Own transfer: On arrival at Bangkok Airport you will pass through immigration and then follow signs in the terminal for the Novotel Hotel. The walk will take around 10 minutes and on arrival you will check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (Superior Room)

Own transfer: Early this morning, you will make your own way to the international terminal in time to check in for the Druk Air flight to Paro in Bhutan.

Flight: KB131 Bangkok - Paro 06.50 - 10.00

Meet & Greet: On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to Bhutan by your guide and you will then transfer to your hotel.

Guided tour of Paro: After checking into your hotel, there will be time for a quick orientation tour around this small town. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, and the nearby National Museum which was previously housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower). This was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend the dzong, and the Paro Valley, during times of war. It was constructed in an unusual circular shape that resembles a conch shell. Unfortunately an earthquake in September 2011 damaged the Ta Dzong and the contents of the museum were moved to a neighbouring building. However you can still see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. The National Museum is due to reopen in the Ta Dzong in 2018. After the sightseeing return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Palace Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Paro and surrounds: To acclimatise for your trek take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang Monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor and is one of the most famous images of Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. This afternoon, on the way back to Paro, you will visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. Arrive back at your hotel to sort out your luggage for the trek. Anything you don’t need to carry with you will be transported to Thimphu to await your arrival.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Palace Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Druk Path Trek: This morning, you will drive to the trek start and meet up with the team that will look after you in the coming days. Once the introductions have been made and the trek briefing is complete you will start to walk. The first day of the trek is a long climb; the trek follows the gravel road passing through a nearby village. The wide trail climbs through blue pine and fir forest to a mani wall. It is then a long, but not steep, climb through forests to a camping place in a large pasture just below Jili La, marked by a cairn at 3560m. Today’s walk is around 6 miles.

Please note: Trekking in Bhutan is a fun but serious business and you should bring the right equipment with you in order to be able to enjoy it to the full. As well as some all-weather clothing, that can be worn in layers and so be put on / taken off easily as the temperature rises and falls, please remember to bring your own sleeping bags, ground mats and pillows as these will not be provided for you. The trekking party will consist of your guide, a cook, a horseman and enough horses for your party. You will not have to carry your main bags, but you may want to bring a lightweight rucksack to carry daily items such as water, sun cream and basic toiletries. We will send a more comprehensive check list and trekking dossier with your final confirmation.

Accommodation: Stay tonight in a Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Druk Path Trek: Today the trek will take you through thick alpine forests and rhododendron trees to Jangchulakha where you will camp for the night. In winter yaks graze in the pastures along the path and around the campsite. The highest altitude today will be 3627m and today’s walk will be around 6 miles.

Accommodation: Stay tonight in a Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Druk Path Trek: Today you will climb gradually upwards through juniper forest for around an hour and then you will follow the ridge, making many ascents and descents, from where you can also catch a magnificent view of Mount Jomolhari – the most famous mountain in Bhutan. Eventually you will make a last steep ascent through large rocks and dwarf rhododendrons to Jimilang Tsho, an isolated lake situated at 3870m. There is a pleasant camping place here at the far end of the lake. Today’s walk is around 6 miles.

Accommodation: Stay tonight in a Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Druk Path Trek: Today is a tough day of ascents and descents, but you will be rewarded with several mountain views if the day is clear. Climbing from the lower end of the lake to a ridge at 4010m, you descend again and then climb to crest at 4050m overlooking Janye Tsho. Afterwards drop down to the lake, then climb to a ridge at 4150m and descend to some stone ruins overlooking Simkotra Tsho, Camp by the Semkotha Lake at an altitude of around 3834 m. Today’s walk is around 6 miles.

Accommodation: Stay tonight in a Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Druk Path Trek: The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits there will be a beautiful view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest mountain, as well as of further peaks from the Dochu La Pass. The path gradually descends to Phajoding Gompa, where you will find a monastery and a retreat centre for meditation. From there continue your final descent for a couple more hours through blue pine forest, emerging just above Thimphu town where you will meet up with your driver and transfer to your hotel for some well-earned relaxation. Today’s walk is around 11 miles.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Jumolhari (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Thimphu: Today you will explore Bhutan’s capital. Start with a visit to the weekly market and then visit the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the School of Traditional Arts. Afterwards you can then visit some of the nearby sights such as the Radio Tower which offers splendid views of the city from a hilltop festooned with prayer flags, the Takin Reserve which showcases the unique national animal, the Takin, or a visit to the Changangkha Temple which is perched on a hilltop overlooking the town and to which devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple also contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. In the afternoon drive to see Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, dating from 1629 AD) and then return to the town centre to walk around and soak up the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. This is a good time to visit the local handicraft shops and purchase some souvenirs. Please let your guide if there is anything in particular that takes your interest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Jumolhari Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Punakha with sightseeing: In the morning drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital of Punakha, via Dochu La Pass at 3050 metres, where you will stop for a hot drink to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. At this altitude you will notice a change of climate and vegetation as you approach the lower lying Punakha which sits at 1250 metres above sea level. On arrival in Punakha you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Guided tour of Punakha: This afternoon visit the imposing Punakha Dzong or “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. Here you have an opportunity, if interested, to view an exhibition of traditional Bhutanese cantilever bridges (known as bazams) in the tower of the Puna Mo Chu Bazam. Afterwards take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across terraced fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) which was built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). After the walk return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonigtht at the Drubchhu Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Bumthang with sightseeing: In the morning drive approximately 4 ½ hours to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 2180 metres. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, commands the eye from miles away. You can also visit Ta Dzong, the newly opened museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty, which tells the stories of the Dzong and the valley it has watched over for centuries and which also features personal belongings of the Kings and Queens of Bhutan. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. Afterwards continue on a further 2 ½ hours through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang, an area of high valleys at 2580 to 3100 metres.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gongkhar Guest House (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing in and around Bumthang: This morning you will explore the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with its many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces. Bumthang is the collective name for an area of 4 valleys - Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chhume. Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of a variety of sacred sites including Jamba Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. This afternoon you can also visit Bhutan’s largest Dzong (Jakar), with its picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor Valley. You may be interested to see Bumthang’s famous Swiss cheese factory and dairy farm and there may be an opportunity to catch an archery match today – the national sport played across the country.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gongkhar Guest House (Standard Room).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided hike to Babzur via Petseling Monastery: Take a day hike to Babzur, via Petsheling Monastery. Start the hike by the Swiss Guesthouse Hotel. Hike for around 1.5 hours to a tiny village called Changbi where you will be welcomed with hot tea and snacks arranged by your guide (or lunch prepared by a local farmer). Afterwards continue the walk on to Petseling Monastery, home to around 70 monks. From here you will have a panoramic view over the Bumthang Valley and you can also see the finishing line of Bhutan’s most challenging trek, the Snowman trek, in the distance. Continue on to Babzur - a village located by a beautiful meadow lined with a few prayer flags and views of Kunzangdrak Gompa. After a packed lunch here you walk for another 1.5 hours until you reach the feeder road where the hike ends, and your driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel.

Please note: Today's hike will take around 7 hours with stops along the way. You will need proper footwear and clothing appropriate to the season, but this is a hike of moderate difficulty and is suitable for those of a reasonable fitness level.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gongkhar Guest House (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: This morning you will say farewell to your guide and driver and you will be transferred to the small airport in Bumthang to board the flight back to Paro. 

Flight: KB1002 Bumthang – Paro 10.25 – 11.00

Guided sightseeing in and around Paro:  On arrival in Paro you will be met by your new guide and driver and you will be transferred to your hotel. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant and afterwards there will be time to have a visit to the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), which was built to commemorate victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644, but destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Palace Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner