Land at Paro International Airport — one of the world's most scenic landings. Meet your guide and drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. Check-in at hotel. Evening visit to the Tashichho Dzong (fortress of the glorious religion) and stroll through Thimphu's main street. Overnight Thimphu.

Full day exploring Thimphu — the giant 169-ft Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking the valley, the National Memorial Chorten, the Folk Heritage Museum, the Takin Preserve (home of Bhutan's national animal) and the Changangkha Lhakhang temple. Evening at the handicrafts bazaar for hand-woven textiles & thangkas. Overnight Thimphu.

Drive over the spectacular Dochula Pass (3,100 m) with 108 memorial chortens and panoramic Himalayan views on a clear day. Continue to Punakha. Visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, the 'Palace of Great Happiness', sitting at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Walk across the Punakha Suspension Bridge — Bhutan's longest. Overnight Punakha.

Morning hike (1 hr round trip) through paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of the Divine Madman. Drive back to Paro via Dochula. Evening visit to Rinpung Dzong and Paro's Nemi Zam covered bridge. Optional traditional hot stone bath at a farmhouse with home-cooked Bhutanese dinner. Overnight Paro.

The highlight of your Bhutan journey. Drive 10 km to the trail base and hike (4–5 hrs round trip) up to Paro Taktsang — the iconic monastery clinging to a 900 m cliff. Picnic lunch at the cafeteria viewpoint. Afternoon visit to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples. Overnight Paro.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Paro International Airport with memories of the Last Shangri-La — Tashi Delek!