WHERE EVERY STEP BECOMES A MEMORY

Discover Bhutan, One Meaningful Journey at a Time

Go beyond conventional travel. Step into a kingdom that values peace over speed, culture over consumption, and connection over convenience. Experience a world built around Gross National Happiness—and leave carrying stories that stay with you forever.

A Journey Rooted in Bhutan

From Our Roots to Your Journey

The Licensed Operator: Diamond Bhutan Travel

Diamond Bhutan Travel is a fully registered and licensed tour operator by the Royal Government of Bhutan, established in 2017. Our team is composed of industry professionals specializing in tour planning, policy formulation, and ground-level service excellence. Highly trained in all aspects of tourism operations—including safety protocols, emergency response, and immersive guest experiences—we are proudly recognized as Bhutan’s only company dedicated exclusively to organizing deeply experiential and transformative tours.

The Experience Brand: Bhutan ShangriLaSteps

Operating under the licensed umbrella of Diamond Bhutan Travel, Bhutan ShangriLaSteps is our signature travel brand. A Journey Rooted in Bhutan—from our roots to your journey. Bhutan ShangriLaSteps was born from a simple belief: the best way to discover Bhutan is to experience it at its own rhythm. Rooted in the beauty, culture, and spirit of the Kingdom, we create thoughtful journeys that go beyond sightseeing—connecting travelers with sacred places, living traditions, local communities, and the quiet moments that make Bhutan unforgettable.

Year 2026 | — The Beginning:

The first step of BhutanShangriLaSteps, founded on a vision to create authentic, personal, and meaningful journeys through Bhutan.

Year 2027 | — Journeys Beyond the Ordinary:

Establishing ourselves as a trusted Bhutan travel brand while remaining true to our promise of mindful, responsible, and deeply personal travel.

Year 2030 | — The Journey Continues:

Expanding our reach while staying true to what matters most—sharing the authentic spirit of Bhutan and crafting experiences that stay with travellers long after they return home.

TRAVEL WITH MEANING

Experience Bhutan. Help Protect What Makes It Extraordinary.

True exclusivity isn't just about small group sizes; it's about deep, authentic connections. We design private Himalayan journeys that go beyond simple sightseeing—offering immersive experiences that honor local traditions, support carbon-negative sanctuaries, and leave a meaningful impact on both the traveler and the host community.

70%+ Protected Forest Cover

Carbon Negative A Naturally Sustainable Kingdom

∞ Endless Stories & Memories

OUR VISION

Inspiring Conscious & Exclusive Journeys

To position Bhutan as the world’s premier destination for high-value, exclusive travel, showcasing our rich heritage and pristine wilderness while inspiring deep global respect for the Kingdom’s unique way of life.

OUR MISSION

Bhutanese Hospitality at Heart

Deliver unforgettable, high-end travel experiences rooted in genuine Bhutanese warmth, customized care, and Gross National Happiness principles—ensuring every traveler feels like an honored guest, not just a visitor.

STRATEGIC GOALS

Our Core Objectives

Elevating Bespoke Luxury & Cultural Depth

Curate ultra-exclusive, customized itineraries that grant travelers private access to Bhutan’s sacred heritage, high-end wellness retreats, and hidden Himalayan trails while maintaining an intimate 1-on-1 service standard.

Championing Tha Damtsig (Sacred Commitment)

Tha Damtsig (tha dam tsig) specifically refers to sacred commitment, sacred obligation, or moral integrity in Bhutanese culture. Pairing it with hospitality works great, but framing it around Sacred Commitment & Warmth honors the cultural term even more:

Mindful Exploration & Deep Impact

Pioneer conscious, low-density travel that protects local ecosystems, honors living heritage, and creates meaningful 1-on-1 connections.

Supporting Community & Gross National Happiness (GNH)

Ensure that every itinerary directly supports local communities, artisan villages, and conservation initiatives, leaving a positive legacy for Bhutan while providing visitors with deeply meaningful connections.

WHY SHANGRILASTEPS

The Four Pillars of Our Craft

Authentic Tha Damtsig (Sacred Commitment) Hospitality

We treat every traveler like an honored guest. Our service is rooted in genuine Bhutanese warmth, deep personal care, and an unwavering commitment to your well-being throughout your journey.

Bespoke & Exclusive Itineraries

Tailored exclusively to your pace and interests, we offer private access to sacred cultural sites, luxury Himalayan retreats, and uncrowded wilderness trails for a truly extraordinary experience.

Gross National Happiness Spirit

Every expedition is guided by the principles of GNH—promoting mindful exploration, personal well-being, and soulful connections with Bhutan’s peaceful nature and living culture.

High-Value, Regenerative Tourism

As custodians of the Last Shangri-La, we adhere strictly to high-value, low-volume travel. Your journey directly supports local communities, monastic heritage, and pristine forest preservation.

LEADERSHIP

Guided by Passion & Experience

Sangay Dorji

Managing director

With over three decades of distinguished experience in Bhutan’s tourism industry, Sangay Dorji provides overall leadership and strategic direction to Bhutan ShangriLaSteps. Starting his tourism career as a tour guide in 1992, he has developed extensive experience in tour operations, expedition leadership, professional guide training, and destination management. His responsibilities include corporate strategy, operational oversight, quality assurance, strategic partnerships, institutional relationships, and ensuring that every part of the company reflects its commitment to authentic, responsible, and culturally immersive travel in Bhutan.

Younten Therchen

Guiding & Field Operations Manager

Younten Therchen leads the company's guiding and field operations, coordinating cultural guides, trekking specialists, expedition leaders, birdwatching guides, and wilderness teams. He is responsible for field-team coordination, guest safety, route planning, high-altitude preparedness, wilderness first-aid readiness, and operational quality control. Working closely with the itinerary and ground operations teams, he ensures that every experience promised to the traveler is delivered safely, professionally, and authentically.

Namgay Wangchuk

Visa, Regulatory & Travel Logistics Manager

Namgay Wangchuk manages the regulatory and administrative requirements associated with international travel to Bhutan. His responsibilities include visa processing, Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) coordination, permits, restricted-area clearances, immigration documentation, and regulatory liaison. He coordinates with relevant government authorities and internal teams to ensure that every travel document is accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable requirements.

Tashi Phuntsho

Transport & Ground Operations Manager

Tashi Phuntsho oversees transportation and ground mobility throughout Bhutan. His responsibilities include vehicle allocation, fleet coordination, driver scheduling, airport transfers, route planning, vehicle safety checks, and transportation logistics for private tours, groups, trekking programs, and special expeditions. His team ensures dependable and safe transportation while responding to the realities of Bhutan's mountainous roads, weather, and changing travel conditions.

Karma Wangmo

Customer Relationship & Itinerary Manager

Karma Wangmo serves as a principal point of contact for travelers from their first inquiry through the completion of their journey. She manages customer communication, consultation, personalized itinerary development, hotel coordination, special requests, dietary requirements, flight arrangements, pre-arrival communication, and on-trip guest support. Her responsibilities also extend to post-trip communication, customer feedback, relationship building, and encouraging repeat and referral travel.

Pema Lhamo

Sustainability & Community Tourism Manager

Pema Lhamo leads the company's sustainability, responsible tourism, and community engagement initiatives. She works with village communities, homestays, local artisans, farmers, cultural practitioners, and environmental stakeholders to develop tourism experiences that create meaningful local participation and economic benefits. Her department supports community-based tourism, responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and monitoring of the social and environmental impact of tourism.

Dawa Zangmo

Finance, Administration & Compliance Manager

Dawa Zangmo oversees financial administration, payment processing, invoicing, reconciliation, budgeting, financial records, and internal administration. She coordinates international bank transfers, merchant payment channels, customer invoices, supplier payments, refunds, and financial documentation. The department also supports procurement, contracts, corporate records, internal controls, and financial compliance, helping ensure transparent and responsible management of company and customer funds.

Etshog Choney Yangtshog

Marketing, Sales & Business Development Manager

The Marketing, Sales & Business Development function is responsible for positioning Bhutan ShangriLaSteps in international markets and converting market interest into customers and business partnerships. The department manages international marketing, brand positioning, website strategy, search visibility, social media, destination storytelling, campaigns, travel-trade relationships, B2B partnerships, corporate and group sales, and direct booking development. The department works closely with Customer Relationship Management and Tour Operations to ensure that marketing promises accurately reflect the experience delivered on the ground.

Nidup Zangmo

Customer & Partner Development Manager

Nidup Zangmo manages relationships with prospective travelers, existing guests, international travel advisors, tour operators, corporate clients, and strategic partners. The function focuses on lead management, customer follow-up, quotation coordination, B2B communication, partner development, repeat-customer engagement, referrals, feedback collection, and long-term relationship management. The department works closely with Marketing, Itinerary Planning, Finance, and Operations to maintain continuity from the first inquiry through travel and post-trip engagement.

Pema Khandu

Digital Marketing & Brand Communications Manager

Pema Khandu manages the company's digital identity and public communications. Her responsibilities include website content, search-engine visibility, social media, photography and video campaigns, email marketing, digital advertising, destination storytelling, online reputation, and brand communication. The department's objective is to communicate Bhutan ShangriLaSteps as an authentic Bhutanese destination specialist rather than simply another tour operator. It develops content around the company's philosophy of “Experience Bhutan. Beyond the Ordinary.”

Peday

Legal & Corporate Affairs Manager

The Legal & Corporate Affairs function protects the company by overseeing contracts, legal documentation, regulatory interpretation, corporate records, terms and conditions, supplier agreements, customer agreements, employment-related documentation, intellectual-property matters, privacy and data protection, dispute management, and legal risk assessment. The department works closely with the Managing Director, Finance, Customer Relationship Management, Marketing, and Operations to ensure that the company's commitments to travelers and business partners are properly documented and legally sound. It should also review important customer-facing documents such as booking terms, cancellation and refund policies, privacy policies, payment terms, liability provisions, supplier contracts, B2B agreements, and partnership agreements.

Ready to Experience the Magic of the Kingdom?

Let us craft your personal, ultra-exclusive Himalayan journey—tailored to your pace, wellness desires, and cultural interests with authentic Bhutanese hospitality.

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