Our trip around the Kingdom of Bhutan was marked by unusual cultural experiences, best described as ‘authentic’, despite this word being overused in the travel industry. The obscure, little-explored Kingdom nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, famous for giving priority to Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product, is

In her native Tibetan language, Her Eminence Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding guided us to become the goddess at the ‘Uncommon White Tara Initiation’ taking place at the Ewan Choden Buddhist Center in California. With Lama Jay Goldberg translating for us, I envisioned the White Tara thangka painting I had acquired

The Himalayas are an enormous mountain chain that spread from Pakistan in the west, to Bhutan in the east, as well as encompassing Nepal, parts of Tibet and several states of India. So while there is some cultural similarity between the peoples living in this region, there are also lots

We were short on time. “It says here that most people do the Druk Path in six days.” “Well, in four days I have to leave the country. In three days, you have to leave the country. So we better do it in two.” It was reluctantly decided. My friends

While most travelers to Bhutan visit the capital city Thimpu and Paro (known for the Tiger’s Nest monastery), Bhutan offers much more if you have a bit longer. Many travelers skip Central Bhutan (either due to lack of time or because of the poor road conditions), but this is a

Perched in the hills to the north of Paro in Bhutan is a complex of white, fortress-like walls topped by wide, flat roofs that look like fans spread out to hold everything steady. Through the morning mist it seems as if it can only be magic preventing the whole structure

Some of the most remote villages in Bhutan are found on the far eastern side of the country. It is the land of the Brokpa people. According to their oral history, the Brokpa originate from Tibet and came to Bhutan after they beheaded a tyrannical king in their ancestral village.

Shafts of soft light filter into the dusky inner sanctum, illuminating unfurling incense tendrils, their haze slightly obscuring the fading dharmachakra images and murals imprinted across the temple’s ancient walls. Dropping ngultrum notes into the bowl, I bow my head with hands in contemplation pose, waiting for the wang (blessing)

The Tshechu Festival is celebrated every November in Lhuentse, one of the easternmost districts of Bhutan. The festival’s remote location puts it among the least-visited festivals, from a tourist perspective. It also just happens to be one of the most lively and colorful festivals in the country. Visit the festival

Rhododendron in Nepal is known as Gurans; it is indigenous to the High Himalayas, and is also the national flower of Nepal. Indo-Burma and South Central China are considered biodiversity hotspots—that is, areas of high animal and plant diversity, but with high rates of habitat destruction. One group of plants