Trip Overview
Experience the emerging Gelephu Mindfulness City through a unique journey blending mindfulness, spirituality, wildlife, culture and Bhutanese traditions. Discover Gelephu’s future city vision, participate in meditation, monastery experiences, regional cooking and tree plantation, and explore the wilderness of Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary. Continue to Thimphu and Paro for Bhutanese cultural landmarks, mandala creation, traditional dress, Dochula Pass and the iconic Tiger’s Nest, complemented by a rejuvenating hot-stone bath.
Highlights
- Gelephu Mindfulness City – Discover Bhutan’s emerging city and future vision.
- Mindfulness & Meditation – Enjoy meditation, reflection and spiritual experiences.
- Monastic Life – Serve tea with monks and attend evening prayers.
- Butter Lamp Experience – Join a traditional temple butter lamp ceremony.
- 108 Stupas – Visit the remarkable stupas built in a single day.
- Bhutanese Cuisine – Cook and taste dishes from three Bhutanese regions.
- Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary – Explore southern Bhutan with a picnic in nature.
- Thimphu & Paro – Visit key cultural landmarks and Dochula Pass.
- Bhutanese Traditions – Create a sand mandala and enjoy Gho and Kira photos.
- Tiger’s Nest & Wellness – Hike to Taktsang and enjoy a hot-stone bath.
Trip at a Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Gelephu, enjoy meditation, monastery tea, butter lamps and evening prayers.
Day 2: Explore Mindfulness City, visit 108 Stupas, plant trees and enjoy regional cooking.
Day 3: Explore Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary with a picnic lunch and return to Gelephu.
Day 4: Fly to Paro, transfer to Thimphu and visit Buddha Dordenma, Painting School and Tashichho Dzong.
Day 5: Travel to Paro via Dochula, create a sand mandala and enjoy traditional dress photos.
Day 6: Hike to Tiger’s Nest and relax with a traditional hot-stone bath.
Day 7: Transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL KOLKATA – GELEPHU
Arrive in Gelephu from Kolkata and begin your journey into Bhutan’s emerging Mindfulness City. Settle into your hotel and take time to relax after your journey.
Later enjoy a gentle introduction to the city and its surroundings, followed by a peaceful meditation session designed to begin your Bhutan experience with mindfulness and tranquillity. Experience a unique glimpse into monastic life by visiting a monastery, where you can join the monks for traditional tea serving and spend quiet time observing their daily routine. Experience butter lamp lighting in the temple while your guide explains you about the significance, followed by time for quiet reflection. As evening approaches, experience the spiritual rhythm of Bhutan by attending evening prayers at a monastery. Overnight: Gelephu
DAY 2: GELEPHU – MINDFULNESS CITY & WILDERNESS
After breakfast, explore the remarkable transformation taking place around Gelephu Mindfulness City. Take a guided stroll through the emerging city area to observe ongoing infrastructure and development works and gain insight into the vision for Bhutan’s future city. Continue to the 108 Stupas, a remarkable spiritual landmark built in a single day, and learn about the devotion and community effort behind their creation. Participate in a tree plantation experience, contributing to Bhutan’s strong tradition of environmental conservation. Later, immerse yourself in Bhutanese culinary traditions with a cooking and tasting experience, bringing together flavours from Bhutan’s Eastern, Southern and Central regions. Learn about traditional ingredients, cooking techniques and regional dishes while enjoying a memorable tasting experience. Overnight: Gelephu
DAY 3: PHIBSOO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Set out early for a full-day excursion into the wild landscapes of Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Bhutan’s important protected areas. Travel through forests and natural habitats while discovering the rich biodiversity of southern Bhutan. Enjoy a refreshing outdoor picnic lunch amidst nature, surrounded by the peaceful wilderness. In the evening, return to Gelephu after an adventurous wildlife expedition through Phibsoo, carrying with you memorable encounters with Bhutan’s southern wilderness. Overnight: Gelephu
DAY 4: GELEPHU TO PARO – THIMPHU
Today, take a domestic flight to Paro. Upon arrival, continue by private vehicle to Thimphu. Visit the impressive Buddha Dordenma Statue, followed by the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School) to discover Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts. Continue to Tashichho Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most important fortresses and religious centres, before settling into your hotel. Overnight: Thimphu
DAY 5: THIMPHU – PARO
Depart Thimphu for Paro, stopping at the spectacular Dochula Pass along the way. Take in the Himalayan scenery and visit the 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens before continuing your journey west. Upon arrival in Paro, discover Bhutanese Buddhist artistry through a hands-on coloured sand Mandala Creation Experience. Later, dress in traditional Bhutanese Gho and Kira for a memorable cultural photo session. Spend the evening relaxing at your luxury accommodation and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of Paro Valley. Overnight: Paro
DAY 6: TIGER’S NEST – SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Today is dedicated to Bhutan’s most iconic landmark, Tiger’s Nest Monastery. After breakfast, begin the full-day hike through fragrant pine forests and mountain trails to Taktsang Monastery, dramatically perched on the cliffs above Paro Valley. Take time to explore this sacred site and learn about its deep spiritual significance. Return to the valley in the afternoon and unwind with a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath at a local farmhouse. Surrounded by the peaceful countryside, this restorative experience offers the perfect way to relax after the hike. Overnight: Paro
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, your private transfer will take you to Paro International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your journey through Gelephu Mindfulness City and the cultural heartlands of Bhutan to a graceful close.
Package Inclusions
- Airport transfers and standard transportation throughout the tour.
- Accommodation in comfortable 3-star hotels.
- All meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Bottled drinking water during sightseeing and transfers.
- An experienced English-speaking guide throughout the journey.
- Bhutan visa and visa processing fees.
- Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and applicable government taxes.
- Sightseeing and entrance fees for monuments and attractions mentioned in the itinerary.
- Short hikes and packed lunches where required.
Package Exclusions
- International and domestic airfares.
- Accommodation upgrades to 4-star or 5-star hotels.
- Vehicle upgrades.
- Travel insurance.
- Beverages and bottled water consumed at hotels or outside the included meals.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and other service providers. These are entirely at the guest’s discretion and may be given based on the quality of service received.
- Personal expenses and any services not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions.
- Bank/wire transfer fees and credit card transaction or processing fees.
- Anything that not mentioned in the inclusions
Cancellation Policy
To confirm your Bhutan tour booking with Rustic Frontiers, a minimum of 50% of the total tour cost must be paid upon confirmation and prior to your arrival in Bhutan.
In the event of cancellation, refunds will be processed after deducting the applicable cancellation charges outlined below. Bhutan Airlines, Drukair and luxury hotels may have separate reservation, cancellation and refund policies, which will apply in addition to the tour cancellation policy. Any bank or wire transfer charges associated with a refund will be deducted from the refundable amount.
Cancellation Charges
| Cancellation Notice | Cancellation Charges |
| More than 60 days before arrival | No cancellation fee on the land cost. Airline and hotel cancellation charges, where applicable, will be deducted according to their respective policies. |
| 45–60 days before arrival | 25% of the total tour cost will be deducted. |
| 30–44 days before arrival | 50% of the total tour cost will be deducted. |
| 14–29 days before arrival | 75% of the total tour cost will be deducted. |
| Within 7 days of arrival or No-Show | 100% of the total tour cost will be deducted. |
Important: All cancellation requests must be submitted to Rustic Frontiers in writing by email and are subject to confirmation and approval by Rustic Frontiers. The applicable cancellation period will be determined by the date the cancellation request is received and approved.
Airline tickets, luxury hotel reservations and other services with separate cancellation policies will be subject to the respective supplier’s terms and conditions.
