Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan's unhurried capital — the only one in the world without traffic lights.
About Thimphu
Top things to do
- Tashichho Dzong (seat of government)
- Buddha Dordenma statue (51m tall)
- Memorial Chorten
- Centenary Farmers Market (weekends)
- Motithang Takin Preserve
- National Textile Museum
Tour operators in Thimphu
All tour operatorsImperial Lotus Tours
Thimphu operator crafting personalized tours with multilingual guides, licensed since 2012.
Bhutan Inspiration Adventure
Thimphu tour operator offering 24/7 client-oriented customized tours, licensed since 2014.
Hiking Bhutan Travel
Thimphu tour operator focused on hiking and trekking experiences, licensed since 2014.
Crystal Bhutan Travels
Thimphu tour operator licensed since 2019.
Bhutan Karma Trails
Thimphu operator curating off-the-beaten-path, personalised itineraries, licensed since 2012.
Simply Bhutan
Thimphu tour operator with over a decade of experience, licensed since 2010.
Hotels & stays in Thimphu
All hotels & staysThe Pema By Realm
26-room four-star boutique design hotel in Motithang, Thimphu, opened 2019.
Yarkay IHCL SeleQtions
Five-star 83-room hotel in Thimphu near Clock Tower Square, operating since 2019 under the IHCL SeleQtions brand.
Lhaki Hotel
Three-star 23-room hotel in central Thimphu, operating since 2024.
Licensed guides in Thimphu
All licensed guidesSonam Wangdi
Freelance Culture Level-1 guide based in Thimphu with 7 years of experience.
Dawa
Freelance Trekking Level-2 guide based in Thimphu with 16 years of experience.
Tshering Dorji
Freelance Trekking Level-2 guide based in Thimphu with 12 years of experience.
Experiences in Thimphu
All experiencesBhutanese cooking class — Thimphu
3-hour hands-on class making ema datshi, kewa datshi and phaksha paa.
Druk Path trek
5-6 day high-altitude trek connecting Paro and Thimphu through alpine lakes.
Traditional Bhutanese archery
Try Bhutan's national sport — bamboo bow, 145m target, and lots of chanting.
Thimphu Tshechu festival
3-day mask-dance festival in the capital — biggest in terms of audience.
Products from Thimphu
All productsKira — hand-woven traditional dress
The national dress of Bhutanese women, hand-loomed in silk and cotton with centuries-old patterns.
Thangka — traditional scroll painting
Hand-painted Buddhist scroll paintings on canvas, blessed by monks.
Silver & turquoise jewelry
Traditional Bhutanese silver pendants, koma brooches and prayer-bead malas.
Himalayan herbal incense
Hand-rolled incense sticks made from 108 Himalayan herbs, used in monasteries.
Carved wooden altar set
Traditional Buddhist altar with hand-carved auspicious symbols.