I got this opportunity to check off one of my top bucket list item, BHUTAN TOUR. A 12 days journey to the remote Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan is a different experience. The combination of culture, heritage, tradition and nature are incredibly epic.
To know the better idea of why Bhutan consider your next travel destination, I am writing my top highlights of my Bhutan trip.
Rather than measuring Bhutan’s economic success on riches, the government measures it on a Gross National Happiness Index focusing on good administration, sustainable socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and conservation of environment.
As we Know Bhutan is only one country in the world has produced negative carbon. The Bhutanese constitution mandates the need to keep at least 60 presents of country’s land under forest cover.
Does not matter what religion of belief you are following but is is very hard no to appreciate the value of Buddhism. As a Nepali I know about the Buddhism but during my 12 days trip in Bhutan my guises Mr. Pema and Mr. Bijay teach me about Buddhism that really rocked understanding of religion.
All over the nation they have preserved the culture and heritage in Bhutan. Preserving the culture and heritage is one of the four pillars of the Gross National Happiness index of the Bhutan. I Visited more than 6 Dzong and more than 15 monasteries during my round trip to Bumgthang, they are amazing and beautiful architecture.
Inside the monastery and museum taking photo and videos are not allowed. Also temple and monasteries always shoes are taken outside. One more important thing is before entering the Dzong you have to wear full t-shirt and no cap in your head.
In capital city of Thimphu I visited Flok heritage museum to explore the traditional 9 centuries house. Next the Gayel Lhundrup weaving Center to see the local women weaving garments by local style. In Ura valley, the remote corner near to Bumgthang we explore local village where we see local women make Bhutanese dress KIRA AND GHO.
At the last day on 17th December we got a change to celebrate Bhutanese National day in Paro. The cultural programs with their national dress was awesome.
After Thimphu, Paro and Punakaha we visited Phobjikha valley after Gangteng Monastery by walking, it is the place of Black-necked Crane. This is amazing place for those who are interested in bird watching and natural landscape.
Black necked crane is one of the rarest species of bird in the world. It is not hard to spot them in this valley. They are seen a white bright bodies contrasting with their black heads and tails.
An one hour Kathmandu – Paro flight is an amazing once you take off as soon as the peaks of Mt. Everest, Kanchanjunga and thousands of Himalayan peaks are emerged from behind the cloud. If you going from Kathmandu then always left side window seat is preferred to the great Himalaya.
During the whole trip I got very good foods, normally they offer local foods like red rice, seasonal curry, Spanish, chicken, beef and other verities for the tourist. There is no McDonald’s or such restaurants in Thimpu and Paro.
I tried local style foods, they eat more species then Nepalese foods. The very popular and very common is they eat chili with cheese in their local desk.
Restaurants are very clean and their hostility and smelling faces are highly appreciated.
Of course travel to Bhutan is more expensive then Nepal and India. The normal traffic is $ 200 off season – $250 peak season per night all inclusive + $40 Visa fees + $30-$40 tariff for solo travelers + Druk air round flight from Kathmandu or Delhi or Bangkok. Your money is worth, because of the remote location they have limited access and has not been flooded with many tourist, leading to well preserve the culture and landscape. During the whole trip guide is compulsory to ensure you won’t take part in any irresponsible and illegal activities. Being the Buddhist country they have own rules and regulation.
The amount you pay that 35% is goes to towards the governmental programs like free education, free healthcare, infrastructure, nature conservation and others.
Bhutan is a country where people love their King, and King is responsible to all of the Bhutanese. The history of the leaders and tradition of the good old days are still present from the capital city of Thimphu to remote part of the villages. People are very serious about their festival, cultural value, national day and their traditional dress and many more things that make the destination quite quirky, at least in the eyes of tourist which are not available in next destination.
The Tiger’s nest monastery, also known as Paro Taksang is one of the most highlighted spots of Bhutan. Everyone who visit Bhutan in a short duration they also cover this hiking. Why? Because it is extraordinary. It is small collection of buildings precariously perched on the cliff, 900 meters from the ground. Without a doubt a first time trip to Bhutan would be incomplete without Taktsang monastery. If you are unable to hike due to physical condition you can easily hire a horse from the base camp. The price of hiring a horse is more or less $ 20 each.
First of all independent travellers are now allowed to visit Bhutan. Tourists visiting Bhutan must go through a travel agency with a guide and must pay an all-inclusive rate of $200-$250 per night (low vs high season) + airfare + $40 Bhutan visa fee (unless you’re an Indian, Bangladeshis or Maldivian national) + $30-$40 nightly tariff for duo and solo travelers. The cost includes your private guide, 3-star hotels, three (huge!) meals per day, entrance fees and all necessary transportation.
If you are travelling with a group then of offer you the best possible cost.
First of all independent travelers are now allowed to visit Bhutan. Tourists visiting Bhutan must go through a travel agency with a guide and must pay an all-inclusive rate of $200-$250 per night (low vs high season) + airfare + $40 Bhutan visa fee (unless you’re an Indian, Bangladeshis or Maldivian national) + $30-$40 nightly tariff for duo and solo travelers. The cost includes your private guide, 3-star hotels, and three (huge!) meals per day, entrance fees and all necessary transportation.
If you are travelling with a group then of offer you the best possible cost.
Article by: SURYA BAHADUR THAPA (WHAT APP +977 9851162501)
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