Bhutan

The Kingdom of Monasteries and Mountains
If there is any country on Earth that qualifies as Eden - not just in part, but in it's entirety - I believe it is Bhutan.
Harry Marshall

Bhutan, the last Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge is known for its monasteries, treks and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. In the High Himalayas, peaks such as 7,326 m Jomolhari are popular trekking destinations. Paro Taktsang monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest) clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Bhutan is maintaining their environment and cultural identity even after all the globalization.

Top places in Bhutan

Paro

Tiger's Nest, Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, National Museum, Paro River, Dzongdrakha Temple, Drukgyel Dzong

Punakha

Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lakhang, Jigme Dorji National Park, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, Punakha Suspension Bridge, Mo Chu, White Water Rafting

Bhumtang

Jambay Lhakhang Festival, Kurjey Festival, Chokhor Valley, Bumthang Cultural Trek, Kurje Lhakhang, Bumthang Valley, Nomad Festival

Thimphu

Trashi Chho Dzong, Changangkha Lhakhang, Tango Buddhist Institute, National Memorial Chorten, Motithang Takin Preserve, Dechen Phodrang, National Library of Bhutan, Clock Tower Square, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory

Wangdue Phodrang

Phobjikha Valley, Rinchegang Village, Wangduephodrang Dzong

Phuentsholing

Bhutan Gate, Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, Karbandi Monastery, Phuentsholing Park, Market

Haa Valley

Lhakhang Karpo, Haa Wangchuklo Dzong, Chele-La-Pass

Trips in Bhutan

4 Nights / 5 Days

Himalayan Wonderland

5 Nights / 6 days

Glimpses of Bhutan

6 Nights / 7 Days

Mystical & Magical [Ex Bagdogra]

6 Nights / 7 Days

The Kingdom of Happiness [Ex Paro]

About Bhutan

Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. In the High Himalayas, peaks such as 7,326m Jomolhari are popular trekking destinations. Paro Taktsang monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest) clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley.

Bhutan holds many surprises. This is a country where the rice is red and where chilies aren’t just a seasoning but the main dish. It’s also a deeply Buddhist land, where monks check their smart phones after performing a divination, and where giant protective penises are painted beside the entrance to many houses. Yet while it visibly protects its Buddhist traditions, Bhutan is not a museum. You will find the Bhutanese well educated, fun loving and well informed about the world around them. It’s this blending of the ancient and modern that makes Bhutan endlessly fascinating.

The two main cities are Thimphu, the capital city and Paro, the city with only international airport in the country. The other important city is Phuentsholing which is an Indo-Bhutan border town and is one of the entry point to Bhutan by surface from India.

Location
Located in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is bordered by China in the north & Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam & West Bengal in the east, west & south.
Area
38,398 sq. km.
Altitude
Varying from 180 m. to 7550 m. above sea level.
Population
Approx 7 hundred thousand
Capital
Thimphu
Local time
6 hours ahead of GMT & 30 minutes ahead of IST.
Religion
Mahayana Buddhism & Hinduism.
Best time to travel
Bhutan has four distinct season – spring, monsoon, autumn and winter. Spring and autumn is the best time to visit Bhutan i.e. end of February till end of March and September to November. If you love flowers, you will get plenty of them in May, June and July. November, December, January and February will be blessed with breath taking mountain views, sunny days and the morning/evening chills.
National Emblem
The National emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond thunderbolt placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel & framed by two dragons. The double diamond thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular & religious power; which results from the Buddhist religion in its Vajrayana form. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel – sovereign power; & the two dragons a male & female stand for the name of the country the thunder dragon (Druk Yul).
National Flag
The national flag is rectangular & divided into two parts with a white dragon in the middle. The upper yellow half signifies the country’s secular authority of the King & the lower saffron orange half signifies the religious practice & spiritual power of Buddhism.

National Symbols

National Tree
Cyprus (Cupresses Corneyana).
National Flower
Blue Poppy (Mecanopsis Grandis).
National Animal
Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor).
National Bird
Raven (Corvus Corax Tibetanus).
National Dress
Gho for Men & Kira for Women.
National Sports
Archery.
Currency
Ngultrum, same value as Indian Rupee.
National Day
17th December, Coronation of Gogsar Ughen Wangchuk as the first King of Bhutan.
People
Bhutanese are friendly & hospitable people. The large majority of Bhutanese people are a homogeneous group divided linguistically into three broad sub-groups. These are Sharchops, Ngalong & Lhotshampa.
Food
Staple diet is red rice, buck-wheat, wheat, maize, pork, beef, chicken, yak meat, cheese & chilies (taken as vegetable – not as spice).
Arts & Crafts
Bhutan is known for handicraft items in bronze, silver & other metals. Sculpting of religious figures is widely practiced & every temple, houses are large brightly painted & gilded statues of the Buddha & other saints.
Architecture
The castle-like Dzongs, with their gently tapering walls classic lines, large courtyards & beautiful galleries, are among the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.
Living Culture
In almost every Dzongs (fortresses that house both the monastic & the Govt. administrative wings) there is an annual traditional festival (tsechus) that normally spans 3-4 days. Colorful & well choreographed mask dances are performed during the tsechus. Due to the nature of the lunar calendar, exact dates for tsechus vary from year to year.

Trekking Season In Bhutan

Between mid-June and mid-September one should expect regular rainfall.

At altitude beneath 3,000 meters leaches can be a challenge.

Driving Time Between Various Places In Bhutan

From To Distance (Km) Driving Time
Thimphu Paro 54 km 60 min
Thimphu Phuentsholing 171 km 6 hours
Phuentsholing Bagdogra 170 km 4 hours
Thimphu Wangduep Phodrang 70 km 3 hours
Thimphu Punakha 71 km 3 hours
Punakha Wangdue Phodrang 23 km 45 min
Wangdue Phodrang Trongsa 129 km 4 hours 30 mins
Trongsa Bumthang 68 km 2 hours 30 mins
Bumthang Mongar 193 km 7 hours
Mongar Lhuentse 75 km 3 hours
Mongar Trashigang 91 km 3 hours 30 min
Trashigang Chorten Kora 51 km 2 hours
Trashigang Samdrup Jongkhar 180 km 6 hours 30 min
Samdrup Jongkhar Guwahati 101 km 3 hours
Samdrup Jongkhar Phuentsholing 356 km 9 hours

Average Temperature

Getting To Bhutan

  • By Air

    Paro is the only International operational airport in Bhutan and is connected by Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines. Druk Air is the national carrier of Bhutan, which operates flights from Indian cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Gaya, Bagdogra & Guwahati. Bhutan Airlines operates regularly from Kolkata, Delhi and Gaya. During summer some chartered flights are operated from Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
  • By Road

    Bhutan is connected to India by surface through its South Western border town of Phuentsholing. The nearest Indian towns from Phuentsholing are Hasimara, Alipurdwar, Jalpaiguri & Siliguri. Bhutan is also connected to India through its South Eastern Border of Samdrup Jongkhar which is about two and half hours drive from Guwahati and Gelephu located in Sarpang District of Southern Bhutan.
  • By Rail

    Though Bhutan does not have any rail link but it is conveniently reached by road from nearest Indian Railway stations at New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), Hasimara, Alipurdwar & Guwahati.
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