If picture-book fortresses and endless Himalayan vistas aren’t enough to  win you over, maybe 24,000 curves will do the trick.  

This Himalayan kingdom, closed to the outside world until the mid-70s and shrouded in mystery for some many  centuries prior, finds itself tightly wedged between the superpowers of China (Tibet) and India. And while the  country’s marketing machine may have succeeded to publicizing, ‘Gross National Happiness’ as its guiding light,  it’s how this principle manifests itself in its people that is the country’s most beautiful trait.  Bhutan is a small country, only slightly smaller than Switzerland, but its tiny population of only 770,000 and  its endless, winding mountain roads make it seem like one of the most remote places on Earth.

This is why, for  motorcyclists and trekkers alike, it is a magnet without peer. Along its pristine rivers or perched in soaring  cliffs, the landscape is a perfect symbiosis between the natural world and the one created by the Bhutanese  people. There is simply no place on Earth like Bhutan. The mountain vistas are endless, its natural beauty is  untouched, the people are the kindest found anywhere, and its architecture, pervasive throughout the  country, is in complete harmony with the landscape. 

For the motorcycle adventurist, the Last Himalayan Kingdom is heaven. The limitless curves, beautiful  accommodations, exotic food and the kindest people on Earth will make you fall in love 

 The whole experience kicks off with your arrival at  Paro International Airport. With a runway extending  along the valley floor and mountain ranges at either  end, it offers an apt introduction to the rugged  topography of the country. Rather than settle in  Paro at the beginning and end of the tour, we make our  way via a quick bus ride up to the capital, Thimpu. Situated at an elevation of 2,300 meters and with a  population of less than 100k, Thimpu has the vibe of a  ski town. On the bikes, it’s a short ride to one of the  most impressive sights Thimpu has to offer, the Buddha  Dordenma, a 51-meter tall, gilded statue of the Buddha 

 Heading east, we toss the bikes from side to  side along sublime mountain sweepers, our  groove only amplified by the magnificent  vistas on the road to the glacial valley town  of Gangtey. Like elsewhere in the country, we  are accompanied by a chorus of the ‘hellos’ of  schoolchildren on bolt from their homes on  hearing the sound of our bikes.  

 Next we head to the remote north of the county  near the border with Tibet. Bumthang, the spiritual  heartland of the kingdom, is one of the most  historic districts in Bhutan with many sacred sites  and monasteries. Here, the comparisons to  Switzerland become even more pronounced. The  elegant consistency of Bhutanese architecture  draws parallels to that of the Swiss countryside,  and the perfect road surfaces and endless mountain  views could lead you to order rösti at lunch  instead of the ubiquitous momos. 

 This stage delights us with some of the most  spectacular scenery the Kingdom has to offer.  Surrounded by national parks, we are shaken from  the tarmac by a rough transition to rocks and  gravel as we make our way to our final resting place  for the night. The lovely mountain village of Tingtibi  will soothe your soul. 

 Rolling out of the beautifully named town of Tingtibi,  its glorius roads and beautiful scenery accompanying  the morning light, we finally begin to descend in  elevation. Here, the vegetation gradually becomes more  tropical and temperatures a bit warmer we near the  Indian border. The town of Gelephu straddles India and  Bhutan and introduces us back to civilisation and  a night dining on the rich cuisine of Assam. Dubbed  Bhutan's 'Mindfulness City', Gelephu is conceived by the  King as 'a city unlike any other in the world'. 

 This next stint takes us along the Indian border  for 35km of valley floor riding and the only  straight roads in the country. From there, we  once again start climbing passing dramatic,  remote cliff-side waterfalls along the way.  Towards dusk, we reach the town of Punakha, a  beautiful town and home of the most striking  example of Bhutanese architecture, Punakha  Zhong or fortress. 

 A day off the bikes provides an opportunity to  visit the Punakha Dzong. The Dzong is a  majestic fortress-monastery located in the  Punakha Valley of Bhutan. Built in the 17th  century, it is one of the most significant and  beautiful dzongs in the country, known for its  stunning architecture, intricate woodwork,  and scenic surroundings. 

 the ride through the Paro valley is a lovely way to end  our Bhutan adventure. Willow trees and apple orchards  line the roads, rustic farmhouses and temples augment  the beautiful rice fields, and verdant hills rise on either  side to create a beautiful and serene whole. Our last 3 nights will base us in Paro for the grand  finale: A ride to the highest motorable pass in the  country and a trek to the otherworldly Tigers Nest. 

 Our final day on the bikes takes us over the highest  motorable pass in Bhutan, the 4,000-meter Cheli-La Pass. The route is adorned with endless Buddhist prayer flags,  mountain streams and fun switchback roads. the  surrounding area covered with old-growth forests  and the slopes filled with white poppies not found  anywhere else in the world. 

 We hold the best for last! Today is your chance to burn  off some of those momos and endure the steep 3 hour  trek to one of the marvels of humanity, the Tiger's Nest  monastery complex. Our climb starts after a short ride  to the trailhead and, once we reach the monastery, you  will be rewarded with a tour of this spectacular, 17th  century Buddhist site. 

Sitting on the right side of your departing plane 'should' give you a great view of the Himalayas on your way home!