We’d recommend beginning in India and immersing yourself first in this country which is synonymous with exhilarating vitality. Delhi offers a layered narrative with Mughal mausoleums rising against jacaranda-framed avenues, boutique design studios tucked behind 16th-century gates and tasting menus that reinterpret traditional recipes. For those drawn to coastal glamour, Mumbai presents an equally compelling visit. Art Deco facades and palm-lined promenades frame a city where contemporary galleries, artisanal boutiques and contemporary galleries provide a sophisticated counterpoint to the nostalgia of South Bombay. In Delhi we recommend staying at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, with opulent guest rooms and a prime location beloved by Hollywood elite, dignitaries and politicians alike. In Mumbai, it’s hard to beat The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, a landmark hotel steeped in history with a vast art collection and some of the best dining in the city. 

After the colourful stimulation of India’s cities, Bhutan offers the perfect counterbalance: a place where time slows and the natural world is exalted at its most sacred. The flight into Paro is a spectacle in itself: snow-dusted peaks give way to emerald valleys, terraced fields and glacial rivers that glint in the sunshine.

Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, is best explored at a gentle pace. Culture vultures can admire 17th-century dzongs or absorb themselves in the nation’s weaving traditions at the National Textile Museum. For those in search of a quiet moment, there’s ample time to enjoy a riverside picnic or head to the majestic Punakha Valley. Equally, no journey to Bhutan would be complete without a hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Suspended on a cliffside 3,000 metres above sea level, the ascent to this sacred site is as much a spiritual rite as it is a physical feat. We suggest hiring a private guide, setting off early and taking it at a slow pace.

There’s no place better to stay in Bhutan than at COMO Uma Paro Bhutan, a tranquil escape with an award-winning restaurant which even hosts Bhutan’s royal family. Alternatively, Amankora is a collection of five lodges scattered across five unspoilt valleys. 

For a curated journey that seamlessly blends India’s sensory wonders with Bhutan’s serene beauty, reach out to ASMALLWORLD Bespoke Travel. Our travel experts will craft a personalised itinerary that captures the best of both worlds.