Bhutan
Mystical and magical, Bhutan is one of the last cultural frontiers on the planet. This alluring mountain kingdom is hidden amid the folds of the Himalayas. Soaring peaks and lush valleys, punctuated by colourful prayer flags and serene monasteries, gives Bhutan an ethereal touch. The Bhutanese are devout Buddhists, and Buddhism is deeply ingrained in everyday life.
Spiritual seekers will immediately fall in love with Bhutan’s tranquil vibe. The undulating landscape has a timeless quality, and you experience a deep sense of calm throughout the journey. Explore ancient monasteries, meditate to the sound of a gong, or converse with a Rinpoche. Bhutan’s Himalayan landscape is prone to the fury of the elements, and the country is often called The Land Of The Thunder Dragon. The Bhutanese have tremendous respect for nature, and a deep love for the outdoors, which is reflected in the country’s carbon-negative environmental status. The Bhutanese are deep believers in Karma, and Gross National Happiness is as important a metric as the GDP. Bhutan has an incredible array of Himalayan flora and fauna, and a centuries-old tradition of holistic healing. A journey across Bhutan is not just a physical reset – it’s a revelation that will create a different outlook on life.
About Bhutan
Bhutanese art and culture is steeped in myth and legend. Tradition is deeply ingrained in the society, and most Bhutanese wear traditional clothing and uphold a lifestyle that has been passed down from generation to generation. You can see this in the elaborate Thangka paintings that depict parables from Buddhist scriptures, and in the curlicued rooftops of the Dzongs (monasteries) that dot the horizon. The Bhutanese have an ancient tradition of mountain music, played on long horn instruments, to which elaborate and graceful dances are performed by monks and the locals. Elaborate festivals, known as Tsechus, are celebrated at significant periods of the year. Each major town has its own Tsechu, which is performed in the main square, and coincides with the full moon.
Travel
Highlight..
The Paro Tsechu in March-April is considered a major highlight, and people come from all over the country to take part in the celebrations which includes a series of dramatic Cham masked dances in full costume based on Bhutan’s ancient legends. The tsechu not only celebrates the rituals and myths but also cuisine, craft and costume, bringing the entire community together for a glorious celebration.
If you’re a nature lover, Bhutan feels like you’ve stepped into heaven. The landscape is simply breathtaking. The valleys are lush and green and wild flowers dance in the brilliant mountain sunshine. If you enjoy being active, Bhutan is spectacular. The Trans-Bhutan Trail is a fantastic network of pathways that cut across the country from west to east, designed for hikers, trekkers and mountain bikers. If you enjoy river-rafting, the rapids around Punakha are exhilarating, while hidden valleys and mountain forests are ideal for camping out. For those who enjoy wildlife, Bhutan has several national parks, particularly the Royal Manas National Park, which forms a critical wildlife corridor for big cats and several other species. Bhutan is also one of the few countries where you can see the critically endangered Red Panda in its natural habitat, as well as several species of birds, such as the Black-Necked Cranes, which fly down from the Tibetan Plateau to Gangtey to roost each winter.
Related Experiences
Discover our world as you travel across Asia, unveiling a natural and cultural heritage unlike any other. From hidden Himalayan kingdoms to the waterways of the Mekong, The Indian Ocean to the Sea of Japan, a journey across Asia takes your breath away. India to Indochina, Bhutan to Japan, Nepal to Sri Lanka, our corner of the planet is exquisite.
