Spotlight: Bhutan

Whirling giant prayer wheels spin mantras … a mallet circling a meditation singing bowl chimes … crimson-clad monks methodically chant … the myriad spiritual sights and sounds of Bhutan make this magical place sacred. This ancient kingdom is steeped in cultural tradition and peppered with sites of devotion from elegant dzongs to striking monasteries.

Touted as the “happiest place on Earth” thanks to its Gross National Happiness Index, this remote destination has myriad draws. Nestled between the eastern Himalayas and southern Asia you find unspoiled wilderness, rich culture with roots in Buddhism, mythical-looking animals such as the takin, and endangered black-necked cranes.

The true jewel of Bhutan is Taktsang Goemba, commonly known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. This iconic cliff-hugging site, adorned in primary-colored prayer flags, is 10,000 feet above sea level. With each stair (all 700 of them!) a more spectacular panoramic view of Paro Valley is revealed.

This tiny nation holds many wonders including the Dochula Pass, which connects Thimphu to Punakha, the current and former capitals. Your scenic drive between the two is as captivating as the destinations with the snowcapped Himalayas as your backdrop. Punakha Dzong, a fortress built in the 17th century, stands among tiered rice paddies, lavender jacaranda trees, and blue poppies—the national flower.

In Bhutan, there is a sense of stepping back in time. No traffic lights … no problem, because there are more animals than vehicles on the roads. It is one of the last places to hold so much natural beauty, uninterrupted by human impact. So much so, it is the only country in the world that is carbon negative.
 
Let us reveal Asia’s hidden gem in luxury TS style.