Tiger's Nest Monastery, Paro, Bhutan

Bhutan: The Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Our 10-day trip in Bhutan was filled with highlights after another from festival after festival to scenic and cultural hikes, etc.  And we have concluded the trip with the highlight of all highlights – the hike to the legendary Takshang Lakhang, better known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Tiger’s Nest Monastery is believed to be the... Read more
Hiking in Ura Valley, Bumthang, Bhutan

A Scenic and Cultural Hike in Ura Valley

 Bumthang in the central region of Bhutan is the sacred site and cultural heartland of Bhutan.  It is consist of four beautiful valleys. After observing the colorful religious festival and visiting some of the many temples in Jakar Valley, we headed to another one of its spectacular valley, the Ura. Hiking in Ura Valley made us see... Read more
Mask Dances in Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Festival at Tamshi Lhakhang, Bumthang, Bhutan

Bhutanese Mask Dances at a Festival in Bumthang

Bhutan has a long tradition of colorful religious festivals.  They are integral part of the cultural and spiritual life of the Bhutanese people. We wanted to witness this rich tradition for ourselves and planned our trip around a festival season. Read more
Trongsa Dzong (Fortress), Bhutan

Trongsa, The Center of Bhutan

We made our way to Trongsa after stopping by at the colorful festival in Wangdue. The town of Trongsa is smacked right in the middle of Bhutan and is one of the most historic towns in the country. Although the distance between Wangdue and Trrongsa is only 76 miles/123 km, our journey took almost seven hours... Read more
Mask Dancers at Tsechue Festival in Wangdue, Bhutan

The Tsechu Festival in Wangdue

Women performing a traditional dance at the festival. On our Day 4 in Bhutan, we were once again treated to another colorful religious festival. Like the festival we attended in Thimphu, this one was also not part of our planned itinerary. It happened that the 3-day Tsechu festival was starting as we were passing by... Read more
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Bhutan: The Temple of the Divine Madman and His Ubiquitous Symbol

On the same day we visited the majestic Punakha  Dzong, we also got to visit another highlight in  Punakha  Valley – the Chimi Lakhang.  It is  a temple dedicated to one of Bhutan’s revered saint and cultural hero, Drukpa Kunley.   It was a fun and interesting visit.  Firstly, we got to enjoy a beautiful short hike in the spectacular valley to reach the temple on a hillock. Secondly,  we  finally got to understand the hype about this legendary figure and the ubiquitous phallic symbols that are associated with... Read more
Punakha Dzong in Bhutan

Bhutan: The Majestic Punakha Dzong

On our Day 3 in Bhutan, we left the capital city of Thimphu after two days of wonderful cultural immersion and headed to the scenic countryside of Punakha Valley. Read more
01b-Prayer Flags in Bumthang, Bhutan

The Mystic of Prayer Flags and Prayer Wheels

Whenever I travel  to the countries in the Himalayas where Tibetan/ Mahayana Buddhism thrives, I’m always enchanted with the ubiquitous sights of fluttering prayer flags and spinning prayer wheels.  They’re such blissful and mystical sights to behold, even if you don’t know exactly what they stand for.  But just what exactly do they mean to the Buddhists?  Read more
Archery Competition, Thimphu, Bhutan

Thimphu, Bhutan (Part 2): The Archery, Chorten, Artisans and More

Archery After the wonderful surprise visit to the colorful Dromchoe Festival and Buddha Point during our first day in Thimphu, our guide once again thrilled us with another unexpected treat before the day was over  – an archery competition! Archery is Bhutan’s national sport and passion. We were really wishing to see a match as we read that... Read more