Bhutan: The Enchanting Jewel Of The Himalayas

Majestic snow-capped mountains, picturesque valleys, verdant forests, centuries-old Buddhist shrines and monasteries, fluttering prayer flags, a serene way of life and folks boasting the best happiness index in the world...this Land of the Thunder Dragon has much more to entice those with wanderlust.

- R L Morris

For centuries, travellers have been enthused by tales of the mythical paradise on earth-Shangri-La-which is believed to be located somewhere high up in the Himalayas. But there is indeed a mountain kingdom up there that can be compared to Shangri-La in more ways than one. Known as the Jewel of the Himalayas, Bhutan has everything to woo visitors who love to revel in nature’s grandeur with a veneer of spirituality far from the madding crowd. Majestic snow-capped mountains, picturesque valleys, verdant forests, centuries-old Buddhist shrines and monasteries, fluttering prayer flags, a serene way of life and folks boasting the best happiness index in the world… this Land of the Thunder Dragon has much more to entice those with wanderlust.

A slice of paradise in Paro

When visitors fly to Bhutan, they land in the quaint town of Paro which is home to the sole international airport of the kingdom. Located 50 km away from the capital Thimphu, Paro is dotted with historical and religious buildings. You can begin your Bhutan exploration by staying in this town. Just 10 km away from Paro is the most photographed monument in Bhutan—the Taktsang Palphug Monastery aka Tiger’s Nest. This centuries-old architectural marvel is precariously perched on a cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. It was built in 1692 by the then-ruler around the cave where Guru Padmasambhava, an Indian Buddhist seer who spread Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet, meditated.