Located on the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayan Range of mountains, the Kingdom of Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy. It is bordered on the north and east by Tibet and on the south and west by India. The landscape is rugged mountains and deep valleys. The highest peaks cross 7000 metres. To help preserve its culture, Bhutan limits the number of visitors to the country, adding to its mystique.
Here at Harji’s, we offer you tailor made holidays in Bhutan to suit you. So, whether you want to trek through the national parks, valleys and gorges and take in the spectacular views on offer or want to challenge yourself on a high-altitude adventure that the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan offers, then our experts can organise the perfect tailor made tours for you. Below we take you through some of the amazing experiences that you can enjoy during Bhutan holidays as well as useful information about the country.
Cultural Sites
One of the least populated nations in Asia, Bhutan has never been colonised in its history and retains a distinct culture based on Vajrayana Buddhism, an esoteric sect of Buddhism found primarily in Bhutan, Tibet and Mongolia. Tsechus – vibrant Buddhist festivals of song and dance are celebrated all over the country throughout the year, with the most popular ones in October and November. Along with monasteries, Dzongs – fortresses with temples and monastic accommodation, are a ubiquitous sight in Bhutan and form a distinctive feature of the country. Traditional, laidback, intriguing, going on a Bhutan tour will give you a glimpse into the past. The country is unique and mysterious as it is so different to the modern world that we live in, so much so that it is still a requirement that locals wear the traditional dress and television was allowed only as recently as 1999.
Paro is the main entry point into the country by air. Its National Museum and Dzong are worth a visit. Just outside the town there is more spectacular Bhutanese architecture you can enjoy as here lies the stunning Taktsang Monastery better known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Thimpu is Bhutan’s capital and largest city. Tashichho Dzong, the national textile museum and the School of Traditional Arts are its notable sites, while the Motithang Preserve is home to the Takin – Bhutan’s national animal. Punakha was the capital city of Bhutan as late as 1955 when it was replaced by Thimpu. Punakha Valley is unique for its warm weather and is ideal for vegetable farms and fruit orchards. Punakha Dzong, situated on the confluence of Pho and Mo rivers is perhaps the country’s finest. Just outside the town lies the Chimi Lakhang temple, dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, the ‘Divine Madman’.
Bumthang Valley is notable for its wide pastures and quaint farming villages. It is home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country, including the Jambay Lakhang. The holy site of Membartsho, commonly known as the Burning Lake, is worth a visit. The valley also serves as a good base for treks and hikes into the surrounding mountains and villages and is a popular destination for visitors on tailor made trips to Bhutan.
Mountain Scenery
More so than neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan – the ‘Thunder Dragon Kingdom’ is primarily a mountainous country, with one of the most rugged terrains in the world. Its highest peak, Gangkhar Puensum, at over 7,500m is the highest unclimbed peak in the world. Bhutan’s snow-capped peaks, steep but wide valleys, extensive forest cover and tiny, quaint villages create an enchanting and endearing landscape, and you can enjoy all of this on one of our tailor made holidays to Bhutan.
Wildlife
Bhutan sits in the middle of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity hotspot and its huge variation in geography and climate has created conditions for a unique set of flora and fauna. Bengal Tiger, one-horned rhino, clouded leopard, sloth bears and goldern langur live in the lush south; grey langur, common leopard, Himalayan black bears, Red Panda, Goral and Serow roam in the temperate pine forests, while the Takin, Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Marmot and Himalayan Musk deer reside in the northern alpine regions. Bhutan is also home to over 770 species of birds.
Due to Bhutan’s wild and rugged terrain, spotting wildlife is not easy, and the best chance of seeing some are on a trek in the Bumthang Valley or an elephant safari at the Royal Manas National Park. Bhutan does provide excellent birdwatching opportunities throughout the country. The glacial Phobjikha or Gangtey Valley is best known for sightings of the revered Black-necked cranes, with these large and graceful birds arriving in Bhutan from the Tibetan Plateau towards the end of October.
Walking and Trekking in Bhutan
Trekking in Bhutan features high on every serious hikers list, with breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayan Range, walking on slopes carpeted with Rhododendron blossoms, stopping to explore small villages, crossing high-mountain passes covered with prayer flags, visiting hidden monasteries or a chance encounter with a solitary monk are just some of the various experiences one could have. With steep slopes and scarce flat terrain, trekking in Bhutan tends to be on the moderate to strenuous side and can range from a few days to about 30 days for the Snowman Trek, arguably one of the hardest treks in the world. If you want to arrange a walking holiday, here at Harji’s we can help you as our experts are experienced in organising tailor made holidays in Bhutan.
When in the best time to visit Bhutan?
In general, late February to April and October, November are the best months for travel to Bhutan for culture and trekking, when the skies are clear, with little rain. Rhododendron season is from March to May.
How long is the flying time to Bhutan?
There are no direct flights from the UK to Bhutan. Travel to Bhutan usually requires a night’s stopover in either Delhi or Kolkata in India, Kathmandu in Nepal, or Bangkok in Thailand. The international flight duration ranges from 8 hours and 30 mins to 11 hours for direct flights, while the regional flights range from one to three hours duration.
What is the time difference between UK and Bhutan?
Bhutan is 6 hrs ahead of GMT.
Languages
The main language is Dzongkha, the national language. In the major tourist towns of Paro and Thimpu, English is adequate to get by, but not so in most other towns and rural areas. Your drivers may not speak much English, but guides speak the language well. Our tailor made holidays in Bhutan are with an accompanying guide.
“We had a fabulous family holiday in Bhutan, thank you Harji. You were right about the Phobjika Valley, not including it would have been tragic – what a lovely place.”
