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 2,280 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 know 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 (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning hike in Punakha: In the morning, hike an hour or so up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, which sits high on the hill across the other side of the valley. Here you will get some good views of Punakha and the surrounding countryside. After the walk, you will have an early lunch.

Private transfer to Gangtey with sightseeing: After lunch, drive up 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.

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 in November to April, you may 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 will 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 transfer to Paro: Today you will drive back to Paro which will take around 5 hours and on arrival, you will check into your hotel for the next few nights. After checking in, a late lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Guided sightseeing in and around Paro: In the afternoon, there will be time to have a short tour of Paro and you may also like to drive up to Chele La Pass which is at 3,800m to catch a tremendous view of Mount Jomolhari to the north, as well as down to the Haa Valley.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Paro and surrounds: This morning, you will visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum. This was previously housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro Valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling 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. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you can visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644 and 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. 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: Today 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 for your last night of the tour.

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 Drukair.

Flight: KB130 Paro - Bangkok 11.00 - 16.00

Private transfer: On arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be welcomed back to Thailand by your guide and you will then set off on the 3-hour drive to Hua Hin on the Thai coast.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rest Detail Hotel (Rest Green Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: You have 3 full days to relax after your tour of Bhutan and to soak up the sun or laze by the beach. Local excursions can be booked at the hotel if you would like to explore the local area.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Rest Detail Hotel (Rest Green Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: Early evening, you will be transferred back to the airport in Bangkok, where you will check in for the Thai Airways flight to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast