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Often called the "Last Shangri-La," this remote kingdom in the Himalayas -- wedged between India and China -- was once mostly closed to the outside world. Now it's sharing its scenic beauty and cultural treasures with travelers who wish to visit its monasteries, temples, mountains, and valleys. (One temple, known as the Tiger's Nest, rests atop a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley below, a popular trekking spot). Since Bhutan has a "High Value, Low Impact" tourism policy, you must book through authorized tour companies or their international partners only -- and Stride can help you find them.
Clinging to the same traditional way of life for centuries, the Bhutanese are fiercely proud and protective of their culture and the country has only very recently started to modernize. The government has made precautions to preserve the environment and traditional culture. For example, laws have been made dictating that at least 60% of the country must remain forested for all future generations. All new buildings must incorporate some element of traditional architecture, and everyone wears traditional dress in public.
Bhutan’s capital city of Thimpu, home to the royal family, features many cultural sites and museums for visitors to learn more about Bhutanese life. Monuments like the National Memorial Chorten and the Buddha Dordenma Statue stand proudly as both cultural icons and beacons for peace. You will often find elderly Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten in prayer. Explore the streets, where beautiful architectural details are on display: palatial dzongs, towering whitewashed walls, and elaborately carved and painted doorways. For those looking to get a closer look at contemporary Bhutanese life in action, check out the weekend market, where farmers from across the country gather to sell their produce and artisans set up shop selling clothing and textiles. One curious thing to note is that although Thimpu is by far the most modern city of this small traditional country, it still does not have traffic lights.
Bhutan celebrates dozens of colorful festivals across the calendar year and across the country, each village laying claim to their own unique festivals. The most common festivals are known as tshechus, which mark important events in the life of the second Buddha, who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. These energetic festivals bring Buddhist spirituality to life, and awakens the entire countryside. Experience the lively festivities with the local people as they gather together in their best clothing to eat spicy momos, drink the equally fiery homegrown rice wine, ara, and perform spirited songs and dances. Typically lasting four or five days, these festivals are a long awaited chance for many villagers to catch up with friends and family, receive blessings, and wash away sins.
For such a small population of under 700,000 people, Bhutan is home to over 40 monasteries; set among dazzling landscapes, clinging to mountainsides, spanning rivers, and nestled in emerald valleys. They stand like strong spiritual fortresses against the changing tide of modernity. One of the most well known is Taktsang Monastery, which hangs on a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley below. It is also known as the Tiger’s Nest because it is rumored that a famous guru flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress. Though the monastery is situated in such a precarious location, there are several access routes you can trek, including one known as the Hundred Thousand Fairies.
If you feel like you need to press pause on your hectic lifestyle, arrange to include a meditation retreat with your tour operator. Relax in these protective Buddhist dzongs, as the cool mountain air and quiet surroundings provide a gentle space for meditation.
Read a Myths & Mountains customer review of her Bhutan Tour, published in the Los Alamos Monitor! Her beautiful story details a journey to visit a monastery and live among the monk culture during. A tour with Myths & Mountains to Bhutan is an unforgettable experience!
Bhutan makes for a gorgeous natural playground. For those who want to take advantage of the country’s uninhibited forests and mountains, there are many choices. Kayaking and rafting are increasingly popular, with rivers fed by the ice caps and glacial melts of the Himalayas. You can also trek or mountain bike through the countryside on paved roads or open trails, traversing mountains and valleys that offer views of historic dzongs and provincial life. There are plenty of opportunities for high energy outdoor adventures, but there are also many chances to unwind. After your day of thrills, relax with a rejuvenating mineral spring bath. Soak in these healing waters to relieve stress and tension in the body.
If seeing Bhutan and hiking in the Himalayan region is on your bucket list, then the Land of the Thunder Dragon tour is for you! This trip was such a good mix, tha...
Although the price is high, this is a great holiday and worth the cost. The only thing that could have been better was the weather, as we had two days of rain dur...
We did this trip with some fear and trepidation as we would be trekking at altitude for the first time. We were very keen to visit Bhutan before it modernises and ...
Bhutan is a country whose culture and environment are still free from the negative influences of the modern world. It's a quiet even serene place, free from pollut...
Against a background of knowing nothing of Bhutan, I found the trip so educational and broadening of my horizons with regard to the country's culture, customs, hi...
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