Southern Bhutan

The southern foothills drop from alpine meadows to subtropical plains in a matter of hours. This is a different Bhutan — warmer, flatter, and culturally diverse, with Hindu communities, rice paddies, and wildlife reserves that border India.

Dagana

One of the remotest and least-visited districts, Dagana sits at around 1,500 metres with views across forested ridges. Its Dzong was built in the 16th century and the surrounding Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary protects some of the last remaining tropical grasslands in the country.

Samtse

A border district that is home to the Doyas, one of Bhutan's most ancient tribal groups. They practice Bonism — a pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition — and maintain customs found nowhere else in the kingdom.

Sarpang

Stretching from 160 metres to over 4,000 metres in altitude, Sarpang covers an extraordinary range of ecosystems. Gelephu, its main town, is a growing commercial hub and the southern entry point for travellers driving up from India. The eastern edge of the district borders Manas National Park.

Tsirang

Gentle slopes, mild weather, and some of the best mandarin oranges in the country. Tsirang is the kind of place where farming families still measure seasons by harvest rather than calendar, and the forest cover exceeds fifty percent.