Nestled between China and India lies Bhutan, an extraordinary kingdom.

If you’re drawn to mindful travel or curious about low-impact ways to explore the world, this is a place that gently shifts your perspective. With its deep-rooted reverence for the environment, a national philosophy that prioritizes Gross National Happiness over GDP, and the distinction of being the world’s first carbon-negative country, Bhutan offers more than scenic beauty; it offers a fresh perspective.

Thimphu, the capital, is a thoughtful introduction to Bhutanese life. Here, ancient monasteries and cultural landmarks coexist with a city that moves to its own unhurried rhythm, grounded in tradition and guided by intention. It’s a place to pause, learn, and reconnect.

Between explorations, check out our #RadarList of must-stay hotels in Thimphu. Each one is a serene retreat that blends comfort with calm and offers a perfect reset after a day of discovery.

– Featured image credit: Amankora – 

Six Senses Bhutan

Six Senses Bhutan welcomes travellers to discover the kingdom’s breathtaking diversity through a series of lodges spread across five famous valleys of Bhutan — Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Gangtey, and Bumthang. Each location is thoughtfully chosen to reflect the unique spirit of its surrounding valley, offering not just a change in landscape but a deeper connection to Bhutan’s rich cultural rhythms.

In Thimphu, the lodges embody the Bhutanese ideals of simplicity and harmony, wonderfully expressed through its architecture and interiors. Their lodge suites and villas framed by floor-to-ceiling windows reveal panoramic views of the Thimphu Valley like nature’s own cinema, endlessly serene and ever-changing.

Amankora

Simplicity and sophistication meet in quiet harmony at Amankora. Tracing a graceful route through Bhutan’s central and western valleys (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang), this collection of lodges offers more than a place to stay; it’s a gentle invitation to reconnect with nature and self.

Each lodge is thoughtfully designed to reflect the beauty of its unique location. In Thimphu, 16 suites are situated within a forest of swaying pines where traditional Dzong architecture fuses with understated contemporary elegance. It’s a retreat that feels both grounded and refined, a pause from the world yet deeply connected to the land and its people.

The Postcard Dewa Thimphu

Cradled in the forest just outside Thimphu, The Postcard Dewa feels like a well-kept secret. With only 15 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, it offers a rare kind of stillness where the air is crisp, the views sweep across the Khasadrapchu Valley and Wang Chhu River, and time seems to move more gently.

Here’s a place made for long pauses, unhurried mornings, and quiet evenings that invite you to savour the moment and simply be. 

Lemon Tree Resort, Thimphu, Bhutan 

Set against the backdrop of Thimphu’s rolling greenery, Lemon Tree Resort is a serene sanctuary where every detail is designed for ease.

Earth-toned interiors bring the outside in while comforting meals and cozy seating areas offer space to reconnect with yourself, your companions, or the view.