Travel guides & news

Food & culture

Food, festivals and monasteries along the route: what to eat in Bhutan and in Kolkata, Durga Puja, the black-necked crane festival, temple etiquette.

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Festival gathering at Gangtey Goenpa in the Phobjikha valley
Food & culture

Black-Necked Crane Festival at Phobjikha, 11 November 2026

The Black-Necked Crane Festival is on 11 November 2026 at Gangtey Goenpa in Phobjikha. Here is the date, the place, and how to fly Bangkok–Paro for it.

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Dried red chillies hanging outside a Bhutanese house
Food & culture

Food in Bhutan: What to Eat and Vegetarian Options

Ema datshi is chilli and cheese, not a garnish. Bhutan is vegetarian-friendly if you say so early. This is Bhutanese food — we already have a Kolkata food guide.

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Rhododendrons in flower at Lawala, above the Phobjikha valley
Food & culture

The Best Time to Visit Bhutan: A Month-by-Month Guide

Autumn gets the photographs and the festivals; winter gets the clear skies and the empty trails; the monsoon gets a bad reputation it only half deserves. Twelve months of Bhutan, each with its weather, festivals, crowd level and honest verdict.

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Prayer flags at the Mahabodhi Temple complex
Food & culture

Your First Visit to Bodh Gaya

What to expect at the Mahabodhi Temple, how to dress, when to visit and the courtesies that make a first pilgrimage feel welcome.

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Kolkata street food
Food & culture

What to Eat in Kolkata

Kolkata is one of India's great food cities. A short guide to the sweets, street snacks and fish curries you shouldn't miss.

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Monks in meditation in Bodh Gaya
Food & culture

Monasteries of Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya gathers monasteries built by Buddhist communities from around the world. Here are a few not to miss.

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Durga Puja celebration in Kolkata
Food & culture

Durga Puja in Kolkata: A Visitor's Guide

Durga Puja transforms Kolkata every autumn. Here's what to expect if your trip lines up with the city's biggest festival.

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