Bhutan’s thickly forested valleys, open ridges and often remote high-mountain country offer some of the best trekking in the Himalayas. Surprisingly few visitors to the country actually come to walk; those that do are often delighted to fin…

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Bhutan’s religious festivals form a particularly important part of the local and tourist calendar. The best known are tshechus, typically three- to five-day events staged at different times of the year by every village in honour of Guru Rin…

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The 16th-century riverside monastery of Pangri Zampa, now a monastic school, is the home of ancient Buddhist astrology in Bhutan. This makes it the perfect place to visit and receive a fortune reading for yourself, safe in the insightful ha…

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Get an intimate insight into the daily lives of local residents whilst joining them for tea in the comfort of their own home; a traditional butter tea, to be precise, which is staple in Bhutan (as well as other Himalayan countries). Meet th…

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Where better to try your hand at archery, Bhutan’s national sport, than outdoors amongst the bucolic Bumthang Valley? As with other areas of Bhutan, archery is very popular here, and it’s not uncommon to see archery festivals – complete wit…

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The unmistakable Taktsang, or ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery, perches dramatically on the cliff-side over the Paro Valley. A slow and steady hike to the summit is as magical as the 1,500-year-old monastery itself. Set off early along dew dusted f…

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A walking tour of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, entails an enticing mix of holy shrines and temples, national museums, traditional farmer’s markets and an altogether more modern side of the city too. Along the way, you’ll see both the old…

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Enclosed within the Motithang district of Thimphu lies an unexpected nature sanctuary: the wooded Motithang Takin Preserve. Visit this secluded spot to see how Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, is kept safe from the hunting and habitat l…

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Punakha Dzong ranks among the country’s most famous monasteries. It is a veritable showcase of Bhutanese craftsmanship, with a particularly impressive assembly hall featuring fine clay statues and intricate murals. Built in 1638 and beautif…

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This gentle hike will take you through Bhutan’s beautifully bucolic countryside, along remotepaths that wind between rice paddies, into native forests and across rivers, ultimately leading to the 16th-century hilltop temple of Chorten Nying…

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Holy sites in the Haa Valley, indeed anywhere in Bhutan, don’t get much more dramatic than Kila Gompa, an ancient nunnery with an active community of 70 nuns, which clings impossibly to the Haa Valley. Prepare to be impressed, as Kila Gompa…

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Take a pleasant walking tour of Haa Town to admire the distinctly decorative homes that characterise this relaxed riverside settlement. In particular, the buildings of Haa are known for their beautifully carved and painted woodenfaçades, ea…

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