Apart from scenic natural beauty and historical sites, there are a lot of activities to indulge in in the Himalayan Kingdom. Bhutan with its rich flora and fauna hold some of the best trekking trails and high altitude motorable passes that attract adventure seekers from all over the world. Whether you love trekking or want to indulge in the adrenaline-pumping activity of river rafting, Bhutan has everything to fulfil your wanderlust.
Bhutan being home to exceptional mountains and rugged trails is a perfect place for hiking and trekking activity that attracts people from all over the world. Tiger’s Nest, Mount Chomolhari, and Snowman are some of the most popular treks that you can indulge in. Tourists can also consult with numerous trekking groups or licensed tour operators of Bhutan who will guide you with trekking trails and help you to indulge in one of the best journeys of your lifetime.
Although Bhutan is known for its sightseeing places the country is widely popular among mountain bikers due to its clean hairpin curves and high altitude motorable passes. Bhutan being located on the foothills of the Himalayan region is gifted with nature’s bounty that offers the best views from the top of some of the hills. Chele La Pass, Yotongla Pass and Dochula Pass are some of the most popular high-altitude passes of Bhutan that attract travellers and adventure seekers from all over the world.
The Himalayan kingdom has been isolated for centuries due to which some of its parts have rich biodiversity with minimal population making it a perfect home for local and migrating birds. Throughout the years tourists visit Bhutan for bird watching. Bhutan is known for being home to more than 600 species of birds including Black-Necked Crane, Nuthatch and Blyth’s Kingfisher. Phobjikha Valley, Bumthang, and Thimphu are some of the popular places for bird-watching.
Blessed with gigantic rivers such as Pho Chu and Mho Chu, Bhutan is known for its thrilling and exciting activity of river rafting. The river rafting will allow you to navigate through the rapid waves of rivers while allowing you to witness the beauty of the surrounding valleys, Dzongs and natural beauty. During the journey, tourists can also see the Punakha Dzong while gliding across the continuous flow of the Mho Chu and Pho Chu Rivers.
Despite being highly known for its scenic nature and spirituality, the cuisine of Bhutan is one of the major parts of tourism that is known for its unique flavours and taste. Ema Datshi is the national dish of Bhutan that is made with a perfect mixture of cheese and chilli. Apart from this, you can also find other popular dishes to relish including momo, Phaksha Paa, Jasha Maru and many others. Each of the dishes is made with local spices and seasonal ingredients that offer a unique taste making Bhutan a paradise for food lovers.
Horses have become a special addition to adventure tourism in Bhutan. The package is a new venture initiated to give visitors a low-carbon option to relish the beautiful wide valley of Bumthang at a leisurely pace and be in touch with the community, rather than the swift glimpses from the cocooned environment of a vehicle zooming by.
Horse riding in Bhutan will give you opportunities to explore remote villages, and cultural monuments, and meet with friendly locals, as well as travel to places untouched by and inaccessible to vehicles.
The project also benefits the local community through employment, use of local homestays, and guesthouses and lease of community land. Visit the horse ranch and get to know your adventure companions. Beginner Riders’ Welcome is where you can learn how to ride like a pro, with some basic lessons; then ride within the village, visit a museum and relish a local picnic. Enjoy local dishes with village folks too. Advanced Riders Welcome allows you to ride up 3300m on horseback, and look at birds while passing through thick pine forests en route to Ngalakhang. Live the homestay lifestyle. Drink in the local day–to–day routine on paddy and potato fields. Enjoy the 5- to 6-day riding circuit, and camp with professional trainers while enjoying the scenic Bumthang Valley. Undertake the Special Owl Tour.
Burn some calories and breathe the therapeutic fresh air of Bhutan. Hike around Thimphu and Paro, and discover the wilderness and drink in the lovely Himalayan landscapes, dotted with colourful prayer flags and monasteries.
Explore pristine nature at your own pace.
Take the trails listed at www.bhutan-trails.org/thimphu-hikes/maps/index.html First must-visit is Tiger’s Nest, where heritage meets with health. This cliff hermitage, Taktsang, is a monastic retreat and the most venerated pilgrimage site in the country. Approx. 6 hours. Hike up 4100m to Kung Karpo La and see snowcapped mountains at Chele La (pass). Visit a nunnery, Kila Goenpa, on the way down. Approx. 5 hours. Drive to Sangaygang and hike along the Wangditse walking trail with its remarkable bird’s-eye view of the capital city Thimphu. Trek up to Phajoding monastery (approx. 3 hours) for an ideal retreat from the mundane bustling lifestyle and a lofty view of the Thimphu valley, with a camping option. Visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine.
Bhutan has a long and rich tradition of medicine based on natural remedies, derived mainly from plants and earth. Visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, which offers a six-year course in the techniques of traditional art in religious and secular paintings, woodcarving, clay sculpture and traditional mask making. Walk into the Folk Heritage Museum for some special exhibitions pertaining to Bhutanese heritage and meals.
Zhemgang lies in the south-central part of Bhutan.
It is one of Bhutan’s least discovered districts and a destination that is truly “off the beaten track”. The temperature is moderately cool, which makes it a biodiversity hotspot that is home to as many as 22 endangered species, including the magical Golden Langur. Zhemgang is also the source of intricate bamboo works that adorn the shelves of many handicraft shops across the country.
The indigenous art of bamboo work, such as the making of mats, boxes, bangchungs (colourful bamboo bowls), palangs (alcohol containers) and balaks (hats), finds its home in this region. Experience some subtropical ecosystems, with elephants, hornbills of various species and thick dense forests. Experience the Bon festival Kharpud, a Hoi festival, and be serenaded with some folk songs. Visit Zhemgang Dzong, Tali Zangdo Pelri, Gomphu Lhakhang and Duenmang Tshachu (hot springs).
Tourists must visit the Dangkar Traditional Tourism Village, take a dip in the Buli Manmo Tsho, and make the Nabji-Khorpu community trek.
During springtime in Bhutan, from April to as far as June, the splash of colours in forests is a sight to see. Rhododendron trees and bushes present a splendid vista of white, violet, pink and crimson blooms. About 46 species and 10 subspecies of rhododendrons grow wild all along from temperate to subalpine belts, and most blossom during April, May and June, while some species linger on until early August. Some species are endemic to Bhutan and many more remain unexplored.
Explore and be overwhelmed by the flowers carpeting the forest floors and trek routes. Mountainsides will be embellished with the varied tones of rhododendrons in bloom. It is also the time when most of the thousands of other species of wild flowering plants in Bhutan are blooming with vigour. Visit the Royal Botanical Park to see some in situ rhododendron gardens, and take the day hike through forests with rich biodiversity. See some of the rhododendrons, which are endemic to Bhutan. Attend a few popular annual festivals, like the Paro Tsechu, for pomp and grandeur, or a remote local celebration with heartwarming interactions. Observe farming activities and traditional rituals, some of which are queer and astonishing. See the ancient dzongs, temples and stupas that crop up at remarkable locations to greet you with historical significance and spiritual dividends. Traverse most of the highest passes and roads in the world, like the Chele la pass at more than 3700 metres above sea level, and view the snow-covered peaks and ranges. Also savour the delicacies and home-brewed drinks, like ara, singchang and bangchang.
20 N / 21 D
05 N / 06 D
08 N / 09 D
