The monks’ faces show traces of exhaustion. They have spent days preparing for Losar, sitting for hours molding torma, intricate statues made of butter and wax. I stare at the large figure of Mahakala, one of the Buddhist deities sculpted out of the same waxy clay and painted black. At

Although most visitors to Bhutan must travel with a guide, that doesn’t mean you can’t find some time to do a bit of exploring by yourself, or encourage your guide to take you to certain places. There’s a lot to see and do in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, despite

As travelers learn more about the Kingdom of Bhutan, the country finds itself atop many a travel bucket list. It’s unlike any other place on earth, and is certainly worth visiting. Its Himalayan vistas, ornate monasteries and well-preserved culture rightfully attract intrepid travelers from around the world. However, its very

Located in the picturesque Punakha-Wangdue Valley, Punakha is the former capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Terraced rice fields, fruit orchards and wooden houses against the backdrop of the Himalayas and glacial rivers make it an ideal retreat for those looking to indulge in nature and culture. Each year in

The verdant rolling hills, cows grazing in the valleys and the plate overflowing with Emmental cheese at your homestay would lead you to believe you’re vacationing somewhere in the Swiss Alps. But this is a common scene here in Bumthang, Bhutan. It is the perfect place for farming, and the

Bhutan is a fascinatingly preserved frontier of culture. Restricted and protected, it offers a superbly enlightening experience even for travelers with much experience in the Himalaya. Although it’s a notoriously expensive place to visit because you must book an approved tour, you do not need to spend much time (and

Despite being a naturally and culturally very beautiful country, Bhutan does not yet have any UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, eight sites appear on the ‘Tentative List’, which means that a number of criteria need to be met before they can become fully fledged World Heritage Sites. Here’s a look

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a world unto itself, and the food from the country is a strong part of that world. Though Bhutan serves a variety of cuisines–such as Indian, Tibetan, Nepali and Chinese–for travelers seeking somewhat familiar tastes, the country’s own food is as delicious as it

American student Liam Kelly spent last summer in Himachal Pradesh, India on a study abroad program administered by Tulane University, New Orleans. He completed his final semester in Thimphu, Bhutan. In order to inspire others to travel and study in the Himalayas, we asked Liam some questions about his experiences.

Cycling is my favourite way to explore a new city or country. Bike riding tours in Bhutan are still in their infancy, and cycling in this mountainous country is not for the faint-hearted. My partner and I, both competent cyclists who’ve done a few biking holidays, signed up for a