Day 1. Arrive at Paro International airport. Your tour guide will meet you and escort you to your hotel in Paro.

Day 2. Sightseeing in Paro: the National Museum; Paro Rinpung Dzong; the ruined Drukgyel Dzong; the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang (temple); Dungtse Lhakhang. Take a relaxed evening stroll through the town. Overnight in Paro.

Day 3. In the morning set off for Thimphu (two hours) along the Paro Chu (river) and Wang Chu. In the afternoon visit the Memorial Chorten to King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (the ‘Father of modern Bhutan’) and explore Thimphu by foot. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4. Sightseeing in Thimphu. Places to visit include Tashicho Dzong (the main Government Secretariat building); the Handicrafts Emporium; painting and woodcrafts schools; the National Library; and Bhutan’s oldest fortress dating from 1629 AD, Simtokha Dzong. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 5. Travel to Trongsa (seven/eight hours), the gateway to central Bhutan. Stop for lunch at the Chendebji Chorten. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 6. Drive to Bumthang (two and a half hours) through peaceful pine forests, crossing one of the East–West Highway’s highest passes, Yotong La, at 5200 metres. There is a magnificent view of Jakar Dzong, the ‘Castle of the White Bird’. In the afternoon, walk to Lame Gompa, a temple built by the first King of Bhutan for his nun sisters, and visit a traditional paper-making workshop. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 7. Day in Bumthang. Visit dairy farm and Swiss cheese and apple juice factories. A half day walk will prepare you for the upcoming three day trek. Overnight in Bumthang.

Days 8 and 9. Two day trek from Bumthang to Ugyenchholing (28 kms).

Day 8. Bumthang to Ngang Lhakhang (12 km, 4–5 hours, altitude at Ngang Lhakhang 2900 metres). The route follows the Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its trout. Lunch at Thangbi Lhakhang, after which we enter the ‘Land of the Swan’ (Ngang Yul), with its Ngang Lhakhang (Swan Temple). Overnight in camp.

Day 9. Ngang Lhakhang to Ugyenchholing (16 km, 6 hours, altitude at camp 2800 metres). Climb gradually to Phephe La Pass (3350 metres), the highest point of the trek. Continue on through beautiful forests and broad meadows to camp at Ugyenchholing.

Day 10. Today your car will collect you after breakfast and take you up to visit Ugyenchholing palace.  On the way back west the road follows the Tang Chu, with the Tang Rinpoche temple on its bank, and you will visit the ‘Lake of the Burning Lamp’ (Membar Tsho), one of Bhutan's most important pilgrimage sites.  Drive back to Bumthang for the night.

Day 11. Return journey to Trongsa, stopping en route to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. Visit Trongsa Dzong and stroll around the town. Overnight in Trongsa.

Day 12. Return to Thimphu, with stop for picnic lunch. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 13. Drive to Paro International Airport for departure.