Bhutan On A Plate

The flight into Bhutan is a very exciting one, with views of the Eastern Himalayas. Paro is the only international airport in the country and it is decorated in tradional Bhutanese style. After clearing customs we will meet our guide and driver for the trip and together we will travel to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan and one of the smallest in the world. After a freshen up in our hotel we will head out to see some of the sights. We'll be taking it pretty easy as we acclimatise to being in the Himalayas.

Overnight in Thimphu. Altitude: 2,320 metres.

Today will be our first introduction to the food of Bhutan. Our first stop will be the Centenary Farmers Market to check out all the seasonal produce available. You are bound to see an ingredient that you don't recognise and might require an explanation from the friendly stallholder. Most certainly you will see chillies! The market usually has masses of them because the locals eat them in vast quantities.

Nearby we can also check out the archery, Bhutan's national sport. Archers shoot over a distance of about 140 metres and the modern carbon fibre bows make the arrows very fast and hard to see in the air. If the target is hit there is plenty of dancing, singing and laughter.

After lunch, which will be a traditional Bhutanese meal at the Folk Heritage Museum, we will attend a workshop where we can learn to make Bhutan's famous ema datshi or chillies with cheese.

Overnight in Thimphu. Altitude: 2,320 metres.

Today we will drive to Punakha, Bhutan's former seat of government, a journey of around three hours. En route we will stop at Dochula, one of Bhutan's scenic high passes. Dochul is unique for having 108 chortens on a hill near the stopping point. They make a great sight and we will make time to wander amongst them. In good weather there are spectacular views of the mountains. Once in Punakha we will have lunch and then visit the dzong or fortress, considered the most beautiful in Bhutan.

Overnight in Punakha. Altitude: 1,250 metres.

Today we will explore the Punakha valley a bit more with a short walk through the rice paddies to the Chime Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of the Divine Madman. Drukpa Kunley taught Buddhism using unorthodox methods, mainly wine, women and song and cultivated an image of a wandering ascetic. Today this revered temple has become a symbol of fertility, as the many phallus souvenirs available in the local handicraft shops are testament to.

We will also visit the Wolaka nunnery, with its Nepalese style stupa and superb views.

In the afternoon we will attend a cooking class in a local home and learn to make ezay, the other famous Bhutanese chilli sauce.

Overnight in Punakha. Altitude: 1,250 metres.

Today we leave the lovely Punakha valley and head back to Thimphu, again via the spectacular Dochula high pass. In the morning we will visit a mushroom farm, where they cultivate and dehydrate matsutake mushrooms. We can see how they are grown and sample the cooked product!

We'll also find the best momos, the delicious dumplings that are popular in Bhutan.

The afternoon will be spent sightseeing and shopping, with a visit to the weaving worshops for beautiful Bhutanese textiles and the Painting School.

Overnight in Thimphu. Altitude: 2,320 metres.

Today we head back to our starting point in the Paro valley. Our first stop will be to visit the dzong, another impressive fortress, with great views of the valley. The nearby museum is small but well worth a look, with an excellent display of the masks used in festivals, as well as an interesting room dedicated to the diverse fauna and flora of Bhutan.

Tonight will be the first night of our stay at the lovely Tiger's Nest Camp, for deluxe glamping.

Overnight in Paro. Altitude: 2,280 metres.

No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to one of the world's most spectacular monastery, the Tiger's Nest. It's a reasonably tough walk to go all the way to the top, around two to three hours up, but it's well worth the effort. There is the option of walking only to the cafeteria, which also has wonderful views and takes around an hour to reach.

In the afternoon we will do some last minute shopping and wander around the main downtown area of Paro.

Overnight in Paro. Altitude: 2,280 metres.

Our guide and driver will take us to the airport this morning for own flights onward or back home. Hopefully there will be more views of the mighty Himalayas as we fly back out of the valley, as we catch our last glimpses of this beautiful, mountainous kingdom.

This modern temple has awesome panoramic views over the Punakha valley from the rooftop. The walk to get there is a lovely one, through rice paddies and green farmland as you gain altitude.

The dzong, or fortress, in Punakha is considered the most beautiful in Bhutan. We explore its tranquil courtyards and picturesque location, on the confluence of two rivers.

No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to the Tiger's Nest monastery. Choose to walk halfway to the cafeteria or the whole way right up to the monastery.

Spend time wandering the aisles of the farmers market in Thimphu, where you might find some strange ingredients.

Check out Bhutan's national obsession. Games of archery are played everywhere! There is plenty of entertainment for the spectator as every hit of the target is followed by both teams singing and dancing to celebrate. You would sing and dance too if you managed to hit the target located some 145 metres away.

We seek out some of the best Bhutanese restaurants serving traditional food.

Cross one of Bhutan's scenic high passes, the Dochu La at 3,140 metres in altitude. There are brilliant views of the eastern Himalayas in clear weather but the main attraction are the arresting sight of 108 chortens located on a gentle hill.

As you fly into Paro you won't be able to miss seeing the enormous dzong that dominates the valley. Paro Dzong is one of the few fortresses to serve as both monastery and home to several local government offices. From the charming wooden bridge over the Paro River follow the sweeping path to the entrance to the dzong. The views over the valley are superb.

We finish our trip in style with two nights at Zhiwa Ling. Listed by National Geographic as one of the unique lodges of the world, this beautiful hotel is richly decorated in traditional, ornate Bhutanese style, with extensive and serene gardens. Zhiwa Ling has a tea house, a spa, a meditation centre and its own temple. You may not want to leave!