Thirteen nights across western and central Bhutan, with time to slow down.

A sample shape of the week

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Paro

   Met in the arrivals hall, twenty minutes to the lodge, an unhurried walk to Rinpung Dzong if the light holds.

2. Day 2

   The Paro valley, slowly

   Kyichu Lhakhang in the morning, the upper valley toward Drukgyel, a long lunch; the climb to Taktsang briefed for tomorrow.

3. Day 3

   The Tiger's Nest

   The switchbacks to Taktsang at 3,120 m, paced by your guide; the cafeteria for lunch; a hot stone bath at the lodge for the descent.

4. Day 4

   Across to Thimphu

   The 54 km up the Pa Chhu to the capital, a little over an hour; Memorial Chorten in early light, the Folk Heritage Museum at the right hour.

5. Day 5

   A day in Thimphu

   The great seated Buddha Dordenma above the valley, the weekend market if the day suits, an afternoon among the capital's quieter workshops.

6. Day 6

   Over Dochu La into Punakha

   The 75 km over the 3,100 m pass, close to three hours; the 108 chortens and the eastern range on a clear morning; Punakha Dzong at the confluence in late light.

7. Day 7

   A day in Punakha

   Lobesa's terraced paddies, Chimi Lhakhang, a long riverside lunch, the suspension bridge over the Pho Chhu when the wind has dropped.

8. Day 8

   Into the Gangtey valley

   Some 80 km east, close to three hours, climbing to the glacial bowl of Phobjikha; the Gangtey Goemba on its low rise; the valley settling into evening quiet.

9. Day 9

   A day in Gangtey

   The Gangtey nature trail on foot through the valley floor, the black-necked cranes from late October if the season has turned, an afternoon with nothing booked.

10. Day 10

    Over the Black Mountain to Trongsa

    The long mountain road via Pele La into the Black Mountain range; Trongsa Dzong on its ridge above the Mangde Chhu, the ancestral seat of the dynasty, in the late afternoon.

11. Day 11

    Trongsa to Bumthang

    The Ta Dzong museum above the ridge in the morning; over the Yotong La into Bumthang; an easy first afternoon in the Choekhor valley as the centre opens out.

12. Day 12

    The Bumthang valleys

    Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong in the morning light, Jambay Lhakhang and the Pema Lingpa tradition sites, an afternoon paced to the spiritual heartland's density.

13. Day 13

    A day in Bumthang

    A second of the four valleys at a walking pace — Tang or Ura — a farmhouse lunch, the kind of day that is about being somewhere rather than getting somewhere.

14. Day 14

    Bumthang and the journey home

    The short Drukair (KB) hop from Bumthang back to Paro for the international connection, or the road west with a final Paro night; the team writes a fortnight later.

The day-by-day above is illustrative. The proposal you receive is built around your dates, your pace, and your interests — not this template.