Fall in Love with Bhutan

Where to? Bhutan

Why you’ll love it: A tiny kingdom nestled between India and China, Bhutan boasts ancient traditions and natural wonders. As you travel across the peaks and valleys, you’ll find unique wildlife at the national parks, colorful Buddhist culture at fortress-like dzhongs and the famous hilltop Taktsang monastery.

Outdoorsy types will want to try their hands at archery or maybe even take on the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas for jaw-dropping landscapes.

Tourism is carefully regulated and you have to pre-purchase a “Minimum Daily Package” — essentially a package price of at least US$200 (HK$1,551) per person, per night that includes all accommodations, meals, a Bhutanese tour guide, transport and equipment. The price also includes a tourism tax that goes towards infrastructure, healthcare, poverty assistance and education.

Fun fact: Fiercely protective of its culture, Bhutan only opened to travelers in the 1970s.

Get there: Flights into Bhutan are severely limited, and comparatively expensive. Get yourself to Bangkok, Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai, or Singapore. From there, you can fly Drukair, Bhutan’s national carrier, to Paro, the location of the international airport and Taktsang monastery.

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