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 set off on a day’s sightseeing.

Private transfer to Thimphu with sightseeing: Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at a height of 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide and driver will meet you and take you on a short one hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu which is Bhutan’s capital. On the way you can make a stop to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. On arrival in Thimphu you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Guided tour of Thimphu: This afternoon walk around the town and soak up the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. 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. Afterwards return to your hotel for dinner.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing in and around Thimphu: This morning visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the School of Traditional Arts. You may also like to visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, dating from 1629 AD) just outside the town and afterwards Tashicho (Trashi Chhoe) Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room & offices of the King. This afternoon is also 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 Hotel Jumolhari (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 3,050 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 1,250 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 tonight at the Drubchhu Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day hike to Jiligang Temple: Today take a picturesque day hike to Jiligang Temple. First hike across a suspension bridge to the beautiful temple of Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten on a ridge above the Punakha valley. You can see many different species of trees and plants as you proceed along the path including rhododendrons, fern and bamboo. When you reach the Chag Nyi Pass (at about 2200 metres) you will stop for lunch with views of Yebisa and Kabesa valleys below. From here descend gradually to Jiligang Temple (meaning hill of the cat) which was constructed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley in the middle of the 15th century when Buddhism was flourishing in western Bhutan. Inside the temple, in the main stupa, is a statue of the God of Compassion and the Lama Drukpa Kuenley himself. The temple is now privately owned by the descendants of the Lama. Below is the valley of Samdzingkha where local farmers tend their crops. Continue the descent towards the impressive Punakha Dzong where your hike ends and your driver will be waiting for you. Afterwards visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”, which was built in 1637 and is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. After the sightseeing return to the hotel to put your feet up.

Please note: Today's hike will take around 5 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 Drubchhu Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Trongsa: In the morning, drive approximately 4.5 hours to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 2,180 metres. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, commands the eye from miles away. On arrival check into your hotel and have lunch in a local restaurant.

Guided tour of Trongsa: After lunch, you can take a stroll around the small town of Trongsa and visit the mighty Trongsa Dzong. 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.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Yangkhil Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing around Trongsa: This morning, you will drive to the Kuenga Rabten Palace which served as the winter residence for the second king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and his junior consort, Ashi Pem Dechen. Constructed in 1928, it has been well preserved on account of its royal connections and a tour of the palace provides an interesting insight into the early days of the Bhutanese monarchy. After the sightseeing return to Trongsa for lunch.

Private road journey to Bumthang: This afternoon, you will set off on a 2.5 hour drive, through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes, to Bumthang - an area of high valleys at 2,580m to 3,100m. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax.

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 – the national sport played across the country.

Accommodation: Staytonight at the Gongkhar Guest House (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing in the Tang Valley: This morning drive to the Tang Valley, the most remote of Bumthang's four valleys. The road climbs past the trail to Membar Tsho (the ‘Burning Lake’), which is one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites. Then dive on to Drangchel, Pema Lingpa's birthplace. You will also see some picturesque villages and temples and if you are feeling fit you can walk up to visit Ugyenchholing Palace, which is now a museum and gives an interesting insight into life in an aristocratic family in the last century. After the sightseeing return to Bumthang.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Gangtey with sightseeing: After breakfast, drive around 5 hours to Gangtey which sits at a higher altitude of 2,900 metres. On the way enjoy views of the immense and remote Phobjikha Valley and the Black Mountain range. On arrival check into your hotel and then you will have a chance to visit Gangtey Goempa which is one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and which has recently been extensively renovated. You will also have time to explore the valley where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. This is also the site where black-necked cranes visit in their hundreds in November each year after spending the summer in Tibet.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided walk around the Phobjikha Valley: Today you can do a day’s walk around the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Start your walk at the Dewachen Hotel and walk from here to the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, which has lots of information on the valley and its famous migrating birds (Please note the information centre is currently being refurbished and is due to open in February). From here you can walk to Beta Village where there is a small school which you are welcome to visit if you are interested. Afterwards walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, past Semchubara village, through forests of blue pine trees covered with lichen (known as old man’s beard) and where you can hopefully see some birds. Continue on from the end of the nature trail to Kingathang village where you can visit a temple built by the Queen Mother. From Kingathang, you can walk via Yusa village back to your hotel. If you are here between November and February you should be able to see some of the famous black-necked cranes which arrive in their hundreds in November (until February) each year, after spending the summer in Tibet.

Please note: Today’s walk will be around 8 miles and will take around 6-7 hours. It may be cold in the valley so please bring some sturdy walking shoes and warm clothing that can be worn in layers.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Paro: Today, you will drive back to Paro, via Wangdue Phodrang, which will take around 7 hours. Wangdue Phodrang (also known as Wangdi) was originally considered to be Bhutan’s second capital and it commands an important central position. Sadly Wangdi Dzong was gutted by fire in June 2012, destroying in a few hours not only a magnificent building that had stood proudly for hundreds of years, but also the painstaking work that had been in progress for many months to rebuild recent earthquake damage using traditional construction methods. There is little now to see in Wangdi and after a brief stop for lunch continue on your way. On arrival you will check into your hotel and have time to relax.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Paro and surrounds: Today you will take a spectacular walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang Monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor and which 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. Afterwards return to your hotel.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Haa: Today you will set out on a day trip to Haa (2,670m). The drive is around 3 hours each way and involves crossing the Chele La Pass at 3,800m from where you will have a view of Mount Jomolhari (weather permitting) to the north as well as down to the Haa valley. The small town of Haa has only recently opened to tourists and as at the present time only has a few basic restaurants and a couple of small hotels. The area remains quite remote and offers beautiful rural scene in a valley with a river running through the middle. From Haa you can walk or drive to Katso village and from there you can visit the local monastery Lhakhang Karpo. In the afternoon return to Paro where you will have a chance to pick up some souvenirs of your trip.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your international departure with Druk Air.

Flight: KB130 Paro - Bangkok 11.00 - 16.00

On arrival in Bangkok, you will check in for the Thai Airways flight back to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast