Where to Go and What to See in Bhutan
Nestled within the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is a travel destination without parallel. The tiny kingdom is known for its deep traditions, lively festivals, and way of life steeped in Buddhist culture, and enriched by its unadulterated sense of happiness. A getaway to Bhutan means stepping back in time to a place where ancient monasteries are built high up on cliffs, prayer flags fly high in the mountain winds, and the pace of life invites you to savour every moment.
Your plans might lead you to the Paro Valley, with its striking Tiger’s Nest Monastery which clings beautifully and precariously to the edge of a sheer rock face. You may arrive in Bhutans capital, Thimphu, where the urban hub brims with small markets, lovely painted shrines and a wonderful sense of modern Bhutanese culture. Head over the spectacular Dochu La Pass to reach Punakha, known for its stunning dzong at the rivers edge and quotations of breathtaking green valleys. If you find yourself in winter, you will find the serene and quiet Phobjikha Valley is transformed with the arrival of the stunning black-necked crane, and numerous colourful local festivals.
As you travel on, you will find Bhutan moves eastward into the Bumthang Valley, known to be the spiritual heart of Bhutan, with ancient temples and sacred places that associate it closely with the main figures of Bhutanese Buddhism. If you continue moving east, and are willing to leave behind developed hospitality and the usual comforts, you may find some remote villages where the traditional way of life continues to influence daily life and animated beliefs about the animism still may be present.
Bhutan is not just a travel destination but an immersion in a culture about peace, nature, and authentic togetherness.