Your journey begins with the flight to Delhi. After arriving late in the evening or at night, you are taken to your hotel near the airport.

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Vivanta New Delhi is located near the airport. A pool, spa and fitness centre help you relax before and after the trip, and several restaurants serve Indian cuisine. The colourful rooms have a double bed, TV and private bathroom.

If your flight lands in the early hours of the morning, you can move straight into your room. The day is yours – arrive at your own pace and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. (B)

You fly to Bhutan – welcome to the Land of the Thunder Dragon! At Paro airport your German-speaking guide awaits you and will accompany you over the coming days. From Paro you drive to Thimphu. The capital lies at around 2,300 m and is remarkably calm: instead of high-rises, buildings in traditional style shape the townscape, and the little traffic there is is directed by police officers rather than traffic lights. On the way you visit the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre with its traditional weaving and Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortress monasteries in the country. After a short orientation you can stroll through town on your own at lunchtime. At the Memorial Chorten and Changangkha Temple you watch the faithful murmuring mantras as they circle the shrines and turn prayer wheels. You then visit the Buddha Dordenma, a gilded bronze statue over 50 m tall. In the evening you sample Bhutanese cuisine at a local restaurant. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 65 km; driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Hotel Riverview by Tenzinling stands above the Thimphu river with views over the valley and the city. It combines traditional Bhutanese architecture with modern comfort; warm wood and ornamentation characterise the rooms. Its central location is ideal for exploring the capital.

In the morning you visit Thimphu’s farmers’ market; your guide buys fruit and snacks for you to try. A winding road leads up to the Dochu La pass (3,088 m) with 108 small chortens and countless prayer flags. In clear weather the view reaches the snow-capped peaks of the eastern Himalayas. On the way you walk through terraced rice fields to the fertility temple Chimi Lhakhang, dating from the 15th century. It is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman” for his unconventional way of teaching Buddhism. After descending some 1,800 m you reach the fertile Punakha Valley. (B/S/D) (Distance: approx. 77 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The small Dragon’s Nest Resort lies right on the bank of the Mo Chhu, a few minutes’ drive from Punakha Dzong. It is built in traditional style in a quiet setting, with riverside paths for walks. The rooms are simple, bright and functional, some with river views.

After breakfast you visit the suspension bridge over the Po Chhu, surrounded by green mountains. You cross it and take a leisurely walk along the river (easy, approx. 6 km, approx. 2.5 hrs). At a lovely spot on the bank you enjoy a picnic. At the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu stands Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and important fortress monasteries – the royal couple married here in 2011. On a guided tour of about two hours you admire woodcarvings and murals and learn about the monks’ life, Buddhist faith and Bhutan’s history. (B/P/D)

In the morning you stock up on fruit and snacks for the long drive at Kaja Throm market in Punakha. Then a real road trip begins: mountain panoramas, changing landscapes, yaks by the roadside, monkeys in the trees and birds of prey overhead. Over Pele La (approx. 3,400 m) you head towards Trongsa, whose mighty dzong can be seen from afar. Here you stretch your legs and take photos. Over Yotong La (approx. 3,400 m) and with stops at viewpoints you reach the valleys of Bumthang, often called Bhutan’s cultural heart – with gentle hills, forests, fields, villages and ancient monasteries. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 197 km; driving time: approx. 6.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast For the two nights in Bumthang you stay at a typical local hotel in the Bumthang Valley.

Today you experience the deep religiosity of the Bumthang Valley. You visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, where monks and elderly villagers pray, make music and meditate. At the small, peaceful Kharchu Monastery you take part in a traditional butter lamp ceremony. At a farmers’ cooperative you learn about honey production and rural life. At midday you are the guests of a farming family and eat Bhutanese specialities such as red rice, the national dish ema datshi, buckwheat noodles and pancakes. Afterwards you can try your hand at archery, the national sport. After a short hike you reach Membar Tsho, the “Burning Lake” and an important pilgrimage site – your guide tells you the legend behind it. A visit to Pema Choling Nunnery and a walk with views over the valleys round off the day. In the evening there is a BBQ dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D)

Today you travel to the Phobjikha Valley, also known as Gangtey or the “Crane Valley”. On the way you stop at viewpoints and have lunch at a local restaurant. The wide valley with its meadows, forests and old farmhouses is the winter home of rare black-necked cranes. High above the valley stands Gangtey Monastery, which you visit. You then hike the Gangtey Nature Trail through flower meadows, villages and forest down into the valley, passing a chorten and Khewa Lhakhang temple (easy, approx. 5.5 km, approx. 2 hrs). Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D) (Distance: approx. 140 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Phobjikha Resort sits on a rise with wide views over the Phobjikha Valley. Built in traditional style, it is ideal for peace and nature; nearby there are walking trails and birdwatching opportunities. The rooms are simple and functional, furnished with local materials.

Over the mountain roads you drive back to Paro. On the way your guide explains the meaning of prayer flags, and together you hang your own. At midday you enjoy a picnic in nature. In the afternoon you visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), the “fortress on a heap of jewels”, with its ornate carvings and temples. In a village near Paro a family welcomes you for butter tea and conversation; afterwards you try khuru, the Bhutanese version of darts. The evening is free – it is best to go to bed early, as tomorrow you climb to the Tiger’s Nest. (B/P) (Distance: approx. 170 km; driving time: approx. 6 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Tenzinling Resort lies on a quiet hillside above Paro with views over the valley; Paro Dzong and the Tiger’s Nest are easily reached. It combines traditional architecture with modern functionality. The spacious, wood-panelled rooms have large windows or balconies with valley or mountain views.

Today a highlight awaits: Taktsang Monastery, the “Tiger’s Nest”, clinging to a cliff some 900 m above the Paro Valley. It is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. You decide how far you go – even from the cafeteria there is a wonderful view of the monastery (to the cafeteria: moderate, approx. 2 hrs, approx. 300 m of ascent). On the way back you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the holiest temples in the country. Afterwards you can relax at the hotel or enjoy a traditional hot stone bath (optional, bookable locally). In the evening you meet the group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

After breakfast you fly back to Delhi. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Vivanta New Delhi is located near the airport. A pool, spa and fitness centre help you relax before and after the trip, and several restaurants serve Indian cuisine. The colourful rooms have a double bed, TV and private bathroom.

In the early morning you fly from Delhi back to Europe, arriving the same day.