“A revealing journey through this staggeringly beautiful region.”

This journey takes you from the more populated valleys such as Paro and Thimpu to the lesser visited valleys of Tongsa and Bumthang in central Bhutan, all the while travelling on winding mountain roads with staggering scenery. The country’s thriving religion, Buddhism, can be seen everywhere in the form of fluttering prayer flags, whirling prayer wheels and imposing hilltop monasteries. With traditions being of paramount importance, Bhutan’s people have a natural warmth and charm and the kingdom’s inherent culture remains strong, as this journey reveals.

Itinerary

Day 1 Overnight flight to Delhi

Day 2 Arrive in Delhi and check in for 1 night into your hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 3 Spectacular mountain flight to Paro and drive on to Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. Check in to your hotel for 2 nights.

Day 4 Explore the city, visiting the Dzong (monastery) now used as a school, the late king’s memorial stupa and a traditional painting school.

Day 5 Morning drive through beautiful mountain scenery, crossing the Dolcha-La pass, to Punakha. After lunch drive to Tongsa via the PeleLa pass. Stay one night at a lodge.

Day 6 Morning drive to Bumthang, a series of untouched valleys in Central Bhutan. Stay two nights at a lodge. After lunch visit the C17th Jakar Dzong and Kurjey Monastery where kings of Bhutan are taken for their cremation rites.

Day 7 Excursion to the Ura Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in the Bumthang area and at an altitude of 3000m. After a picnic lunch and time to explore, return to Jakar.

Day 8 Morning drive back to Tongsa and visit the huge, C15th Tongsa Dzong and the old watchtower, clinging to the mountainside. Afternoon drive to Punakha for two nights.

Day 9 Morning visit to Wangdi Phodrang Dzong, situated on a ridge, overlooking the old trade routes. Afternoon visit to the C16th Punkaha Dzong, now he winter capital and home to hundreds of monks.

Day 10 Drive back through the spectacular scenery to Paro for three nights. The journey is beautiful as you travel through dense and varied vegetation.

Day 11 Morning visit (should access permit) to Takshang Monastery, perched precariously, high on a rock face and a steep but worthwhile climb away. Return via the ruins of Drukyel Dzong, razed to the ground in 1951.

Day 12 Explore the town visiting the Paro Dzong and the Ta Dzong National Museum, housed in the old watchtower, on a hillside, and with a fascinating collection of artefacts.

Day 13 Fly back to Delhi and check in to a hotel until early morning flight departs.

Day 14 Early morning flight back to London