I walked a pilgrimage route in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan

The last approach to Paro Airport in Bhutan is a spectacular sight. As the small aircraft flies over winding mountain routes, it provides views of verdant peaks that appear incredibly close. Below, a charming scene is created by traditional Bhutanese homes with pagoda-style roofs and emerald rice terraces. I was as enthralled with the window as a youngster on their first flight on my trip in September 2024.

Bhutan’s Unique Arrival Experience:

There is nothing like flying into Paro. The toy-sized plane appears to be hovering in a dreamlike state as it makes its dramatic descent through the thin mountain air. Visitors are left in amazement before they have even set foot on the land as they witness this landlocked Himalayan monarchy gradually unveiling itself through the sky.

The Iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery:

The Tiger's Nest monastery is the most recognizable image of Bhutan among its numerous treasures. This 17th-century wonder, perched on a cliff, resembles something from a fantasy novel. It is a spectacular sight with its sparkling golden roofs and white stone walls enclosed by black wood. It feels like a doorway to a different planet; it's more than just a structure.

A Pilgrimage to Remember:

I traveled to Bhutan on a pilgrimage, just like the millions of people who travel the Camino de Santiago in Spain. The Tiger's Nest is a spiritual location in addition to a popular tourist destination. I couldn't help but feel a connection to those who had gone before me as I traveled to this remarkable location, lured by its tranquil beauty and revered past.

Its character is fiercely independent, and it sits between China and India, two of its most powerful neighbors. Walls are decorated with murals of the adored Royal Family. From the magnificent statues of the Buddha, cast in gold, sitting in the skyline to the strings of vibrant prayer flags fluttering above the dashboard of the car our driver and guide, Dorji, drives us around in, the atmosphere is charged with devotion and hints of the country's religion, Vajrayana, or tantric, Buddhism.

A vacation here is notoriously costly; in addition to the $100 daily tourist fee, you must pay a guide (which is required outside of the Paro Valley, where we flew, and the city of Thimphu) and arrange for lodging. However, this strategy results in few tourists, preserving the uniqueness and culture of a country that only opened to foreign visitors in the middle of the 1970s, only permitted television in the 1990s, and where the majority of people are dressed traditionally.

What else is on offer in Bhutan?

The country's 70% forest cover, on the other hand, absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide, making it both serenely beautiful and the only country in the world to be officially carbon negative. It indicates that there are plenty of hiking options and no unfavorable views. In addition to Tiger's Nest, we went to a number of monasteries and nunneries that had exquisite wall murals. We got an astrological reading at one point (I was told I was a dog in a wealthy household the last time I lived, which tracks). Explore the nearby villages, stop by the marketplaces, and take in the serene way of life.