Relishing authentic Bhutan as the ‘Last Shangri-La’

Bhutan is certainly one of them. The landlocked south Asian nation, which sits on the eastern ridge of the Himalayas between India’s northeastern states and China, can only be visited by booking through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or international partner.

Not only is this great news for agents – there are plenty of UK operators selling the destination, including Intrepid Travel, Hayes & Jarvis and Regent Holidays – but it also helps preserve Bhutan’s environment and cultural heritage.

Regulations, such as the $200-250 minimum daily spend package and $40 visa for international visitors, help fund the nation’s free healthcare and education and bolster the country’s “high-value, low-impact” tourism model, which places Bhutan as an exclusive travel destination.

Yet Bhutan exudes a different kind of luxury than the flashy, six-star hotel kind.

“The Kingdom of Bhutan appeals to guests that are more active, as a lot of the experiences are centred around hikes and walking,” said Suhail Gupta, managing director for Asia at andBeyond. “It also appeals to clients interested in meditation and wellness.”