About Bhutan

Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, the Sikkim state of India and the Chumbi Valley of Tibet in the west, the Arunachal Pradesh state of India in the east, and the states of Assam and West Bengal in the south. Bhutan is geopolitically in South Asia and is the region's second least populous nation after the Maldives. Thimphu is its capital and largest city, while Phuntsholing is its financial center. In 2008, Bhutan transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy and held the first election to the National Assembly of Bhutan. The National Assembly of Bhutan is part of the bicameral parliament of the Bhutanese democracy. Bhutan is also notable for pioneering the concept of gross national happiness.

Bhutan Major Place to Visit

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche visited and sanctified Bhutan in the 8th century when evil spirits abounded and harmed people. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tigress’ back to subdue a local demon. Thereafter, he meditated here for three months. Taktshang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery was blessed and sanctified as one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It hangs on a cliff and stands above a beautiful forest of blue pine and rhododendrons. It takes around 1 hour, 45 minutes to get to Taktshang walking or riding a horse. If the full hike is too tough, you can rest at the wooden teahouse restaurant or cafeteria after the first hour. One can get breathtaking views of the Paro valley from here. After gaining an additional 300m from here, you will reach a small chorten and some prayer flags on the ridge. After another 30 minutes, you will reach a spring and basic monastery guesthouse.

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong is situated in Punakha which was built by Ngawang Namgyal in 1637–38. Punakha is at just 3 hours journey from Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The Dzong is located between the Pho Chhu (Male) and Mo Chhu (Female) river in the Punakha–valley. The source of the Mo chu river is in the northern hills of Lighsi and Laya in Bhutan, and in Tibet. After the confluence of these two rivers, the main river is known as Puna Tsang chu or Sankosh River and flows down through Wangdue Phodrang, crosses the Bhutan–India border at Kalikhola and eventually meets the Brahmaputra River. As Punakha Dzong is located at only 1,200 meters, you will not suffer from oxygen shortages as you would in higher places such as Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), so it is a good place for beginner hiker to start from, as you may struggle with altitude sickness in the first few days.

Gangtey Valley in winter

Phobjikha or Gangtey valley is in Wangdue Phodrang District of Bhutan. The area is about 163 square kilometres at an altitude of 9800 feet. This place is popular for trekking, religious tourism. This place is worth to be visited in both winter and spring, winter for snow caped mountains and springs for rhododendrons, juniper and magnolia.