Overview
The Private Kingdom represents the absolute pinnacle of hyper-personalized, ultra-luxury travel within the Thunder Dragon Kingdom. Crafted specifically for high-net-worth individuals, families, and seasoned travelers who demand complete autonomy over their time, this 10-day, 9-night masterpiece by Gu-Mar Travels & Tours adapts dynamically to your frame of mind. Your journey spans four essential western regions: Paro, the untouched wilderness of the Haa Valley, the capital city of Thimphu, and the subtropical riverside terraces of Punakha.
What sets this package apart is its rejection of standard tourist infrastructure in favor of bespoke, private spaces. You will spend a night inside an exclusive, fully staffed luxury canvas glamping camp pitched along an isolated riverbed in Haa — completely removed from conventional hotels.
Guided throughout by a prominent senior scholar, you will enjoy private viewings of rare royal manuscripts, out-of-hours explorations of grand fortresses, and a privately marshaled path up to the Tiger’s Nest. This is your private kingdom, unhurried and unmatched.
Trip Highlights
- A private runway greeting at Paro and a sound healing ritual at Amankora Paro.
- A private blessing and butter lamp ceremony at 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang.
- A night in a fully staffed private glamping camp in the Haa Valley, reached via Chele La Pass (3,988 m).
- A private viewing of rare royal Buddhist manuscripts at the National Library and a late-evening tour of Tashichho Dzong.
- A Pemako Punakha pool villa, a farmhouse lunch by a master chef and a riverside twilight dinner.
- A marshaled Tiger’s Nest trek, a hot stone bath with champagne and a farewell gala dinner.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Morning: Touch down at Paro International Airport for a private runway greeting. Clear your high-tier visa endorsements seamlessly as your Gu-Mar senior scholar guide escorts you to your luxury SUV. Drive to the secluded pine groves of Amankora Paro.
Afternoon: Enjoy a bespoke welcome lunch curated by the executive chef. Spend your afternoon in an unhurried, private briefing session with your scholar guide, fine-tuning your entire 10-day menu, physical pacing, and specialized historical focus.
Evening: Unwind with a sound healing ritual at the spa pavilion, followed by an elegant multi-course dinner inside the lodge’s private dining salon.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro (Amankora Paro)
Morning: Enjoy a private morning tour of Ta Dzong (The National Museum), exploring its rare collection of ancient thangkas and arms under private curatorial lighting before public hours.
Afternoon: Take a scenic walk down to explore the grand courtyards of Rinpung Dzong. In the afternoon, experience an exclusive private blessing and butter lamp ceremony at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest 7th-century shrines, accompanied by the low chant of senior monks.
Evening: Relax on your private suite deck with a premium cocktail, followed by a curated dinner showcasing refined local game and organic produce.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Morning: Leave Paro after breakfast to ascend the winding mountain roads to Chele La Pass (3,988 m), the country’s highest motorable pass. Walk among thousands of fluttering prayer flags and take in views of Mount Jomolhari.
Afternoon: Descend into the alpine cradle of the Haa Valley, a pristine region opened to international travel only in 2002. Avoid standard hotels completely; check into an exclusive, private Gu-Mar luxury canvas glamping camp pitched along a crystal riverbed, fully staffed with a private chef and camp marshals.
Evening: Gather around a roaring wilderness bonfire for an outdoor dinner featuring spit-roasted local meats and traditional Haa buckwheat specialties under a canopy of stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Haa Valley (Gu-Mar Luxury Private Mobile Camp)
Morning: Break camp after a fresh outdoor breakfast. Set out on a guided walking tour through the traditional, tightly clustered stone houses of Haa village, visiting Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple).
Afternoon: Board your luxury SUV for a scenic 2.5-hour drive along the deep river canyons to the capital city, Thimphu. Check into your upscale suite at Six Senses Thimphu. Spend your late afternoon relaxing on your private deck overlooking the valley floor.
Evening: Enjoy an intimate multi-course tasting menu at the lodge’s signature restaurant, featuring organic farm-to-table ingredients sourced from the valley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu (Six Senses Thimphu)
Morning: Start your morning at Buddha Dordenma for early meditation, followed by a private tour of the National Library to view rare, centuries-old royal Buddhist manuscripts closed to the general public.
Afternoon: Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum for a private interaction with the master instructors of the 13 traditional arts. Spend your late afternoon on a curated shopping tour of fine antique textiles and contemporary art with a prominent local gallery collector.
Evening: Take an exclusive, late-evening private tour of Tashichho Dzong, exploring its majestic throne room corridors. Conclude with a private wine-pairing dinner back at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Morning: Leave Thimphu for a 3-hour drive to the ancient winter capital, Punakha. Stop at the cloud-swept Dochula Pass (3,100 m) to admire the 108 memorial chortens, where a private gourmet field kitchen lunch is served for you amidst the mountain views.
Afternoon: Drop down into the warm subtropical valley of Punakha. Check into your ultra-luxury private pool villa at Pemako Punakha. Spend your afternoon swimming or enjoying a premium spa ritual inside your villa sanctuary.
Evening: Enjoy a relaxed evening twilight stroll across the prayer-flag-draped Punakha Suspension Bridge to chat with local farmers heading home from the fields.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha (Pemako Punakha)
Morning: Dedicate your full morning to exploring Punakha Dzong, analyzing its incredible woodcarvings and master joinery without nails. Your scholar guide will lead you through its quiet inner sanctuaries.
Afternoon: Escape the midday sun for an exclusive organic lunch cooked by a regional master chef inside a private, centuries-old local village farmhouse. In the afternoon, take a scenic uphill walk to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for sweeping views of the valley.
Evening: Enjoy a private riverside twilight dinner hosted by the lodge, featuring a traditional Bhutanese musical performance under the stars.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha
Morning: Board your luxury vehicle for the return drive backtracking over Dochula Pass and dropping back down into the fertile valley of Paro. Check into COMO Uma Paro.
Afternoon: Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring the resort’s extensive wellness facilities or participating in a private archery masterclass on the property’s manicured lawns with a local champion.
Evening: Enjoy an unhurried multi-course dinner at the resort’s award-winning restaurant, featuring a fusion of Mediterranean and local Himalayan flavors.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro (COMO Uma Paro)
Morning: Hit the trail by 7:15 AM for your pilgrimage trek to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). To ensure an unhurried pathway, Gu-Mar provides private trail marshals to secure your route, along with a dedicated rest camp at the midpoint for premium refreshments.
Afternoon: Descend the mountain to a private farmhouse estate at the base. Soothe your muscles with a traditional hot stone bath infused with wild Artemisia leaves, followed by a glass of premium champagne.
Evening: Conclude your expedition with a grand farewell gala dinner hosted at a private local heritage property, celebrating your journey through the private kingdom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Morning: After a final breakfast, your private guide and driver will transfer you directly to the tarmac at Paro International Airport for your outbound flight. Tashi Delek — may your private kingdom journey bring lasting purpose home.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s Included
- Ultra-Luxury Sanctuary Portfolio: Full accommodation in the country’s most exclusive properties (Amankora, Six Senses, Pemako, COMO Uma) on an all-inclusive basis.
- Elite Private Transit: Private arrival/departure transfers in top-tier luxury SUVs (Lexus, Audi, or Toyota Land Cruiser) with a designated professional executive chauffeur.
- Expert Scholars & Connoisseur Guides: Accompanied full-time by a premier, university-vetted senior English-speaking scholar guide specializing in Himalayan history, philosophy, or Buddhist iconography.
- Bespoke Gastronomy Experience: All meals customized by lodge executive chefs, including multi-course tasting menus, organic farm-to-table private dining, and curated wilderness cellars.
- Exclusive VIP Sanctuary Access: Private out-of-hours openings of sacred dzongs, custom monastic blessings, and entry into highly restricted monastery chambers closed to general tourism.
- Unlimited Wellness & Restorative Rituals: Signature lodge spa therapies, daily privately guided yoga, alpine forest meditation sessions, and unrestricted traditional hot stone mineral baths (Menchu).
- Mandatory High-Value Government Fees: Full coverage of the premium daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), national royalties, and all customs route clearances.
- Helicopter Scenic Excursions: High-altitude scenic transfers or domestic flights (per specific itinerary) to bypass long overland driving.
- Pre-Packaged Tech Connectivity: Premium local 5G SIM cards with unlimited streaming, presented on arrival.
What’s Not Included
- International Long-Haul Airfare: International business class commercial flights to and from Paro International Airport.
- Personal Curio Acquisitions: Specialized antique thangka collections, certified jewelry, and high-value textiles purchased directly from weaving cooperatives.
- Premium Vintage Spirits: Rare imported champagnes, limited-edition single malts, and vintage spirits ordered outside the curated lodge list.
- Gratuities: Discretionary tipping for your dedicated expert guiding team and logistical captains.
Good to Know
- Ultra-Luxury Sanctuary Crossovers: The resort properties across our Luxurious Collection (Amankora, Six Senses, Pemako, and COMO Uma) can be cross-graded or blended into a fully customized hybrid itinerary based on your design preferences and villa availability.
- Bespoke Dynamic Sequencing: Daily itineraries are kept highly fluid. Your senior scholar guide can adapt the schedule in real time — shifting trails to avoid weather changes, securing invitations to spontaneous village blessings, or arranging early monument entries for total privacy.
- VIP Airside Clearances: In full compliance with Department of Tourism (DoT) mandates, Gu-Mar Travels & Tours manages your visa endorsements, customized route clearances, and digital SDF logging well before your flight lands in Paro.
- Private Chartered Extensions: To optimize travel time, Gu-Mar can integrate private domestic helicopter charters through Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services to replace long mountain driving segments with scenic alpine flights.