Overview
Structured like an elite artist’s retreat, the Bhutan Creative Residency features extended multi-night stays in inspiring valleys, open daily schedules, and private workspace setups.
It also offers coordinated interactions with Bhutan’s local contemporary art and literary communities, giving you the time and space to create.
Trip Highlights
- Drinks with contemporary artists at VAST Bhutan (Voluntary Artists Studio).
- A texture and material safari — hand-weaving, papermaking and the Institute of Zorig Chusum.
- Four nights in a Phobjikha lodge with a private workspace overlooking the wetlands.
- Open, unrushed days with a guide and vehicle on call for inspiration walks.
- A sketching and journaling trek to Tiger’s Nest.
- A private dinner with a Bhutanese writer or storyteller and a closing hot stone bath.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu. Check into your hotel. In the evening, meet local contemporary artists at VAST Bhutan (Voluntary Artists Studio) for a drink to discuss the local creative scene.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Visit a traditional hand-weaving center, a papermaking factory, and the Institute of Zorig Chusum (Thirteen Arts and Crafts) to sketch, record textures, and observe traditional color palettes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Travel over Dochula Pass to the wide, quiet Phobjikha Valley. Check into a premium lodge that will serve as your creative home base for the next four nights. Set up your workspace.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Phobjikha
Unrushed, open days. Your private guide and vehicle remain available for spontaneous inspiration walks, but the time is yours to write, paint, or edit. Enjoy a private workspace overlooking the wetlands, with local tea service.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Phobjikha
Travel back to Paro with a notebook full of new ideas. Stop along the way at mountain passes to gather your thoughts. Check into your heritage resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Bring your sketchbook or journal to capture your impressions from the scenic viewpoints along the trail.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Spend your days working from your resort. In the evening of Day 10, host a private dinner with a local Bhutanese writer or storyteller to share creative insights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Finalize your residency project pieces. End your creative retreat with a traditional hot stone bath and a celebratory dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s Included
- Private Transport & Guide: All ground transportation in a private vehicle with an English-speaking licensed guide.
- Accommodation: Twin/double-sharing rooms in 3-star tourist-standard hotels.
- Meals: All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary.
- Sustainable Development Fee: The daily SDF is included.
- Hydration: Bottled water during transfers and sightseeing.
- Government Dues: Government royalty and applicable taxes.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare: International/regional airfare to and from Paro.
- Visa Fee: Bhutan visa processing fee (arranged in advance by Gu-Mar as part of permit clearance).
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, telephone, beverages and tips.
- Insurance: Travel insurance.
- Pony Hire: Pony hire for the Tiger’s Nest hike (optional, paid on-site).
- Other Services: Any services not mentioned under Inclusions.
Good to Know
- Licensed Operator: All non-Indian, non-Bangladeshi and non-Maldivian nationals must travel through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator such as Gu-Mar; we process visa clearance and the SDF on your behalf before arrival.
- Hotel Upgrades: Hotel categories can be upgraded to 4-star or boutique/heritage properties under our Deluxe or Luxurious collections.
- Flexible Sequencing: Itinerary sequencing may shift slightly depending on flight timings, road conditions or festival dates — your guide will confirm the final day-by-day plan on arrival.