Afterward, return to Happiness Farm for a final celebration, complete with a farm-to-table feast and time to reflect on the natural beauty and spiritual depth of this incredible journey.

ITINERARY

Day 1 · Wed 17 March — Arrival in Paro

Welcome to Bhutan! འབྲུག་ལུ་ཕེབས་བསུ་ཞུ།

You'll land at Paro International Airport mid-morning, greeted with a traditional khadar scarf. Before heading out to the Farm, a short, level visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, and a stroll through Paro's vegetable market. Then the drive of about an hour to The Happiness Farm, your base for the trip, to settle in. Welcome dinner and trip briefing at the Farm in the evening.

Day 2 · Thu 18 March — Opening Day of Paro Tshechu

After breakfast at the Farm, drive in to Paro (about an hour) for the opening day of the Tshechu, when the first masked dances are performed in the dzong courtyard at Rinpung Dzong. Your guide explains the meaning of each dance, and cushions or seating are arranged where possible. The afternoon is free to rest, or for an optional visit to the National Museum (Ta Dzong), before returning to the Farm in the evening.

Day 03: Friday, 19 March, 2027: A Day at the Farm

A free morning — return to the Tshechu in Paro, or simply enjoy a slow start at the Farm. A home-grown organic lunch with Dorji and Kezang, followed by a gentle walk through the orchards.

Day 04: Saturday, 20 March, 2027: A Day in Thimphu

Drive to the capital to see Buddha Dordenma, the giant seated Buddha overlooking the valley, then the Saturday weekend market and the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan's national animal, with craft shopping on the way back to the Farm.

Day 05: Sunday, 21 March, 2027: Your Choice of Day

Option A: another morning at the Tshechu in Paro for those who want to see more of the dances. Option B: a scenic drive to Dobji Dzong, perched above the Wang Chhu river, with a picnic lunch and a gentle downhill walk through Yuesakha village — the vehicle follows, so anyone can ride instead of walk.

Day 06: Monday, 22 March, 2027: The Thongdrel at Dawn

The festival's highlight: well before sunrise, you'll make the hour's drive from the Farm into Paro to witness the unveiling of the great Thongdrel, a giant sacred thangka of Guru Rinpoche shown only on the festival's final day. Return to the Farm for breakfast and rest, with an at-leisure afternoon or a short drive to Drukgyel Dzong at the head of the valley.

Day 07: Tuesday, 23 March, 2027: Tiger's Nest at Your Own Pace

The hike to Taktsang Monastery, clinging to a cliff 900 metres above the valley, takes about 4–5 hours round trip. Ponies can be arranged for the uphill section to the halfway cafeteria, itself a fine turnaround point with a superb view of the monastery. Not hiking? A relaxed visit to Dzongdrakha's cliffside temples, or a quiet morning at the Farm. A traditional hot stone bath with medicinal herbs for tired muscles in the evening, back at the Farm.

Days 8–10: Wed 24 – Fri 26 March, 2027: The Group Splits

For three days, the group follows one of two tracks, each with its own guide and vehicle — choose the one that matches why you came.

The Bhutan Innovation Forum Track: three days at the Bhutan Innovation Forum at Dungkar Dzong, with daily transfers to and from the Farm (about an hour each way) — past speakers and attendees have included Joseph Stiglitz, Juan Manuel Santos, Matthieu Ricard, Antony Gormley, Bjarke Ingels, and Bhutan's Prime Minister.

The Explorers Track: for guests who'd rather spend these three days over the mountains in Punakha. Day 8 — drive over Dochula Pass (3,100 m), with its 108 chortens and, on a clear day, Himalayan views, then descend into the warm Punakha valley with a gentle 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman. Day 9 — Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, at the confluence of two rivers; a walk across the Punakha suspension bridge. In the afternoon, an optional hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for valley views, and a gentle float down the Mo Chhu river with experienced rafting guides — or, for those who'd rather not hike or raft, a riverside picnic and village visit. Day 10 — a leisurely start, then the drive back over Dochula with lunch along the way, arriving at The Happiness Farm by late afternoon — where both groups reunite for dinner.

Either way, the price is the same — it's simply a question of where you'd rather spend these three days. Let us know your preference when you book, since each track runs with its own guide.

Day 11: Saturday, 27 March, 2027: A Day on the Farm

Together again, the whole group spends the morning in a cooking session with Kezang, learning to make ema datshi and other Bhutanese dishes from the garden's own produce. In the afternoon, a gentle walk through the neighbouring villages and a herbal hot stone bath, then a farewell barbecue in the evening.

Day 12: Sunday, 28 March, 2027: Departure

Breakfast at the Farm, then the roughly hour's drive to Paro International Airport for your 11:50 flight. Tashi Delek!

Optional 12th night: if you're not flying out with the group, stay on at The Happiness Farm and depart Monday 29 March instead.

Tour Highlights

This tour will especially be for you if you enjoy the following:

• Watching the Paro Tshechu's masked dances, including the pre-dawn unveiling of the great Thongdrel

• Three days at the Bhutan Innovation Forum alongside world-class speakers — or, on the Explorers track, rafting the Mo Chhu and exploring Punakha's valley

• Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery at your own pace

• Staying at The Happiness Farm throughout, with a cooking session, village walk, and farewell barbecue

• Exploring Thimphu's Buddha Dordenma, Takin Preserve, and weekend market

• Engaging in authentic cultural encounters, from temple visits to a traditional hot stone bath

• Savoring farm-to-table meals made from locally sourced organic ingredients

• Capturing spring landscapes, wildflowers, and festival color across Bhutan's western valleys

What’s Included

• Expert-guided 12-day/11-night tour through Paro, Thimphu, and (Explorers track) Punakha

• Accommodation at The Happiness Farm throughout (Explorers track: Punakha for two nights)

• All meals

• Private transportation throughout Bhutan, including transfers between destinations

• Entrance fees to all included cultural sites, monasteries, and dzongs

• Guided hikes, including Tiger's Nest and (Explorers track) the Mo Chhu rafting

• Personalized service from knowledgeable local guides and your tour leader

• Assistance with checking international flight options

• Advice on optional travel insurance, including CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) policies

• All taxes, service charges, and tips for included services

What’s Not Included

• International airfare to your gateway city (Bangkok or Delhi)

• Druk Air to and from Paro

• The Bhutan Innovation Forum Festival Pass (booked and paid direct with BIF)

• Your gateway-city hotel on the night of 16 March

• Travel insurance

• Meals not specified in the itinerary

• Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, snacks, etc.)

• Beverages outside of included meals

• Costs for additional hotel nights or extended stays before or after the tour

  NOTE: the Bhutan Innovation Forum Festival Pass is priced and booked separately, direct with BIF — see Salient Tour Details below for the net cost after the Sustainable Development Fee waiver.

Salient Tour Details:

• Tour Cost: $5,504 per person, double occupancy, including the Bhutan Innovation Forum Festival Pass (the pass also waives Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee, which otherwise runs $1,100 over eleven nights — so attending the Forum costs $400 net, not $1,500). Without the Festival Pass: $5,104 per person.

• Private room: +$440

• Optional 12th night at The Happiness Farm: +$364 (with Festival Pass) / +$464 (without)

• Minimum Participants: No minimum

• Maximum Participants: 14 (set by the Happiness Farm room block; this ensures an intimate experience for all travelers)

• Payment in full due date: 31 January 2027

• This trip begins and ends in Paro, served only by Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines)

  NOTE: Druk Air's 2027 fares aren't published yet. For comparative purposes, the 2026 prices were roughly $1,000 round-trip in economy from Bangkok and $500 round-trip from Delhi.

Physical Activity and Expectations:

• This is a moderately active tour with average walking 2-4 miles per day in both urban and rural settings (and possibly even more if you enjoy walking).

• You’ll need to be able to climb up and down multiple flights of stairs (indoors and out)

• Occasional sitting on the floor (e.g. cross legged or legs stretched) and/or getting up and down from the floor.

• You’ll encounter uneven cobblestone streets, sidewalks, and trails.

Please Note:

• This itinerary is a sample and is subject to change. The final schedule will be determined approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special opportunities which may arise.  In the event that a requested visit is not available, a similar visit will be substituted.  A finalized itinerary and Travelers’ Notes document will be sent to all participants about two weeks prior to tour departure.

• An optional trip insurance policy such as a “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policy may reimburse you for unforeseen cancellations or itinerary changes.

• We do our best to accommodate allergies and food preference. Please inform us of any dietary needs at the time of booking.

• We also offer bespoke custom tours for groups. Contact us for more information.

• Dorji will obtain your Bhutan tourist visa and book your flights to and from Paro on Druk Airlines, the Royal Bhutan airlines. Opportunities also exist for trip extensions and/or stopovers in various global hubs (advice provided upon request, with costs according to the customized plan). This tour can also easily be combined with a pre-tour or post-tour visit to Eastern Bhutan and/or nearby Nepal (please inquire).

video caption (above): Bhutanese Dancers performing at the spring Bhutan Rhododendron Festival in the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri, Bhutan.

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(this page was last modified on 2026.10.27)