Bhutan & tigers

Set in western Bhutan, Thimphu is the capital of the country, a relatively modest little place with a reasonably intimate atmosphere and some strong cultural aspects, but which tends to feature relatively fleetingly in most trips.

Set in western Bhutan, Punakha is the middle of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, much lower in altitude and having a considerably warmer climate, with some fascinating history and culture, great options for hiking, biking and rafting, as well as an excellent range of accommodation options.

Set in western Bhutan, Paro is the most westerly of the five main valleys that most commonly feature in trips, the location of the main airport and more heavily inhabited than more easterly areas, it is home to the renowned Tiger’s Nest Monastery, with excellent hiking trails and a wide range of accommodation options.

Set in the northwest of India, Delhi is a vast and sprawling city, a ragtag collage of thousands of years of successive empires and a major powerhouse of the modern economy. Although there is plenty of local colour, most international visitors treat the place as little more than a transit stop on the way to more exotic and less hectic locations. A major base for luxury trains.

Set in the Madhya Pradesh province of central India, Bandhavgarh is a relatively small national park, but one which has an unusually high density of Bengal tigers, as well as a wide range of other wildlife. The reserve is usually combined with others in the region, including Kanha, Pench and Satpura.

Set in the Madhya Pradesh province of central India, Kanha is one of India’s largest national parks. Best known as the location of ‘The Jungle Book’, it is home to a good population of Bengal tigers, as well as a wide range of other wildlife. The reserve is usually combined with others in the region, including Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench and Satpur.