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. 1 night in Delhi.

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 your trip, and several restaurants introduce you to Indian cuisine. The colourful rooms have a double bed, TV and private bathroom.

After some rest you fly on to Bagdogra in West Bengal, where your tour guide is already waiting. Together you drive up steep, winding mountain roads to the famous tea region of Darjeeling – a spectacular route that takes its time. Along the way there are repeated views of evergreen tea gardens. In the evening you meet for your first welcome dinner together. 2 nights in Darjeeling. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 93 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Yashsree Mall Road is centrally located in Darjeeling, just a few minutes’ walk from the lively Mall Road and Chowrasta square, yet pleasantly quiet. The cosy rooms have comfortable beds, flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities and a private bathroom with hot shower. The restaurant serves Indian, Chinese and international cuisine.

In the morning you ride the historic narrow-gauge steam railway, the “Toy Train” (UNESCO World Heritage), to Ghoom – past tea gardens, small villages and monasteries. At the terminus you can visit the small railway museum, and on the way back you see the Tibetan monastery of Ghoom. In the afternoon you visit the mountaineering museum of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, where you learn about the history of mountaineering in the Himalayas and see rare animals such as snow leopards. At the Tibetan Self-Help Centre, run by Tibetan refugees, you gain insights into the making of carpets, leatherwork, paintings and woodcraft. To finish, you visit the Happy Valley Tea Estate, one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling, and on a tour of the plantation and factory learn how the famous Darjeeling tea is grown and processed. From November to March production rests; the steps are then explained using the machinery. (B/D)

If you like, you can drive to the Tiger Hill viewpoint before sunrise (optional): the first light gradually bathes the snow-capped peaks of the Kangchenjunga massif in warm colours – on clear days you see other eight-thousanders and, with luck, even Mount Everest. After a hearty breakfast you travel on winding mountain roads to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim at around 1,600 m, with breathtaking views of the Himalayan giants on clear days. The rest of the day is yours to settle in; your tour guide will be happy to suggest walks and cafés. 3 nights in Gangtok. (B/L/D) (Distance: approx. 98 km; driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Yashshree Sikkim Blossom lies slightly above the centre of Gangtok, with panoramic views of the hills and, on clear days, the Himalayas. The modern rooms have flat-screen TV, kettle, desk, free Wi-Fi and a bathroom with hot shower and hairdryer. The restaurant serves Indian, Chinese and Sikkimese food.

After breakfast you drive to Tashi View Point, which on clear days offers wide views of mountains, valleys and Gangtok. At the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts, which promotes Sikkim’s traditional crafts, you watch artisans making woodcarvings, bamboo products, carpets and fabrics. You then visit Enchey Monastery, idyllically set on a wooded ridge above the city. It was built in the early 20th century on the site of a former hermitage and is home to monks of the Nyingma tradition. The late afternoon is yours – for a stroll through town, small shops or a quiet viewpoint. (B)

Today you drive to Rumtek Monastery, around 24 km outside the city. It is one of the most important monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism and the seat in exile of the Karmapas, heads of the Karma Kagyu school; the extensive complex gives you an impressive insight into the religious life of the region. You then visit the Do Drul Chorten, one of the most important stupas in Sikkim, and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which is dedicated to the study of Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan culture and houses an important collection of rare manuscripts. In the afternoon you can visit the flower show and orchidarium (optional, bookable locally) and admire Sikkim’s colourful orchids. (B)

After breakfast you drive to Chalsa. On the way you visit a tea estate and learn how tea is grown, pruned and processed – in the harvest season you see freshly picked leaves; from November to March the processes are explained using the machinery. In Chalsa you have time to recover from the drive and enjoy the peaceful surroundings – on a walk to nearby viewpoints or in a small café; your tour guide will gladly give you tips. 1 night in Chalsa. (B/L/D) (Distance: approx. 143 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Riverwood Forest Retreat lies in the green Dooars region at the foot of the eastern Himalayas, near the Murti River and surrounded by forest and rich birdlife. There is a restaurant, the Hornbill Bar, a large outdoor pool and a spa area with whirlpool and steam bath.

Today you reach the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing. After the entry formalities your local tour guide welcomes you. Crossing the border noticeably changes the rhythm of the trip: Bhutan deliberately focuses on controlled, sustainable tourism, and many procedures are regulated accordingly. The lively trading town at the foot of the Himalayan foothills is a meeting point of Indian, Bhutanese and Nepalese influences. In the afternoon you drive to Kharbandi Monastery with wide views over the town and the tea gardens of West Bengal; inside you see murals depicting the life of the Buddha. Back in town you visit the Zangtho Pelri Temple, which symbolises the celestial paradise of Guru Rinpoche. The evening is free for a stroll through the colourful border town. 1 night in Phuentsholing. (B) (Distance: approx. 84 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

On a scenic, partly winding route you drive to the capital Thimphu, with photo stops at fine viewpoints. Thimphu combines tradition and modernity and is considered one of the few capitals in the world without traffic lights. In the afternoon you visit the Kaja Throm farmers’ market, try regional specialities and fresh fruit with your tour guide and chat with the traders. The evening is yours. 2 nights in Thimphu. (B) (Distance: approx. 155 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The modern City Hotel is located in the heart of Thimphu, ideal for exploring the sights and markets. The restaurant serves local and international cuisine. The spacious rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom.

Today you get to know the capital better. In a traditional weaving workshop you see the fine steps of this local craft. At the Memorial Chorten and Changangkha Temple you experience living Buddhism: locals circle the stupas with prayer beads and turn the prayer wheels – an almost meditative sight. You continue to the Buddha Dordenma statue, more than 50 m high and one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. In the afternoon you visit Trashichhoe Dzong, the religious and political centre of Bhutan: the complex is both seat of government and monastery and houses, among other things, the King’s throne room and the seat of the chief abbot – a symbol of the close bond between religion and state. (B)

Today you drive to the Dochu La pass at 3,088 m, where 108 small chortens stand and countless prayer flags flutter in the wind. Your tour guide explains their meaning, and following tradition you hang up your own prayer flags together. In good weather the view reaches the snowy peaks of the eastern Himalayas, such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. You then walk past terraced rice fields to the 15th-century fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang, set on a small hill and dedicated to the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kunley, who taught Buddhism in highly unorthodox ways. After check-in you have lunch at a local restaurant; the afternoon is yours – if you like, you can visit Punakha’s market with your tour guide. 2 nights in Punakha. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 75 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Zhingkham Resort lies idyllically on the banks of the Mo Chu in Punakha, surrounded by rice fields and green hills. It combines traditional Bhutanese architecture with modern comfort; the spacious rooms offer lovely views of nature. The restaurant serves Bhutanese and international dishes made from fresh local ingredients, and there is a garden.

After a relaxed breakfast you visit the suspension bridge over the Po Chu, which links the communities on both banks amid green mountains. You cross it and walk along the river (easy, approx. 6 km, approx. 2.5 hrs); at a lovely spot on the bank you enjoy a picnic. You then visit Punakha Dzong, which sits majestically on a spit of land at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu and is considered one of Bhutan’s most beautiful fortresses. On a guided tour of about two hours you learn about the monks’ daily life, Buddhist belief and the founding of Bhutan and can watch the monks at their practices. (B/P)

On the drive to Paro, wide valleys and narrow mountain passages alternate, accompanied by chortens, mani walls and prayer flags. In the afternoon you visit Paro Dzong, the “fortress on a heap of jewels”, with rich woodcarvings and magnificent temples. You are then the guest of a Bhutanese family in a nearby village, drink the local speciality butter tea and chat about everyday life. On a short walk your hosts introduce you to “khuru”, a traditional game in which darts are thrown at a distant target. On the way back you enjoy the sunset over the Paro Valley from above Ta Dzong. The evening is yours. 2 nights in Paro. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 145 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Paro Eco Lodge is nestled in the green hills of the Paro Valley; from here you can stroll through the rice fields of Nemjo or along the Paro Chu. A restaurant and bar take care of your needs. The cosy Bhutanese-style rooms have plenty of windows and a private bathroom.

A special highlight awaits today: Taktsang Monastery, the “Tiger’s Nest”, which clings to the rock face like an eyrie around 800 m above the Paro Valley. It is one of the most revered places of pilgrimage in the Himalayas. The ascent is on foot, and depending on your fitness you decide how far to go: even from the cafeteria you have a rewarding view of the monastery (hike 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. You can then relax at the hotel or treat yourself to a traditional hot stone bath (optional, bookable locally). (B)

After breakfast you say goodbye to Bhutan and fly back to Delhi, where you are taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours. In the evening you look back on the journey at a farewell dinner together in a personal atmosphere. 1 night in Delhi. (B/D)

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 your trip, and several restaurants introduce you to Indian cuisine. The colourful rooms have a double bed, TV and private bathroom.

In the early hours of the morning you set off home. Welcome back!