Tour of Bhutan 2022

A wonderful group joined me in Kathmandu to start their culture tour for a few days then flying on Royal Bhutan Airlines to Paro, Bhutan

 

"Tiger's Nest" - hike to the Taktsang Monastery

Rema Hotel, Paro - a great place to stay!

Our guide Karma with Jeroma tours

Tachog Lhakhang on the way to Thimphu

The Iron Bridge to Tachog Lhakhang

Dinner and Cultural tour at Simply Bhutan Museum 

The Dordenma Buddha - tallest in the world (near Thimphu)

Memorial Chortans, Dochu La pass at 3100 metres

Our guides - Karma and Karma

Punhaka Dzong 

Local Market near Punhaka

The amazing Black Necked Crane Festival in Phobjeka valley

Local Girls and boys ready for Crane Dance

A short walk to stretch the legs!

Tour of Bhutan 2018

Arriving for my 4th trip to Bhutan guiding another fun group!

The Bhutan national museum

Our guides Chimi and Tshering

Paro Dzong (half administration/half monastery)

A half day hike to the Taktsang Monastery - the Tiger's Nest is an amazing place 

The Dordenma Buddha near Thimphu

The Royal Palace, Thimphu

Bhutan known for its unique textiles. Ladies wear the Kira.

Textiles woven on hand looms

Panorama of the Himalayas from a high pass - Dochu La 3100 metres

High mountain roads, many passes over 3000m

A black Necked Crane

Site of the Black Necked Crane Festival each year on November 11

Masked dancers at the Tsechu (festival)

A very mountainous country!

Monument to honor soldiers who died in a skirmish with India in 2003

 Flight from Paro back to Kathmandu, Nepal over the world's highest mountains 

Bhutan 2017

Arrival in Paro International airport on Royal Bhutan Airlines -

With a wonderful group of travellers we flew to Kathmandu, recovered from a bit of jet lag and headed off on Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. Our guide, Tshering, and his assistant Chimi met us at the airport after we cleared immigration. Warm sunshine greeted us and we loaded the bus and headed off to our hotel and lunch.

Mt. Jomolhari (7326m)

Eastern Himalayas

A Cold Druk beer

Chilies used in cuisine especially the chilly cheese called Ema Datshi

A cultural home stay in the traditional way!

A traditional 'hot stone bath at the homestay

Special Stupa in the center of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan

West of Paro to Taktsang Monastery

The next day we hiked the 900 meters elevation gain over 2 hours to Taktsang monastery - the Tiger's Nest. 

Situated on a cliffside, we walked in bright sun through a forest and on up on narrow trails and stone steps. An amazing place and one of the iconic images representing Bhutan.

After lunch we visited the Paro Dzong (fortress - half monastery/half administration) and walked down the hill as the sun was setting to Paro Bridge. This medieval bridge was featured in the movie Little Buddha. We were able to return in the evening for the amazing lighting of the Dzong and bridge!

The country was on show and dressed in gold fabric, coloured flags and 3 days of celebrations declared for the 4th King's 60th Birthday! We arrived in the capital, Thimphu, at mid-day after a few hours on the bus from Paro. Following lunch we toured the city and the tallest Buddha statue in the world at 161 feet high.

Black Necked Cranes arrive in Phobjekha every year around November 11!

The highlight of the trip was to attend the annula Black Neck Crane festival. 

Black Necked Crane Festival at the Gangtey Gompa (monastery)

Dordenma Buddha near Thimphu

Land of the Thunder Dragon