Destinations
Explore Bhutan, valley by valley
From the cliffside Tiger's Nest to the crane-filled Phobjikha Valley and the sacred temples of Bumthang, here are the places our guests love most. Tell us what inspires you and we will build your journey around it.
- 47destinations
- 10regions
- 1local team
Where most journeys begin
Paro
Bhutan's only international airport sits in this wide, beautiful valley, home to the country's most famous sight.
Hike · 4–6 hrs returnParo Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
Bhutan's most iconic monastery clings to a cliff around 900 m above the valley floor, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in the 8th century.
DzongRinpung Dzong
A 17th-century fortress-monastery above the Paro Chhu, reached on foot across a traditional covered bridge. It hosts the spring Paro Tshechu.
MuseumNational Museum (Ta Dzong)
Set above Rinpung Dzong, Bhutan's national museum is a vivid introduction to the country's art, masks, thangkas and natural history.
TempleKyichu Lhakhang
One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally dated to the 7th century and still a deeply loved place of daily prayer.
Dzong · HistoryDrukgyel Dzong
A fortress at the head of the valley, built in 1649 to celebrate victory over invading Tibetan forces, with views towards Mount Jomolhari.
Mountain passChele La Pass
One of the highest road passes in Bhutan, between Paro and Haa, strung with prayer flags and, on clear days, views of Jomolhari.
Temple · BridgeTachog Lhakhang Iron Bridge
A temple founded by the bridge-building saint Thangtong Gyalpo, reached across an iron chain bridge over the Paro Chhu.
The capital
Thimphu
Bhutan's lively capital, famous for having no traffic lights, where tradition and modern life meet.
Landmark · ViewpointBuddha Dordenma (Buddha Point)
A giant gilded bronze Buddha, more than 50 m tall, gazing over Thimphu from Kuensel Phodrang hill. The views at sunset are wonderful.
DzongTashichho Dzong
The seat of Bhutan's government and central monastic body, beautifully lit at dusk and home to the autumn Thimphu Tshechu.
StupaNational Memorial Chorten
Built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, it is circled from dawn to dusk by locals spinning prayer wheels.
TempleChangangkha Lhakhang
A 12th-century temple on a ridge above the city, where parents bring newborn children to be blessed and named.
WildlifeMotithang Takin Preserve
Meet the takin, Bhutan's curious national animal, in a forested preserve on the edge of the capital.
MarketCentenary Farmers' Market
Bhutan's biggest weekend market, piled high with chillies, red rice, cheese and local produce beside the Wang Chhu.
CultureFolk Heritage Museum & Simply Bhutan
Living museums where you can step inside a traditional farmhouse, try archery and learn about everyday Bhutanese life.
Arts & craftsInstitute for Zorig Chusum
The school of Bhutan's 13 traditional arts, where students learn painting, woodcarving, embroidery and sculpture.
Hike · MonasteryTango & Cheri Monasteries
Two historic monasteries in the forested hills north of Thimphu, each reached by a rewarding uphill walk.
The warm valley
Dochula & Punakha
Cross a high pass of 108 chortens and descend into Punakha's rice-terraced valley, Bhutan's capital until the 1950s.
Mountain passDochula Pass
At around 3,100 m, the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens stand against a backdrop of Himalayan peaks on clear days.
DzongPunakha Dzong
Often called the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan, set where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet, and glorious when the jacarandas bloom in spring.
Temple · WalkChimi Lhakhang
The fertility temple of Drukpa Kunley, the 'Divine Madman', reached by a gentle walk through rice fields.
VillageSopsokha Village
Rice terraces, farmhouses and fluttering prayer flags make this one of the prettiest village walks in western Bhutan.
Hike · TempleKhamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
A beautiful hilltop temple above the Mo Chhu with sweeping views of the valley, reached by a short hike through the fields.
BridgePunakha Suspension Bridge
One of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan, draped with prayer flags high above the Pho Chhu.
Valley of the cranes
Phobjikha & Gangtey
A wide glacial valley that welcomes rare black-necked cranes every winter.
NaturePhobjikha Valley
A broad, peaceful valley of farmland and marsh. Rare black-necked cranes fly in from the Tibetan plateau to spend the winter here, roughly November to February.
Monastery · FestivalGangtey (Gangteng) Monastery
An important monastery on a ridge above the valley, and home of the Black-Necked Crane Festival each November.
WildlifeBlack-Necked Crane Information Centre
Learn about the cranes and watch them through spotting scopes from the edge of the marshland.
WalkGangtey Nature Trail
A gentle walk from the monastery down through pine forest and meadows to the valley floor.
The heart of Bhutan
Trongsa
The ancestral seat of Bhutan's royal family, right at the centre of the country.
DzongTrongsa Dzong
A vast fortress cascading down a ridge above a deep gorge, which once controlled all travel between east and west Bhutan.
MuseumTower of Trongsa (Ta Dzong) Museum
A watchtower above the dzong, now a museum telling the story of Bhutan's monarchy.
The spiritual heartland
Bumthang
Four high valleys filled with some of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples.
Temple · FestivalJambay Lhakhang
A 7th-century temple, famous for its autumn Drup festival and midnight fire-blessing ceremony.
TempleKurjey Lhakhang
A sacred temple complex where Guru Rinpoche is said to have left the imprint of his body on a rock.
DzongJakar Dzong
The 'castle of the white bird', overlooking the Chamkhar valley and Bumthang's main town.
TempleTamshing Lhakhang
Founded in 1501 by the treasure-revealer Pema Lingpa, with some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan.
Sacred siteMebar Tsho (Burning Lake)
A sacred pool in the Tang valley where Pema Lingpa is said to have recovered hidden treasure while holding a burning butter lamp.
VillageUra Valley
A traditional village of stone houses and cobbled lanes, set among high meadows on the road east.
Off the beaten path
Haa Valley
A quiet, beautiful valley near the western border, reached over the Chele La pass.
Nature · HomestayHaa Valley
Alpine forest, traditional farmhouses and very few visitors. Perfect for homestays, hikes and the summer festival.
TempleLhakhang Karpo & Lhakhang Nagpo
The White and Black temples, traditionally said to date from the 7th century, beneath three sacred hills.
DzongHaa Dzong (Wangchuk Lo Dzong)
The valley's fortress, standing beside the river in the centre of Haa.
Hot springs and highlands
Gasa & the North
Remote northern valleys of high peaks, hot springs and highland communities.
DzongGasa Dzong
A dramatic fortress on a hillside beneath snowy peaks, once guarding the route to Tibet.
WellnessGasa Tsachu (Hot Springs)
Natural hot springs, much loved by Bhutanese for their healing properties, a short walk below Gasa.
Trek · VillageLaya
A high mountain village known for the Layap people, their distinctive conical bamboo hats and spectacular trekking.
For the adventurous
Eastern Bhutan
Fewer travellers, warm hospitality and some of Bhutan's finest weaving.
DzongTrashigang Dzong
A fortress perched high above the Drangme Chhu, the gateway to Bhutan's far east.
Stupa · FestivalChorten Kora
A great white stupa in Trashiyangtse, modelled on Boudhanath in Kathmandu and home to a lively spring festival.
Trek · CultureMerak & Sakteng
Remote valleys home to the semi-nomadic Brokpa people, with their own distinctive dress and way of life.
Culture · WeavingLhuentse & Khoma
The ancestral home of the royal family, and the village of Khoma, famous for intricate kishuthara silk weaving.
Jungle and lowlands
Southern Bhutan
Subtropical forests and Bhutan's gateways to India.
WildlifeRoyal Manas National Park
Bhutan's oldest national park, a subtropical wilderness home to Bengal tigers, Asian elephants and golden langurs.
Gateway townPhuentsholing
A bustling border town on the Indian frontier and the main road entry point into Bhutan.
Gateway townGelephu
A warm southern town and gateway to central Bhutan, now home to the developing Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Plan your trip
Which valleys are calling you?
Every Gu-Mar journey is private and tailored. Share the places you would love to see and our team in Thimphu will design the right route, pace and season for you.