Bhutan Cultural Extravaganza

Your guide and driver meet you at Paro International Airport. Paro sits at about 2,200 m, so the afternoon is kept gentle.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, a few minutes north of town, then Rinpung Dzong in the late light. Walk back to town across Nyamai Zam, the covered wooden bridge.

Your first stop in Thimphu is Buddha Dordenma, on the hill above the southern approach to the capital. Take in the statue from the foot of the steps, then walk through the shrine hall, lined with thousands of smaller Buddhas, and look over the valley from the terrace.

Back in the middle of town, visit the National Memorial Chorten. Older residents walk clockwise around it all day and turn its big prayer wheels, and you are welcome to join the circuit.

Start at the weekend market by the Wang Chhu, where farmers and traders sell vegetables, fruit, grains and dairy produce from across the country. Then visit the Folk Heritage Museum, and the Textile Museum at the Royal Textile Academy, where you can watch weavers at work.

End at Tashichho Dzong at the northern end of town. Visitors are let in at set times, which your guide plans around, and late afternoon gives the best light. Cover shoulders and knees for the dzong and the temples.

Leave early for the best chance of clear mountains. At Dochu La, walk clockwise around the 108 chortens and, on a clear morning, look for Gangkar Puensum on the skyline.

In the valley, leave the car at Sopsokha and walk about 20 minutes through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang. In the afternoon, cross the covered bridge over the Mo Chhu into Punakha Dzong, then walk up the Pho Chhu to cross the suspension bridge.

The road passes Wangdue Phodrang, then leaves the main highway and crosses Lawa La into Phobjikha, a wide glacial valley at about 3,000 m.

Start at Gangtey Goenpa on the forested spur above the valley. Then walk the Gangtey Nature Trail, a gentle one and a half to two hours down through Semchubara village and conifer forest to the valley floor near Khewang Lhakhang, where the car meets you. From late October to February it looks over the feeding grounds of the black-necked cranes. Nights are cold, so pack warm layers.

This is the longest day on the road, back over Lawa La and through the Punakha valley. Stop again at Dochu La on the way. The weather on the pass changes fast, so if the peaks were hidden on the way east, this is a second chance to see them.

Start early to climb in the shade. By now you are used to the altitude.

• Car park to the cafeteria: pine forest, 1–2 hours for most people. Ponies can be hired for this stretch, uphill only.
• Cafeteria to the viewpoint: tea and a first clear look across the gorge.
• Viewpoint to the gate: stone steps down past a waterfall and up again, the steepest part.

Bags, phones and cameras stay at the gate, so take pictures from the viewpoint. Allow about an hour inside, and wear shoes with real grip for the descent.

After breakfast your guide and driver take you to Paro International Airport for your flight home.

If your flight leaves later in the day, there may be time for a last walk through Paro town or along the river below Rinpung Dzong.