6 Awesome Things To Do In Bhutan
Nestled in the eastern ranges of spellbinding Himalayas, Bhutan, a hidden landlocked country, is an exotic and attractive Asian destination for those who are seeking an exclusive journey of uncovering hidden beauties of Himalayas region. Dubbed as “the world’s happiest country”, Bhutan encapsulates within itself the richness of local history, Himalayan Buddhist traditions, myths & legends besides the spectacular natural scenery and wonderful hospitality. Here, you will be immersed in the world of spiritual highlights & mysteries, pristine landscape, exceptional laid-back vibe, and a wide range of venturous outdoor activities.
The country is an ideal Asian stop for escapades from modern life, inviting packages for adventure enthusiasts, or merely the true retreats with peaceful local life as Bhutan has to offer. Whether your travel purpose is, 6 iconic experiences listed below surely deserve to be included in your Bhutan’s travel bucket list:
1. Visit the sought-after Bhutan tourist attraction - Paro Taktsang
Being the utmostly prominent landmark of Bhutan, Paro Taktsang is not only a must-visited place in any travel itineraries for foreigners but also a holy site where all Bhutanese wish to come at least one in their life. Commonly known as the Tiger’s Nest, it is a historic complex of Buddhist temple and monastery that is perched on a ledge halfway up the cliff face of the mountain overlooking the Paro valley. Built around a sacred cave, the place is famous for its legend closely associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who first brought Buddhism to Bhutan.
Due to its very special position, Paro Taktsang is a popular tourist spot for hiking and trekking. It takes approximately 2 hours following a steep trail to reach the temples, but the view along the hike and from the monastery is worth your try. As an iconic pilgrimage site of Bhutan, the monastery is among the best places to learn about the traditional Buddhist in the country. Paro Taktsang itself is so iconic for Bhutan that when searching images of Bhutan on the internet, you may find its photos in the first results. Hence, it is undoubtedly a fabled religious attraction that you should not miss when travelling in the hidden country of Bhutan.
2. Admire the beautiful setting of Punakha Dzong
Bhutan is famous for numerous architecture of dzongs, a typical type of building that is the association of fort and monastery commonly found in Himalayas regions of Bhutan and Tibet. And Punakha Dzong, which is located in the eponymous district, is regarded as one of the most famous dzongs in Bhutan. Meaning “the palace of great happiness” in Bhutanese, Punakha Dzong was built in the 17th century and is also the second oldest dzong all over the country.
Set on the bank of the serene Mochu River, Punakha Dzong has a scenic backdrop of verdant hills and mountains. The dzong not only plays an essential part in the religious and administrative section of the district but also is an attractive tourist stop here due to its gorgeous architecture and picturesque setting of surrounding scenery. Visiting the place, tourists could get the chance to marvel at the intricate details, exclusive architectural arts, precious relics, and wander around the beautiful paths in the historic buildings. For active travellers, rafting on the Mochu River passing through Punakha Dzong is surely worth giving a try as it offers stunning views of the dzong and beautiful landscape along the river. Praised as the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan, Punakha comes to its most beautiful time when the jacaranda trees around the dzong start to bloom simultaneously and offer lovely splashes of lovely lilac colour during the spring months.
3. Enjoy various options for scenic hike & trek routes
Endowed with splendid natural treasures of Himalayas ecosystem, along with the conscious awareness of locals in preserving the environment, Bhutan is known as one of the countries that remain their inherent natural beauty, which made it an ideal destination for venturous outings, especially hiking and trekking. Whether you are seeking a day hike or multi-day adventure, Bhutan offers it all. Pristine forests, awe-inspiring mountainscapes, picturesque alpine lakes, and imposing scenic paths passing through idyllic hamlets & various terrains here will surely leave you unbeatable vistas of Bhutanese nature and remarkable thrills as well.
Ranging from easy to hard levels, the list of trek routes in Bhutan could meet different travel tastes. Some of the country’s finest treks are the Jhomolhari Trek, the Snowman Trek, Bumthang Owl Trek for experienced adventurers, or Druk Path Trek and Bumdra Trek for beginners. Even when you can’t afford enough time to join these inviting hike & trek routes, secluded and peaceful valleys that you’re planning to visit such as Phobjikha, Punakha, or Bumthang are also wonderful alternatives for short hikes at leisure and exploring the exotic local life simultaneously.
4. Witness colourful Bhutanese traditional festivals
If you’re culture buffs, festive season along with its famous traditional festivals are iconic highlights that you should not miss when travelling in Bhutan. Here, you’re not only immersed in the colourful atmosphere of costumes, local music, sacred rituals, unique mask dances and impressive performances but also gaining an up-close-and-personal look at exotic Bhutanese culture. Festivals in Bhutan are not only significant events for locals to pay homage to deities but also vivid pictures of how its ways of traditions are well-maintained in Bhutanese generations.
Among numerous traditional festivals celebrated across the country, you can opt to attend the common festivals that take place in the main cities of Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha. Wangdue Phodrang Festival and Thimphu Dromchoe Festival are among major festivals held annually in Bhutan that attract most visitors and tourists. Most festivals are held in autumn months, one of the best times to visit Bhutan as well. If you’re planning a stupendous Bhutan trip in the festive season, don’t miss out the chances to meet and talk with locals, enjoy exotic traditional performances, and get to know about Bhutanese rituals and culture in the most authentic ways.
5. Sample the exotic Bhutanese cuisine
Culinary art is an important part of any cultural experience, and so is Bhutanese gastronomy. Food in Bhutan is the unique medley of Indian, Tibetan, and a little Chinese cuisine influences besides featuring typical highlight of local cuisine, which is based on staple ingredients available at high altitudes. Bhutanese food has a distinct flavour and offers myriads opportunities for you to try its local delicacies at almost everywhere in the country.
Less oily than Chinese or Indian food and spicier than most Tibetan dishes, Bhutanese cooking style is popular with iconic spicy food. Ema datshi, a spicy dish made with large & green chilli peppers in a cheesy sauce, is commonly regarded as the most famous of all Bhutanese foods. Other delectable food items worth trying here can be named such as Momos (dumplings), red rice, Maru (spicy chicken), Phaksha Paa (pork with red chillies), etc. They’re surely a feast of unforgettable foodie experiences for your taste buds that could hardly found anywhere in Asia.
6. Make a pleasant stop at Dochula Pass
On the way from the capital city of Thimphu heading to the beautiful valley of Punakha, there is a scenic halt that worth your time for natural viewing and sipping a cup of tea for refreshment, it is Dochula Pass. The pass sets at 3100 meters above the sea level and is also the home to 108 chortens (shrines) overlooking the valley. Dochula is blessed with breathtaking views to the surroundings and even the high Himalayas opens up can be seen when the weather is clear. Being a great viewpoint, Dochula Pass is a popular stop for most tour routes driving between Thimpu and Punakha. It is ideal to take a short time for relaxing, stroll along pathways for photographic opportunities, and explore the monastery and temple if possible.
Unlike many other countries, Bhutan still well-maintains its special cultural identity, intact natural beauties, exotic slow-paced local life, and iconic heritage while embracing global developments, which made it one of the most inviting destinations in Asia for unique travel experiences from culture, adventurous outings, to natural viewing or authentic retreats. There are a lot of things to do in Bhutan, and these six experiences above surely give you a classic yet sublime glimpse of the country. Feel free to contact our team of Asia Tours Experts if you’re considering Bhutan travel private itineraries.
