Day 1. Arrive at Paro International Airport, where your tour guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. Relax and/or take a walk around the Paro. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2. Drive to Thimphu (two hours), taking in the 17th century Simtokha Dzong on the way. In the afternoon visit the Memorial Chorten and Sangay Gang, a hilltop site festooned with colourful prayer flags and with a bird’s eye view of Thimphu. Meet the takins, Bhutan's national animal, at the ‘mini zoo’ and check out Tashicho Dzong, the capital’s main secretariat building. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3. Take your pick amongst the following sites of interest in Thimphu: National Institute of Traditional Medicine; National School for Painting and Traditional Arts and Crafts; Folk Heritage Museum; National Library; National Textile Museum; Handicraft Emporium (excellent for purchases of textiles and other handicrafts); Bhutanese paper factory. You can even visit the Royal Goldsmith. If you’ve got any energy left, wander around the Thimphu shops! Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4. Travel to Punakha/Wangdiphodrang (three hours), with a stop for coffee or tea at the Dochu La Pass, with views of the Himalaya on a clear day. Visit Punakha and Wangdiphodrang Dzongs. Overnight in Punakha or Wangdi.

Day 5. Drive to Trongsa (four hours), the gateway to central Bhutan. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong commands the eye from miles away. After lunch continue through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang (two hours). Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 6. Sightseeing in Bumthang, including Bhutan’s largest dzong (Jakar), a choice of ancient monasteries and temples (Jambay, Kurjey, Kencho Sum, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs), Bumthang's Swiss farm, and Membar Tsho ‘ the Flaming Lake’, one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 7. Excursion to the fertile Ura valley, home to shaggy yaks. Visit Ura village and its beautiful Buddhist monastery surrounded by traditional farmhouses. Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 8. Drive to Gangtey, 175 kms from Bumthang and at an altitude of 3000 metres. Enjoy the views of the immense Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges. Overnight in Gangtey.

Day 9. Return to Paro, breaking the journey at Thimphu for lunch.

Day 10. Sightseeing in Paro, including the Drukgyel Dzong, National Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Day 11. Day hike in Paro, from Satsam Chorten to the Taktshang monastery or ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Spend the rest of the day as you choose – you could visit nearby temples and monasteries or explore the town.

Day 12. Depart from Paro International Airport.