Travel Guide to Bhutan

BHUTAN – The Kingdom Of Happiness

Your Complete - Perfect Travel Guide

Bhutan, The Land of Thunder Dragon, is a Democratic, Constitutional Monarchy that lays great Importance on the Happiness Level of its populace. People here believe that the Success of any Country should be measured by the happiness level of its citizens. 

Bhutan opened its door for tourism in the 1970s and since then it has quickly risen to become one of the most talked-about countries in the world. With a population of approximately 800,000 people, a small, isolated country landlocked between the superpowers like India and China How did it manage to get so much attention?

The answer to this is Abundant Natural Beauty, Breath-Taking Landscapes, Magnificent Monasteries, Ancient Buddhist Temples, Fluttering Prayer Flags and Happy Faces throughout the Country of Bhutan. Bhutan exudes with traditions like no other country on the face of Earth. It is the remaining part of mighty Himalayan Kingdom of yesteryear, which remains endowed with mystery, culture, and tradition. Bhutan takes pride in providing a novel sort of vacation, which specializes on rejuvenation and minimalistic lifestyle.

• Reason Why to Visit the Beautiful Country of Bhutan
• Best Time to Visit this Land
• How to Reach Bhutan from India
• Visa and Permits Required
• Places to Cover during your trip
• Top Things to do in Bhutan
• Tips to enjoy Bhutan

Reasons Why to Visit the Beautiful Country of Bhutan:

If I Said that there is a place with the most photographic mountains, vast luscious green fields, jungles and wildlife safari that you could enjoy in with a very amiable weather, full of monasteries, fortresses, subtropical plains, and valley – then you’ll say that I am dreaming and there is no such place that can offer everything at one place, Right? 

But No, you are WRONG. 

This Unique Land offers un-imaginable nature in its fullest, bio-diversity, and different types of climate and terrain, all in a small geographical area.

Here are some reasons that why should Bhutan be your next Vacation Destination:

• Bhutan is known as The Palace of Great Happiness
• It offers Stunning Natural Beauty
• You can enjoy Mind-Boggling Adventures
• Trek up to Awe-Inspiring Tiger’s Nest Monastery
• See and experience Unique Culture, History and Ancient Traditions
• All year round, it offers Pleasant Climate
• Try Bhutanese Cuisine
• Bhutan is a Spiritual Haven to Discover Inner Peace

Best Time to Visit Bhutan:

Bhutan During Spring Season

Bhutan is a place that is incredible throughout the year. Bhutan’s Temperature and enjoyable climate, cultural festivals celebrated throughout the year and ample heritage sites provide infinite happiness to the Visitors.

Taking all factors into consideration, The Best Time to go to Bhutan, The Land of Thunder Dragon is during spring and autumn, as during that time even the RHODODENDRON BLOOMS are its Peak.

RHODODENDRON BLOOMS IN BHUTAN

• Spring Season: March, April, and May are the Months of Spring and the most beautiful time of the year. It is the peak of the season for Tourists throughout the world. The Land of Bhutan is ablaze with a spectacular array of bright colours of nature. 

• Autumn Season: September, October, and November are the Months of Autumn filled with clear and plump blue Skies. It is the best time for hikers as the climate is cool and weather is pleasant at this time, and for Photographers as the climate at this time provides a grand view of rangy unclimbed mountains, the solitude of parks, dzongs, and monasteries.

Avoid Visiting during monsoon due to Heavy Rainfall that this place receives and during winter because of the Heavy Snowfall.

How to Reach Bhutan from India:

Now if the question that is bothering you – How to Reach Bhutan? Then you are at the right place! 

Until the late 1960s, it was very difficult to enter into the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Dense jungles within the South and high frozen passes within the North made the entry extremely difficult. However, now it is much more accessible through many international and multiple domestic airports, roads due to the planned economic development.

• Bhutan by ROAD: 

• By Private Vehicle: These 3 Bhutanese Town are the only land borders open to world tourists :

• Phuentsholing: shares border with the Indian Town called Jaigon, West Bengal.
• Gelephu: is merely 50 km away from Bongaigaon District in Assam.
• Samdrup Jhongkar: is located around 150kms away from the capital city of Assam, Guwahati.

• By Bus: Siliguri in West Bengal is the nearest Indian Cosmopolitan city to Bhutan. Travellers wishing to take a bus route to reach Bhutan can hop onto buses from Siliguri to reach the city of Jaigaon, which shares the borders with Phuentsholing (Bhutan).

• By Train: Sadly, the Last Himalayan Kingdom has no direct entry through Railways. Nonetheless, Travellers wishing to reach Bhutan by train can hop onto a Rail from Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri, or Hasimara Railway Stations, and finally enter to the town of Phuentsholing by passing through Jaigaon using Road Route.

• Bhutan By Air: Taking a flight to reach Bhutan might be the one of the best plane journeys that you'll ever experience due to the majestic views of Himalayas that you can see through your flight. What makes is more interesting is that you can see four of the Highest Mountains in the World- Mt. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, and Kanchenjunga. There are 4 airports in Bhutan and have many flights to and fro from Kolkata, Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, and Bangkok:

• Paro International Airport: Country's only international airport, where only those flights are permitted to land that are flown by licensed pilots as landing and taking off from this airport is very risky.

• Gelephu Airport: Domestic Airport that is used for flying to the South- Central Bhutan. 

• Yonphulla Airport: Domestic Airport that is used for travelling to Eastern Bhutan.

• Bathpalangthag Airport: Domestic Airport used for flying to Central Bhutan

However, Travel through or to Yonphulla and Bathpalanthag Airports have stopped their operations.

Visa and Permits Required:

Flag Of Bhutan

Except the travellers from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, every other international traveller requires a proper VISA to enter into Bhutan.

Travellers holding Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian Passports can easily obtain permit to Entry at the point/port of entry on showing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity. Note: Indian Nationals can also show their Voters Identity Card (VIC) for the same.

All other tourists must have a proper VISA before travelling to Bhutan. Visas are to be processed through an Online System that is to be done by your Bhutanese Tour Guide, booked either directly or through a foreign travel tour operator.

The average expenditure incurred for a Bhutanese VISA is $250 each day during the peak season, and $200 each day for the off-season which encompasses the costs of transportation, accommodation, meals, water and some entry charges.

There is No daily Visitor Fees for Indiana, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians as of now but according to the New Rules of Bhutanese Government, there will be a daily visitor fees starting from July 1^st, 2020.

The fees would be ₨ 1,200 for adults and Rs 600 for Children.

Places To Cover During Your Trip:

Iron Chain Bridge, Bhutan

The last perfect semblance of Shangri-La – Bhutan is known for its picturesque landscapes and magnificent Buddhist monasteries. Bhutan is definitely a place that will assist you in breathing fresh air of life within you. This Land of Thundering Dragon has been a hiker’s paradise since a long time. You’ll be amazed by the Bhutanese ways of taking care of its guest and its splendid natural beauty.

Following are some places that you must cover while travelling to Bhutan:

National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu

I. THIMPHU, the capital city, is an alluring place cuddled in the laps of Himalayas with dazzling sights of the CHUU River flowing by it. It is the ONLY city in the entire world with no traffic lights. The main attractions of this place are- Tashichho Dzong, National Chorten and Motithang Takin Preserve.

Tiger's Nest Monastery, Paro in Winters

II.  PARO, the major attraction of tourist as the country’s only International Airport is here. Paro is an exquisite gorgeous beautiful valley, covered by luscious green rice fields. Paro is a town with many historic sites and buildings covering the entire area. Along with towns- Jakar and Punakha, Paro forms the “Golden Triangle” of major tourist attractions in Bhutan.

Bhutan Gate, Phuentsholing

III. PHUENTSHOLING, a small town near the international border of Bhutan and India, a perfect place for those who wish to absorb nature and remain in solitude of life. The major tourist places to visit in this town are- Amo Chhu, The Crocodile Breeding Center, Chukha Hydrothermal Project, Bhutan Gate, and Karbandi Monastery.

Jakar Town, Bumthang Valley

IV.    BUMTHANG VALLEY, the divine provincial of Bhutan, is full of most historic and precious Buddhist sites. Situated at a height of 2.600 meters, this scared hub of Bhutan with Jakar as the main city in Bumthang valley and its rolling valley, which is brimming with Apple trees and numerous temples.

Ariel View of Wangdue Phodrang

V.  WANGDUE PHODRANG, the last standing town on the central highway of Bhutan, located in the south of Punakha provides with the rick nibble able land for cattle. This town is famous for fine Bamboo products, Slate, and Stone Carvings.

Mongar Valley

VI.   MONGAR and LHUNTSE, these places are on the itinerary of most travellers. Mongar, in the eastern Bhutan, is one the most beautiful towns in the Himalayas. Lhuntse, situated at an elevation of 1460 metres, is the ancestral home of the Royal Family of Bhutan.

Phobjikha and Gantey Valley

VII.  PHOBJIKHA and GANGTEY VALLEY is the glacial valley with a brook flowing through its open pasturelands, making it one of the most bewitching landscapes of Bhutan. This Valley acts as home for endangered Black Necked Cranes. The entire zone is called as Gangtey. Major tourist attractions here are the Black Mountain National Park, Jigme Singye National Park, Gangtey Monastery, and the enchanting view of diverse flora and fauna.

Ariel View of Haa Valley

VIII. HAA VALLEY, valley filled with temples and fortresses, is more popular of its scenic views. This valley houses Lhakhang Karpo temple, Nagpo, Shekhar Drak, Tagchu Goemba, and Dobji Dzong.

Suspension Bridge, Punakha

IX.  PUNAKHA, the stunning destination in Bhutan, acted as the capital city from 1637 to 1907. Visit this town to fully understand the essence of Bhutanese history and enjoy its captive natural beauty. Things that you’ll enjoy visiting here are- Punakha Dzong, Chhimi Lhakhang, and Limbhukha.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN BHUTAN:

This small neighbouring country of India, Bhutan, is a place that offers pure bliss to the people who travel here. With its luscious green mountains, picturesque waterfalls, and the smell of raw and fresh air wrapping the peaceful atmosphere, it is a divine feeling for travellers.

Your trip to this Happiest Country in the whole world will leave you content with is colourful festivals, scenic greenery, enchanting weather, warm hospitality and magnificent monasteries.

For you, here is list of top things to do in Bhutan:

Bumthang Valley in Winters

01.   Exploring Bumthang Valley, often referred as Switzerland of East, is one the best things that you can enjoy in Bhutan while exploring enchanting panoramic view of beautiful temples and monasteries. The area is a house for various enchanting little villages with warm hearted folks wherein you can catch a glimpse of their daily life and beliefs. This place is also the Birthplace of their Revered Saint Pema Lingpa.

Ura Valley

02.   Visit the place out of the pictures- URA Valley, perfect spot for Photographers, this valley is an alluring place that will you mesmerized with fanciful traditional villages, potato fields that drape the area, and alluring sheep pastures. This place looks like it is straight out of Children’s fairy-tale.

Taktsang Gompa, Paro

03.   Trek to Taktsang Gompa, commonly known as Tiger’s Nest, a majestic monastery that was rebuilt in 1998, as it was destroyed in a fire, is located 9480 ft. above the ground, one of best locations in the world. This trek is one of the most difficult treks due to its terrain i.e. perched alongside the far end of the mountain cliff and the path is rocky and windy. Advice for the trekkers, No Matter What You Do, while trekking here, DON’T LOOK DOWN!

Mountain Biking in Bhutan

04.   Mountain Biking, relatively new activity in Bhutan, is gaining mass popularity among the travellers here. Biking on the path, that is approximately 2300 metres high on Sea level, provides with a great excitement and thrilling experience to the riders. But to take this dare, one need courage, zeal, sportsmanship, and vigour.

Archery, The National Sport of Bhutan

05.  Archery, also known as Da, is the national sport of Bhutan. Deck up in The Traditional Bhutanese clothes and enjoy this sport with great sportsmanship and zeal. As challenging this sport is, the pressure and tension that this sport omits outs acts as a great motivation for people here to keep going. The trill of anticipating, crowd cheering and dancing shows the great enthusiasm and exuberance that people have here for this sport.

River Rafting in Bhutan

06. River Rafting is one the adventure that you can enjoy in Bhutan. Bhutan is a home for various exquisite and immaculate rivers whose vicious waves invite people to experience rafting here. The excitement of rafting amidst the Rocky Mountains gives an experience that is beyond ordinary and incomparable. The best rivers for experience this in Bhutan are – Par Chhu River and Mo Chhu River.

Ema Datshi, The National food of Bhutan

07.  Luxuriate Yourself with Bhutanese Delicacies, inspired by Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese Culture, have a tinge of spiciness to it. Here, Chillies are not used as a Seasoning but is used as the main ingredient. The fact that you get to enjoy this delicacies in a small, hill-side, and cozy cafes makes it more of experience that one must try. The must try delicacies are-

a. Ema Datshi, or Ema Datse, is the national food of Bhutan, is prepared with spiciest chillies and cheese locally available. This is a vegetarian dish that is eaten by almost everyone throughout the country.

b. Momos, available throughout world, is a dish that originally belongs to the Himalayan kingdoms- Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. The authentic taste that you’ll get to try here is something that you can never experience anywhere else.

c. Goep, a dish that almost vanished from the surface of the world, is a dish that is still loved by people here.

Himalayan Monal in Bhutan

08.  Bird Watching, heaven for bird lovers, is one of the most popular things to do in Bhutan and this place acts as a home for Himalayan Monal, Black-Necked Crane, Rufous-Necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, and Snow Pigeon. You can take a bird watching tour at Bundeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Jigme Dorji National Park, and Thrumshingla National Park.

Shopping in Bhutan

09.  Shopping, one of the most expected and important things on traveller’s list. Here one can buy everything from Colourful embroidered boots to handmade paper and handicrafts. Some of the popular things bought here are Carpets, colourful masks and jewellery, hand- woven bamboo artefacts, silver items and hand-made wood products. Norzin Lam is one of the best places to shop here.

Tips to Enjoy Bhutan :

ü Do not only rely on Vehicles here.

ü Do not forget to wear sunglasses here and apply sun-screen at regular intervals to protect your skin

ü Carry power banks, solar powdered charges and others with you as finding electricity is bit difficult here.

ü Bring some general medicines along with you.

ü Though you can do digital transactions here, still it is better to carry local cash, Indian currency or US dollars with you.

Travelling to the happiest place in the world will be an extra- ordinary awesome experience; as this green country will teach you how to find happiness in small things, and how to be grateful for all that you have.

I hope that this blog of mine will help you in planning a perfect vacation for yourself and your family.

If you have any more questions to ask, please feel free to ask me.

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