Bhutan: Trekking to Laya villages and the best of Bhutan
Not every traveler knows about the Kingdom of Bhutan, and those who have heard of it dream of reaching this Himalayan Shangri-La.
One of the world's most mysterious countries, Bhutan strictly regulates tourism, keeping mass tourism at bay. Here, you won’t find crowds—only pristine nature, a unique culture, and the genuine hospitality of its people.
We recently visited this magical land, and everything unfolded in the most extraordinary way: a vibrant festival in the high-altitude Laya villages, an unexpected encounter with the King of Bhutan himself, an incredible group of like-minded adventurers, and our guide Karma—who knows everything (and more) about Bhutan’s culture, traditions, and hidden treasures. Every detail, from the carefully crafted route to the spontaneous surprises along the way, turned this journey into an unforgettable story—one we’ll keep retelling for years to come.
- PolinaThe entire trip was excellently and optimally planned. As a filmmaker, I must highlight the narrative dramaturgy about this incredible country that was built into our itinerary. Tanya found us a super guide and an amazing driver. I don’t know how, but she also assembled a great group of people who I’m sure we’ll keep in touch with. Everything was simple and enjoyable. All our wishes – to visit a real local home, try true Bhutanese cuisine, experience their special baths, even try archery – Tanya and Karma (our guide) made happen without any complications, beautifully and logically integrating them into our route. What was especially important for me – all dietary requests/restrictions weren’t just met but exceeded. I was honestly nervous before the trip about whether I could handle all the treks, but Tanya prepared and guided me perfectly. Her advice about equipment and mountain behavior – all of it made the climbs easier and multiplied the joy of our achievements.
- Maxim
Monasteries carved into cliffs, locals in traditional costumes, a mountain festival with parades of yaks and decorated dogs—it all felt like something straight out of a Miyazaki film!
This was my second trip with Tanya, and once again, she put together an incredible group of wonderful people. And I’m not just talking about us travelers—I mean the whole team: our endlessly knowledgeable guide, the kindest and most skilled driver, and chefs who managed to roast a turkey and bake a cake in a high-altitude campsite, serving it with an apple-carved swan!
And then there are the miracles that always seem to happen on these trips. This time, we stumbled upon a mountain festival that just happened to be on our route during our dates. And at that festival, we accidentally crossed paths with none other than the King himself! True, getting to these magical places usually involves a long uphill hike—but every step is worth it.
As I write this, I realize I still haven’t fully processed everything that happened. There was so much—I’m still digesting the memories, and new thoughts and ideas from the trip keep surfacing in my mind.
Thank you for the incredible photos—I’ve got enough stunning shots for profile pictures and posts for years to come.
Tanya, thank you—for your unique sense of beauty and for your talent in turning it into life-changing experiences for others. And thank you for the amazing people you attract along the way. Keep creating these extraordinary adventures and friendships! 🖤 - UraAn ultra-concentrated dose of Buddhist culture—people in traditional dress, massive fortress-like dzongs, mountain temples, and the majestic Himalayas as your backdrop. Yet it’s all seamlessly blended with smooth roads, modern infrastructure, and locals so friendly you’ll forget you’re a visitor (plus they all speak English!). Oh, and they’re not shy with chili peppers in their cooking—just how we like it.
And traveling with Tanya? Effortless and endlessly fun. This trip was next-level awesome.