Bhutan Small Group Tours
Have you ever wanted to climb up to Tiger's Nest Monastery or learn old family recipes in someone's actual Bhutanese farmhouse? Visit Paro, Thimphu ,and Punakha Valley, check out the National Textile Museum, visit the Institute of Zorig Chusum, walk through Phobjikha Valley, and maybe try your hand at traditional archery near Kyichu Lhakhang. Bhutan delivers.
10 best Bhutan small group tours
Compiled by

MelissaBhutan travel expert at TourRadar
- 9 Days Holy Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12)
- 8 Days Best of Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12)
- Best of Bhutan
- 6-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro Discovery
- Golden Triangle Of Bhutan - A Private Tour
- Bhutan Heritage Tour : A Journey Through Timeless Traditions
- Bhutan Discovered
- Bhutan: Best 5 Days Bhutan Tour of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
- 11 Days Panoramic Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12)
- 6 Days Classic Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12)
Groups stay small with 6-8 travelers on average and max out at 12 people, so you'll get more personal attention throughout the trip. At Tiger's Nest Monastery (3,120m), your guide can adjust the 5-hour hike pace based on how everyone's doing, which really helps when you're hiking at that altitude. The smaller group makes it easier to have real conversations during traditional hot stone bath experiences and when visiting Punakha Dzong. You'll get exclusive access to observe the 120 nuns at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery without feeling rushed. At the Information Centre in Phobjikha Valley, there's more time to watch endangered Black-necked Cranes through telescopes since there are fewer people in your group. The intimate setup creates better opportunities to connect with Bhutan's Buddhist heritage and learn about the Himalayan landscapes from your guide.
Duration 9 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey Gonpa Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $3,339
5% Off- US$3,172You save $167
This small group tour caps at just 12 travelers, so you'll have a more intimate time visiting sacred sites like Tiger's Nest Monastery perched at 3,120m and Punakha Dzong where the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers meet. The smaller size means personalized attention from your guide during the 5-hour hike.
Duration 8 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey Gonpa Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $3,026
5% Off- US$2,875You save $151
This private tour takes 1-12 travelers, so you'll get personalized attention from your dedicated English-speaking guide throughout Bhutan's cultural treasures. Small group sizes mean flexible pacing at sites like Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery and the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, where you'll see traditional Deh-sho papermaking firsthand. Travel in your private air-conditioned vehicle - ranging from a Hyundai Creta for couples to a Toyota Coaster for larger groups - with plenty of time to photograph prayer flags at Dochula Pass and check out Paro's local market at your own rhythm.
Duration 8 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator GeTS Holidays From $9,044
70% Off- US$2,713You save $6,331
6-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro Discovery
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Bhutan itself is a wonderful country and I hope to return in the distant future.”
With groups limited to 10 people (min 1), you'll get personal attention from your guide and driver. Small groups have plenty of time for photos at Punakha Dzong where the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers meet. Private departures let you set your own pace at Buddha Point and Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.
Duration 6 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator K K Holidays N Vacations From
70% Off- US$3,500
Golden Triangle Of Bhutan - A Private Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was an amazing trip. The food was healthy and delicious.”
Brayden, traveled in April
Groups of 2-4 travelers tour Bhutan with an English-speaking guide in private vehicles like Swift Dzire or Innova Crysta. The setting is ideal for photographing Taktsang Monastery and visiting Punakha Dzong without crowds. Larger groups of 5-8 travel in spacious Tempo Travellers through Dochula Pass.
Duration 7 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Italian, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator MTA Destination Management Company From $3,425
25% Off- US$2,569You save $856
Bhutan Heritage Tour : A Journey Through Timeless Traditions
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was wonderfully planned in terms of schedule, with activities that were well organized.”
Paull, traveled in September
Limited to 2-10 travelers, this tour provides intimate access to Bhutan's sacred sites like Tashichho Dzong and Tiger's Nest Monastery. Comfortable air-conditioned vehicles - cars for 1-2 people or mini-vans for larger groups - transport you across 8 cities including Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
Duration 11 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha Valley, Trongsa, Bumthang, Taktsang Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Dutch, Russian Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Passage Holidays From
25% Off- US$3,450
Bhutan Discovered
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Intrepid offer a high quality package and they deliver exactly what you pay for.”
Jennie, traveled in January
With just 12 travelers max, you'll get personal attention from your local guide while checking out Punakha Dzong and the Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory. Small groups mean better cultural immersion during the home-cooked farmhouse dinner in Paro Valley and more flexibility when tracking down monastery caretakers.
Duration 7 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,020
20% Off- US$3,216You save $804
Bhutan: Best 5 Days Bhutan Tour of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Things worked good.”
Jakob, traveled in December
Selected groups of 8-12 travelers visit Bhutan's cultural gems. The intimate size allows exclusive access to Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu and personalized interaction with monks at Punakha Dzong. Visitors share authentic moments like traditional butter tea with locals in Paro Valley.
Duration 5 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Dochula, Punakha Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Luxury Holidays Nepal Pvt. Ltd From
20% Off- US$725
Duration 11 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey Gonpa, Bumthang Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $3,977
5% Off- US$3,778You save $199
Travel with a small group of up to 12 people, which makes it easy to connect with others while you visit sacred spots like Tiger's Nest Monastery perched at 3,120m and the massive 51.5-meter Buddha Dordenma Statue in Thimphu. The intimate size means your guide can give you more personal attention during the 5-hour hike.
Duration 6 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $2,097
5% Off- US$1,992You save $105
Reviews of Small Group tours to Bhutan
- 6-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro Discovery
Had a great time on this tour . Truly recommended if you are a explorer . Driver was informative and did a very good job. Very pleasant, tour was lovely.
- Bhutan Heritage Tour : A Journey Through Timeless Traditions
This trip was amazing as was our guide, Wangdi. His knowledge of the history of the dzongs and temples was incredible. He was wonderful about sharing the tenets of Buddhism and about life in Bhutan. The itinerary was fairly comprehensive. The days were full but not overwhelming. The landscape was beautiful. The only downside was that some of the hotel rooms were quite cold, especially in the bathrooms. I would definitely recommend this tour, especially in December, the off season.
- Bhutan Discovered
I had a really fabulous time with a great group of like minded travellers. The itinerary was packed and it would have been nice if the tour could have been a few days longer and not quite so intensive.
What our customers ask about Bhutan Small Group Tours
What is the ideal group size for experiencing Bhutan's cultural sites?
Small groups of 8-12 travelers provide the best balance for exploring Bhutan's cultural sites. Tour operators like Adventure Himalayan Travels and G Adventures have found this size allows easy access to sacred spaces such as Punakha Dzong and Tiger's Nest Monastery. Recent TourRadar reviews emphasize that guides can give more personal attention to smaller groups ensuring deeper cultural understanding. These groups fit comfortably in selected accommodations like Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro or Hotel Dewachen in Phobjikha Valley.
What is the typical cost difference between small and large group tours in Bhutan?
Expect to pay between 300-500 USD daily for small group tours while larger group tours cost 200-300 USD per day. The higher price includes benefits like stays at boutique hotels such as Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro dedicated guide attention and exclusive monastery visits at Taktsang and Punakha Dzong. A recent TourRadar review noted: "the extra cost was worth it for the personalized attention and flexibility we received."
What is the average duration of small group tours in Bhutan?
Small group tours typically run 7-12 days balancing comprehensive coverage with group dynamics. A TourRadar traveler shared: "our 10-day tour was perfect - long enough to see the main sites like Punakha Dzong and Tiger's Nest but short enough to maintain the group's energy." Tours usually cover key destinations including Paro Thimphu and Punakha with time divided between cultural monuments and natural landscapes.
What type of accommodation can I expect on a small group tour in Bhutan?
Accommodations range from 3-star hotels to traditional guesthouses and local homestays. In Punakha you might find yourself at Meri Puensum Resort or the family-run Aum Leki Wangmo Homestay. Paro offers options like Tashi Namgay Resort or Khangkhu Resort. Each property is selected to offer comfort while maintaining authentic Bhutanese character.
What is the best time to book a small group tour to Bhutan?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer the most reliable weather for activities like hiking to Tiger's Nest and attending festivals. Booking data shows these months are busiest especially for visits to Paro and Punakha Valley when clear skies and mild temperatures create ideal conditions for outdoor exploration.
What makes small group tours better for cultural immersion in Bhutan?
Small groups can access intimate settings that larger tours cannot such as family farmhouses in Paro traditional cooking classes and one-on-one conversations with monastery residents. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Our small group size made it possible to visit family homes participate in local festivals and have genuine conversations with Bhutanese people something that would have been impossible with a large group."
























