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
- 5 Days Essential Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12) | Western Bhutan Package Adventure
- 8 Days Best of Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12)
- Best of Bhutan
- Explore the Hidden Kingdom 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: Best 5 Days Bhutan Tour of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
- Bhutan Discovered
- 11 Days Panoramic Bhutan Small Group Tour (Max 12)
This tour keeps things small with just 12 travelers max, which means your English-speaking guide can give everyone personalized attention throughout Bhutan's mountain valleys. With fewer people, the 5-6 hour Tiger's Nest Monastery hike to 3,120m moves at a flexible pace - you'll have extra time for photography at viewpoints and genuine conversations with local pilgrims doing full-body prostrations along the trail. The compact size opens up exclusive visits like traditional hot stone baths in Paro and spontaneous stops at Thimphu's Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, where you'll share authentic Bhutanese meals around communal tables instead of dealing with crowded tourist spots.
Duration 5 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,699
5% Off- US$1,614You save $85
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.”
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 $3,500
50% Off- US$1,750You save $1,750
Golden Triangle Of Bhutan - A Private Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had an amazing experience throughout the tour, Everything about the tour was perfect.”
SanskritiAgarwal, traveled in December
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 landscape was beautiful. The days were full but not overwhelming.”
Sharon, traveled in December
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 $3,450
50% Off- US$1,725You save $1,725
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
50% Off- US$725
Bhutan Discovered
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was an excellent trip, well led, informative and VERY enjoyable. Not a swimming pool or a cocktail bar in sight.”
With a maximum of 12 travelers, this small group tour creates meaningful connections as you hike together to Taktsang monastery at 900 meters above Paro Valley and share home-cooked meals at a farmhouse in the valley. The compact group size allows for personalized archery lessons at Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum and deeper engagement with artisans at the Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory in Thimphu. Small group dynamics ensure flexible pacing during the 1.5-hour trek to Khamsum Yulley Monastery and easier access to monastery caretakers who hold keys to sites like Chimi Lhakhang.
Duration 7 days Destinations Paro, Thimphu, Punakha Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From $4,205
15% Off- US$3,574You save $631
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
Reviews of Small Group tours to Bhutan
- Explore the Hidden Kingdom of Bhutan
An excellent tour program, well-organized schedule, knowledgeable guide, professional driver, warm services, open me up to a beautiful and peaceful country.
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 Heritage Tour : A Journey Through Timeless Traditions
- 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."