Ravindra Joisa: January 2022

Kunzum Pass with incredible and stupendous views

This picturesque gateway that leads to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys is well-known among motorcycle enthusiasts. The Kunzum Pass, also known as Kunzum La, is one of India's highest motorable mountain passes, standing at 14,931 feet (Kunzum pass altitude) above sea level in Himachal Pradesh. A huge number of bikers come to this location to enjoy the most thrilling ride across Kunzum Pass's beautiful entryway. The Goddess Kunzum (Durga/Devi/Parvati) mandir, which is located on the top of Kunzum and guards the pass and wards off the bad force, is also well-known.

How to get to Kunzum Pass?

Kunzum pass is located halfway between the famous tourist destinations of Manali and Kaza, and it takes nearly half a day to get there. Take the new Atal tunnel from Manali. A left turn after exiting the Atal tunnel will lead you to Leh, which is a picturesque journey. When compared to the Rothang pass, the Atal tunnel will save you at least 3-4 hours of travel time, but you will miss out on the gorgeous route. The Rothang pass path, by the way, is now restricted.

Prayer flags at the entrance of Kunzum devi temple — Prayer flags at the entrance of Kunzum Devi temple

At the Atal tunnel's exit, turn right and follow the Chenab river till you reach 'Chacha Chachi' Chandra Dabha. A humorous signboard reads "WiFi Available" in bold letters, followed by a line printed in small letters that reads "27 kilometers ahead." Before visiting Chandra Tal Lake or Kunzum Pass, this is a great area to stop for lunch. Cross the bridge and continue on the gravel road to Kunzum pass, taking no detours unless you intend to see Chandratal Lake, which I feel you should. On the way, you get to visit the place by the name Chhatru which is the last day of the Hampta Pass trek, a beautiful crossover trek from Kullu valley to Chandra Valley.

The alternative route to the Kunzum pass is from Kaza. You may either take a shared cab for roughly ₹ 500 or board the popular Himachal public bus, which is always jammed. This uneven dirt road drive might be stressful. Only SUVs with high ground clearance and four-wheel drive are suggested for this terrain. Also, as of this writing, there is no fuel station on the road from Manali to Kaza or anywhere near Kunzum pass.

Places around Kunzum Pass

Visitors frequently visit this temple to seek Goddess Durga's blessings and to visit Chandratal Lake, which is only 7 kilometers from Kunzum Pass. However, this brief trip on a dirt road is filled with hairpin twists and is quite risky. People stop here for photography and to see the stunning Bara-Sigri Glacier because the road is so picturesque.

Views of the spectacular Chandra Bhaga mountains, which are covered with snow-capped peaks and large glaciers, as well as the Spiti valley, which features desert-like scenery, can be enjoyed while driving. There are no tourist amenities here; however, travelers can seek lodging or dining options in the nearby community of 'Losar,' which is about 16 kilometers from Kunzum Pass. Also, you might find campsites on the way to Chandratal.

Chandratal Lake - The Alpine Lake

https://youtu.be/h1rUVWy_JKc

Chandrataal - Alpine Lake

The lake of Chandratal is a detour off the main route that connects Batal and Kunzum pass. It should be noted that camping is no longer permitted at Chandratal. The water and the landscape around are stunning. You may drive all the way to Chandratal's parking lot and then take a short trek from there. Hiking around Chandratal can take a long time, and because it is an alpine lake (14,000+ feet), there is a considerable risk of altitude sickness.

Kunzum Pass

Kunzum devi mandir at Kunzum la — Kunzum devi mandir at Kunzum La

The Kunzum Pass, which connects Spiti and Lahaul Valleys, is higher in elevation than Rohtang Pass. Tourists visiting Lahaul, Spiti, and Manali use it as one of the most popular and widely used passes. Prayer flags are easily seen in and around Kunzum Pass, indicating Buddhist influence. Apart from motorcycles, hikers and adventure seekers go to this location to complete the 12 km walk to Chandratal, another renowned destination in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Because the pass is at a high height, with strong sunlight/UV rays and severe cold winds, it is recommended that you get acclimatized to high altitude.

https://youtu.be/h25k_4sz2JQ

From Kumzum Pass, you can go further towards Kaza and visit the historic Key Monastry, beautiful Kibber village, go on a summit climb to Kanamo Peak, explore Kibber wildlife sanctuary to see the Himalayan snow leopards, visit the high altitude post office, Chicham suspension bridge and explore the Spiti valley.

I hope you found this blog article interesting. Now that you have gone through the post, will you be adding this to your travel bucket list? Comment below and I will let you know what other places you things you need to know. You might wish to share this post with your like-minded friends and add this destination to your bucket list of places to visit. If you enjoy my work, please consider joining my FriendZone, which is absolutely free, as well as subscribing to my YouTube channel. You may also help me out by buying me a cup of coffee to keep me going.

5 Most Important Cold Weather Photography Essentials

The Himalayas have temperatures ranging from plus 10 to minus 40 degrees Celsius ❄️. Cold weather photography at this altitude, particularly in extremely cold weather, can be difficult. When it's that cold, photography, and just about everything else, becomes tenfold more difficult. However, the icy, snowy, white winter wonderland-like images are well worth it. Here are some of my recommendations for cold weather photography, based on my time in the Himalayas and several travels to Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and other Himalayan mountainous locations.

*Snowfall at 12,451 feet Tarsar Lake, Jammu and Kashmir, India*

Cold weather photography essentials

?Battery and its Performance

The performance of batteries is hindered by extremely cold conditions. Extras batteries should be kept in a warm pocket close to your body. For my full-frame DSLR camera, I normally take four camera batteries, which will last for a week if properly packed and stowed.

According to my cold weather photography experience, at approximately 0 degrees Celsius at the camping and sub-zero at night, the battery depleted by roughly 17 percent in all the unused batteries after 3-4 days. So, to retain the charge, I store my batteries in a plastic zip locker and I keep them in a warm location, such as the inner pocket of my down jacket.

Also, remember to carry extra batteries and power banks for smaller gadgets like GoPro or DJI Action camera. Most of the action cameras have a Type C charger and power banks can easily support this A power bank with 20,000 mAh and above is recommended.

Roopkund - Himalayas - Ravindra Joisa Photography — *Mystery Skeletal lake, Roopkund at 14,882 feet in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India*

?Use of Filters

Snow white can cause blindness, hence sunglasses are usually recommended. The same is the case with the camera, and you'll need filters. However, don't underexpose the shot; else, the snow will seem grey. If you're interested in long exposure photography, cold weather photography might be tricky. On the white section of the histogram, the snow-white might blow up. As a result, it's a good idea to use ND filters and set the stops dependent on the intensity of the light. Recovering from whites in the histogram can be challenging if the image is over-exposed.

?Water-resistant backpack

A water-resistant backpack for cold weather photography is a must. In addition to having a water-resistant cover for your DSLR, it is highly advised to have a rain/snow cover. The Lowepro backpack that I have comes with an attached rain cover in it. Else you can always buy additional coverage based on the volume of your bag. Again, this cover is useful for light showers but now for heavy rain or snow. It is better to take shelter in a proper place, maybe in a tent if you are in the wild.

*That's me experimenting with Cold Weather Photography at Hampta Pass at 14,009 feet, Himachal Pradesh, India*

?Carbon Fiber Tripod

Having metallic tripod arms can make it hard to hold while in cold weather photography. A rubber coating on top of the metal or a carbon fiber tripod leg can be super helpful as it is a bad conductor of heat or cold. From basic rubber-coated flexible tripods to high-end carbon fiber tripods, there are many that you can buy based on your budget. Note that carbon fiber tripod is expensive and lightweight. It is ideal if you are into cold weather photography up in the mountains when you are on a hike for a few days, for example, while hiking in the Himalayas.

?Personal Apparel

When you are considering cold weather photography, it is important to consider your personal clothing too. For example, in addition to regular clothing, there are other things to keep in mind. For example, the thermals, windshield jacket, down feather jacket, cold weather hiking shoes, woolen cap, and most importantly, the hand glows which has optional openings. So that it is easy to operate your camera if it has touch screen options.

camping in ice-cold weather for cold weather photography — *The fixed tent and the layer of snow underneath at Bagwabasa campsite, Roopkund.*

These points that are mentioned above are based on my personal trekking experience in the Himalayan snow-clad mountains. I go for weeklong trekking in the Himalayas every year and cold bad weather is always a concern. Cold weather photography can be super challenging, and I usually avoid winters as it is extremely hard to hike to the destination and the trail remains closed.

You might want to check my outdoor activities where I have discussed in detail all my previous treks. Also, consider subscribing to my Youtube channel or you can even buy me a coffee to support my work.

Top 10 Spectacular places to visit in Bhutan

Bhutan is a culturally and ecologically distinct country. It is the planet's last remaining Buddhist kingdom, perched high in the Himalayas. It has established the Gross National Happiness ideology, in which development is assessed using a comprehensive approach to well-being rather than merely GDP. Tourism, hydroelectric power, and agriculture are the kingdom's main sources of revenue. Well, there are many places to visit in Bhutan, but if you are on a budget trip and have just a few days to spare then here are the top 10 places to visit in Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong - Top 10 places to visit in bhutan

To start your journey, you may directly fly to Paro which might be expensive, or fly to Bagdogra in India and drive to Bhutan. The drive here is scenic as you cross the tea gardens and mountains all around. In the north of West Bengal, there is a diversion to the right which will take you to Bhutan where you need to cross the Teesta river.

The other route will take you to Gangtok, Sikkim which is another beautiful place. Stay overnight once you cross the border at Phuentsholing. On the next day get a visa on arrival and pay the fees to proceed further. You may find the latest updated details here.

By the way, you might want to check the best camera travel gear that I use to travel light and be safe. Also, you might want to get this complete guide with in-depth details on everything you need to know and cover all the places when you plan to travel to Bhutan.

Here goes the list of top 10 places to visit in Bhutan

Phuentsholing

? Phuentsholing, the doorway to the country of thunder dragons, is frequently referred to be the Himalayan Kingdom's residence of kings and queens. Moreover, time flows slowly here, and the residents' simplicity fits the natural tranquility. In addition, at barely 300 meters above sea level, this Bhutanese commercial hub is located next to the Indian town of Jaigaon in the foothills of the Himalayas. In Phuentsholing, there are several sites to visit where you can see the richness of Bhutanese, Nepalese, and Indian cultures. After that, the next stop from Phuentsholing is Paro.

https://youtu.be/kL_wbvBNj_M

Tiger's Nest

?The Paro Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), nestled high in the Himalaya Mountains, is one of Bhutan's most prominent cultural and religious landmarks. This video provides a summary of the hiking trail, what to expect, as well as architectural details of the monastery. It is a 2 to 3 hours of a hike uphill with some beautiful views. This hike is ideal for those who don't want to go for a week-long hike but interested in a short day hike. If you are considering any hike then this is one of the best places to visit in Bhutan, to start with.

https://youtu.be/EvVTGjyqVr0

National Memorial Chorten

☮️ This huge chorten is one of Thimphu's most obvious monuments, and it is the center of daily devotion for many Bhutanese. The whitewashed chorten, with its sun-catching golden finial, has complex mandalas, sculptures, and a shrine dedicated to the popular king, as well as elaborately painted annexes facing the cardinal directions.

Places to visit in Bhutan should include the National Memorial Chorten as the approach to this is in the middle of Thimphu town. The action lasts from early morning until late at night, although visitors are forbidden from attending at night to give devotees a break. Keep an eye on the devoted group of elderly timers who are churning away at room-size enormous prayer wheels beside the main entrance.

Thangka Painting and Art Gallery

?The traditional art of painting the life of Buddha on fabric or silk appliqué is known as Thangka. The origins of the Thangka painting may be traced back to Tibetan Buddhist art. These works were created in Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, and India. The 'mandala' is seen in Thangka paintings composed of cotton, silk, and human skin (Mandala in Sanskrit means is a spiritual and ritual symbol representing the universe). The life of Buddha is commonly depicted in Thangka paintings. This gallery is not just one of the places to visit in Bhutan but an ideal place to purchase authentic artwork.

A person must train for years to become a thangka artist, and the paintings are extremely uncommon and costly, with prices reaching into the thousands of dollars - sample painting and my complete collection mainly used for home decor. These thangkas are composed of natural color stone crushed plant leaves and roots, as well as 24k gold dust. Your places to visit in Bhutan bucket list must include a visit to this art gallery which is located in Thimphu.

https://youtu.be/wicAdpMcENw

Buddha Dordenma

? World’s largest mountaintop statue of Buddha Dordenma is located in the western parts of Bhutan, Thimphu. A must-visit place if you are in Thimphu. The huge structure of Buddha (Shakyamuni) is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. The view from here is breathtaking as it overlooks the southern entrance to Thimphu valley. This huge structure of Buddha is a new addition to this historical place and is now one of the top places to visit in Bhutan.

https://twitter.com/ravindrajoisa/status/908281280151748608?s=20

Dochu La

? The National Memorial, Dochu La, or Dochu Pass, is at the pass's center peak with 108 stupas or Chortens. It's midway between Thimphu and Punakha, Bhutan, and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountain range. Dochula Pass is around 3100 meters high, and the area is still hazy. The weather at Dochula Pass is beautiful and clear around December, allowing you to see the Himalayan mountain range.

https://youtu.be/5_l3ecLzsII

Chimi Lhakhang - Fertility Temple

⛩️ There is one less known and unique monastery by the name Chimi Lhakhang, with a lot of 'penises' around. Yeah, you heard that right. Chimi Lhakhang, located in the Punakha requires district-level permission. In addition, Chimi Lhakhang is on the way to Punakha Dzong. It is just over 100 kilometers from Paro and 65 kilometers from Thimphu. Meanwhile, reaching the Chimi Lhakhang monastery from the highway is an approx one-kilometer hike. Above all, the hike is scenic, crossing the paddy fields, via the Yowakha village full of handicraft stores, paintings, and prayer flags. Also, the hike can be even more picturesque if you take the back entrance, next to the Puna Tsang Chu river.

https://youtu.be/upoqSUIXGyo

Punakha Dzong

? Punakha Dzong – meaning ‘great pleasure’ or ‘joy castle’, is the administrative headquarters of Punakha. Also, it is the second oldest and second-largest dzong in Bhutan, and one of its most beautiful buildings. Moreover, Punakha Dzong served as the administrative headquarters until 1955. Above all, the Punakha valley, the location of Dzong is in between the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers. Punakha is Bhutan’s winter capital. Punakha Dzong tops the places to visit in Bhutan.

https://youtu.be/uhqiYPu6Q2M

In addition to Punakha Dzong, there are many Dzongs at different places to visit in Bhutan. The one in Thimphu is spectacular, especially late in the evening when all the lamps are illuminated one by one. Most of the Dzongs are lit up and look amazing and a perfect place for nighttime architecture photography.

Punakha Suspension Bridge

? Suspension bridges are ideal for Bhutan’s high mountains and deep valleys. Punakha Suspension Bridge is a wonderful illustration of this, for the decoration of colorful prayer flags. This is one of Bhutan’s longest suspension bridges. In addition, it connects Punakha Dzong to Shengana, Samdingkha, and Wangkha villages across the Po Chu river, which is usually not listed in the places to visit in Bhutan. It is, nevertheless, astonishingly stable for a 520-foot-long suspension bridge. Moreover, the east side of the river is an excellent starting place for multi-day hikes in the surrounding mountains. Also, the bridge provides a beautiful view of the river and valley.

https://youtu.be/Fc0by-do5Dg

Punakha Campsite

⛺ Camping in Punakha along the banks of the Mo Chu River is a dream come true. Firstly, the golden dunes and flowing water create such a stunning scene that will make you speechless. Secondly, around the river are tiny establishments where you may spend time with the locals. You may also witness the perfect Bhutanese architecture at Punakha Dzong in the twilight. The campsite at Punakha is one of the top places to visit in Bhutan known for its beautiful misty mornings that appears truly magical, next to the river.

https://youtu.be/m-R1E_-EBZ4

Places other than these top 10 places to visit in Bhutan

So, these are the top 10 places to visit in Bhutan. Other places include the Ha valley that stretches along the Haachu river in west Bhutan. In addition, you may want to cover the Dzong present in Paro and Thimphu, and do not forget to see the lighting late in the evening. Also, visit the old traditional paper mill which is right next to Thangka Painting and Art Gallery.

When visiting some of the locations, please be considerate. Unbeknownst to them, outsiders may pay a visit. For example, the clothing code for entering the monastery, the use of a camera. It is important to consult while visiting places in Bhutan with your local guide.

In conclusion, for those who want to experience the true Buddhist culture and heritage then this is the place to visit. For more info and places to visit in Bhutan, you may want to buy this book by Lonely Planet Bhutan where you will find the details on the local festivals, hotels, restaurants, and many more. Also, it has more details on For those who have time these if you are on a budget trip and have just a few days to spare then here are the top 10 places to visit in Bhutan is just the tip of the iceberg. And finally, support my work by Subscribing to my YouTube channel and joining my FriendZone for more.

Top Essential Travel Camera Gear in 2022 ?

I've spent a lot of time in the Himalayas, including my most recent job assignment - workation ?, traveling ✈️, and mountaineering ⛰️. And I have always been experimenting with different camera gear in search of the essential travel camera gear. One thing to keep in mind when traveling is to pack as little as possible with all of the essential things. The high-end, cumbersome camera should only be utilized for highly professional assignments; otherwise, travel camera gear should be kept light.

My essential travel camera gear mostly consists of tiny, portable, convenient, easy-to-carry gear with less interchangeable lenses, flexible tripod, etc., as well as various batteries, power banks, and filters for photography mainly used in stock websites and videos for my YouTube channel. The essential travel camera gear mentioned below is ideal for your personal use, or for creating content online like YouTube or for a blog post of this kind.

https://youtu.be/u7oIqM5vOgc

Here goes the list of Essential Travel Camera Gear

⚙️ DJI Pocket - 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with 4K Camera: An ideal 4k camera that fits in your pocket without the trouble of lugging along a hefty camera or gimbal. The gear has a high-quality microphone. I've been using this for a lot of my previous Vlogs. However, don't forget to use the wide-angle lens so your face doesn't seem too close or sliced. This is one camera that will easily fit into even your jeans pocket.

https://youtu.be/qAhQQKlZBJQ

⚙️ DJI Mini Fly More Combo: This is a nano drone that is just below 250g made specifically keeping in mind the government regulations in flying drones. Travel safe and free with no worry of any license or approval of any kind needed for this nano drone. Something that will easily fit in your bag.

A great entry-level drone with more features and better performance. That includes a much stronger signal for stress-free flying. Note that if you are completely new to drones, this is an excellent drone to fly since if you do not know how to control it properly, you may experience troubles such as drone flyaway, ?well, that was my experience and I almost lost it.

⚙️ DJI OM Smartphone Gimbal Stabilizer: If you're into mobile filmmaking and are happy with your camera phone but want to add video stabilization, this is the device for you. It is somewhat more expensive than other gimbals. Its connection with the DJI Mimo app gives it a level of capability that no other gimbal has. If you make YouTube Shorts, Reels, or TikTok videos, this is the tool for you.

https://youtu.be/8-PbzeL2y94

⚙️ DJI Action Dual Screen Combo: In your travel luggage, the ultra-compact DJI Action takes up next to no space. The revolutionary magnetic design of the Action lets you easily swap out attachments while capturing life on the go. Record ultra-smooth 4K/120fps footage with more clarity than ever before. The DJI Action camera is built to last and is waterproof straight out of the box. So, you can document your aquatic activities. ??‍♂️

https://youtu.be/9tV4R_1n7Tw

Other essential travel camera gear

In addition to the essential travel camera gear that I have mentioned above, there are a few important gadgets to consider that are super essential. You'll also need power banks to charge the batteries, micro SDXC cards, quick chargers, extremely portable SSD storage, and a Micro SDXC Card reader OTG. In addition, the camera bag is the most crucial item to bring. A good camera bag is a must, as these camera gears are compact. ?

So, these are some of the essential travel camera gear that you definitely need to have. All these gadgets are based on my own experience. After using them extensively for multiple weeklong travel and trekking expeditions in the extreme cold Himalayan weather ?. Hope you find this useful. Also, check out more on the gadgets that I use on my YouTube channel and support my work by subscribing ▶️. You may signup for my fortnightly newsletter by joining my Friend Zone. ? Note that I keep updating my essential travel camera gear whenever there is a new gadget available and if I find it super useful. The latest will be updated in the kit link.

Tiger's Nest - An Incredible cultural monument

The Paro Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest Monastery) was established on the site of a cave set into the cliff in the late 16th century, perched nearly 3,000 meters above the Paro valley. Although we refer to it as the "Tiger's Nest" in English, Taktsang really means "tigress' lair" and is named after the narrative surrounding its establishment.

Tiger's Nest - Incredible cultural monument

The history

Guru Rinpoche, a 7th-century Indian Buddhist leader, was said to have been carried up the mountain on the back of a devotee who had changed herself into a tigress, according to mythology in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. Guru Rinpoche meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days, and 3 hours after they arrived. Since then, the cave has been revered as a sacred spot, and many great saints have visited there to contemplate. Hence the name Paro Taktsang as it is a sacred site.

When to go and what to expect

We got up early and left Paro about 7 a.m. to reach the foot of the mountain around 8 a.m., when the site opens to the public, to allow us the most time possible to complete the Tiger's Nest walk. There is a modest collection of stalls, set up at the entrance to sell souvenirs and crafts. Visit these stalls while you return. Also, you get wooden hiking sticks for rent which can be helpful as you will have to hike uphill.

The hike to Tiger's Nest begins here

The stroll begins slowly once you've passed the booths. We traveled a few fields up to the cliff's base after passing through the gate. Locals keep mules and horses here, which you may hire to help you ascend the trail. We entered the woodland region that runs along the cliff's edge. The trail begins to zig-zag through the trees as the slope becomes steeper, making the ascent easier.

The trek to Tiger's Nest is difficult; it takes around five hours to complete a circular journey. The route ends with a flight of extremely steep stairs. About halfway up, there's a café, which is a nice area for a refreshing drink and some amazing photos. The cafe appears more like a huge treehouse from the inside and the food price is on the higher side. Restrooms and an indoor seating space are available, as well as snacks, lunch, and drinks. It's a nice spot to take a break. The monastery has its lunchtime between 12 and 1 p.m., and visitors will have to wait outside during lunchtime.

Bridge and the waterfall

We reached a viewing platform as we rounded a bend on an unusually flat route, and there it was, the Tiger's nest, sitting magnificently across from us. Surprisingly, we were just a few feet higher than the Tiger's Nest. The view of the pine woods and valley below was really stunning. A rope bridge traverses the gap near to a waterfall, surrounded with prayer flags, farther down the route.

You must trek a bit farther up the mountain to reach the Tiger's Nest Monastery using this path. Then you descend several hundred stairs back into the mountain, only to have to climb many more steps on the opposite side of the rope bridge to reach the top. The area surrounding the bridge is especially calm and pleasant. Prayer flags swing in the breeze, as water from the waterfall sprays into the air. It was a terrific way to re-energize and be ready for the last leg of our adventure.

What to expect inside Tiger's Nest

You cannot take cameras and phones and it is safe to hand over them to our local guide once you arrive at the Tiger's Nest's main gate and have left your shoes at the entry. We entered the Tiger's Nest Monastery after a final gaze over the valley. Once inside, you will find a small Buddhist monastery with its gold-plated domes, white walls, and wooden balconies. As you go further, you will see monks chanting everywhere and a room full of oil lamps, and at the end is a narrow (Tiger's) cave, hard to enter. The Bhutanese believe that simply crossing the monastery's threshold will bring you benefits, therefore many people enter with their hands in prayer.

Prayer flags all around Tiger's Nest

In the Himalayas, prayer flags are ubiquitous, especially along the path to Tiger's Nest. You will find prayer flags outside of residences, along mountain paths, and across bridges to represent happiness, long life, good fortune, and karmic merit. The spiritual vibrations formed by the colored cloth are claimed to be released into the air when the wind blows through them, making everybody who is touched by the breeze happy and enriched. Local gods and spirits are also appeased using prayer flags.

Monk and his dog are on the way to Tiger's Nest. Trail full of prayer flags.

Packing essentials to go to Tiger's Nest

You may visit this place throughout the year. The trail can become extremely slick in the rain, therefore it is a good practice to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes (ideally hiking boots) with strong traction and thick socks. Rain gear will also be useful, as the weather along the path may be fickle. Bring a bottle of water and some snacks to keep you hydrated on your journey.

Ravindra after completing hiking to Tiger's Nest in Bhutan. — Ravindra after completing hiking to Tiger's Nest

A visit to this incredible cultural monument is a must-do on any trip to Bhutan and is just a few minutes' drive from Paro. Watch the video below to get a feel of how the trail is. Also, support my work by subscribing to my channel, and consider joining my Friendzone.