Depart UK and fly to Kathmandu

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in the city centre. Depending on flight times there may be time, if you're not too tired, to explore 'Thamel' the lively centre of Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Hotel)

In the morning you will take the short flight into Bhutan. Flying into Paro on a clear day you should be able to see fantastic views of the Himalayas. On arrival at Paro you will transfer by car/bus to Thimpu (54km), following the meandering Paro Chu and Wang Chu rivers, the drive takes you through typical Bhutanese countryside, villages, rice paddies and forests. Overnight in Thimpu. (Hotel)

Today will be spent in Bhutan’s capital city. In the morning your local guide will first take you to the BBS tower, covered in colourful prayer flags, to see the spectacular views of the Thimpu valley. You will also take time to visit the nunnery of Anim Dratshang, the paper factory, the Memorial Chortan (stupa) dedicated to the third king of Bhutan and the National Library which houses many ancient manuscripts. There will also be time to wander through the streets of Thimpu and visit the painting and woodcraft schools where traditional arts and crafts are kept alive and the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese art and textiles are displayed for sale. Overnight in Thimpu. (Hotel)

In the morning you will continue your journey north. On the way to Punakha you will cross the Dochula Pass (3116m) which gives incredible views of the highest peaks in Bhutan. On arrival in Punakha you will visit the Punakha Dzong, this fortress monastery is one of Bhutan’s most attractive, built in 1637 the Dzong can house as many as 600 monks. Today it is used by the central monk body during the winter months. In the afternoon you can walk through the streets and markets of Punakha. Overnight in Punakha. (Hotel)

Today you’ll head in to central Bhutan, your journey will take you over the Pele La Pass (3150m) which cuts through the Black Montains that divide western and central Bhutan. The drive winds through picturesque countryside passing by yak settlements and rhododendron forests. You will spend the afternoon sightseeing at Trongsa Dzong, undisputedly the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, this ancestral home of the royal family was built in 1647, it is an architectural masterpiece. You can also see the Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to guard the Trongsa Dzong. Overnight in Trongsa. (Hotel)

Early in the morning you will transfer to Bumthang. Here you will visit Jakar Dzong (Castle of the White Bird) this fortress was built in the 17th century and is now used as an administration centre for the Bumthang Valley. You will also visit Jambey Lhakang, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in order to defeat the evil demon who was preventing the spread of Buddhism across Asia. Above Jambey Lhakang are the Kurjey temples, this is one of the most holy sites in Bhutan, two of the temples were built at sites where Guru Rinpoche was said to have meditated, one of them contains a rock which has the outline of the Gurus’ body enshrined upon it. The third temple was built by the present Queen Mother. The three temples are surrounded by 108 chortens symbolizing the number of joints in the human body. In the evening you can visit the local farms where cheese and honey are produced. Overnight in Trongsa. (Hotel)

After an early breakfast you head out to Gangtey Gompa with a picnic lunch. This monastery is the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan, perched on top of a small hill rising from the valley floor, it is surrounded by villages that house the families of the monks. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black necked cranes which migrate from Tibet, China and Siberia to winter in this valley. Overnight in Gangtay. (Hotel)

In the morning you will return to Thimpu, the afternoon will be free to relax, have a massage or wander through the town. Overnight in Thimpu. (Hotel)

In the morning you will return to Paro. You will visit the Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress where the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans. Drukgyel Dzong is 16 km from Paro, en-route you can view Mt. Jhomolhari (7,341m), covered with snow throughout the year. Later you can visit Kyichu temple, this is another of the 108 temples built by Songtsen Gampo to subdue the evil demon. Overnight in Paro. (Hotel)

In the morning there is the chance to hike up to see the Taktshang monastery (Tiger’s Nest) legend has it that Guru Ripoche flew here on a tigress in the 8th century and spent time here in meditation. Taktshang is perched on a 900m high escarpment offering breath-taking, panoramic views. Later you will visit the National Museum. Overnight in Paro. (Hotel)

Today you will return to Kathmandu. In the afternoon there will be time to see some of the sites in the Kathmandu Valley such as the colourful Bodnath stupa and the Hindu temple and cremation ghats at Pashupatinath. Alternatively you may wish to wander through the lively shopping streets in Thamel and pick up a few souvenirs to take home. Overnight in Kathmandu. (Hotel)

Today your tour ends in Kathmandu. We will provide a transfer to take you back to the airport for your onward flight. Depending on flight times there may be time to do a little extra sight-seeing in the Kathmandu Valley such as the beautiful little city of Patan. Tour ends in Kathmandu.