Gangkhar Puensum rises some 7,570 metres in the far north of Bhutan and has never been climbed. The story of the last expedition to try, and of a country that chose to leave the summit alone.

Pack for the gap between afternoon and dawn, cover your knees and shoulders for the dzongs, and bring shoes you have already walked in.

Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Tiger's Nest in the six days a week of leave really gives you, with the distances, the pace, and what we deliberately leave out.

A monastery on a cliff 900 metres above the Paro valley, built at the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have arrived on a tigress. Its story, and the five-hour walk to its door.

Spring colour, autumn clarity, winter cranes, green and empty summers. Each season gives something and takes something; here is how to choose.

The visa, the US$100-a-night Sustainable Development Fee, what the fee pays for, and what you send us versus what we handle.