11-Day Luxury Six Senses Bhutan Journey
From the Palace in the Sky to Stone Ruins
Experience Bhutan through its most exceptional valleys, staying exclusively at the five distinctive Six Senses lodges. From the sophisticated mountain setting of Thimphu to the warm subtropical valley of Punakha, the glacial landscape of Phobjikha, the spiritual heartland of Bumthang and the dramatic Paro Valley, this journey combines Bhutanese culture, nature, spirituality and exceptional hospitality.
The journey is designed around slow travel, privacy and meaningful experiences, allowing time to enjoy both the destination and the Six Senses properties themselves.
The Six Senses Experience
This journey is designed to make the five Six Senses lodges part of the destination itself, rather than simply using them as places to sleep.
- Six Senses Thimphu – Palace in the Sky: mountain views, wellness and an elegant introduction to Bhutan.
- Six Senses Punakha – Flying Farmhouse: rice fields, warmer climate and access to Punakha’s cultural treasures.
- Six Senses Gangtey – Birdwatching Bridge: open landscapes, forests and the serene Phobjikha Valley.
- Six Senses Bumthang – Forest Within a Forest: spirituality, ancient temples and Bhutan’s cultural heartland.
- Six Senses Paro – Stone Ruins: dramatic Himalayan scenery and the perfect base for Tiger’s Nest.
Six Senses describes these five properties as distinct lodges reflecting different aspects of Bhutanese culture, landscape and lifestyle, while its own journeys emphasize private guiding, wellness, meaningful encounters and flexibility.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive in Paro – Thimphu
Six Senses Thimphu – “Palace in the Sky”
Your Bhutanese journey begins with your arrival at Paro International Airport, where your private guide and driver will warmly welcome you.
After completing immigration formalities, drive approximately one hour through the beautiful Paro and Wang Chhu valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.
Upon arrival, check into Six Senses Thimphu, beautifully positioned on a hillside above the capital amid pine forests and apple orchards.
Take the afternoon at your own pace. Depending on your arrival time and energy levels, you may simply enjoy the lodge, relax at the spa or take a gentle introduction to Thimphu with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, where local residents gather throughout the day to pray and circumambulate the stupa.
Walk through Bhutan’s capital city exploring Clock Tower Square, a prominent landmark adorned with intricate Bhutanese motifs and stroll towards Thimphu’s iconic traffic junction, famously known as the main traffic circle as it has no traffic lights. Instead, you’ll witness a white-gloved traffic officer gracefully directing vehicles in a choreographed style that has become a tourist attraction in its own right. The Centenary Farmers Market (Now Kaja Throm) is a vibrant and dynamic space, offering a diverse range of products and experiences.
In the evening, enjoy your first Bhutanese-inspired dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Six Senses Thimphu
Meals: Dinner
Day 02: Discover Thimphu
Culture, Spirituality & the Bhutanese Way of Life
After a relaxed breakfast, explore the cultural heart of Bhutan’s capital.
Begin with the monumental Buddha Dordenma followed by the Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu Valley.
Continue to Choki Traditional Art School in Thimphu (30 minutes north), Bhutan, is a remarkable institution dedicated to preserving Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts.
Depending on your interests, the afternoon can be tailored around Royal Takin Preserve also known as the Mini Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin – Bhutan’s national animal. Handmade Paper Factory is reputedly the best place that manufactures traditional paper. You can buy this unique paper here which will make for interesting souvenir gifts.
Return to Six Senses Thimphu in the late afternoon.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the lodge, perhaps with a spa treatment, meditation session or quiet time overlooking the valley.
Overnight: Six Senses Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha
Across Dochula Pass to the Fertile Punakha Valley
After breakfast, begin your scenic journey to Punakha.
The road climbs gradually through forests of pine, fir and rhododendron to Dochula Pass, at approximately 3,100 metres. On a clear day, the pass offers spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks.
Continue downhill through changing vegetation and warmer landscapes before reaching the Punakha Valley.
Depending on time and weather, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the temple associated with Bhutan’s famous Divine Madman, or continue directly to your lodge.
Arrive at Six Senses Punakha – “Flying Farmhouse”, set among rice fields and tropical vegetation.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge and enjoying its tranquil setting.
Overnight: Six Senses Punakha
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 04: Punakha
Sacred Valleys & the Punakha Dzong
Today is dedicated to one of Bhutan’s most beautiful valleys.
After breakfast, take a gentle hike through rice fields and traditional villages to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The walk offers wonderful views over the Punakha Valley and provides an opportunity to experience rural Bhutan away from the main tourist routes.
Continue to the magnificent Punakha Dzong, dramatically located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers.
Explore the courtyards, temples and intricate Bhutanese architecture before crossing the traditional suspension bridge.
Return to Six Senses Punakha for a leisurely afternoon.
For a special evening, arrange a private Bhutanese dining experience or simply enjoy the serenity of the lodge.
Overnight: Six Senses Punakha
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 05: Punakha – Phobjikha Valley
From the Rice Fields to the Himalayan Highlands
After breakfast, depart Punakha and travel towards the highlands of Phobjikha Valley.
The landscape gradually changes as the road climbs through forests and mountain passes before descending into the broad, open Phobjikha Valley.
Check into Six Senses Gangtey – “Birdwatching Bridge”, beautifully positioned overlooking the valley.
After lunch, enjoy a gentle introduction to the valley. Walk through the surrounding countryside, visit Gangtey Monastery and learn about the area’s unique spiritual and environmental heritage.
If travelling during the crane season, the valley becomes particularly special as the rare black-necked cranes return from Tibet for the winter.
Return to the lodge for a peaceful evening surrounded by mountains and forest.
Overnight: Six Senses Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 06: Phobjikha Valley
Nature, Villages & Slow Mountain Living
Today is deliberately kept flexible so you can experience Phobjikha at an unhurried pace.
After breakfast, take the Gangtey Nature Trail, an easy and scenic walk through pine forests, meadows and traditional countryside.
Continue through local villages and farmland, with opportunities to meet local people and observe the traditional way of life.
Alternatively, enjoy a more active experience such as mountain biking or a longer countryside walk.
Return to Six Senses Gangtey for lunch and an afternoon of complete relaxation.
You may choose to enjoy a wellness treatment, meditation or simply sit overlooking the valley with a cup of Bhutanese tea.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Six Senses Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 07: Phobjikha – Bumthang
Into Bhutan’s Spiritual Heartland
Today is one of the most scenic overland journeys of the trip.
After breakfast, leave Phobjikha and travel eastwards through remote mountain landscapes, traditional villages and deep river valleys towards Bumthang, regarded as Bhutan’s spiritual heartland.
The journey is an experience in itself, with changing landscapes revealing a quieter and more rural side of Bhutan.
Arrive at Six Senses Bumthang – “Forest Within a Forest” and settle into the lodge.
Depending on your arrival time, take a gentle walk around the property or simply relax by the fireplace and enjoy the peaceful forest setting.
Overnight: Six Senses Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 08: Explore Bumthang
Monasteries, Legends & Ancient Bhutan
Spend the day exploring the sacred valleys of Bumthang.
Visit Jakar Dzong, dramatically positioned above the valley, followed by some of Bumthang’s most important temples and monasteries, including Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang.
Continue to Tamshing Lhakhang, an important Nyingma Buddhist temple with remarkable ancient murals.
For a more personal experience, visit a traditional farmhouse and meet a local family. Depending on your interests, this can include tasting local Bhutanese dishes, enjoying traditional tea or experiencing the preparation of suja, Bhutanese butter tea.
Return to Six Senses Bumthang in the afternoon.
The evening is yours to enjoy the lodge and its wellness facilities.
Overnight: Six Senses Bumthang
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 09: Bumthang – Paro by Domestic Flight
From Bhutan’s Spiritual Heartland to Paro
After breakfast, transfer to Bathpalathang Airport for your domestic flight to Paro.
The flight provides a spectacular aerial perspective of Bhutan’s mountains and valleys and saves many hours of overland travel.
Upon arrival in Paro, your guide will meet you and continue the journey through the Paro Valley.
Visit Rinpung Dzong, one of Bhutan’s finest examples of traditional architecture, and walk across the historic Nyamai Zampa bridge.
Continue to Six Senses Paro – “Stone Ruins”, dramatically situated among the remains of a 15th-century fortress.
Settle into your villa and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
This evening is intentionally unhurried. Enjoy the lodge, a private wellness treatment or a special dinner overlooking the Paro Valley.
Overnight: Six Senses Paro
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 10: Paro Taktsang
The Spiritual Journey to Tiger’s Nest
Today brings the defining experience of your Bhutan journey: Taktsang Monastery, better known as Tiger’s Nest.
After an early breakfast, drive to the trailhead and begin the hike through pine forest decorated with prayer flags.
The climb takes you through beautiful mountain scenery towards the famous monastery, dramatically perched on a cliff face above the Paro Valley.
Take time to explore the temples and understand the spiritual significance of the site.
For those who prefer a gentler experience, a pony can be arranged for part of the ascent, subject to local availability and conditions.
After descending, return to Six Senses Paro for a well-earned lunch and an afternoon of relaxation.
In the evening, celebrate your final night in Bhutan with a memorable private dining experience. Depending on your preferences, this could include a traditional Bhutanese dinner, a private candlelit meal or an intimate dinner beneath the stars.
Overnight: Six Senses Paro
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 11: Departure
Farewell to Bhutan
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Six Senses Paro.
Depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity for a final stroll through Paro town or some last-minute shopping for Bhutanese handicrafts.
Your private vehicle will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward flight.
Your journey through Bhutan’s five valleys comes to an end, leaving you with memories of ancient monasteries, Himalayan landscapes, warm encounters and the distinctive sense of calm that defines Bhutan.
Meals: Breakfast