← All placesAsiaJuly 2026
Bhutan
Cliffside monasteries, prayer flags on every trail, green valleys, and a quiet, peaceful, and spiritual place.
Tiger's Nest
We hiked up to Paro Taktsang, or Tiger's Nest, Bhutan's most iconic landmark and its number one tourist attraction. The hike took several hours. Legend says Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave on the cliff. He's the one credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, and many call him the second Buddha. That's why you see him in most temples. It's hard to imagine all the effort it took to build this monastery into the cliffside. We also got to go inside, but no photos are allowed inside the temples. A very special, spiritual place.
Punakha Dzong
Punakha Dzong was one of the most beautiful places I saw in Bhutan. The wooden construction and hand-painted details are incredibly intricate. I visited during the low season and pretty much had the whole place to myself. I could hear the birds chirping, the wind blowing, and the monks chanting their prayers. A very spiritual and peaceful experience. My guide also taught me how to do a Buddhist prayer ritual. Afterward, I asked him what he prayed for, and he said he prayed for his country, Bhutan. I thought that was really touching and reflected the Buddhist emphasis on compassion and wishing well for others, not just yourself.
Lunch at a farmhouse
We had lunch at Ama Om's Homestay (“Ama” means auntie), a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse with an authentic kitchen, right down to the utensils. She cooked with organic vegetables grown in her own yard. Bhutanese cooking is pretty simple, with few seasonings and lots of fresh ingredients. One of the signature dishes is ema datshi, green chilies and cheese in a light, curry-like sauce. It was lighter and less spicy than it sounds. She also made fiddlehead ferns, curled-up young shoots that were crunchy, a little slimy, and surprisingly delicious. Even though Ama Om didn't speak English, I felt her warmth and hospitality.
A valley in the clouds
Paro Valley really is a valley in the clouds. Usually clouds sit high above the horizon, but here they're at eye level. Everything is blue, green, and white: blue skies, green rice paddies, and fluffy white clouds. So serene. We landed in this valley too, and flying in between the mountains and through the clouds was quite an experience. Fun fact: Paro Airport is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world to land at. Surrounded by steep Himalayan mountains, pilots have to navigate the narrow valley and make the final approach visually rather than relying on instrument-guided landing systems. Only a small number of specially trained pilots are certified to land here. Pretty amazing!
Prayer flags on the trail
Prayer flags were everywhere, especially along the hiking trails. They're hung in windy places so the wind can carry the prayers printed on them out into the world. I got to put up my own prayer flag at the top of the Lungchutse hike, which started at Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet.
Animals in Bhutan
I saw these horses on a hike that started at Chele La Pass, about 13,000 feet above sea level. One thing I noticed in Bhutan is how freely animals roam. Horses, donkeys, dogs, and cows are everywhere, often without leashes, chains, or fences. Yet somehow, it all works. Animals and people seem to coexist naturally. Animal welfare is taken seriously here. My guide told me that government-funded vets even make house calls and follow up to check on the animals.
Young monks playing football
Right outside the monastery, young monks were playing football during the World Cup, just having fun. I saw this kind of carefree happiness a lot in Bhutan, especially among the kids. Bhutan is famous for its high Gross National Happiness, which measures well-being beyond just economic growth. I felt lucky to catch little glimpses of what that happiness looks like in everyday life.
