What better excuse for an adventure than a big birthday?
For Heather’s 60th birthday, we decided to head somewhere we’d wanted to experience for ourselves – starting in India before travelling on to Bhutan. Two very different countries, a lot of miles, plenty of laughs and one trip that gave us some very special memories.
Starting in India
India is somewhere that has to be experienced. The colour, the people, the food, the noise, the history – there’s so much happening around you that you don’t quite know where to look first.
And then there was the Taj Mahal. We’d obviously seen hundreds of photographs of it over the years, but standing in front of it is something else entirely.
She is simply beautiful.
Knowing the real love story behind its creation made seeing it with our own eyes even more special. It’s one of those places photographs can never quite do justice
And then we arrived in Bhutan…
We well and truly stepped off the treadmill of UK life.
One of the first things we discovered? There are no traffic lights in Bhutan. None at all! That probably tells you something about the change of pace.
Our days were filled with hiking, monasteries, nunneries, markets, traditional food, ceremonial experiences and plenty of time getting to know the Bhutanese people.
We visited an animal sanctuary, spent time beside rivers, explored farmland, learnt about the country’s history and religion and somehow experienced four seasons in one day.
One of the biggest highlights was Taktsang Monastery – better known as Tiger’s Nest. It’s probably Bhutan’s most recognisable landmark.
And yes, it really is built into the side of a cliff! We completed a seven-mile round trip through the forest to reach the monastery and it was worth every single step.
We loved Bhutan so much…
… We’ve decided to add it to our Love Travel Adventures destinations! Having now travelled there ourselves, we can create adventures using not only our trusted local partners and their knowledge, but our own experiences of the country too.
We know the places that stopped us in our tracks, the experiences we loved, what surprised us and what we’d make sure there was time for. If you’re looking for culture, nature, adventure, incredible people and somewhere that feels genuinely different, Bhutan might just be for you too.