Bhutan
is a small country in the Asian continent that lies above India's north
east. Perched in the Himalayas, tiny Bhutan is surrounded by Tibet to the
north, the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal to the south, Arunachal
Pradesh to the east and Sikkim to the west. The kingdom covers a total area
of about 47,000 square kilometers. Entire Bhutan may be described as
mountainous, though there are great variations in altitude. Its great rivers
Wang, Sunkosh, Trongsa and Manas have helped immensely to carve its
topography and their enormous potential for hydro electric power has helped
in shaping Bhutan's economy. The diversity in the form of snow-capped
mountains, rainforests, green valleys, lakes and rivers makes tiny Bhutan an
ideal tourist destination.
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How To Reach ? |
» Flights : Bhutan has an airport at a place
called Paro. From New Delhi or Kolkata, tourists can take a flight to Paro
in Bhutan's national carrier- Druk Air.
» Buses : The main two lane highways run from west
to east connecting all the major towns and villages of Bhutan. As the
terrain is mountainous, vehicles can move at very slow speed. From India,
tourists can enter Bhutan by road through the southern border town of
Phuentsholing which borders Indian state of West Bengal.
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When To Visit ? |
February-May
and September-November are the best time to visit Bhutan.
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Where To Stay ? |
Accommodation facilities in Bhutan are limited . Although
accommodation is not a problem in capital Thimphu, only limited
accommodation is available in other parts of Bhutan. As the tourism sector
is growing in the country, accommodation infrastructure is also looking up.
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What To Do ? |
» Sightseeing : Bhutan is difficult to
access. If one really wants to see and know Bhutan thoroughly then walking
through the alleys is the best option. Nestled in the lap of breathtaking
Himalayas, Bhutan is one must see destination in the for its spectacular
surroundings. There are amazing valleys and peaceful monasteries, which will
make your trip to Bhutan absolutely complete.
» Shopping : Tourists can pick up plenty of items in
Bhutan like masks, carpets, jewellery, Bhutanese wooden products and stamps.
Bhutan has a world-wide reputation for printing colorful stamps on various
themes and personalities.
» Eating-Out : Chilli peppers are a favorite
ingredient in Bhutanese cuisine. Dried pork may be regarded as a staple in
Bhutan. Though the restaurants of Bhutan do not specialise much in
continental cuisine, local delicacies and alcoholic drinks like Chang and
Temka are readily available. They are a big hit among tourists.
» Adventure Sports : Trekking would be ideal in
Bhutan, as Bhutan is trekker's paradise. The breathtaking environment will
make the trip absolutely soothing. But the terrain is only suitable for the
expert trekkers.
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What To See ? |
»
Paro Valley : This beautiful valley is home to some of Bhutan's oldest
temples & monasteries as well as the kingdom's only airport. Paro is
also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom and produces the bulk of
Bhutan's agricultural needs.
» Thimphu Valley : Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan
and lies at an altitude of 2,300 meters.It is a majestic sight to watch the
Thimphu river flowing down the mountains. Taschichho Dzong, the main
secretariat building, houses the office of the King and is the summer
residence of central monk body.
» Tongsa : Tongsa forms the central hub of the
nation. This place is historically important as attempts at unifying the
country were launched from the place. The landscape around Tongsa is
spectacular.
» Bumthang Valley : To the east of Tongsa lies
Bumthang valley at an altitude of 2,600 meters above the sea level. This
valley may be regarded as the religious heartland of the nation. The place
has some of the oldest Buddhist temples of Bhutan.
» Mongar : Mongar is the place where Bhutan's newest
dzongs have been built. In simple terms, Dzongs may be described as resting
places of Buddhist monks. there. It is interesting to note that no drawings
and nails have been used in building the dzongs. A visit to the dzong gives
visitors an impression of how traditional Bhutanese architecture has
continued to thrive through the centuries.
» Tashigang : Tashigang lies in the far east of
Bhutan on the bank of the Gamri river. Tashigang is the largest district of
the country. The beauty of the place is simply breathtaking. The place also
has a few old dzongs and small Buddhist temples.
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Trekking in Bhutan
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The mountainous terrain and cold weather conditions makes Bhutan a paradise
for trekkers. Trekkers from all over the world come to Bhutan to take part
in the various Himalayan trekking expeditions. Authorities also extend all
facilities to trekkers to attract them in larger numbers. From the plains
and valleys to the steep mountains, trekkers snake through the varied
Bhutanese landscape to reach high altitudes. Some of the famous trekking
expeditions are Chomolhari trek, The Laya / Gasa trek, Bumthang cultural
trek, Lhuntse trek, Lunana trek and Druk Path trek.
Due to lack of publicity and inferior infrastructure, Bhutan was not able
to capitalise on her immense tourism potential till a few years back.
However, tourists are coming to Bhutan in large numbers in present times.
Bhutan
Travel
