Memorial Chorten is one of Thimphu's most recognizable landmarks and is located in the city's center. Throughout the day, visitors will see old Bhutanese folks circumambulating the Chorten. Chorten literally means "Seat of Faith," and Buddhists typically refer to such structures as the "Mind of Buddha." With its beautiful murals and detailed sculptures, the Chorten is an outstanding example of Buddhist architecture and artwork.
National Memorial Chorten entrance
Who built Thimphu chorten?
The chorten's construction has been created to show it as "one of Thimphu's most conspicuous religious buildings." The Memorial Chorten, located in the center of the city, is a Tibetan-style chorten, also known as the Jangchup Chorten, modeled like a classical stupa, with a pyramidal pillar capped by a crescent moon and sun. It was erected in 1974 in memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 3rd Druk Gyalpo.
The distinctive characteristic here is the outward flaring of the rounded section to provide the appearance of a vase (a pyramidal shape), as opposed to a dome shape. The chorten portrays a great number of larger-than-life representations of wrathful deities with their feminine consorts.
Memorial Chorten Architecture
The chorten is a big white tower crowned by a golden spire and a smaller golden spire over the front porch. It is accessed by a tiny garden and a gate with three slate carvings. The three guardian bodhisattvas – Avalokitesvara (the symbol of compassion), Majur (the symbol of wisdom), and Vajrapi (the sign of strength – are depicted on the gate's exterior. Slates depicting images of Ngawang Namgyal, Gautama Buddha, and Padmasambhava are carved on the inside.
To the left are large prayer wheels. On a daily basis, many elderly Bhutanese visit the chorten to circumambulate it, whirl the big red prayer wheels, and pray before the shrine. It has four gates, but only one is available to devotees who wish to visit the shrine. To the left are large prayer wheels. On a daily basis, many elderly Bhutanese visit the chorten to circumambulate it, whirl the big red prayer wheels, and pray before the shrine. It has four gates, but only one is available to devotees who wish to visit the shrine.
The Chorten is circumambulated solely in a clockwise orientation (reciting prayers and whirling the enormous red prayer wheels), as is the case with other religious sites in Bhutan. The Monlam Prayer Festival is celebrated here, and the Je Khenpo (Bhutan's religious leader) addresses and blesses all who gather for the event.
Where is the National Memorial Chorten?
The National Memorial Chorten is located at the Thimphu City Centre in Bhutan. You can drive all the way to this place. Other tourists attraction in Thimphu include the Dzong, the World’s largest mountaintop statue of Buddha Dordenma, Thangka painting gallery. In addition, there are other tourist attractions like the historic house full of artifacts, monasteries, traditional paper mill, etc. Also, read Top 10 Spectacular places to visit in Bhutan and if you are interested in knowing even more in detail then the best guide would be Lonely Planet Bhutan.
Here in this place, you will find a lot of elderly people near the gain prayer wheels. If you are into Portrait photography then these people can be an ideal subject. Just make sure to request them if it is ok to capture their photos.
Having the right hiking accessories is super important to have a pleasant hassle-free experience. I have been on multiple weeklong high-altitude Himalayan treks in the last few years. And in this blog post, I will be sharing all of these details based on my experience of trekking in the mountains.
Having a good quality trekking backpack of min 60 liters is one of the most important hiking accessories. Do not blindly get some random backpack that is not designed for your back. This is an important point to consider when you are carrying your backpack and that too for a week-long trek. If you are suffering from back pain then you might want to consider offloading the backpack. I usually offload my bag as I carry another 8 kgs of a camera backpack.
Hiking Daypack - 10L
Hiking daypack is mainly used when you go around the campsite for a short hike and to carry some of the hiking accessories like water bottles, a small point-and-shoot camera, etc. If you planning to offload your main trekking backpack then the daypack will be one of the mandatory hiking accessories.
Trekking Shoes
Blisters are a common thing when you go on long hikes and this happens when your legs are not comfortable with the shoes that you are wearing. You can either rent shoes if you are not into regular hiking or if you are concerned about hygiene and love to hike more often then I would highly recommend buying Forclaz 500 shoes which are ideal for hiking. You can easily use these shoes for at least 8 to 10 Himalayan weeklong treks. The shoe may be used even in snow or rain as it is waterproof and provides good breathing.
Clothing
For a week-long trek, I would recommend having 2 or max 3 full-sleeve shirts. Full sleeve to avoid skin tan. Covering your body is the best way to avoid tanning than any cream.
Pant made into shorts while crossing a stream during the 10 days hike in Goa, India.
Also, have 2 quick-dry pants that are convertible to shorts. Converting it to shorts is super helpful when you want to spend time at the campsite or while crossing the stream etc. These 2-in-1 pants are a bit expensive but totally worth it.
Duck feather full-arm down jacket is a must for sub-zero or temperatures of below 5 degrees.
Cold weather woolen gloves. Also, on top of this have a waterproof gloves.
Inner thermals one pair or max 2 for a weeklong trek. You wear thermals only at campsite and not while hiking. Even if it cold in the mornings, just have a wind proof jacket and not a down jacket or thermals.
Do not cover your ears with cotton. You will get acclamatized sooner without them at higher altitudes. Instead have a woolen cap or a simple biker's mask will do.
Swiss Knife or similar knife from other brands. Always must-have hiking accessories where ever you go. There are many cheaper models with almost similar features. Make sure it has a knife, scissors, screwdrivers, etc.
Wind proof jacket for morning and evening cold weather while hiking. Also it can act as rain cover too.
Or you can go for a Poncho, not that comfortable like having a wind proof jacket but you can quickly wear it in no time if there is a sudden rainfall. Poncho can cover your top portion of the body along with your daypack.
Biker's Mask or Head Band
The most underrated inexpensive hiking accessories. I use it all the time to prevent myself from burning the sun to avoid skin tan than using the expensive SPF sunscreen creams. These are super breathable, you just need to get used to it a bit. Decathlon has some super thin and quick dry Biker's mark for a low price. You can even use it from wind to cover your ears and also as a headscarf. Check out the video below.
https://youtu.be/TT-FnH6a8ME
Sunglasses
Have good quality sunglasses especially if you prefer winter treks under heavy snow. All this can also help you with skin tan or dark circles around your eyes usually seen after the trek. With the headband and sunglasses, your face will usually be covered fully, and on top, you have the suncap.
Suncap
When you consider a suncap, it is not just any other cap. The one that is made specifically for trekkers is an ideal thing to buy. It has an extended skirt on the backside covering your neck. Also, if it is cold at campsites you might want to cover your head with a woolen cap.
Sleeping Bag Liner
A sleeping bag liner is not one of the mandatory hiking accessories, but I would highly recommend carrying one if you are concerned about hygiene. These days even the liners are provided by hiking groups but they are not lightweight and take a lot of space. The one that is mentioned can be folded to the size of a mobile phone and is super light and keeps you warm.
It is better to carry a headlamp than a torch. Not just any other headlamp but a good one where you can switch between regular light and night (red/blue) light, useful when you are in a group.
Hiking Pole
The hiking pole provides additional balance and support. Having 2 will be ideal and perfect. Research says, using of hiking pole will improve your performance while hiking in not just providing balance but along you can hike for longer distances.
Other Hiking Accessories
Other trekking accessories include:
Plastic covers for used, unused, or wet cloths. Also, to keep you camera batteries and powerbanks full charged. Cold weather can drain your battery. You may want to check my cold weather photography essentials article.
Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Stainless steel leakproof lunch box for packed lunch. You need not carry a plate and use the same for having breakfast and dinner too or for having coffee or tea. Avoid the plastic lunchbox as it is hard to clean the greasy food items. Also, the metal box will keep you warm when hot food is served.
Socks - have one for each day. Wollen socks for cold weather. Make sure to keep the used socks outide the tent as a good hygiene practice or in a plastic cover
Have your first aid kit handy with tablets like cetirizine, Dolo 650, Electral Powder etc
Have a small piece of spong as big as the one used for dishwasher. This is for spong bath as it is hard to take bath while hiking under cold weather.
Keep your toiletry kit as small as possible. Carry only the necessities: a toothbrush, toothpaste, tiny soap, toilet paper, a little moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. Because you won't be able to take a bath on the walk, don't stock up on soaps and shampoos. Carry miniature-sized items.
Hydration pack or water bottles, 1 or 2 liters should be fine. Usually mountain waters are clean and you usually do not need any filters.
Sunscreen just doesn't work, I believe it is more of a marketing gimmick to sell cold cream as per my experience. Also, even if it does you need to apply 5 times a day at regular intervals which is hard. Have cold cream instead and a lip balm and apply the balm frequently.
Mandatory documents, ID proof for forest entry.
Fresh snow, season's first snowfall at Tarsar campsite, Kashmir, India
In addition to this, if you are going solo, you might want to get many more things like cooking gas, food items, a tent, a sleeping bag, safety gear, etc. But, the one mentioned above is when you go on a hike with some hiking groups like Indiahikes or Trek the Himalayas, etc.
https://youtu.be/-ulRUS1n8o4
Carrying Camera Heavy Gear is a terrible IDEA while Trekking in groups
Note that this is not a sponsored post and most of the trekking accessories have been carefully selected after experimenting with these products in the last 7 Himalayan weeklong treks that I have completed and also weeklong treks in western ghats in southwest India. Something that I use for at least another 7 Himalayan treks. If you find this information useful then consider buying me a coffee to support my work and join my friendzone for more stories.
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.
High altitude meadows at Kumzum pass
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
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.
Kunzum pass to Manali dirt road
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.
Horse grazing at 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
? 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.
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 needpower 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.
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.
Paro Taktsang Monastery
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.
Tiger's Nest hike in the pine forest
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.
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.
Bridge and the waterfall at Tiger's Nest
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.
Tiger's Nest Monastery Entrance
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
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.
