UK regional departures available with alternative airlines.

• 1 night superior room breakfast included at Lemon Tree Premier Hotel, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide will greet you for a brief one-hour journey through the picturesque Paro and Thimphu river valleys to reach Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, located at an altitude of 2,320 meters above sea level. Along the way, take a moment to admire the stunning Tamchhog Lhakhang, the ancestral temple of Bhutan's legendary iron bridge builder.

The day’s sightseeing will be adjusted based on your flight schedule.

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk around the town and immerse yourself in the charm of this enchanting capital, with its lively shops, bustling markets, and locals dressed in traditional attire. If time permits, visit the farmers' market, where fresh vegetables and other local products are displayed.

Close by, you can also explore Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, a contemporary temple built in the 1990s as a symbolic representation of Guru Rinpoche's heavenly realm. It was constructed by Dasho Aku Tongmi, the composer of Bhutan's national anthem.

• 2 nights double room breakfast included at Pelyang Boutique hotel or similar, Thimphu.

In the morning, start your day by visiting the majestic Buddha Dordenma statue, which offers a stunning panoramic view of Thimphu Valley. This impressive structure sits on a 3-storey throne that houses several chapels, and its interior is filled with 125,000 smaller Buddha statues.

Next, take a 25-minute drive to Sangaygang (Radio Tower), where you'll embark on a one-hour walk to the Druk Wangditse temple. Perched overlooking the entire Thimphu Valley, this historic temple is one of the oldest in the area and holds great cultural significance as a heritage site of Bhutan.

After exploring the temple, walk back to Sangaygang (Radio Tower) and continue your journey to the Takin Reserve, home to Bhutan's fascinating national animal, the Takin.

Later, visit the Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery, also known as Zilukha Nunnery, situated above Tashichho Dzong in Zilukha. Established in 1976 by the 16th reincarnation of Thangthong Gyelpo, the nunnery is home to around 50 to 60 nuns.

If you're interested, your guide can arrange for you to watch an archery match, a much-loved national pastime in Bhutan.

Journey from Thimphu to Punakha, beginning with a scenic 3-hour drive to the historic former capital.

Along the way, you’ll traverse the Dochu La pass, sitting at 3,050 meters, where we’ll pause to savor a warm drink and take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas.

As the journey continues, you’ll notice a shift in climate and vegetation as we descend to the lower-altitude Punakha, located at 1,250 meters.

On the way, enjoy a relaxing one-hour walk through the terraced fields of Sopsokha village, leading to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. Built in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, fondly known as the ‘Divine Madman,’ this site holds significant cultural importance.

In the afternoon, explore the grand Punakha Dzong, aptly named the “Palace of Great Happiness.” Constructed in 1637, this architectural marvel is strategically positioned at the confluence of the Po Chu and Mo Chu rivers, offering a magnificent sight and deep historical value.

• 1 night double room at Hotel Vara, Punakha.

Nestled amid breathtaking scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral seat of Bhutan’s royal family, stands prominently, visible from miles away.

While there, you can explore Ta Dzong, a watchtower-turned-museum dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty. The museum showcases the rich history of the Dzong and the valley it overlooks, along with personal artifacts of Bhutan's Kings and Queens.

From Trongsa, continue your journey for another 2.5 hours through some of Bhutan’s most picturesque landscapes to Bumthang, a region of high-altitude valleys ranging from 2,580 to 3,100 meters.

• 3 nights double room at Jakar View Hotel, Bumthang.

From there, continue driving for another 25 minutes to reach the car park. From this point, take a 45-minute uphill hike to Kunzangdrak Monastery, perched at 3,250 meters. Often compared to a smaller version of Tiger’s Nest, the monastery offers sweeping views of Babzur Valley and the Nunnery University. After exploring the monastery, descend to the car and proceed to Tang Valley.

For lunch, enjoy a picnic or dine at Ugyenchholing Palace. Afterward, explore Ugyenchholing Palace, now a museum that provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of an aristocratic Bhutanese family from the past century.

Begin your return to Bumthang, passing through scenic villages and temples along the way.

Stop at Ta Rimochen Lhakhang, a Nyingma monastery with a rich history. Its name comes from the tiger stripes visible on the rock behind the temple, linked to a legend of Guru Padmasambhava meditating there with his consorts. Founded in the 14th century by Tertoen Pema Lingpa, the temple’s creation was foretold by Longchen Rabjam. It was later restored by a descendant of Dorji Lingpa. The site features unique rock formations symbolizing male and female Garudas, a throne seat of Guru Padmasambhava, and door-like impressions believed to conceal sacred treasures.

End the day with dinner at a local farmhouse, offering an authentic experience of traditional Bhutanese village life. If you’d like, you can also help prepare the evening meal for a hands-on cultural experience.

This vibrant event draws locals from miles away, dressed in their finest attire, to take part in the celebrations. They gather to witness traditional masked dances, offer prayers, and enjoy feasts.

While the festival’s primary purpose is spiritual, the dances often resemble theatrical performances, portraying stories of good triumphing over evil or reenacting significant moments from Bhutan’s history, particularly those related to Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), the country’s revered patron saint.

The festival is also a lively social occasion, where people mingle, unwind from their daily routines, and showcase their best clothing and jewelry. It’s a time for both spiritual reflection and joyous celebration, offering prayers and receiving blessings.

Later in the day, take a leisurely walk around the town, and if time permits, explore some of the local handicraft shops.

Drive for about 5-6 hours to reach Gangtey, located at an elevation of 2,900 meters. Along the way, take in the stunning views of the vast and remote Phobjikha Valley, surrounded by the imposing Black Mountain ranges.

Once in Gangtey, visit the Gangtey Gompa, one of Bhutan's oldest monasteries. From there, you may choose to embark on the short Gangtey Nature Trail, a 1.5-hour walk that takes you through the picturesque Phobjikha Valley. This area is famous for being a winter haven for black-necked cranes, which arrive in large numbers every November after spending the summer months in Tibet.

• 1 night double room at Dewachen Hotel & Spa, Phobjikha Valley.

Wangdi, also known as Wangdue Phodrang, was once considered Bhutan's secondary capital and holds a central and strategic location.

The Wangdi Dzong was tragically destroyed by a fire in June 2012, which wiped out not only a magnificent structure that had stood for centuries but also months of hard work to restore damage from a recent earthquake using traditional building techniques. After 10 years of restoration efforts, the Dzong has now been fully restored and is open for visitors.

After exploring the Dzong, continue your journey toward Paro. In the late afternoon, you might enjoy a leisurely stroll around Paro town, taking the time to browse the local handicraft shops for souvenirs to remember your trip.

• 3 nights double room at Rema Resort, Paro.

This morning, start with a visit to the National Museum, located in the Ta Dzong (watchtower) perched on a hill above Rinpung Dzong.

Originally built to protect Rinpung Dzong and the Paro Valley during times of conflict, its unique circular design resembles a conch shell.

The museum houses an impressive collection of Bhutanese artifacts, including traditional costumes, religious paintings, weapons, textiles, and an intriguing array of Bhutanese stamps.

From the National Museum, enjoy a relaxed 1-hour hike along a forested hillside to Zuri Dzong. The trail passes by Gonsaka Lhakhang before reaching Zuri Dzong, offering stunning views of Paro Valley and Rinpung Dzong along the way. Built in 1352, Zuri Dzong is dedicated to the valley's protective deities.

Continue walking downhill to the Uma Resort junction and then head toward Paro Dzong, enjoying more excellent views of the Dzong and the town. Your driver will meet you at the Paro Bridge to pick you up. You may also wish to visit the striking Paro Rinpung Dzong, a prime example of Bhutanese architectural craftsmanship.

Spend the day hiking to the iconic ‘Tiger’s Nest,’ the revered Taktshang Monastery, which clings dramatically to a cliff face, 900 meters above the valley floor.

According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on the back of a tigress and meditated here for three months. Considered one of the holiest sites in Bhutan, it attracts pilgrims not only from within the country but also from neighboring Buddhist regions.

You can enjoy lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria, which offers a breathtaking view of the monastery.

Later, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of great historical importance and one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious landmarks.

• 1 night superior room breakfast included at Lemon Tree Premier Hotel, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.