Spread across more than 38,000 sq km of land, Bhutan is widely known for its rich wildlife, vastly spread forest areas and pleasant climatic conditions. The country has a diverse topography with altitudes ranging from 150m all the way to 7,300m. While the southern part of the country is known for temperate climate conditions, the northern part of the country mostly sees alpine tundra with cool summers and freezing winters. Located n between mountainous regions, the place also seems to have around 2006.55 mm of rainfall annually.
There are numerous communities and tribes that inhabit this region happily. Sharchop, Kheng, Ngalong and Nepali are the oldest tribes of this region and account for the majority of the population. The people are very calm, honest and hard-working in nature with agriculture being the major source of livelihood. Hospitality defines its tradition and can be witnessed from small street shops to luxury restaurants. The people of Bhutan are fond of dance and music which can be mostly observed during celebrations. Majority of the people follow Buddhism while some people follow the Hindu religion. Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan and is widely used across all the regions.
River Rafting
The most demanding adventure activities in Bhutan among tourists, rafting and navigating across the dense forest valleys while admiring the stunning beauty of the Dzongs are the best things one can do in Bhutan.
Try Archery
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and one of the most popular sports in the country. Tourists can also get to learn the archery lesson with the help of guidance from tutors.
Bird Watching
Over 69% of Bhutan’s land is covered with lush green mountains that flow into two major rivers, Mho Chhu and Pho Chuu, making it ideal for bird watching. Phobjikha, Bumthang, and Paro are some of the most popular bird watching destinations.
Exploring Dzongs
The country is home to numerous Dzongs and monasteries located in every region that showcase rich couture and customs of the bygone era.
Bike Riding
From the clean roads of Thimphu to panoramic views of the Chele La Pass, the land of Bhutan is a paradise for bike riders who visit throughout the year to explore the stunning vistas of the Himalayan kingdom.
Attend Festivals
Culture and vibrant traditions are what make this country unique, and festivals are the best way to explore its true beauty. From energetic masked dances to musical events, the festive season is one of the most popular times for tourism in Bhutan.
Relish local food
Food is one of the major segments of Bhutan that, most of the time, goes unnoticed. Popularly known for its spicy combination of chilli and cheese, relishing organic food is the best thing to do in Bhutan.
Trekking
Filled with peaky mountains and ancient trails, the country of Bhutan is highly popular among trekkers and hikers. Treks to Paro Taktsang and Snowman Trek are some of the most challenging treks offered to tourists.
The land of Thunder Dragons is popular for its vibrant festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. The majority of these festivals are related to honor the Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava while some of the festivals are celebrated on various seasons based on the lunar calendar. The festive season offers a vibrant atmosphere with sounds of drums, chanting monks, religious flags and dancing people. Tsechu are the biggest festivals of the country during which people from all over the world visit Bhutan to experience the true traditions and vibrant festivals. Following are some of the popular festivals of Bhutan.
Steeped with beautiful nature and historic tales, the kingdom of Bhutan has a rich space for food lovers. Chillies and cheese are the major food ingredients that are beautifully blended in most of the dishes giving it the identical Bhutanese taste. Ema Datshi is the national dish of Bhutan made from a blend of chillies, cheese and local vegetables. Rice and soup the part of the staple diet accompanied by various forms of non-veg and vegetarian dishes. While Bhutanese cuisine is popular for its unique flavor and taste some can find it challenging due to the high spice and strong aroma of fermented items.
Air : Paro is home to the only international airport in the country which is Paro International Airport. Located at a distance of 6km from the central city, the airport offers easy access to other cities along with international flights to major cities of India.
Train : The Kingdom of Bhutan does not have any direct access to the country via rail routes. However, New Jalpaiguri, Hasimara and Alipurduar are some of the closest railway stations from where tourists can take roadways to reach the city of Phuentsholing.
Road : Although it is time time-consuming road is by far one of the best ways to reach Bhutan. Siliguri is the nearest metropolitan city that connects Bhutan by roadways located in the state of West Bengal. National Highway 48 is the major highway connecting tourists can visit Bhutan from Indian territories.