Our first hike in Bhutan

Where is Bhutan?

Bhutan, a country in South Asia, is known for a few things, including:

Gross National Happiness: Bhutan is known for its unique development philosophy of prioritizing happiness over economic growth, which is measured by Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Environmental Conservation: Bhutan is committed to preserving its natural environment, with over 70% of the country covered in forests and strict regulations on tourism and development to minimize its impact.

Buddhism: Bhutan is also known for its strong Buddhist heritage, with many beautiful temples, monasteries, and other religious sites throughout the country.

Traditional Culture: Bhutan has a rich and vibrant culture that is heavily influenced by its Buddhist heritage, with unique traditional dress, music, dance, and festivals that are celebrated throughout the year.

Himalayan Scenery: Bhutan is home to stunning Himalayan landscapes, including the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery, which is perched on a cliff over 3,000 meters above sea level.

On our way to Bhutan
On our way to Bhutan, the pilot announced that on the left is the peak of Mount Everest. We can't help but see it as an inspiration for us all!

We are on the way to Paro International Airport. It is located in the city of Paro which is the second most important city in Bhutan. It offers some of the world's most challenging landing conditions for pilots and it is considered one of the world's most challenging airports by pilots.

We manage to catch a glimpse of a temple from the plane.

This is the entrance to a hike, our journey started with a breathtaking view of the river and white gushing water. We crossed the bridge hand in hand and understood that we were prepared for the adventure ahead.

On our way up to the mountain, we saw a temple and prayer flags.

We saw a photo with quotes.

We also saw a stupa.

We have reached our destination in a monastery, which was located on the mountain! They have provided us with Yak Milk and some snacks. It was a long trip, but worth it! According to the regulations in Bhutan, we have to hire a registered guide who will be showing us around. He is wearing one of the traditional costume of Bhutan in the photo.

This was our first hike in Bhutan and we had a blast. Despite the lack of foliage, we still enjoyed our hike and see how beautiful it was. The lack of foliage is due to the season which was autumn and winter.