Deluxe Bhutan Adventure and Thai Beach Relaxation

Today, we'll visit the Rinpung Dzong fortress overlooking the beautiful Paro river. This large Buddhist monastery and fortress is regarded as one of Bhutan's most impressive and well-known dzongs - and perhaps the finest example of Bhutanese architecture. From the 17th to the late 19th century, dzongs served as defending fortresses and were built with strong walls, false doors, reservoirs for water and food and hidden armouries. Dzongs were also headquarters for the religious and the political administrations. Once you've seen inside the Rinpung Dzong, enjoy the short walk across a wooden cantilever bridge on the dzong grounds.

Next, we'll hike up to the the National Museum to discover the rich history and heritage of Bhutan. The museum houses over 3000 pieces of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1,500 years of Bhutan's cultural heritage. It has a formidable collection of antiques from Buddhist temples, and artefacts once used by both the nobility and common folk. Highlights include masks, armour, paintings, prehistoric items and natural history exhibits.

Later this afternoon, you'll be driven to Thimphu on a scenic journey lasting just over an hour. As you make your way, your driver will point out important sites to give you an orientation of the city. Once you reach Thimphu you will be transferred to your hotel.

Spend your time in Bhutan's capital exploring the market, Taschichho Dzong and small, chock-a-block shops. A wander around this relaxed and friendly city gives a look at a more urban side of Bhutan which accompanies a wide display of traditional art, architecture and Buddhist sights steeped in ritual. A visit to the Arts and Crafts School, the Textile Museum and the Traditional Medicine Hospital are recommended. Your Travel Designer can help you to plan your stay here according to your interests.

You'll begin this full-day excursion with a sight-seeing tour of Buddha Hill. Your driver will collect you from your hotel and drive you to the Kuenselphodrang Nature Park where you'll be greeted by the massive statue of the Buddha Dordenma - one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world - sitting atop a hill overlooking the southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. Measuring 51.5 meters, the statue takes the form of Shakyamuni and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold with 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed inside it. The statue is a recent construction that was built to commemorate the centennial of the Bhutanese monarchy and to fulfil two Buddhist prophecies, one ancient and one modern.

Next, you'll be brought to the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum for a glimpse into traditional Bhutanese life. This restored three-storey building has been constructed using rammed-earth and timber to replicate a traditional farmhouse and inside it's furnished as it would have been 100 years ago. Both the house design and its furnishings reflect many aspects of both past and present rural Bhutanese life today. After a guided museum tour you'll stop for a refreshing lunch.

After lunch, you'll be brought on a guided hike to the Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, also known as the Cheri Temple. The temple is found at the northern end of the Thimphu Valley, roughly an hour's walk up a steep hill. This Buddhist monastery was established in 1620 A.D. by the founder of the Butanese state Ngawang Namgyal and is now a major teaching and retreat center.

Capital of Bhutan and seat of the government until 1955, the little town of Punakha still enjoys a serene and regal ambience left over from its stately days. Found in a fertile valley at a relatively low 12,000 metres above sea level, visitors come here for warm, sultry days filled with plenty of activities such as mountain biking, trekking and river rafting. Then step into the area's history with a visit to the town's show-stopping Punakha Dzong.

Today you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Punakha. Your day begins with a hike up through fields along the banks of the Mo Chhu River to Khamsum Yulley temple, a stunning monument recently built by the one of the Fourth King’s Queens with spectacular views down the valley. Following the hike you will have lunch by the river.

After lunch, you'll be driven for an hour to reach the Nalanda monastery to have a chat with monks there who are eager to learn English followed by a visit to the Wolokha Nunnery.

Today, you'll embark on a full day of hiking in Punakha. You'll be collected from your hotel in the morning and driven for 20 minutes to the beginning of your hike. Starting at Phuntsopelri Palace, hike for an hour along beautiful rice fields. During the hike, we'll have an opportunity to visit the site of Do-Jagalam. This important site dates back to the 14th century, before Punakha Dzong was built. Legend has it that a great master by the name of Drubthop Nagi Rinchen was in search of his mother’s reincarnation as a frog set inside of a huge rock in the Punakha Valley. The master summoned all his supernatural powers and shattered the rock, freeing his mother's reincarnation. This rock is the main relic at Do-jagalam. After hiking for close to two kilometres, we reach Ritsa Village where we hike through the village trail, ascending gradually through rice fields and farmhouses. Once we reach the Tse-lhakhang, we'll enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding fields and the Dzong. We'll follow the ridge all the way to Temakha Village with views of Thara Village just beneath. From Temakha Village we traverse through to our lunch destination at Jawona Village.

After lunch we hike for just under an hour to the village of Jangu. The trail goes through forests of oak and other sub-tropical vegetation. From Jangu we hike for another hour to the village of Yuengu. From here, we will take another hour to reach our destination at Punakha Farm, passing through scattered farmhouses and pine and oak woods. From Gumgang, we hike downhill for 10-15 minutes to see a breathtaking view of Punakha Dzong and the valley.

The pretty valley of Paro is one of the kingdom's widest and is covered in fertile rice fields crisscrossed by a beautiful meandering river. While Bhutan is famous for its splendid monuments and monasteries, perhaps the most impressive can be found here. You'll encounter the "Tiger's Nest" Monastery, medieval style-bridges, imposing dzongs and a town filled with traditional architecture.


The main street of the town was only built in 1985 but it's lined with cheerfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants in a classic Bhutanese style. Facing up the mountain, you'll be awed by the 8th-century Taktsang or "Tiger's Nest" Monastery, perched high on the sheer cliff face. Just outside of the town, lie both the dominating Paro Dzong - a prime example of Bhutanese architecture, and the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang which was one of the first Buddhist temples built in the country.

Today, you'll be brought on a lively hike to the Upper Tsento region, lasting for approximately 2 to 3 hours before being driven back to your hotel in a private vehicle via the ruins of the Drugyal Dzong fortress and monastery.

After lunch, you'll be brought to visit the Kyichu Temples. This two-temple complex consists of the Jowo Temple and the Guru Temple. The Jowo Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsan Gampo. The Guru Temple was built in 1971 by Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the queen of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

After your visit to the Kyichu temples, you'll have the opportunity to meet a Bhutanese author before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions and one of the main reasons people come to Bhutan, the famous Taktshang monastery or "Tiger’s Nest". This spectacular temple clings to a 1,000 foot high cliff and was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. We hike for about three hours to reach the Tiger's Nest, climbing steeply uphill from the valley floor with a break at a tea house along the way. The Tiger’s Nest is one of the most sacred sites for the Buddhists. It's said that in the 8th century, Guru Padma meditated here for three months. Guru Padma, also known as the 2nd Buddha, first initiated Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong and built this temple as a result. For Buddhists, the story of the temple is an important lesson about taming the inherent forces of Anger, Ignorance and Greed. We then hike for approximately two hours back downhill. On your return, treat your weary limbs to an indulgent soak in a hot stone bath.

Spend time relaxing on one of the secluded beaches in northern Phuket. We can arrange privately guided itineraries as busy or as tranqil as you wish.

Spend today at your leisure relaxing and enjoying the amenities on offer at your luxurious resort. Alternatively, explore the island with our recommendations for the best things to do in Phuket.

Take a private speed boat out to visit two of Asia's most beautiful islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley. Discover the incredibly scenic limestone karsts, long beaches and the dazzling emerald water. There is also time for snorkelling during this tour.

You'll then enjoy the sunset with a bottle of champagne before returning to your hotel.

Today is yours to spend at your leisure. Relax in the comfortable surrounds of your hotel or discover the island with our recommendations for the best things to do in Phuket.