Bhutan

One of the most unforgettable moments of my time in Bhutan happened before I had even landed. A follower on Instagram saw that I was traveling through South Asia and messaged me saying that if I was flying Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline, I should ask the flight attendants whether it might be possible to sit in the cockpit during takeoff. I figured there was no chance, but decided to ask anyway.

After everyone had boarded, one of the flight attendants quietly came over to my seat and told me to follow her. To my amazement, I was invited into the cockpit, where I sat behind the pilots for takeoff. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my travels. The approach into Paro is considered one of the most challenging commercial landings in the world, with pilots weaving through narrow Himalayan valleys before touching down.

Bhutan is one of the world’s least visited countries. Most of my time was spent exploring the valleys of western Bhutan. In Paro, seeing young monks running between monasteries reminded me of scenes from Avatar: The Last Airbender. I also came across a group of men competing in archery, Bhutan’s national sport, who invited me to stop and watch for a while, giving me the chance to appreciate how well the country has preserved traditions that remain such an important part of everyday life. The highlight of my time in Paro, however, was hiking to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched dramatically on the side of a cliff. After seeing photographs of it for years, finally standing there in person felt surreal.

I also enjoyed exploring other parts of the country alongside my guide, Wangchuk. Driving through mountains, forests, rivers, and traditional villages, we made our way to the beautiful Punakha Valley before continuing to Thimphu, one of the world’s few capital cities without traffic lights, where police officers still direct traffic by hand. Overlooking the city is the 52-meter Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, and I was lucky enough to visit during a ceremony. Bhutan’s commitment to preserving its traditions, culture, and natural beauty made it unlike anywhere else I visited, and I felt incredibly fortunate to experience it.