Mountains and Valleys of Bhutan

DAY 1 Depart the UK

Armed with your bespoke Original Travel itinerary pack, board your direct overnight flight to Bangkok, a journey of around 11-and-a-half-hours.

DAY 2 To Bhutan

Rise early for your flight north to the kingdom of Bhutan, a journey time of around three hours. On the approach, look out for breath-taking views of the Himalayan mountain range, your first glimpse of this incredible destination. On arrival at Paro airport, you'll be met by your guide and driven along the valley to the capital, Thimphu. En route, you'll stop at the Buddha Dordenma, a gleaming bronze and gold statue perched on the hillside, surrounded by smaller dancing figures on a huge gilded platform, and with stunning views across the city.

After checking into your hotel, your guide will take you to view the National Memorial Chorten, an iconic white-painted monument at the heart of the city, frequented by locals for daily worship. You'll then visit the very regal Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), a Buddhist monastery and the seat of government since 1952, located on the river banks and surrounded by beautiful gardens. You may also have time to check out the small museum at the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, dedicated to the plants, minerals, animals and gems drawn from all over Bhutan for use in traditional medicine.

DAY 3 To Punakha

Spend a relaxed morning in Thimphu and visit the National Textile Museum, a charming whitewashed building devoted to the creation of the colourful and intricately woven fabrics you'll see sported across the kingdom. Pick up some prayer flags ready for your onward journey east to Punakha, setting off by car with your guide after lunch. Meander up the hillsides through orchards and pine forests to the lofty Dochula Pass. At 10,300ft, on a clear day you'll catch magnificent views towards the snow-clad Himalayan range as well as the mound of 108 little chortens (shrines) devoted to the fallen soldiers from a 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents. Line upon line of multihued prayer flags flutter in the breeze, a festive yet calming sight. Pin your own prayer alongside the others and relish the tranquillity of this wonderful mountainside location.

Descending some 6,500ft through dense forests towards Punakha, you'll make a stop at Chimi Lhakhang, a renowned fertility temple built over 500 years ago and blessed by the eccentric Buddhist master Drukpa Kunley. Those looking to conceive come to be blessed by an ancient wooden 'phallus' with a silver handle. If your sensibilities are a little conservative, be warned: it's a symbol depicted frequently around the temple!

You'll arrive at your hotel in Punakha in time for supper.

DAY 4 On to the Gangtey Valley

Today, enjoy the scenic drive further eastwards into the Black Mountains, crossing over the thrillingly steep and winding Pele La Pass. On the other side you'll enter the glorious Gangtey Valley, an alpine region famous for the rare black-necked cranes who fly in from Tibet to winter here from October to February. Your base for the next two nights is the enchanting Gangtey Lodge, exquisitely located on the hillside with outstanding views through tall, arched windows and a vast, open air balcony. The service here is second to none, providing for your every need before you've even realised you need it. After an exploratory hike of the immediate surroundings, enjoy a delicious dinner and curl up by the roaring fire for a blissful evening's relaxation.

DAY 5 Bumthang Bound

After a scrumptious breakfast it's time to bid farewell to your hosts and begin your long but scenically splendid drive even further eastwards to the four valleys that make up Bumthang. En route, look out for monkeys leaping between the trees in the thick forest and admire the awesome view across the Mangdue River to the Trongsa Dzong, a vast, tiered fortress that travellers from all directions were once obliged to pass through on their way to their intended destination.

This is perhaps the most memorable of all the Bhutan driving routes, with stunning views on all sides of picturesque mountain villages, monasteries and immaculately tended farmland. The four valleys contain the highest number of monasteries and religious sites anywhere in the country. They're also fertile ground for growing rice, buckwheat and potatoes, not to mention juicy apples and sweet apricots. It also happens to be the home of Red Panda beer, launched by a Swiss gentleman, Fritz Maurer, in the 1960s and brewed to this day in the same Bumthang microbrewery.

DAY 6 Back to Paro

This morning, you'll be driven to the airport to check in for your short flight to Paro. Hopefully, you'll be blessed with clear skies so you can savour the jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas from the windows of the plane. On arrival in Paro, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel to freshen up before setting off on a guided cycle ride, a great way to stretch your legs after the journey and explore the valley. Snaking down to the river, ride across a little covered bridge, past Rinpung Dzong fortress and the town's archery ground then back into Paro town.

From here, you'll take an off-road track past numerous temples and farmhouses, climbing slowly up to the village of Dobshaptoe. Twisting through narrow lanes, you'll rejoin the road before calling at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the kingdom's oldest and most elegant temples. The lovely orange trees in the courtyard here are said to bear fruit throughout the year.

Return to your hotel for a well-earned dinner.

DAY 7 Back to Bangkok

This morning you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your morning three-hour flight to Bangkok. On arrival, you'll be met and taken to your airport hotel for the night.