Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang, Gangtey & Paro

Arrive at Bagdogra Airport and transfer across the border to Thimphu. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, settling in and taking in the calm mountain air. Your overnight stay is at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, tour the capital city. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the impressive fortress that hosts the annual Tsechu festival. Browse souvenirs and local trinkets at the Weekend Market, and visit the ancient twelfth-century Changangkha Lhakhang. Stop by the National Memorial Chorten with its whitewashed walls and golden roof. Later, take a 45-minute uphill trek to reach the fifteenth-century Tango Goemba. Return to Thimphu for your overnight stay.

Drive from Thimphu to Punakha, crossing Dochula Pass at an elevation of 3,100 metres. In Punakha, tour Punakha Dzong, the country's largest fortress built in 1637 at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Cross a suspension bridge, walk along paddy field edges, and walk up a small hill to reach Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built in 2004. Spend time by the Mo Chhu river before resting at your hotel in Punakha.

Leave early in the morning for your journey to Bumthang. En route, stop in Trongsa, an ancestral home of the Bhutanese royal family named for the retreats, temples, and hermit residences that grew around it. Continue driving through the mountains to arrive in Bumthang late in the evening. Check in to your hotel and rest for the night.

Spend the full day exploring Bumthang. Visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most revered temples. Stop at Mebar Tso (the Burning Lake) in Tang Valley, a sacred pilgrimage site adorned with prayer flags and butter lamps. Tour the Red Panda Brewery and neighboring cheese factory to see traditional cheese-making and Weiss beer brewing. Journey towards Ura Valley, catching views of Mt. Gangkhar Puensum along scenic sheep pastures and clustered homes. Overnight in Bumthang.

Depart Bumthang in the morning and travel towards Gangtey. Pause along the scenic mountain route to take photographs and rest. Arrive in Gangtey by the evening, check in at the hotel, and enjoy the remaining hours at leisure. Overnight stay in Gangtey.

Explore the glacial valley of Gangtey. Visit Gangtey Gompa, the largest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. Stop at the Black Necked Crane Information Centre to use high-powered telescopes and spotting scopes for viewing roosting cranes. Walk the 90-minute Gangtey Nature Trail leading north from the gompa down to Khewang Lhakhang. Finish with a stop at the Wangmo Hand-Woven Carpet Factory to watch local artisans weave intricate patterns. Overnight in Gangtey.

Depart Gangtey in the morning and travel to historic Paro Valley, an area home to more than 150 temples and monasteries. Reach Paro by late afternoon and check in to your hotel. Use the rest of the day to explore the surrounding area and town at your own pace. Overnight stay in Paro.

Begin the day with a trek up to Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched 900 metres above Paro Valley. Later, visit the National Museum of Bhutan, housed inside a 1649 watchtower with six floors displaying historical art and cultural artefacts. See the historic Tachogang Lhakhang iron chain bridge built by Thangtong Gyalpo, pause alongside the Paro Chhu river, and browse local handicrafts, stamps, and cuisine at the Paro Weekend Market. Overnight stay in Paro.

Your Bhutan journey concludes today after breakfast. Complete your check-out and transfer back to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey.