Five days in Bhutan can take your team from the capital's colourful streets to mountain passes, traditional experiences and one of the Himalayas' most famous monasteries.
For an incentive group, the key is not trying to see everything.
A well designed five day programme should combine celebration, culture, shared experiences and enough breathing room for delegates to actually enjoy being in Bhutan.
Here is one way it could look.
Paro → Thimphu
The experience begins before your delegates even land.
The flight into Paro offers spectacular Himalayan views before descending into one of the world's most distinctive airports.
After arrival formalities, meet the MICE Bhutan team and travel to Thimphu.
Keep the first afternoon relatively relaxed. Depending on arrival time, delegates can explore the capital or simply settle into the hotel.
In the evening, bring everyone together for a welcome dinner featuring Bhutanese flavours and a first introduction to the Kingdom.
Today's highlights
Arrival in Bhutan
Scenic transfer to Thimphu
Welcome experience
Group dinner
After breakfast, discover Thimphu through experiences that introduce delegates to Bhutanese culture without making the day feel like a conventional sightseeing tour.
Visit selected cultural landmarks, explore local craftsmanship and experience everyday life in the capital.
Then bring out the competitive spirit with a Bhutanese archery experience.
Archery is Bhutan's national sport, but the atmosphere around it is often just as memorable as hitting the target. Teams can compete, encourage each other and enjoy a distinctly Bhutanese activity together.
The evening could include a private dinner or cultural performance.
Today's highlights
Thimphu cultural experiences
Traditional Bhutanese archery
Team activities
Private dinner or cultural performance
Thimphu → Punakha or Paro
This day can be adapted around the group's interests.
For more adventurous teams, incorporate rafting, hiking or another outdoor experience.
For groups looking for something slower, create a day around Bhutanese food, culture, wellbeing or local communities.
If the itinerary includes Punakha, the journey crosses Dochula Pass, where 108 stupas sit against a spectacular Himalayan backdrop on clear days.
Alternatively, remain within Thimphu and Paro to reduce travelling time and create a more relaxed five day programme.
This flexibility is important.
An incentive programme should fit the people participating in it, rather than forcing everyone through the same formula.
Today's highlights
Mountain scenery
Outdoor or cultural experience
Team connection
Scenic journey through Bhutan
Paro
This is the experience many delegates will have been waiting for.
Tiger's Nest Monastery, or Paro Taktsang, clings dramatically to a cliff high above the Paro Valley.
The hike becomes more than sightseeing when experienced as a group.
People walk at different speeds, encourage each other and eventually reach one of Bhutan's most extraordinary landmarks together.
For delegates who prefer not to undertake the full hike, an alternative programme can be arranged.
Return to the hotel to relax before coming together for the final evening.
A private farewell dinner, awards presentation or cultural performance can turn the last night into the celebratory finale of the incentive journey.
Today's highlights
Tiger's Nest hike
Shared achievement
Farewell celebration
Private dinner
Paro → Departure
Enjoy breakfast surrounded by the Paro Valley before transferring to the airport.
Five days will have passed quickly.
But your delegates leave with considerably more than photographs.
They have tried something new together, experienced a culture far removed from everyday working life and shared a journey few incentive programmes can replicate.
Today's highlights
Relaxed breakfast
Airport transfer
Departure from Bhutan
This is only an example.
Your five day incentive programme could focus more heavily on:
Activities, hotels, destinations and dining experiences can all be adapted around the profile of your group.
Five day programmes can also be designed for larger corporate groups.
The main considerations become flight capacity, accommodation inventory, transportation, dining venues and activity logistics.
Planning early gives you considerably more flexibility.
Eligible MICE groups may qualify for a Sustainable Development Fee waiver for up to five nights, subject to prevailing requirements and approval.
For larger incentive groups, the potential saving can be substantial.
MICE Bhutan can assess your programme's eligibility and assist with the application process.
The best incentive itinerary isn't necessarily the one with the most activities.
It's the one people remember.
Bhutan gives you an extraordinary starting point. From there, MICE Bhutan can design the programme around your organisation, your delegates and what you want the journey to represent.
Planning a 5 day incentive trip to Bhutan? Share your group size, preferred dates and objectives with MICE Bhutan and we'll create a customised programme for your team.
