Bhutan by Land & Sky: A 7-day helicopter tour over the high Himalayas

Depending on your arrival time, take a gentle stroll through Paro, or simply relax and take in the tranquillity of the valley. In the evening, savour your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine over a traditional dinner.

Just downhill, Paro Rinpung Dzong stands proudly above the Paro Chhu, serving as both the district administration and the home of the local monastic community. After lunch, continue to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo as one of a network of 108 temples, and still an important pilgrimage site.

Return to Paro in the late afternoon for its cafés and handicraft shops, or simply the peace of the valley, before tomorrow's helicopter journey.

Laya lies at about 3,800 metres in the far north of Gasa district, where the Layap people have kept a distinctive highland culture for generations; the women still wear conical bamboo hats. Vast alpine pastures, stone houses and dramatic slopes stretch out in every direction.

Touch down to explore the village and meet local residents, then enjoy a traditional yak ride and a private picnic in the crisp mountain air. Afterwards, continue to Punakha, trading the rugged high mountains for the warmer, greener valley.

Later, cross the nearby suspension bridge, or visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, where panoramic views stretch across the Punakha and Wangdue valleys. Spend the evening among rice fields and subtropical scenery, in Punakha's noticeably warmer climate.

One of the most awe-inspiring sights is Mount Jomolhari, rising to 7,326 metres along Bhutan's northern frontier, its snow-covered summit dominating a panorama of jagged ridgelines and deep valleys.

Towards Paro the mountains soften into forested hills and the broad green valley. On a fair-weather day, look out for Drukgyel Dzong and the Tiger's Nest perched against the cliffs high above the valley. Spend the afternoon at leisure after a morning in the skies.

Back in Paro, reward yourself with a leisurely evening, perhaps with a traditional hot stone bath, before one final Bhutanese meal.

As your flight winds between the Himalayan peaks, you leave with memories of ancient monasteries, welcoming villages, peaceful valleys, and a country that measures success not only by what it builds, but by the happiness of its people.