Bhutan: forests and rivers, rice paddy fields, chortens and prayer flags and mountains, mountains, mountains!

From my trip to Bhutan

It can be because this happened a while ago already - but my holiday in Bhutan seems to become sort of a fantasy; I was reading my notes and find them scarce and not relevant. 

However, I do remember that it was a nice tour and that we were happy to be there: not even once we saw an industrial landscape and it was all forests and rivers and rice paddy fields, chortens and prayer flags and beautiful people. And of course, all those unbelievable mountains!

So just few info and more late-impressions here - that’s what I’m trying to convey with this post.

When it comes about turism Bhutan is restricted and expensive: your trip need to be pre-planned, prepaid and booked through an authorised tour agency. And that includes guide, transport, meals and usually a three-star accommodation. Ok, that is for all of us, unless you happen to be Indian of nationality. Due to the good relationship between these two countries Indian tourists are not subject to any of the same fees, restrictions or requirements as the rest of us.

So yes, we were given a professional guide, a driver and a japanese four-wheel - and they were always with us. That is except for the evenings when they were going home, right?

And everyday of the trip we get on into the car and were driven through the Himalayas to explore temples and monasteries, dzongs, museums and few other turisty places such as Thimphu’s weekend market; or the school of arts and crafts and national zoo - both in Thimphu as well.

As in any mountainous country the roads are scarce and difficult, winding way up and down, across bridges, alongside cliffs and high mountain passes. So travelling cost time and we were left with very little free time to explore on our own indeed but then, did we miss that?

This is Himalaya, there is nowhere you can just stroll around a cosy area and stop on a sunny terrace for a cup of coffee. I mean, we tried this “let’s have a walk thing” but we gave up pretty quickly every time: in Paro, our first stay, we were located a bit out of the town and the weather was a bit windy - and we found Punaka not exactly pedestrian friendly. Then again in Thimphu - the last on our tour, we would walk the main street (we tried the back streets also but there was nothing out of ordinary) visited some shops and had a nice coffee in this lovely family owned place called Ambient Cafe.

The top points: the beautiful hiking on an equally beautiful day to the splendid Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - Punaka valley and then of course - the more serious hiking session to the more famous, Paro valley, Tiger’s Nest monastery. 

So yes, hiking and trekking is what you should rather go for when planning your trip to Bhutan!

Bhutan, beautiful landscape

Our first stop: Janka resort in Paro just off the road after exiting the downtown area with mountains on the back and the river flowing just across the road..  

The town of Paro 

Dochula Pass: 108 beautiful honorary stupas have been erected to honor the victory of the Bhutanese army in the 2003 war of Southern Bhutan

Built in 1637-1638 here is Punakha Dzong - with other words "the palace of great happiness or bliss"

On the way to Chimi Lhakhang (Divine Madman) we passed by Sopsokha village: all houses in this village have paintings of phalluses on their exterior walls. 

Punaka valley and a beautiful hike up the hill, to Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten

The splendid, green and sunny valley of Punaka

One of my favourite place in Bhutan: Wangdue Phodrang dzong dominating the landscape. With the same name - there is also a small market town outside the gates of the dzong

Dechencholing Palace in Thimphu (left side in this photo) is frequently used for international delegations; it is also the place for banquets for Head of the States and other important guests of Bhutan.

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, located in a high valley of the Himalayas. Population - about 30,000. The town is connected to other parts of the country and to India, by a highway system but has no airport or railroad connections, however. 

Tiger's Nest Monastery: the famous Buddhist monastery clinging onto a cliff more than 3000 m above sea level

Half way hiking to Tiger's nest there is this Taktsang cafeteria - their vegetarian food was simply delicious !