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Guides, journal entries and perspectives from Bhutanese people — written for those curious about the kingdom.
Textiles, incense, thangkas, wooden crafts — and what to avoid. Plus a clear guide on what Bhutanese customs law prohibits you from taking out of the country.
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Bhutan is one of the safest countries in Asia for women travelling alone. Plus — we offer female guides and female drivers for those who prefer it.
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Dress code, temple etiquette, photography rules, the royal family, religious customs, and how to carry yourself as a guest in the kingdom.
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Who to tip, how much, when and how — an honest guide from someone in the industry. Guides, drivers, hotel staff, trek crew and restaurant staff all covered.
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There is a horse ride option at Tiger's Nest. Before you take it, read this — a guide's honest perspective on animal welfare and why walking is always the right choice.
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Ema datsi, red rice, momo, butter tea, ara — everything you need to know about what to eat, where to eat, and how to handle the chilli.
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Spring blossoms, monsoon rains, crisp autumn skies and cold quiet winters — a complete season-by-season guide to Bhutan's weather and what to pack.
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Official entry fees for Taktsang, Punakha Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Chhimi Lhakhang and more — know what to budget before your visit.
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Tourist SIM packages, eSIM, data plans from TashiCell and B-Mobile, hotel WiFi quality, farmhouse connectivity, and where you'll lose signal completely.
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Guides, locals, professionals — if you have knowledge, a story or a perspective about Bhutan that visitors and the industry should know, we want to hear from you.
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A certified Bhutanese tour guide shares how photography became more than a hobby — a way of seeing people, capturing portraits, and preserving stories that words cannot always tell.
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A trekking guide who has walked every corner of Bhutan shares what it's really like to lead the Snowman Trek — the tears, the blisters, the stars, and why it changes people.
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How Bhutanese tour guides are trained, examined, licensed and specialised — an insider's look at what it really takes to become a certified guide in the kingdom.
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The tourism field is like a puzzle. Every tour is a new experience. This one is about what it really takes to run a good tour — and why the driver matters more than you think.
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My guest got upset because shops here don't take card payments. I tried to explain. It got complicated. Digital payments have taken off — but cash change is still a headache.
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I spent a month in Sikkim and met someone who said he wishes he could visit Bhutan the way Bhutanese visit Sikkim — freely. It left me feeling helpless.
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My guest doubted that a statue really has 1,000 arms. A nun nearby had the perfect answer — involving gold measurements and math. The guest went quiet.
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Car ads, DSA auctions, drama crews, and a wheel drum for sale. A guide's honest look at what happens in the tourism group chats when there's no work.
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I recommended ema datsi for lunch, which led to a conversation about chilies, cheese, and the time Bhutan had to ban Indian chilies — and people started smuggling them.
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I got my guide's license in 2018. After COVID, new policies, new logos, new assessments. Then a YouTube video sparked a heated debate in the guides' group chat.
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A smoke break on the way to Tiger's Nest. An American traveler, an Indian tourist who appeared out of nowhere, a joke about Holi, and a shared laugh at 3,000 metres.
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My Indian guests discovered Bhutan's phallic art tradition along the trail. Their reaction led to a conversation about the Divine Mad Man and cultural differences.
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I woke up at 3 a.m. to get a good spot for the Thongdrel. Most seats were taken. I ended up on the ground, in the cold, next to a crowd with very active digestive systems.
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I woke up at someone's house in Paro with no memory of how I got there. In front of me: Paro airport. In my pocket: 200 bucks and a packet of cigarettes. Merry Christmas.
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My guest pointed to a mountain and asked its name. I had no idea. Neither did local villagers when the Queen Mother once asked. So many mountains in Bhutan. Damn mountain.
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Mongar's club. Empty dancefloor. A DJ playing off his phone with notifications going off mid-song. Everyone yelling "DJ OUT!" A bald bouncer with a mop. What a night.
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After a night shift, I stopped for noodles. A man walked in, ordered brandy at 6 a.m., poured half the bottle, took one shot, said "aghhhhh," and walked out.
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Hot stone bath origins, blue pine trees, fish in Buddhist Bhutan, the royal photographer, vegetarians who eat eggs... a collection of questions from guests that stumped me completely.
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