Bhutan with Richard I'Anson

Enjoy spectacular views as you fly over the Himalayas and make a dramatic descent into Paro Airport. Bhutan's holy mountain, Jhomolhari at 7,300m, looms above the runway, with the glacial Paro Chhu River running down its slopes. Once on the ground, you'll receive a big Kuzuzangpo la! (Hello and welcome!) from your Bhutanese guides and local drivers, before driving directly to the hotel. Before dinner, meet Richard and your guide to discuss the days ahead. Overnight Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro

Meals:  L,D

Today we spend the day exploring Paro Valley, starting at Paro Dzong (16th century fort) that is home to about 500 monks. In the past, Dzongs acted as strongholds, protecting the vale’s inhabitants in times of war against Tibetans and internal rebellions. Today, it serves as the centre for administrative and monastic life and also houses the offices of the local government and the resident monk body. Below the Dzong, we'll walk across a traditional wooden- cantilevered bridge that spans the Paro Chhu. The day also includes a visit to the National Museum of Bhutan, the Tashi Gongphel Paper Workshop and the Dungtse Lhakhang temple. Overnight Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro

Meals:  B,L,D

Morning in Paro. In the afternoon drive to the foot of the Taktsang - the famous ‘Tigers Nest’ Monastery, said to have been one of the divine resting places of the Guru Ringpoche. We’ll ascend the walking trail to appreciate the breathtaking location of the monastery which sits on a cliff edge about 800 metres above the valley floor. The walk is approximately 2 hours. Return to Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro meals: B,L,D

Meals:  B,L,D

Drive for an hour to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital and largest city. Home to the Government, Royal Family, and the head offices of international organizations, Thimphu is a mix of Himalayan and Western sensibilities. On arrival we'll visit the Memorial Chorten, built by the royal grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in 1974 in memory of the 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who died in 1972. Bhutanese from around the country visit and circumambulate this auspicious stupa for merit and to liberate sentient beings from suffering. We visit the Ka Ja Throm market where we can photograph the various fruit and vegetable stalls and sellers before continuing up to Buddha Point to see the tallest seated Buddha statue in the world at 51m high. The statue fulfills an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. The massive three-storey base houses a large chapel, while the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. Overnight Le Meridien, Thimphu

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we further explore and photograph Thimphu. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest surviving temple in Thimphu. The temple is frequented by parents with small children seeking to obtain blessings from the protective deity of the temple, who is considered to be the birth deity and protector of children born in Thimphu. We also visit the Royal Textile Museum, a handcrafts emporium run by the National Women's Association of Bhutan (NWAB), a traditional paper "Desho" making factory and the Motithang Takin Preserve - to witness the elusive national animal. Overnight Le Meridien, Thimphu

Meals:  B,L,D

From Thimphu we gradually wind our way across the spectacular Dochu La Pass at just over 3,000m. In good weather the pass offers 360-degree vistas across 300 kilometres of Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s tallest peak Mt. Gangkar Puensum and some of the highest unclimbed mountains in the world! There are 108 stupas adorning the pass and the scenic spot here offers plenty of opportunities for photography. We drive down through forests of rhododendrons and magnolias, before the road descends into the warmer lowlands around Sopsokha village just in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy an easy hike to Chimi Lhakhang, also referred to as the Temple of Fertility. The temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, affectionately called the Divine Madman. He is one of Bhutan’s favourite holy men and the valley is peppered with traces of his influence. Villagers still enthusiastically recount the legends of his exploits. Women who are having trouble conceiving come here to pray and receive the resident lama’s blessings with a wooden phallus. There are about 25 young monks undergoing monastic education here. Overnight Dhensa Boutique, Punakha

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we explore Punakha Valley, beginning with a gentle hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Chorten, built by the Queen Mother for the wellbeing of sentient beings and world peace. A nearby farmhouse provides an opportunity to interact with the local villagers. Later, we drive to Punakha Dzong, one of the most magnificent fortresses in the world. This remarkable fortress was built in 1637 between two rivers and once served as the old capital of Bhutan. It has survived many glacial floods and fire. The Central Monk Body from Thimphu, including the head abbot, occupy the Dzong during the winter months taking advantage of its warm weather, returning to Thimphu for summer. Overnight Dhensa Boutique, Punakha

Meals:  B,L,D

Drive to Wangdi (45 mins) where we have two full days to photograph and take in the festivities around Wangdue Tshechu. This is a three-day festival of mask and folk dances to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhave. The Tshechu features dance by monks and laymen. Overnight Chuzom Sa Resort, Wangdi

Meals:  B,L,D

Full day to photograph the festivities around Wangdue Tshechu. Overnight Chuzom Sa Resort, Wangdi

Meals:  B,L,D

One last visit to the festival before we continue our journey to Trongsa via Pelela Pass (4320m). Here lies the largest fortress in the kingdom, the Trongsa Dzong, powerhouse of ancient Bhutan. Strategically located on the east-west mule tracks, the governors of Trongsa were the most powerful leaders in the medieval age that gave birth to the monarchial systems in Bhutan, which shaped the history of the country. We visit the precious watch tower known as the Ta Dzong, now converted into a museum. Inside there is a small chapel dedicated to King Gesar, an epic hero of Tibetan history, as well as an excellent museum dedicated to the monarchs of Bhutan. Overnight Druk Willing Resort, Trongsa

Meals:  B,L,D

Early morning take the two hour drive to Bumthang, the most beautiful valley and cultural heartland in the Kingdom. En-route we will visit the Yathra Weaving Centre at Chumey, where they use yak and sheep wool for their Yathra products with designs unique to Bumthang. Bumthang is a place of special spiritual significance. Legend has it that throughout the Buddhist Himalayas there exist valleys hidden from the outside world. Sheltered and protected, together these regions could become the last bastions of traditional Tibetan Buddhism. Shangri-La in James Hilton's Lost Horizons is based on this very idea. There remain few places more suited than Bumthang, Bhutan's spiritual heartland, to stand as symbols of such ideals. Overnight Rinchenling Lodge, Bumthang

Meals:  B,L,D

The annual Tamshing Phala Choepa Festival is held around the ancient Tamzhing Lhündrup Monastery which is currently home for around 100 Nyingma monks. The festival is particularly significant as it is set within the spiritual heart of Bhutan and centres on a temple with direct links to the saint of the oldest form of Tibetan Buddhism, Péma Lingpa. Traditional mask and folk dances nearly always include the ‘Dance of the Three kinds of Ging’ and the ‘Dance of the Four Stags’ both of which are said to bring good luck and banish misfortune for all who watch. Overnight Rinchenling Lodge, Bumthang

Meals:  B,L,D

We begin the day at Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo. We continue to Kurje Lhakhang, dedicated to the saint Guru Padhasambhava who meditated there in the 8th century and left his body imprint on the rock. One of the most holy of Bhutan's religious sites. From Kurje we begin our walk to Tamshing Lhakhang on the other side of the river. This temple is dedicated to Terton Pema Lingpa, the only Black Smith saint who lived in the 15th century. We can see some of the oldest murals preserved inside this temple. There is a beautiful Kenchosum Lhakhang with stories of Lord Buddha painted on the walls of the shrine inside. We'll end the walk with a visit to the Swiss Brewery to try the panda beer and cheese. This afternoon, drive to Tang, one of the four valleys of Bumthang. The buckwheat-growing valley combines immense natural beauty with historical importance: Bhutan’s greatest spiritual figures came from here. The route will take us to "Burning Lake." The saint Pema Lingpa jumped into the lake holding a butter lamp, and reemerged with the lamp still burning bright, proving himself the son of the great Guru. The lake remains a place of pilgrimage. We continue to the Pema Choling Nunnery. This nunnery is home to 300 Buddhist nuns who are practitioners of a soothing drum ceremony, which we will witness. The nuns perform this impressive and emotional drum ceremony for the wellbeing of all sentient beings and world peace. Overnight Rinchenling Lodge, Bumthang

Meals:  B,L,D

Morning flight to Paro. On arrival visit the auspicious 7th Century temple near the hotel to be treated to a ritual butter lamp ceremony that instills peace to one's disturbed mind and wards off evil. This afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong which translates to ‘Victorious Fortress’, owing to the several victories over marauding Tibetan invaders. It is considered the most beautiful archaeological site in Bhutan. The Dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951. After maintaining the magnificent ruin for almost 6 decades, the country is investing in restoring the site to its original grandeur. The area is still under renovation but expected to be completed by early 2023. We spend time enjoying the sensational view of Mt Jomolhari. we enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate an unforgettable journey! Overnight Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro

Meals:  B,L,D

Your trip concludes after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Tashi Delek!

Meals:  B