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Popular Activities, Best Tourist Spots, and Amazing Places to Visit in Bhutan
Bhutan is situated in the Eastern Himalayas in South Asia. It is quite tiny and borders India in the west, Tibet in the North, Nepal, and China. Despite its small size, Bhutan still attracts tourists with its rare and naturally beautiful landscapes. However, the country has a restrictive policy of $250 per person per day, making it harder for people to spend more days there.
Nevertheless, Bhutan is a great place to visit, explore its rugged countryside and numerous monasteries, and discover why its people are consistently ranked among the happiest in the world. Looking for the best activities to include on your itinerary? Here’s our list of the Best Things to Do in Bhutan:
Visit Taktsang Monastery
There’s a handful of bucket list things to do in Bhutan, one of which is a visit to Tigers Nest. Taktsang Monastery or Tiger Monastery is one of the most popular attractions in Bhutan. It is located a few minutes from Paro and was sanctified as one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan.
Tourists love the Taktsang Monastery because of its closeness to the airport since most spend less than 4 days in the country. It is also easy to climb.
The walk up the site takes four to five hours for a round trip and one more hour for touring the monastery.
You can climb up on foot or horseback ride.
Learn Bhutan’s history at Trongsa Dzong
Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral residence of Bhutan’s Royal Family, and visiting it is one of the best things to do. The residence is believed to have been built around 463 years ago under the reign of Trongsa Penlop Chogyal Minjur Tempa.
The fortress offers visitors a chance to dig into the country’s past and learn of the key events that shaped Bhutan.
Discover your Gross National Happiness
The concept of Gross National Happiness has been practiced in Bhutan for a long time since the era of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972. This notion focuses on a better quality of life instead of a better economic index.
Visiting Bhutan provides a rare chance to figure out new concepts and approaches to community and life where the people’s well-being and happiness are the government’s most important and sole purpose of t government.
Score a bullseye
Bhutan is known for its passion for archery. In almost every corner of the country, you will find a group of men in their traditional roves (ghos) taking turns to fire arrows at a small silver target some 460 feet away.
Hike to Trashiyangtse
The whole country of Bhutan is beautiful, but Trashiyangtse is a piece of heaven on earth and is regarded as one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bhutan. Sitting in the middle of a small gorge with a river running through, this secluded district is ideal for long energizing strolls.
This place is also a preferred starting point for several nature reserve walks, monasteries walk, and wood carving walks.
Get in touch with your inner self at the Memorial Stupa
Built-in memory of King Dorji Wangchuck in 1974, Memorial Stupa is a nice place to rediscover your inner self by practicing meditation.
The monastery is one of the top attractions in Bhutan, thanks to its magnificent and stunning sculptures of different gods.
The bright painting induces a sense of peace, allowing you to rediscover yourself.
Shop at the many local stores
Most of the country’s indigenous products can be found at the Norzin Lam Market. It is located in the capital Thimbu and has cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops, and many other stalls. This is the right place to be if you want to buy a Bhutanese item.
This market can find almost everything, including colorful masks, hand-woven bamboo products, and many other traditional items. If you are looking for the most recommended things to buy in Bhutan, get a wooden mask, it’s truly a collector’s item.
The market is also picturesque, making it perfect for taking photos.
Walk over a suspension bridge.
Located near Phunaka Dzong is the 525 feet suspension bridge, the longest in the country. It connects the Phunaka Dzong with the small town of Phunaka, which is separated by the Po Chhu River.
The bridge is adorned with colorful prayer flags along its length. Tourists visit the town of Phunaka just to walk across the bridge.
Go river rafting
Rafting down a river in Bhutan is one way to explore its countryside. The rivers are not as rough as other rivers you may have rafted before.
Though you can undertake this activity pretty much at any time of the year in Bhutan, the best period for maximum satisfaction is between October and November, when the river has swelled.
The most popular rivers for rafting are the Mo Chu River and Po Chu River.
Kayak down the rivers
If rafting is not your thing, kayaking is also popular in Bhutan. Instead of doing it during monsoon season, you can try it between March and April, though October and November are also perfect.
There are several rivers in Bhutan where you can kayak, especially near Punakha and Paro Valley.
Enjoy a dance festival during Tschechu.
The highlight of the year in Bhutan is the Tschechu festival which is celebrated on the tenth day of every Tibetan lunar month.
It is one of the liveliest times in the country, with ritualistic dances, brisk trade, and some family and community getting together.
During this time, monks wore costumes and formidable masks and danced to boisterous traditional music.
Go on a wildlife expedition.
Bhutan is of the most naturally blessed countries in South Asia. Its wildlife is among the most diverse.
The forests across the country are home to unique animals such as tigers, golden langurs, black bears, and Asiatic lions.
The forests of Mo Chhu River are perfect for a wildlife safari.
Explore the countryside on a motorbike
Bhutan’s verdant forests cover wide ranges of mountains and valleys, which have well-maintained roads with magnificent views.
For an exciting adventure, rent a motorbike, head to the countryside, and explore its magical scenes.
Visit Dochula Pass
This auspicious destination is one of the tourist hotspots in Bhutan. It is situated atop an elevation some 10,100 feet above sea level between Punakha and Thimbu.
Dochula Pass is perfect for adventure freaks.
Relish the dishes
Bhutan is known for its plentiful non-veg cuisine. When you are there, make sure you try some of the country’s best dishes, such as Datshi, a staple food of Bhutanese.
Bhutan Travel and Tour Packages
To help you plan out your visit to Bhutan, we listed places to visit and other amazing activities to do in Bhutan. We also listed some of the best travel and tour packages, as well as excellent flight deals and accommodation.
Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable Bhutan hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about new tourist attractions in Bhutan? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
Also read:
- Experiencing The Ultimate Bhutan Adventure
- Bhutan Travel Guide
- Four Architecturally Magnificent Monasteries Around The World
