Bhutan Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

• Take in the bird’s eye view of Thimphu from the Telecom Tower hill. The capital spreads in a fertile valley traversed by the Wangshu River, at around 2,400m (7,900ft).

• See Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu, the country’s main administrative and religious center. It houses the government ministries, Throne Room of the King and the country’s largest monastery, the summer headquarters of the Je Khempo and 1,600 of his monks.

• Visit the National Library in Thimphu to gaze at holy books and scriptures and the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro, located in the Watchtower, where weapons, antiques, mammals and Bhutanese artifacts are all on display.

• See the beautiful and forlorn Haa Valley, reached from Paro over the Cheli La, at 3,810m (12,500ft), the highest road pass in the country.

• Delight in the temperate Punakha valley, which contains many sacred temples, including Punakha Dzong. Straddling the confluence of the Mo and Pho Rivers, the Dzong was built by the founder of the kingdom, Ngawang Namgyal.

• Explore the district of Wangdiphodrang, known for its slate carving and bamboo weaving. The Wangdiphodrang Dzong stands at the confluence of two rivers and, for many centuries, was the seat of one of Bhutan’s most powerful Dzongpons.

• Do not miss Tongsa Dzong in central Bhutan, the ancestral home of the Royal family which commands a superb view of the valley, then explore the holy sites of Bumthang, the country’s cultural and religious heartlands.

• Enjoy the spectacular views as you drive up the rough vertiginous side road to Drametse Goemba. This is not for the faint-hearted.

• See the remote valleys of Eastern Bhutan where women spin and weave on the doorsteps. Most idyllic is Tashi Yangtse where rice paddies cling to the slopes above a gleaming riverside chorten (religious monument).

• Enjoy the breathtaking panorama over the eastern Himalayan chain from the Dochu La Pass at 3,100m (10,170ft).

Top Things to Do

• Get involved in one of Bhutan’s numerous Buddhist festivals: a riot of masks, dancing and ritual which generally center on Dzongs (fortresses) in cobbled courtyards. Monks recount Buddhist history and myths through religious or folk dances.

• Explore Paro with its imposing dzong and traditional covered bridge then drive up the valley to the atmospheric ruins of Drukgyel Dzong which once protected Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. By clear weather, you might see Jhomolhari, the second highest summit.

• Trek up to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Goemba, Bhutan’s most revered monastery. It clings dizzily to the face of a 900m (2,952ft) precipice in the Paro Valley. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tiger and meditated in a cave for three months.

• Visit the Institute of 13 Arts and Crafts in Tashi Yangtse (Eastern Bhutan) or the Painting School in Thimphu where young artists and craftsmen hone their skills.

• Browse the Handicraft Emporium in Thimpu, which displays a wide assortment of unique souvenirs such as beautifully hand-woven and crafted products.

• Get back to nature by trekking around the valleys and the mountain gorges. The scenery is simply breathtaking. The high altitude Snowman Trek (25 days) is arduous but in Bumthang, travelers can join four to seven day cultural tours through the villages.
• Mountain bike along the Paro Valley for an exhilarating experience. Bicycles can be hired in Thimpu and trails are suitable for a range of abilities.

• Spot some of Bhutan’s 600-plus varieties of birds, including the rare black-necked cranes wintering in the Phobjikha and Bumdeling valleys.

• Appreciate the skills of the Bhutanese in archery, Bhutan’s national sport. Competitions are held frequently. These events usually prove fun and raucous, and alcohol flows freely.