Bhutan

ADVENTURE AND CULTURE

The ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’! It’s the world’s only surveyor of Gross National Happiness, this tiny Himalayan Kingdom captivates with its mythical underpinnings.

Must Dos

Meditation with monks.
Sight the endangered Black-Necked Cranes in winter at the Phobjikha Valley.
Be sure to see the Punakha Dzong (17th Century fortress), Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong and the Drukgyel Dzong.
Relax with a picnic meal amidst rice terraces in the Punakha Valley. Watch clouds drift and the Mo Chu gurgling by.
Pay your respects at the Bumthang Valley, the site of many miracles and Jampey Lhakhang, Bhutan’s oldest temple.
Relish the lore of the ribald Lama Drukpa Kuenley at Chimi Lhakhang.
Participate in the springtime Tshechus or festivals, featuring archery & darts contests (both national games), elaborate costumes and processional monks.
Take a walk in Bhutan’s only ‘city’ Thimphu and enjoy an authentic, organic Bhutanese meal at the Folk Heritage Museum.

Spiritual fulfilment needs effort. Unless you are Guru Rinpoche who flew to these heights on a tiger! The 8th Century Tiger’s Nest Monastery with its hanging-by-a-thread feel is a steep climb, but it is the visual icon of all that is Bhutan.

Celebrating Tibetan New Year, the Bhutanese pray, make their resolutions, feast on regional delicacies and display their prowess in traditional games like dha (archery), khuru (darts) and degoer (flat stone throwing). Bhutanese women do their version of cheerleading, dancing & encouraging their menfolk!

Pamper yourself with a 40-minute soak in fresh river water, steeped with Artemisia leaves and heated with fire roasted river stones. Perfect and medicinal, it’s bliss in a liquid form. Available at luxury hotels, spas and even at the local farmer’s shed!

The landscape makes it not only a trekker’s but a cyclist’s dream as well. Ride through the western valleys of Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, and cross Trongsa & Bumthang. Your journey will be challenging with rides at heights of 3,000 metres plus and sheer drops. Forests, quaint villages, monasteries, valleys in full bloom and serene monks are all part of this package.

For a fun, family outing, raft on the gentle waters of the Pho Chu river. Drift past the Punakha Dzong and tackle grade 2 to 4 rapids on your way. Lush forests, picturesque rice terraces, rare birds and pristine waters will make it a day to remember.

Bhutan has unsurpassable options to trek past mountain passes, gurgling streams and fields of wild flowers. The Chomolhari & Druk Path top the list while the Sinchula Chele La and the Dagala 1,000 Lakes treks are considered easier.

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