BHUTAN - FIVE VALLEY ADVENTURE

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

Arrive into Delhi from your international flight.  After clearing immigration, you will be met and transferred to The Oberoi. The rest of the day will be spent at your leisure giving you a chance to relax after your long journey.  In the afternoon, meet your private guide for an exhilarating rickshaw ride around the city and visit to India Gate.

Overnight: The Oberoi

Day 2 Thimpu

Fly on Druk Air from Delhi to Paro, when on a clear day one can spot the peaks of Everest and the mighty Himalayas. On arrival into Paro, you will be met by a Red Savannah representative and transferred by road to the wonderful Six Senses property, which sits at the top of the valley overlooking Thimphu. Enjoy incredible views, wonderful cuisine, world-class hospitality and an incredible introduction to this magnificent country.

Overnight: Six Senses Thimphu

Day 3 Thimpu

Enjoy a day with a private guide exploring all of the fascinating sights. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a large Tibetan style Buddhist monastery with its golden spires and bells, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Continue on to the National Textile Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum, which provide a real insight into Bhutanese culture then visit Kunsel Phodrang, also known at Buddha Point located within Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to the Thimphu valley. Return to Six Senses for a relaxing evening and to watch the sunset over the valley from your gorgeous private terrace.

Overnight: Six Senses Thimphu

Day 4 Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha, with a journey time of around two and a half hours. En route stop at the Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft), where on a clear day you will have an incredible view of the Himalayas. Hang a prayer flag, and before you leave wander around the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and well being of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.

On arrival at Punakha, check into to your boutique hotel. In the afternoon, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Divine Madman’s Monastery, Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. Your evening will be at leisure.

Overnight: Uma Punakha

Day 5 Punakha Valley

After breakfast, drive 12 km north of Punakha and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic tradition. Enjoy an hour hike to the Chorten, through a moderately inclined trail that is surrounded by pine trees and spectacular views of the Punakha Valley. The Chortens were built to remove negative forces and to promote peace, stability and harmony in the upper Punakha Valley. Enjoy the gorgeous views across the Mo Chhu River and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.

In the afternoon, visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male) river and the Mo Chhu (female) river. Built in 1637, Punakha Dzong now serves as the administrative centre of Punakha district and the central monastic body.

Overnight: Uma Punakha

Day 6 Drive to Phobjikha Valley

When you are ready, check out and meet your driver, who will transfer you to Gangtey and the Phobjika Valley, with a journey time of around three hours. Phobjika is a glacial valley (3,000 m) on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, and a designated conservation area bordering the Black Mountain National Park where large flocks of black-necked cranes arrive from Tibet in winter. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and has the fascinating Black Neck Crane Centre that is well worth visiting. After you have checked-in and enjoyed a light lunch, visit Gangtey Gonpa Monastery complex with five temples that surround the main central tower. It is one of the main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa's revelations and one of the two main centres of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in Bhutan. In the evening, enjoy a traditional hot stone bath and perhaps private dining in one of the intimate spots on the property.

Overnight: Amankora Gangtey

Day 7 Phobjikha Valley

This morning, visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre, which offers you the opportunity to learn about these rare birds. You will learn about the bird's migration paths, their behaviour and about the ecology of the valley. In the observation room, try  high-powered telescopes to observe the birds (October - February). In the afternoon, hike the Gangtey Nature Trail which leads through the beautiful, broad and U shaped glacial valley. It is known for its scenic beauty and cultural uniqueness and has one of the most beautiful nature trails that should not be missed. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through cool, shaded forests. The evening is at leisure to relax.

Overnight: Amankora Gangtey

Day 8 Trongsa Dzong - Jakar

Today you will drive to Jakar in the Bumthang valley. The highway you will be travelling on has been ingeniously carved into the mountain face and offers dramatic views and beautiful scenery. En route you can stop at Chendebji Chorten (a small Buddhist monument at the side of the road), visit the Trongsa Dzong and watch weavers creating beautiful textiles in the Chhume Valley. Arriving in Jakar you will be transferred to Amankora Bumthang where you will spend the next three nights in luxury surrounded by highly attentive staff. The cuisine here is delicious and you will enjoy your time relaxing in the spa or reading fascinating books on Bhutan and its history in the well-stocked library.

Overnight: Amankora Bumthang

Day 9 Bumthang 

Today explore the Bumthang valley with your wonderful guide. Visit the Jakar Dzong, Swiss farm and Tamshing Monastery, which dates back to the 7th century. After lunch visit the Tang Mebartso or the burning lake, where dharma treasures were revealed, and there is a further option of a gentle hike around the valley or perhaps take the streets alone on bicycles to meet the friendly locals.

Overnight: Amankora Bumthang

Day 10 Ura - Burning Lake

Today you will journey off the beaten track and to the isolated village of Ura in the central valley. The road climbs through amazingly open countryside, only occasionally running into forest, and sheep pastures line the road. The road crosses Ura-la pass (3,600m), where one will get a magnificent view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum. Villages in Ura have clustered houses, which is quite unusual in Bhutan.  Above Ura village (3,100m) there is a new temple that is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Inaugurated in 1986, it contains a huge statue of the Guru and remarkable wall paintings of the cycle of his teachings.

Overnight: Amankora Bumthang

Day 11 Paro

After breakfast, take a short domestic flight back to Paro. On arrival transfer to Uma Paro, a gorgeous boutique property, with an amazing spa and that is set in immaculate grounds.

In the afternoon, visit Paro Dzong and the National Museum. Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known dzongs in Bhutan as it is one the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, it is also known as the Ringpung Dzong, which means ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’. Ta Dzong, inaugurated as National Museum in 1968, holds a fascinating collection of artefacts. Continue on to a local farmhouse (traditional village house) for tea for the opportunity to learn about the traditional lifestyle of a farmer.

Overnight: Uma Paro

Day 12 Paro

For what is bound to be a true highlight for your visit to Bhutan, rise extra early for your hike to one of Bhutan’s most revered icons, Taktsang (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery), which is perched 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Far from being a monument, it is a living, breathing monastery, and home to a handful of monks. Hang a prayer flag to send Buddhist blessings via the winds, then on return to the lodge, enjoy lunch and perhaps a spa treatment to soothe any aching muscles. If you're still feeling energetic in the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites built in the seventh century by Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo to subdue a demoness who prevented the spread of Buddhism. Temples were built across the Himalayas to pin her body down. You will see pilgrims turning the many prayer wheels along the walls as they circumnavigate the temple. Return to the lodge for dinner and perhaps later on, you might enjoy an archery session at the hotel, which is the national sport of Bhutan.

Overnight: Uma Paro

Day 13 Depart Bhutan

At the appropriate time, meet your private guide and driver, who will transfer you to the airport for your Druk Air flight to Delhi. A Red Savannah representative will meet you in the arrivals hall and transfer you back to the Oberoi for your final night.

Overnight: The Oberoi

Day 14 Depart India

Transfer to Delhi airport for your international flight home.