For most travelers, a trip to Bhutan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we understand its profound significance. That’s why, at Breathe Bhutan, we don’t take your journey lightly, and neither should you.
Our experiences aren’t designed for tourists, but for travelers seeking connection, depth, and authenticity. Every journey we curate is handcrafted to reflect the real Bhutan—its culture, spirituality, landscapes, and above all, its people. Nothing is staged or polished for effect. Whether you’re meditating with monks, helping farmers harvest their crop, or sharing a home-cooked meal in a remote village, your presence has purpose—and your journey has meaning.
But travel is only as transformative as the people you share it with. This includes the incredible locals you meet along the way, particularly your guide and driver.
From the moment you arrive, your guide and driver become more than staff—they’re your cultural storytellers, caretakers, and friends. They’ll help with everything, from securing a SIM card, exchanging currency, and finding the perfect meal to choosing thoughtful gifts for loved ones. And if you’re traveling with children? Don’t worry—our guides won’t hesitate and will be happy to carry tired little ones on their backs, ensuring you can still enjoy the stunning nature that’s best experienced through invigorating hikes.
Our tour guides, not only are they nationally trained and certified, but each one has to have prior experience and then must undergo additional training sessions specifically tailored by Breathe Bhutan. This ensures they’re not only experts in their field but are also fully oriented with our values and the unique itineraries we offer. It’s these small gestures and the profound expertise of our team that turn a trip into something effortless, personal, and unforgettable.
At Breathe Bhutan, we deeply believe that tourism should uplift and empower as many people as possible. We recognize that tourism has a broad and deep trickle-down effect, extending far beyond direct service providers. Your journey with us directly contributes to this widespread positive impact.
It benefits the humble farmers who supply fresh produce to hotels, the skilled artisans whose crafts adorn guesthouses, the monasteries that welcome visitors, and countless local families whose livelihoods are supported by the vibrant travel ecosystem. We ensure your trip directly benefits as many people as possible.
Because of these values, we also encourage our guests to stay at carefully selected homestays (limiting to one unless you have a personal interest in more) and small, family-run lodges. We specifically partner with those that provide personal attention, great service, and delicious meals, as this further embeds your experience within the local community.
We take great pride in ensuring your comfort and satisfaction. That’s why all our recommended hotels and accommodations are personally vetted and carefully curated. Before we suggest a place to you, we visit it ourselves, often spending a night or two to experience it firsthand. Only those that meet our high standards for guest experience make it onto our list. What’s more, for the accommodations we do recommend, we specifically request special attention for our guests, ensuring your stay is nothing short of exceptional.
This company—and everything it stands for—is deeply personal to me.
As a child, I found joy in repairing discarded things: broken radios, old toys, anything others had given up on. That instinct—to find value where others don’t—never left me. Though I trained as an engineer, I walked away from that path in pursuit of something more creative, more human.
I loved music, but in Bhutan, playing the music we loved wasn’t considered a profession. So I taught myself to be a radio DJ and founded Radio Valley—Bhutan’s first private FM station. Over 15 years, I mentored more than 50 young voices, giving them a platform to share their stories and the music they cared about. It wasn’t just a station—it was a movement of expression, creativity, and connection.
Later, I created Mojo Park, Bhutan’s first live music venue, because artists—young and old—deserved a stage to jam, perform, and grow. Over 12 years, it became a creative hub and a livelihood for many, nurturing a generation of homegrown talent.
I was a happy-go-lucky guy, chasing my passion—while my wife financed my livelihood with her small agency. When my wife got pregnant with our first child, I knew I had to change my attitude. I took over her business, and that’s how I first got introduced to the tourism industry.
I’ve never seen myself as a businessman. I’m an artist at heart. Entrepreneurship, for me, has always been about building platforms—for music, for voices, and now, for meaningful travel.
Tourism has become my newest canvas. It’s where storytelling, creativity, and community impact converge. And while we are able to give great joy and happiness to our guests through our authentic and immersive trips, through Breathe Bhutan, we’re not just offering travel—we’re fostering livelihoods, igniting pride, and helping culture thrive in its purest form. It’s incredibly rewarding!
Today, I’m often asked to speak about leadership and entrepreneurship—not because I have all the answers, but because they like my self-proclaimed story of being the ‘Longest Struggling Entrepreneur in Bhutan’ and my desire to write a book titled ‘The Art Of Being Broke’. 🙂
If you’re looking for buffet meals and checklist sightseeing, there are plenty of tour companies that offer that.
But if you want your journey to empower communities, stir your soul, and immerse you in Bhutan’s truest essence—then don’t panic, it’s organic! You’ve found your travel host in Bhutan.
Welcome to Breathe Bhutan!
We can’t wait to meet you in person and get to know your story.
With gratitude,
Kinley Wangchuk, Founder.