Far too good for ordinary people

By eight in the morning, the sun over Delhi is already gearing up for another scorching day. The few clouds in the sky won't do much to hinder it, but a bright blue sky is not in the cards either, as the smog of this bustling megacity will keep things hazy. Today, we're headed to Bagdogra in the narrow Siliguri corridor, where …

Show destinationsBagdogra – Kurseong – Darjeeling – Tiger Hill – Ghoom – Puttabong

Vatican without Pope

Mists still shroud the valleys as we leave Darjeeling behind. For about ten kilometres, we follow the ridge southward towards Ghoom, at 2 250 meters the highest point we will cross today. Then comes a descent that seems endless. Between the treetops, fragments of mist creep up the slope, carried by the rising thermals. Gradually, we find ourselves enveloped in fog, …

Show destinationsDarjeeling – Melli – Jorethang – Pelling – Pemayangtse Monastery Sanga Choeling Monastery – Khecheoparli Lake – Rabdentse – Rumtek Monastery – Gangtok – Kalimpong

Measuring National Happiness

It’s sunny this morning, but mist continues to dominate the valleys around Kalimpong. Once, this was an important town on the silk route that led through the fertile valleys of Sikkim to Tibet. From 1865 onward, it was the British who held sway here. Always in search of cooler climates, they discovered …

Show destinationsKalimpong – Coronation Bridge – Phuntsholing – Kharbandi Gompa – Gedu – Chhuzom – Simtokha Dzong – Buddha Dordenma statue – Thimphu – Motithang Takin Preserve

The hidden treasures of the guru

It’s not far from Thimphu to Punakha – a mere 65 km – but roadblocks can become quite a hassle. There is only one road that winds its way through Bhutan from west to east. Diverting traffic when work needs to be done on that road is not an option, allowing both traffic flows to pass alternately isn’t a solution either. So, the only option is ...

Show destinationsThimphu – Do Chhu La – Sopsokha – Punakha – Nobding – Chen Dep Chi – Chhumey – Bumthang – Tamshing Lakhang – Kurjey Lakhang – Jampa Lakhang – Jakar Dzong – Membartso – Pema Shedrup Choeki Gatsheling Shedra

On the back of a tigress

On average, Bhutan has one dog for every three inhabitants, as travel guide Karma once mentioned. You don't have to be a genius to calculate that the Bumthang valley has at least five hundred potential yappers. More than enough for all those four-legged friends to set up a nice rotation system, ensuring that throughout the whole night, …

Show destinationsBumthang – Domkar Tashigang Dzong – Trongsa Dzong – Phobjikha Valley – Gangteng – Thimphu – Chhuzom – Taktsang Gompa (Tiger's Nest) – Kyichu Lakhang – Rinpung Dzong – Paro