Taj Tashi
Thimphu, Bhutan
At a Glance
Located in the Bhutan's capital - Thimphu
Jiva Spa offers wide selection of Bhutanese and Indian treatments and also steam, sauna, heated swimming pool and a Jacuzzi
Bhutanese with Tibetan and European cuisines to choose from
Amazing views over the mountains and Thimphu valley
The first modern international standard hotel in Bhutan
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
In the western, central and eastern Bhutan you will mostly experience cold European-like weather. Winter lasts here from November to March. The Monsoon occurs between June and August when the temperature is normally between 8° and 21°C. October and November are arguably the best months, when the monsoon has passed and the skies are clear. The spring months of March, April and May are best for the flora, but it can be stormy as the monsoon builds up for July-September.
Insider's View
Thimphu is excellent for a first night in Bhutan, before moving onto the more remote areas of Punakha and Gangtey.
Get dressed up on traditional dress and head to Chig - Ja -Gyer restaurant. The staff will help you tie the clothes probably and it's a great way to introduce yourself to the culture.
Pop into the handicraft shops opposite to the Taj Tashi for some excellent gifts
Get a blessing for your onward journey from the resident monk
Make sure you watch at least once the daily Bhutanese performance outside by the fire - it is explained to you throughout so you know what each dance is representing
Make sure you are on half board for at least one of the evenings, you'll get dressed up in traditional Bhutanese attire, enjoy a show put on by some of the locals, and dine in the hotels awarding winning Bhutanese restaurant!
Call us on 020 3993 8476 to start planning your holiday to Taj Tashi or take a look at our itineraries to Bhutan
Description
Taj Tashi is a luxurious property located in the heart of Thimphu and allows guests to explore the sights and shops of the capital city of Bhutan. One of the largest buildings in Thimphu, it offers international levels of service and cuisine.
Taj Tashi is a luxurious hotel which has been designed in the traditional Bhutanese style with lots of local touches throughout. Thimphu is a charming city sprawling up the banks of the river of the Thimphu River and full of brightly painted, elaborately decorated facades, rich woodwork and some of Bhutan's most prestigious religious buildings.
With 66 rooms, it is one of the largest buildings in the country and dominates the Thimphu skyline. The rooms and suites are spacious and appointed with modern amenities. There is a fine dining Bhutanese restaurant, all-day dining restaurant serving Continental and Asian cuisine and a Tea Lounge. Facilities include the Jiva spa featuring a ‘Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath’ and offers exclusive signature treatments recreated from the fabled lifestyle of Indian royalty and the healing therapies of Indian spirituality. There is also a sauna, Jacuzzi, indoor heated swimming pool and fitness centre.
The real highlight of the Taj is its central location, you can wander out of the hotel into the heart of Thimphu to visit the sights including the Tashi Chho Dzong, home to the King and the central monk body, the Weekend Market and the shops selling local textiles and handicrafts. Or for the more adventurous, go trekking into the scenic mountain wilderness.
Accommodation
The Taj Tashi offers 66 Rooms and Suites. Rooms are adorned with hand painted cloud murals typical of ancient Bhutanese artwork. Suites feature distinctive canopy beds, walk-in closets and home theatre systems.
Childcare
Children are welcome to come and stay at Taj Tashi. However, there are no specific facilities available for them.
Facilities
Facilities at the Taj Tashi include a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa featuring a sauna steam room and Jacuzzi, two restaurants that combine the best of Bhutanese with Tibetan and European cuisines and a bar.
Activities
Thimphu offers plenty of sights to visit including the Dzong and Painting School, the Weekend Market and the shops selling local textiles and handicrafts. For the more adventurous, you can go trekking into the scenic mountain wilderness. Other activities include archery and motorcycle tours.
Reviews
Arthur Pope (Staff)
The massive Taj sits commandingly in the heart of Thimphu. Exquisite design features and an all around wonderful and attentive staff make this place a memorable and inviting option. The most luxurious point from which to explore what Thimphu has to offer. Featuring the only high end exclusively Bhutanese restaurant around and nightly cultural performances, this place serves as an excellent introduction to Bhutan.
Jack Mace (Staff)
Taj Tishi must be one of the most impressive buildings I've ever had the fortune of staying at. Located bang on the centre of Thimphu, this impressive structure cannot be missed, a real landmark in this amazing town. Styled in the traditional Bhutanese way, the Taj is made to look like a Dong (Palace), and this grand feeling is ever present throughout the hotel. The lobby area is opulent, stylish, and makes you feel as though you are somewhere special. The traditional rooms are luxurious and all enjoy views over the town and onto the mountains. There's a lovely spa, a great pool, the biggest gym in Bhutan and a magnificent bar. Be sure to be on half board so you can experience the amazing Chig Ja Gye restaurant, it serves up culinary delights from different areas of Bhutan and its traditional style really makes you appreciate where you are!
Amy Ropner (Staff)
Taj Tashi has extensive Bhutanese influences throughout which can be seen throughout the hotel, there is also array of things for guests to do to immerse themselves in the local culture. I would recommend dressing up in traditional Bhutanese attire on your first evening, and then head down to the terrace outside where you can watch daily performance which is put on by the locals. The hotel itself is impressive in every way, with a gym, spa, pool, sauna and steam room on offer you can really relax and get into the holiday spirit. The rooms are beautiful and very spacious, each one has its own charm and character which makes this hotel truly special.
Sara Wells (Staff)
Taj Tashi is a large hotel of 66 rooms, although it is an impressive rather than imposing building. Each room has generous proportions with great attention to detail reminding you of your location, from the Buddhist horns as door handles, cymbals decoration, painted roofing, a Bhutanese fine dining restaurant, and a resident monk giving blessings around prayer wheel.
Jessica Cator (Staff)
The hotel is a lovely oasis within the city. No that it is particularly loud city in the first place, as it is the smallest capital In the world. The Taj is a fantastic way to spend your first nights, within easy walking distance of the main streets and the popular temples and stupors, and with rooms over looking the mountains.
Daniel Smith (Staff)
The Taj Tashi is a grand hotel located in the heart of Thimphu. On first glance, it is almost the largest building in the city but don't let the size put you off. It has merged Bhutanese style with the demands of modern international standards perfectly offering excellent rooms with world class service.
Experiences
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Afternoon Tour of Thimphu
Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing around Thimphu. This tour includes a visit to Tamchog Lhakhang, the beautiful National Memorial Chorten, the golden Buddha Dodernma before taking in the views and enjoying the local farmers' market.
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Apple Plucking
Apple plucking season starts from July to August in the region of Paro and Thimphu.
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Cultural Tour of Thimphu
Spend the afternoon visiting some of Thimphu's cultural artistic sights. Your guide will take you to the impressive Zorig Chusum, Weaving centre, Folk Heritage Museum & Jungshi Paper factory. All play an important role in understanding Bhutanese culture.
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Day in Thimphu
You can easily fill an afternoon or day exploring Thimphu. It is worth visiting the Tashiccho Dzong, where essentially Bhutan is governed from. Also of interest is the Simtokha Dzong, Memorial Chorten, Changagkka Temple & Folk Museum.
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Dochu La Pass
At an altitude of 3,100 metres, The Dochula Pass is a high mountain pass known for its 108 distinctive memorial stupas and breathtaking panoramic views over the Himalayas.
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Dressing up in traditional Bhutanese dress
Anyone who works in Bhutan must wear traditional national dress, and you can have the chance to dress up for a few hours to see how it feels. The Bhutanese absolute love visitors doing it!
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Evening Prayers at a Buddhist Monastery
Evening prayers at a Buddhist Monastery is something you should do at least once on a tour of Bhutan. You will witness monks chanting traditional prayers, helping them prepare for meditation.
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Fly Fishing
Enjoy an excursion into one of the Bhutanese rivers and try your hand at fly-fishing.
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Meet a Monk Your Own Age
Your children can have the opportunity to meet a monk their own age. 10% of Bhutan's population are monks and they can hear stories of getting up each day before first-light for prayers and their daily routines.
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Morning Hike to Cheri and Tango Goempa
Enjoy a hike through the beautiful and beguiling Bhutanese countryside. Visit the Cheri and Tango Goemba, two beautiful monasteries in the hills between which lies the Thimphu Chu River.
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Potato Shed Candlelight Dinner
Enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner amidst flickering candles and bhukhari in the middle of shed on a local potato farm.
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Punakha Drubchen Festival
Held annually on February in Punakha, local militias dress up as Bhutanese warriors in this festival to re-enact the famous battle between Bhutan and Tibet.
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Spa Bath in Potato Shed
Visit a Bhutanese farmer in his traditional shed and enjoy a Bhutanese bath heated from fire-roasted stones, all while you indulge with a bowl of chips harvested from potatoes in the same field of Tokha village.
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Tea with a local family
Visiting a local home in Bhutan is an exceptionally interesting experience given the lovely hospitable nature of its people. Try traditional butter tea, or even some locally made rice wine 'Ara'.
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Tea with a Local Family - Paro
Visiting a local home in Bhutan is an exceptionally interesting experience given the lovely hospitable nature of its people. Try traditional butter tea, or even some locally made rice wine 'Ara'.
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Tea with a Local Family - Thimpu
Visiting a local home in Bhutan is an exceptionally interesting experience given the lovely hospitable nature of its people. Try traditional butter tea, or even some locally made rice wine 'Ara'.
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Thimphu Weekend Market
You shouldn’t miss the weekend market in Thimphu. People from nearby valleys arrive on Thursday afternoon and stay to sell their goods – vegetables, other foodstuffs and handicrafts – until Sunday evening.
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Try your hand at Archery
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and can be seen played throughout the Kingdom. Traditional bows are made from bamboo and witnessing an archery competition is an absolute highlight. We can easily arrange for you to have a go should you wish.
Holiday Ideas
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A Week in Bhutan
Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
from £3100 pp inc flights & transfers for 6 nights
- Perfect introduction to Bhutan seeing all the major highlights on a private tour with your own driver and personal expert guide
- Combine the capital Thimphu, with the fertile valley of Punakha and Paro with the amazing walk to Tiger's Nest Monastery
- See the local life in action with farmhouse home-cooked dinner, archery experience and brushing shoulders with the locals at Centenary Farmers Market
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Active Bhutan
Bangkok, Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, Bumdra & Paro
from £9000 pp inc flights & transfers for 11 nights
- A varied private tour of Bhutan blending equally trekking, culture and authentic experiences seeing the local life - not over-doing any element
- Fantastic itinerary for those that like to keep active, exploring a new country with various means including cycling and trekking
- Have an exclusive private guide and driver throughout giving you complete flexibility
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Bhutan and Thailand for Teenagers
Bangkok, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro & Koh Lanta
from £5200 pp inc flights & transfers for 13 nights
- Experiences that are designed around the children from creating their own stamps, meeting a monk their own age, dressing up in traditional dress, archery, tea with a local family, rafting and making prayer flags
- This itinerary provides a fantastic combination of culture, amazing scenery, fascinating history and relaxation
- Private tour with personal guide and exclusive driver in a large six-seater vehicle
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Bhutan and Thailand Honeymoon
Bangkok, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro & Phuket
from £4900 pp inc flights & transfers for 13 nights
- Fantastic blend of city, spectacular scenery, fascinating culture, an active itinerary and time spent on the beach to end - the perfect honeymoon combination
- Bhutan is a once in a lifetime destination, making it ideal for a honeymoon
- Easily combine Bhutan with Thailand's beautiful beaches
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Bhutan for Teenagers
Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey & Paro
from £5400 pp inc flights & transfers for 7 nights
- A tailored private tour of Bhutan with personal driver and expert private guide throughout
- All experiences are included and adapted to your interests, whether it is cultural, active or simply soaking up the scenery
- Visit all the major highlights, from Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha and Paro
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Epic Bhutan and The Andaman Islands
Calcutta, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro & Andaman Islands
from £6300 pp inc flights & transfers for 13 nights
- 14-night itinerary taking in Calcutta, Bhutan and ending by the beach in the Andaman Islands
- Perfect for intrepid travellers wanting to get off-the-beaten track
- Great in winter months, travel from November to March
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Essential Bhutan
Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang & Paro
from £4700 pp inc flights & transfers for 10 nights
- In-depth itinerary that takes you from the more-touristed Western circuit into the pristine Central valley of Bumthang
- Discover the best of Bhutan, from jaw-dropping Tiger's Nest Monastery to Punakha's scenic rice field
- Authentic seasonal experiences including farmhouse cooked dinner, tea with local family, apple plucking and matsutake mushroom-picking
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Highlights of Sikkim and Bhutan
Calcutta, Sikkim, Singritan near Darjeeling, Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
from £10300 pp inc flights & transfers for 15 nights
- An ideal winter adventure, as the best visibility is November through to February
- Ideal for walkers of all levels of fitness
- The terrain is undulating and the routes tailored to you
Location & directions
Thimphu, Bhutan
Taj Tashi is located in the heart of the Thimphu Valley. Thimphu, Bhutans capital city rests in the heart of the Himalayas, 7500 feet above sea level, overlooking the Wang Chu river valley.
How to get there
11.5-hour international flight (one change) to Paro Airport. Taj Tashi is a 2-hour 30-minute drive from the airport.
- 100% financial protection
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator
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