Cultural Tour

Most tours show you Bhutan’s sights. This tour connects you with its soul. Through exclusive access and hands-on experiences, you’ll not only witness Bhutanese culture—you’ll participate in it.

• Meet Master Artisans Face-to-Face: Step inside a rare 17th-century building at the Choki Traditional Arts School (CTAS) for a behind-the-scenes encounter with master weavers, woodcarvers, sculptors, and thangka painters. Under the guidance of senior students, try your own hand at traditional painting in a hands-on workshop—and take your creation home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

• Receive Blessings and Discover Your Destiny: At Pangri Zampa, Bhutan’s astrology college, consult with monks to receive your personal birth chart—a practice deeply woven into Bhutanese life. Light a butter lamp before a sacred statue of Guru Rinpoche, symbolizing peace and enlightenment, in a ritual that has been performed for centuries.

• Walk with the Divine Madman: Stroll through Punakha’s emerald-green rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the renowned “fertility temple” dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the 14th-century “Divine Madman.” Along the way, your guide will share the fascinating stories behind the phallus symbols painted on village walls—symbols of protection and blessing that still adorn homes today.

• Experience a Sacred Festival (Seasonal): If your travels align with Bhutan’s lunar calendar, witness the spectacular Paro Tshechu or Gangtey Tshechu—vibrant festivals where monks in elaborate masks perform sacred Cham dances, and a massive Thongdrel (religious scroll) is unveiled at dawn to bless all who behold it.

• Dine with Locals, Not Just at Restaurants: Share meals with Bhutanese families in traditional farmhouses, savoring home-cooked Ema Datshi (chili cheese) and Momo (Dumplings) while hearing stories of village life passed down through generations.