Blog - East West Quest

5 most beautiful dzongs and temples of Bhutan

Buddhism and spirituality are an integral part of Bhutan’s identity. So, it is no surprise that the most magnificent woodwork and stonework can be found in religious architecture. There are dzongs (fortresses), goembas (monasteries) and lhakhangs (temples) dotted throughout the Himalayan landscape – on top of hills, in hidden valleys, and perched on cliffs – […]

Thimphu: Tradition and globalization in the capital of Bhutan

Home to around 100,000 people and located 1.5 hours away from Paro airport, Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital but still retains a small-town feel. The city embodies the compromise between tradition and development that the Kingdom has embraced. Here, mobile phones and social media coexist with prayer wheels, traditional clothing and Bhutanese architecture. Visitors have numerous […]

Paro: Gateway to the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon

The Himalayan town of Paro, located in a valley surrounded by more than 4.000-meters high snow-capped mountains, is the main gateway to the last Kingdom of the Himalayas and – for most visitors – the first introduction into the incredible culture, history and nature of Bhutan. Travellers often spend a day or two in Paro […]

Bumthang: The sacred valley of Bhutan

With the highest concentration of temples and dzongs, the district of Bumthang is considered the most sacred in all of Bhutan. The capital town of the district, Jakar, is an ideal base to explore Bumthang’s four scenic glacier valleys (Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor) – each with its own unique appeal ranging from ancient dzong […]

Punakha: The royal city in a fertile valley

Once the capital of Bhutan, the royal city of Punakha sits in a fertile valley at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers. Punakha valley is one of the agricultural powerhouses in Western Bhutan due to the warmer (even hot during the summer) weather and abundant availability of freshwater from […]

Bhutan 15 day itinerary: Cross-country highlights

The little Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is like no other place on Earth. With its stunning white-capped mountains, impressive dzongs (some of which are impossibly perched on steep cliffs), perfect balance between development and tradition, and a strong commitment to environmental protection, this small mountainous country is rightly referred to by many as the last […]