Combining Bhutan with other countries

Landlocked within the eastern Himalaya and ideally situated on the Silk Route between Tibet, India and Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the region’s safest and most peaceful nations providing security and harmony for happy inhabitants. Although spending time in Bhutan is the best way to begin to understand how Buddhism and happiness ratings intertwine with daily life, combining countries is an excellent option if you’re hoping to compare cuisine and cultural customs, and to explore some of South Asia’s most incredible natural environments as part of the same trip.

Organised tours are by far the best means of cutting down on the paperwork and waiting time associated with visa controls, as well as offering the added security of knowing you’re in the safe hands of an expert tour leader. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about languages, locations and lifestyles and gain immediate insight from a trusted source in a world of often limited communication channels.

Opulent royal palaces, precariously placed monasteries and visits to artisan workshops and remote rural villages all combine within one amazing tour. If you’re looking for a few highlights from the trip of a lifetime then read on for three favourites that go hand in hand with a trip to Bhutan.

From the gilded cages and colourful depictions of Kal Bhairav in Durbar Square to the eyes of Buddha looking out from Swayamhbu Stupa over the historic monuments in the valley below, Kathmandu in Nepal makes for a stunning start to a tour prior to flying to Paro in Bhutan. Nepal boasts not only the highest point on the planet, Mount Everest, but also the birthplace of Gautama Buddha with a colourful trading heritage matched only by the transitional tale that saw Nepal switch from being the last Hindu monarchy to a secular state. Unravelling the threads of Hinduism before taking the one-hour flight on to Buddhist Bhutan is a real treat for cultural travellers.

Make the most of your time in the Himalayas with an hour-long flight from Paro, Bhutan, to Kathmandu, Nepal, then onwards to Lhasa in Tibet, ideal for avoiding otherwise impassable peaks. A two-week tour of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet can incorporate Bhaktapur, Punakha and the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, in one amazing experience. Tibet is a remarkable country with unbreakable ties to Bhutan. Trips to the palaces of the Dalai Lama, Drepung and Sera monasteries and the sacred Jolkhang Temple offer a unique introduction to the region to ensure travellers are enlightened, experienced and eager for more.

Combining trips to Bhutan with any of the countries mentioned above is certain to make wizened travellers take note, just as readily as newbies to Asia, and well planned routes enable organic exploration rather than simply whizzing from one highlight to the next.