I SO loved and long for our time in Bhutan. It will be with me forever! All I can say is thanks beyond belief for the best experience of my life! Hope to travel with you again soon.
Hiking. Yoga. Meditation. Massage. Giving-Back.
Delicious regional and seasonal, locally sourced, primarily organic cuisine, enjoyed against some of the most breathtaking backdrops this world has to offer. Destination dining lovers don’t forget your cameras! Gluten-free or vegan? We’ve got you covered!
Ultra-chic and sophisticated Himalayan mountain lodges mixing tradition with luxury and comfort. While the beauty of Bhutan is best experienced connecting to the people and the culture, no one can blame you if you want to skip a hike or two to relish in the beauty of our luxurious accommodations!
Because we believe that a well-balanced holiday is not just about receiving but about giving back as well, join us as we support an off-the-beaten path monastery with over 40 orphaned young monks. Visit, receive blessings, and perhaps even sponsor a young monk that is in need. Just by joining us on this Escape you are making a difference in the young monks’ lives as a portion of your payment goes to support the monastery.
Bucket List Escape & Beyond. Prepare to be transported the moment you step off the plane. Bhutan is a place like no other — its prayer flags, monasteries, markets, mountains, and magic will stay with you forever.
Join ESCAPE TO SHAPE on a most magical journey to the enchanting Kingdom of Bhutan. Experience the vibrant colors, the sweet sounds of chanting and nature, and the overwhelming sense of peacefulness that permeates this spectacular region. If you are ready to be transported to a land of highlands and prayer flags, monasteries and markets, mountains and magic, then the ethereal Kingdom of Bhutan is indeed for you!
Our unique, bespoke itinerary combines A LOT of hiking, culture, and relaxation as we journey deep into the Kingdom’s heartland, exploring three distinctly different but important valleys; the bustling capital of Thimphu in a valley dotted with monuments, museums, and markets; the almost tropical Punakha valley with its magnificent Dzongs; and the emerald valley of Paro with its rice paddies and ancient temples. Throughout our adventure we return nightly to the simple luxury and comfort of our beautiful Uma by COMO suites in Paro and Punakha.
This Escape includes a lot of Easy to Moderate hiking, and one Moderate to Hard hike (Tiger’s Nest). The duration of these activities ranges from 4–6 hours. This includes driving time, time to stop and take photos, time for cultural discussions, and for breaks as needed. The hikes, while physical, are also a way to experience the culture and natural beauty of the Kingdom. Proper footwear is required.
Be prepared to spend time in a vehicle as the roads between Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha can be unpredictable. The cars are comfortable, but the driving time is roughly 4 hours.
Passport must be valid for 6 months past the date of entry and have at least ONE blank page.
We strongly recommend purchasing TRAVEL INSURANCE for the entire amount of this Escape (including flights to/from Paro, unless). Please note that travel insurance typically must be purchased within 2 weeks of making your initial deposit in order to obtain a better rate and cover pre-existing conditions.
Paro can be accessed by flights from Bangkok, Delhi & Singapore. Rates are not yet available, but as soon as they are we will let you know and assist you with booking flights. Flights are not included in the Escape rate but government surcharges, royalty fees and tariffs are.
Uma by COMO, Paro and Uma by COMO, Punakha will serve as our intimate accommodations in Bhutan, a landlocked Himalayan Kingdom where religion and nature have come together in a compelling Buddhist culture. Both properties are instilled with the same principles, for Uma means “living house” and both are inspired by the landscape, spirituality and culture of the special region, heavily steeped in the traditions that surround them. They serve as the ideal locations — among pine-clad valleys, lush vegetation, rushing rivers and snow-capped mountains — for those to whom the joy of discovery is reason enough for a journey.
Please note that due to the size of the properties (169 rooms at the Metropolitan Bangkok and 29 rooms at Uma by COMO, Paro), we will not have exclusive use of Metropolitan Bangkok by COMO or Uma by COMO, Paro — rather, we will be sharing them with other discerning travelers. We will have exclusive private use of Uma by COMO, Punakha.
Private Room: $14,000
Shared Room: $11,000
30% non-refundable deposit per person. Please refer to the policies page for our complete cancellation policy.
Please note all activities are optional.
7:00–9:00 am – Breakfast Available At Your Leisure
9:00 am – Zurig Dzong Hike
12:30 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Scenic drive through Dochu-la Pass, enroute to our private villa in Punakha
7:00 pm – Yoga & Meditation
8:00 pm – Dinner
Breakfast
Eggs made to order
Home made muesli with dried fruits & nut milk
Fresh fruits
Yogurt
Fresh juice
Coffee & tea
Lunch
Bucketwheat noodle, chilled cucumber, white daikon with Japanese dressing
Chicken sate with peanut sauce & pickled cucumber
Mid-afternoon Snack – Steamed momo’s (dumplings), Seasonal fruit salad
Dinner
Roasted pumpkin soup
Seared sea bass
Quinoa & roasted cauliflower
Raw coconut with raw chocolate sauce
7:00–9:00 am – Breakfast Available At Your Leisure
9:00 am – Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Hike
1:00 pm – Lunch
2:30 pm – Punakha Dzong Hike & Visit
6:00 pm – Yoga & Meditation
8:00 pm – Dinner
Breakfast
Eggs made to order
Overnight oats with chia & seeds, almond milk & fresh fruit
Fresh fruits
Yogurt
Fresh juice
Coffee & tea
Lunch
Trio of dips & vegetable crudites, flat brad & flat seed crackers
Fish curry with red rice
Chile & cheese (traditional Bhutanese dish)
Grilled pineapple skewers
Mid-afternoon Snack – Banana & almond milk smoothie
Dinner
Rocket, fennel & red radish salad
Grilled shrimp & roasted root vegetables
Mango sorbet
Essentials — all of the things on this list, unless otherwise stated, should be considered mandatory packing:
A bit more useful information in regards to packing:
Layering
Comfortable warm clothing is recommended; a down jacket and even a sweater or fleece or two are suggested for anytime of year. Altitude differences account for a wide range of temperatures from day to night the year round. We suggest that clothing be layered so that you can adapt to the changing conditions.
When entering temples or holy sites, The Department of Cultural Affairs advises that women wear a dress or long pants. Shorts, hats, T-shirts, umbrellas, smoking and alcohol are not allowed when visiting Temples and Monasteries and Sacred sites. CONSIDERING THAT WE WILL OFTEN BE HIKING TO THESE SITES, LONG HIKING PANTS OR RESPECTABLE YOGA PANTS ARE RECOMMENDED; AND LAYERS FOR THE TOP SO THAT YOU CAN COVER AND UNCOVER AS NEEDED.
A Visa is required to visit Bhutan. Your visa is included in your Escape. We will arrange it on your behalf as many criteria must be met in order for a visa to be issued.
Erica is an acclaimed yoga teacher, known for teaching a strong, yet playful Vinyasa flow practice. She is largely inspired by the journey of yoga, the subtle to the grand discoveries each individual makes through their practice, inviting students to have fun while experiencing their body in a whole new way through each unique practice. With classes always set to music, from tribal to lounge to classic rock songs, students are able to find their own personal rhythm and expression through each asana. Additionally, Erica is co-founder and co-owner of Escape To Shape, which she created to fill a gap in the travel and wellness market — combining her two passions into one unique, memorable and results-driven holiday. Erica contributes to AFAR, Huffington Post, MindBodyGreen, Charlotte’s Book and Well + Good, amongst others, as a Travel & Wellness Expert.