a building next to a river

Tailor-made Bhutan Holidays

Living history, spectacular scenery... race you to the Tiger's Nest!

Bhutan Holidays

A holiday in Bhutan is a privilege, with only a limited number of lucky visitors making the journey each year. Famously protective of its glorious natural habitat, ancient traditions and happy culture, the nation keeps tourism to a high quality minimum, allowing those who do visit to enjoy its superb Himalayan landscape in unpolluted peace.

Nevertheless, the Bhutanese welcome strangers with open arms (and armfuls of Buddhist blessings). Bhutan’s plunging valleys and mountainous peaks are dotted with ancient monasteries and temples, and whatever your ability level, there are many satisfying treks available across Bhutan. Look forward to cheerful local encounters as you amble through the awe-inspiring mountain scenery.

Bhutan’s pioneering SDF – Sustainability Development Fee – plays a huge role in keeping the country a pinnacle of environmentally-focused development. It is a daily levy paid by all visitors on a tourist visa, and you can find out more here.

Living history, spectacular scenery... race you to the Tiger's Nest!

Start planning your journey here...

With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.

Bhutan Highlights

Low-impact wellness – light trekking through pristine wilderness, welcoming farm stays, hot-stone baths & spiritual moments.
Mountain scenery to take your breath away…
Protected tradition blends with evolving modern culture.
a river running through a valley with Punakha Dzong and mountains in the background

A magical trip

“Great planning and organisation, coupled with an amazing experience with the local guide and driver. Everything about the holiday was magical.”

Where will you visit next?

Stunning landscapes, historic moments, cultural shifts and local connections. Explore Asia, your way...

All places to go

Phobjikha Valley

Punakha

Bumthang

Thimphu

Fresh air & mountain scenery

a building on a rock with trees and clouds in the background

As a famously carbon-negative nation, Bhutan works hard to protect its forested mountain landscape from development and pollution.

Tourist numbers are carefully controlled, and even the capital, Thimphu, has an otherworldly aspect to it, despite the occasional nod to ‘progress’. The result is a gloriously refreshing environment, a relaxing mix of green rural valleys and broad Himalayan vistas. It’s the perfect place to retreat, rejuvenate, and truly get back to nature.

Celebrating Bhutan
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Dzongs, tsechus, monasteries & celebrations

Paro Taktsang on a cliff

Paro’s Tiger’s Nest temple is easily the most famous of Bhutan’s many spiritual buildings, rewarding climbers with stunning panoramas over the valley.

In the towns, the exuberant tsechu festivals draw huge crowds, while those in more remote areas have a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Mix with the locals while masked dancers perform within the dzongs (the imposing fortresses that house both religion and government). Archery competitions are everywhere, with bowmen representing their towns in Bhutan’s national sport, and there are even festivals to celebrate natural events, such as the arrival of Black-Necked Cranes in Phobjikha Valley each winter.

Trek to the Tiger's Nest
Paro Taktsang on a cliff

Low-impact, wellness-focused luxury

a woman standing on a porch

At the end of a day walking in the valleys, breathing in lungfuls of fresh mountain air, there’s nothing like returning to a cosy fireside and a warm bed!

Luckily, Bhutan’s pursuit of low-impact, high-value tourism has led to the creation of a handful of enchanting mountain retreats, which are both unobtrusive and deeply luxurious. We particularly love the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary and Gangtey Lodge – holistically focused luxury nestling against verdant mountainsides…

 

a woman standing on a porch

Trekking

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The world’s highest unclimbed peak — the sacred mountain of Gangkhar Puensum — can be found in Bhutan, and the country’s scenic terrain is excellent for trekking.

Whether you go on a short day hike or a longer trek, walking really is the best way to take in the awe-inspiring scenery of the Eastern Himalayas. Multi-day journeys can be as simple or grand as you prefer, whether you want to simply walk, or be accompanied by specialist guides, camp staff and horsemen to carry your equipment.

a man standing in front of a row of containers
Bhutan Festival mask
Bhutan's Festivals
Black necked crane
See Himalayan Black Necked Cranes
Man performing Bhutanese archery
Experience Bhutanese archery
Trek to Tiger's Nest
Trek Tiger's Nest

Brilliant! Selective Asia covered every detail.

Travel, hotels, guides, and excursions all flawlessly executed. Selective Asia listened to our requirements and worked with us to refine a great holiday.

Tim Goodman, Thailand

Holiday of a lifetime

The planning of the holiday and the ongoing support was excellent. The organisation on the ground when we got there was perfect and the local guides were knowledgeable and very personable. We would definitely go with Selective Asia again.

Gillian Baker, Komodo & Borneo

Selective Asia is more than a booking agency...

When a museum sent its exhibits overseas on tour, they learned about this before our departure and steered another to another site. When a hotel that we had booked scheduled a noisy wedding for the period of our occupancy, they were able to identify a fantastic hotel without noise before our arrival. I am not sure that any other tour operator would provide such detail in follow up, even after the tour was booked and paid for.

David Kosh, Vietnam

Our trip was outstanding...

We had had several discussions with Andrew before booking the trip and he incorporated all the activities we were interested in, plus recommending other activities that he knew we would be interested in. The whole trip was seamless and managed at a thoroughly professional yet friendly level. I would travel with this company again.

Heather, Japan

A great trip

We had an excellent holiday with an itinerary carefully arranged by Dave to suit our preferences. This is the third time we've travelled with Selective Asia and we will happily do so again in the future. We like the fact that they are a small company, passionate about what they do and committed to responsible travel.

Sarah Wilkie, Sri Lanka

Inspiring experiences and places to stay

Lean into the details of your bespoke Asia trip to discover rare experiences, exceptional hotels, local connections, inspiring conservation and much more…

Start planning your journey here...

With every detail finely tuned by our Asia Specialists.

Talk to our expert team...

Every Asia trip we build is finely tuned to fit you, and that all starts with a chat. Let us know what you're hoping to see, feel and experience on your travels, and the places you're dreaming of, and your Asia Specialist will craft a route that includes everything you want and more.

The Selective Asia difference

  • Bespoke journeys tailored just for you
  • Unparalleled local knowledge and expertise
  • Award-winning, nose-to-tail service
  • Responsible travel
  • 24 hour local support
  • Our flexi-booking promise and financial clarity

No ordinary Travel Company

Personally designed, exceptional journeys across Asia that champion a passion for travel with care for community connections and the planet.
Unfollow the herd.

Fully protected and flexible bookings

Selective Asia is a fully ATOL licensed and bonded tour operator, and our flexi-booking promise offers increased protection & peace of mind.,

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