Bhutan Trekking Adventure

DAY 1 Bangkok Bound

Leaving the UK on a direct evening overnight flight of around 11 and a half hours to Bangkok, take the opportunity to catch up on some reading or a couple of movies and look forward to your forthcoming adventure.

DAY 2 Fly to Bhutan

Back at the airport for an early morning check-in, board your flight to Bhutan's capital, Paro, a journey time of around three hours. On arrival, your Bhutan guide and driver will be there to meet you and whisk you to your hotel, around ten minutes from the airport. After freshening up, you might like to have a quick bite to eat before setting off on a guided walk to get your bearings. You'll see the Ugyen Pelri Palace and the town's main archery ground then cross the river on the pretty covered bridge where pilgrims pass on their way up to the renowned Rinpung Dzong, the 'Fortress on a Heap of Jewels'. From here, a short drive will take you to Bhutan's National Museum, housed in a former watch tower and offering fabulous views, not least of the airport's impressive landing strip tucked in between the mountains. The walk takes you high up the hillside overlooking the picturesque valley and the fortress before descending into town once again, perhaps calling at the old temple of Kyichu Lhakhang to buy offerings.

Back at your hotel, enjoy a delicious supper and a relaxed evening.

DAY 3 Punakha Valley

This morning, your driver will collect you for the onward drive through glorious scenery to the dizzy heights of the Dochula Pass, at some 10,300ft. If it's a clear day you'll savour breath-taking views across the snow-capped Himalayas. Enjoy a peaceful wander among the hundreds of multi-coloured prayer flags fluttering quietly in the breeze and the 108 small white memorial chortens, or shrines, to fallen soldiers, each one precisely placed on the rounded hilltop. Descending around 7,000ft through deep forest, you'll enter the beautiful Punakha Valley and visit the striking 500-year-old Chimi Lhakhang. Blessed by one of Bhutan's best beloved Buddhist masters, Drukpa Kunley, this memorable - and rather graphically decorated - hillside fertility temple is frequented by pilgrims looking to conceive.

You'll arrive at your Punakha hotel in time for dinner and a chance to reflect on a superbly scenic journey.

DAY 4 To Thimphu

Enjoy a leisurely morning in anticipation of your Himalayan trek, beginning tomorrow. After lunch, you'll be driven back up to the Dochula Pass for another chance to savour the magnificent views from on high. Driving on to Thimphu, you'll have time to visit the Fortress of the Glorious Religion (Trashichho Dzong), a splendid Buddhist monastery and the current seat of government. Surrounded by lovely gardens and boasting wonderful views across the river, its imposing towers are crowned with red and gold tiered roofs, glinting in the sunshine. You may also call at Thimphu's Folk Heritage Museum for a glimpse of traditional rural life. Housed in a mud and timber three-storey house from the 19th century, it includes a water mill, kitchen gardens, farming equipment and a variety of cultural exhibits demonstrating clothes making, cooking, painting and other crafts.

Back at your hotel, enjoy a hearty meal and a good sleep.

DAY 5 Dzong Drakar Visit and Trek

Today, you'll be driven up to the thrilling Chele La Pass, stopping to admire the Dzong Drakkar en route. Continuing through pine and rhododendron forests, you'll emerge onto the more rugged highlands, winding round narrow hairpin bends until you reach the summit of the pass and the colourful array of prayer flags standing tall in the breeze. The panoramic views are astounding: to the west is the beautiful Haa Valley and the mountains of India's Sikkim; to the north is Tibet and the impressive Mount Jhomalhari, while the fertile slopes of the Paro Valley are laid out to the east.

From here you'll set off on foot along the mountain ridge to further savour the views on a trail that snakes back down to the forest and on to the extraordinary Kila Nunnery. It's around a two-hour trek and well worth it to see the ancient building's unique location, clinging precariously to the craggy mountainside. Originally a meditation retreat, it remains a place of worship and is now home to a handful of dedicated Buddhist nuns. You can pay your respects at the temple here before continuing your trek further down the valley to be met by your driver and taken back to your Paro hotel for a relaxed evening.

DAY 6 Fly to Bangkok

You'll be collected from your hotel after breakfast this morning for your transfer to the airport and the two and a half hour flight to Bangkok. Here, you'll transfer to your Bangkok hotel for an overnight stay.