“Our inspiration to take a Bhutan trip came from the Bhutanese food that we had in Bangalore. They have this cheese-based white gravy – Ema Datshi – that we liked. So then we were like, yeah, we like this food. So let’s go there.” said Rahul Jain, a creative director who took his Bhutan trip with WanderOn on his 1st marriage anniversary.
He added, “We wanted to go outside India. Second, it had to be not the West. Somewhere in the East and something that is reasonably priced. Like, it will not be too heavy on the pocket and still be outside India.”
That’s how Rahul and Vineeta Jain ended up planning a Bhutan couple trip. What started as a simple meal in Bangalore slowly turned into one of the most memorable trips we’ve taken together.
Planning the Trip with WanderOn
How did you discover about WanderOn? - “My wife Vineeta’s friend had gone on a solo trip to Bhutan. So, she suggested.”
How was your planning experience for WanderOn Bhutan trip? - “Our sales POC was Shashank and our trip POC was Estha, and the entire planning process was smooth. I did not have much expectation to go with. I just wanted to cover as much as possible… it turned out for the best. We had like ample time traveling, visiting places and enough chill time also”
Here’s how they described their overall Bhutan trip review:
“We went on a customised trip to Bhutan with WanderOn, in the second week of February to celebrate our anniversary, and it turned out to be a fun journey together. From the smooth arrival at Bagdogra to crossing into Phuentsholing (with easy permit and passport check-in process) and winding our way through the mountains to Thimphu, every transition felt thoughtfully planned.
Our guide (Mr Kewal) was soft spoken and well informed, and quite helpful - helping us become aware of Buddhist culture and Bhutan's history. Some of our most beautiful moments were standing before the majestic Buddha Dordenma, walking through Punakha Dzong, and sipping hot tea at Dochu La surrounded by mist and prayer flags. But the highlight was undoubtedly the Tiger’s Nest hike in Paro. The hot stone bath afterwards is great. We also bought a lot of souvenirs (and phallus god symbols as well) on the last day - at reasonable prices.
A special mention to our POC, Eshta, who was extremely responsive, patient, and attentive to every small detail. Thanks, WanderOn, this was quite good.” read the full review here.
This Bhutan trip with WanderOn gave them exactly what they were looking for - a smooth, well-planned experience without overthinking logistics. If you’re considering a Bhutan tour package for couples, this kind of setup makes a big difference.
First Impressions of Bhutan: A Calmer, Slower World
What was your first impression of Bhutan? Did anything surprise you?
“The moment you cross West Bengal, everything is little calmer… The people there do not have that level of aggression that you will find in an Indian tourist spot.”
It’s not just about fewer people. It’s the way people behave. The discipline, the calmness, the influence of Buddhism - you can feel it everywhere.
One thing that really stood out was how you’re not allowed to click pictures inside monasteries and you see everyone following those rules. “You are free of clicking pictures and you can actually roam around and really see the details… once you're inside, you don't have to worry about capturing… that actually is freeing in a way.”
No constant need to document everything. You just experience it.
Exploring Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
Their journey took them through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro - covering some of the most iconic places.
Some moments just stayed with us like standing in front of Buddha Dordenma, Walking through Punakha Dzong where two rivers Mo Chhu and Po Chhu meet and sitting at Dochu La with mist, tea, and prayer flags all around.
Apart from the main highlights, there were smaller experiences that made the trip complete.
We tried rafting in Punakha for the first time - cold, clear water and a lot of fun.
We also spent time near Paro airport just watching planes land. It’s a small thing, but somehow, it felt peaceful. These little moments added a lot to our overall Bhutan trip review.
The days were well planned, but what we loved most was what happened after.
Every evening, once the planned part of our WanderOn Bhutan trip ended, we would just step out and explore on our own. Walk around, find random places, talk and those few hours became our time.
That balance is what made this Bhutan trip with WanderOn feel just right.
The Anniversary Trek to Tiger’s Nest
So was the Tiger’s Nest hike planned on your anniversary day? And how was your trek experience?
“Actually, we just got lucky to go there on our anniversary day. The trek can be challenging, if you are not in shape, but we were equally motivated to go up, and once you commit to the trek, it feels much better and nice. Our guide also helped us with some breathing exercises on the way, which was helpful."
How did you feel when you first saw the monastery?
“I think it lives up to the mark. The first glance of the monastery leaves you in awe, like how did they build something so beautiful at this height and in these cold conditions. When you get inside, the feeling of being at peace just amplifies. And the details inside the monastery will leave you mesmerised.”
“After the trek, we were completely exhausted, and that’s when the guide suggested we go for a hot stone bath. We paid around 1500 bucks per person for the stone bath experience that was quite exotic. They put red-hot volcanic rocks in the water. I haven’t seen any communal baths in India, so this experience was quite different and exotic.”
This entire experience easily stands out among the top things to do in Bhutan for couples.
Chimi Lhakhang: The Most Unexpected Experience
“We got a lot of phallus souvenirs for our friends, and they loved it.”
Did you visit Chimi Lhakhang or just bought souvenirs?
“We visited Chimilakhang, and we got the souvenirs also. They have a lot of phalluses… maybe it's not for an Indian family trip. But for a couple, it's a nice place to go.
Chimi Lhakhang is unlike any other place. It is associated with the “Divine Madman” - Drukpa Kunley, and is known for its bold symbolism and fertility blessings. The dice ritual here made it even more interesting.
“And we also played that dice thing there. You roll three dices… I got 13, which was rare and it was supposed to be the number of that divine madman…and she got the demon. It was an interesting pair”
In Bhutanese belief, numbers and outcomes in such rituals are symbolic - often linked to blessings, personality, or spiritual associations. Getting such a rare combination even surprised their guide.
They also noticed something unique. “They have a book there where people send back pictures of their kids who were born with the blessings of the Divine Madman. They name their kid “Kunley”, so if someone’s name is Kunley in Bhutan, you understand that this is a blessed child.”
This made Chimi Lhakhang one of the most memorable parts of their Bhutan couple trip.
Learnings for the Culturally Curious Couple
A big part of this WanderOn Bhutan trip was learning, and not just sightseeing thanks to the local guide Mr.Kewal
How was your experience with your guide, Mr. Kewal?
“He was very nice and soft spoken. He would tell us everything in detail”. The guide didn’t just show them places, he helped them understand Bhutan. “He explained why people are praying, to whom they are praying, the history and establishment of Bhutan during the Tiger’s Nest trek”
Any interesting facts about Bhutan that stayed with you? This Bhutan tour package for couples made Rahul and Vineeta learn a lot of new things about Bhutan like:
- Currency is almost 1:1 with Indian Rupees
- Meat being a major part of Bhutanese cuisine, it was surprising to know that they don’t kill, but import their meat. There is no fishing or local meat production.
- Buddhism here has influences from both India and China
- The country focuses on Gross National Happiness instead of GDP
- No VIP culture, even their leaders have to live in similar houses as the locals
How was your souvenir shopping experience?
“We went through a lot of art before buying a couple of paintings… understood the story… what the painting is showing.”
They spent hours exploring Mandala art, different forms of Buddha, and their meanings.
“We were very open to understand and reading stuff… otherwise it is just visiting temples… if you understand the culture, it’s actually fun.”
This curiosity made their Bhutan trip review stand out - it wasn’t just about visiting places, but understanding them.
What Made This Anniversary Trip Truly Special
What was that one moment that made you feel this was a perfect anniversary trip?
“Towards the end, we wanted to go for a good karaoke and have a beer, while were in Phuentsholing. We visited a place where they only served chips… but even then, singing together was fun. We really enjoyed our time there.”
That simple night became their highlight. And when they looked back, they realized it wasn’t just one moment.
“Actually, the whole trip was nice. We even missed dinner a couple of times because we were too busy singing and enjoying.” They spoke about their evenings, where they would go out and do things together that weren’t the part of the itinerary. They loved the Karoake culture in Bhutan. Every evening, they would head out to some karaoke place, grab a local beer “Druk” and spent time singing and listening other people sing in Korean and in Nepalese.
This side of Bhutan - simple, relaxed, slightly unexpected added a lot to our experience and definitely counts among fun things to do in Bhutan for couples.
A Trip That Felt Effortless
One of the best parts of this Bhutan trip with WanderOn was how easy everything felt.
Upon asking - Did the trip feel stress-free? - “I think it was chill only, we didn’t have to worry much. We just wanted to get in the car, get out, roam around, come back and not have to worry.”
Having a guide and driver made all the difference. “Plus, you already have two people alongside, so it’s technically a 4-person trip. But because of that, we didn't use our phones much, as our guide would tell us everything.”
They didn’t have to rely on Google for constant planning. “We did not end up using our internet for 7 days… it was comforting and provided a digital detox.”
The guide also helped them with local insights, fair prices, and recommendations - something that made this Bhutan tour package for couples feel even more seamless.
Where would you rank this trip? - “Out of all the trips we’ve taken together, this one ranks at the top.”
Would you choose WanderOn again? - “We do not have any reason to not choose WanderOn… it was a perfect trip for us.”
And if we had to describe Bhutan in one line - it’s peaceful, spiritual, and naturally beautiful.
One thing every couple must experience? - “Tiger’s Nest trek. Because sometimes, the best way to understand your partner… is to climb a mountain together.
This Bhutan trip with WanderOn turned out to be more than just an anniversary trip for this culturally curious couple from Bangalore. It became a journey of discovery - of a new country, a different culture, and even each other.
So, when are you planning your WanderOn Bhutan Trip ?
