Top Things to Do for a Bhutan Travel

Traveling to Bhutan is one of the most amazing adventures in the Himalayas. An isolated country for centuries, this unique destination on the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas is classed as one of the most unique and exclusive destinations in the world. Filled with history and unique culture, as well as ancient Dzongs and Lhakhangs and one of the most outstanding landscapes on the planet, there are several things you should never miss when taking a tour of the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Never Miss out on the Terrific Tshechus

The annual religious festivals of the kingdom, Tshechus, are held in every area and district across Bhutan at some point in the year. The most popular and largest Tshechu of Bhutan is dedicated to the celebration of the birth anniversary of the Indian sage, Padmasambhava, who is known in Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche. As well as being the major religious ceremonial events in the kingdom, Tshechus are also major social gatherings for the people and are a way of social bonding for the peoples of the more remote areas of the country.

Festivals are held in every Dzongkhag in Bhutan, with at least one festival happening in any given month across the kingdom. The most popular festivals in Bhutan are the Thimphu Tshechu, Paro Tshechu, and Punakha Tshechu, which are held in commemoration of the death of Padmasambhava. The Jambay Lhakhang Drup is also a popular festival for people in Bhutan and is a 5-day celebration of flamboyant entertainment.

>> Browse our Bhutan Festival Tours with Latest 2023 Festival Calendar

Hike to Bhutan’s Most Famous Monastery: Taktsang Palphug

Known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery because of the legends of Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have landed here from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress, the Taktsang Palphug Monastery is the highest monastery in the country, as well as being the most unique. Located 900 meters above the Paro Valley on a narrow ledge of the cliff face, this stunning monastery is one of the most popular attractions in Bhutan and is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Bhutan.

The trek up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery takes about 5 hours and is an average to moderate hike.

Try Some Mountain Treks

Trekking in the mountains of Bhutan is one of the most popular activities for international tourists in Bhutan. Lying on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, this isolated kingdom has trekking trails that rival some of those in Nepal, the trekking capital of the world. From the shorter treks around Paro and Thimphu, such as the Druk Path Trek to the vast and immense Snowman Trek that stretches across almost the entire north of the kingdom through the mountains, this Himalaya Kingdom offers much to experience during your Bhutan trekking tour. Because of the strict policies of environmental tourism, the trails are more natural and more remote and are a great way to get back to nature.

Visit Punakha Dzong in Spring

Punakha Dzongkhag lies in the center of Bhutan, to the east of the capital of Thimphu, and is renowned as one of the warmer valleys of central Bhutan. The Dzong here in the valley is renowned as the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan and houses the sacred relics of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. Built in the 17th century by the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche, Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong lies on the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu (rivers). Spring is the best time to visit this beautiful temple when the lilac blooms of the jacaranda trees contrast against the whitewashed walls.

Head to the Cultural Heartland of Bhutan – Bumthang

The heart of the Bhutanese culture, it was in the Bumthang Dzongkhag that Buddhism first took hold. One of the two locations of the Buddhist temples ordered constructed by Songtsen Gampo, the Tibetan king, in the 7th century, it was not until the 8th century that Buddhism prospered against the local version of Bon. It was here that Padmasambhava first journeyed to after his meditation in Paro, to heal the local king. Grateful, the king helped Guru Rinpoche spread Buddhism throughout his kingdom. The region is made up of four major valleys, of which, most of the Dzongs and temples are in the Choekhor Valley.

Bumthang is the heart of Bhutanese culture since it was the place that Buddhism first took hold in Bhutan. It was here that Padmasambhava first journeyed to after his meditation in Paro, to heal the local king. Grateful, the king helped Guru Rinpoche spread Buddhism throughout his kingdom.

The region is made up of four major valleys, of which, most of the Dzongs and temples are in the Choekhor Valley. There are several ancient Dzongs and monasteries that worth to visit during your days in Bumthang, such as the ancient Jambay Lhakhang, the Kurje Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong and Tamshing Lhakhang.

Generally, you can take a classic western and central Bhutan tour to visit Bumthang area by land from Paro. Also, you can take a domestic flight from Paro to Bumthang directly. Since the flight between Paro and Bumthang is not frequent, please check the flight schedule with us if you want to travel to Bumthang by air.

Enjoy Bhutan’s Arts and Handicrafts

Bhutan has a number of traditional arts and crafts, and the 13 major ones have been practiced for thousands of years. Part of the spirit and culture of the Bhutanese people, the arts and crafts of the kingdom are preserved in their traditional forms. There are 13 arts and crafts, which include Dezo - Paper Making Dozo – Stonework, Garzo – Blacksmithing, Jinzo - Clay arts, Lhazo – Painting, Lugzo - Bronze casting, Parzo - Wood, slate, and stone carving, Shagzo – Woodturning, Shingzo – Woodworking, Thagzo – Weaving, Trözo - Silver and gold-smithing, Tshazo - Cane and bamboo work, and Tshemazo – Needlework.

The arts and crafts of Bhutan can often be seen in the local markets and bazzars, where you can buy samples of many of the traditional handicrafts of the kingdom, and in some areas of the country, you can visit the factories and craft workshops where you can watch the items being made. And if you want to explore more of the traditional arts of Bhutan, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Bhutan Textile Museum in Thimphu, as well as the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro, have great displays and exhibitions of traditional Bhutanese arts.

Buy Some Traditional Textiles

Traditionally, textiles in Bhutan were woven only by women, and throughout history have been sought after by Chinese and Vietnamese nobles for their fine quality and delicate weave. Created from raw cotton and silk, the textiles often have intricate designs and motifs woven into the cloth. Most of the textiles in Bhutan come from the eastern areas of the kingdom, and there are several villages in Lhuentse Dzongkhag that are famous for their different textiles. While cotton, yak hair, silk, and wool are the traditional mediums for textiles in Bhutan, in Trongsa, there are two villages that spin threads and weave textiles from nettle fibers.

Watch an Archery Competition

Archery competitions are one of the most popular events in Bhutan, right behind the Tshechu. The bow and arrow have long been an important means of survival in Bhutan, for both hunting and fighting, and have had a place in Bhutanese culture for thousands of years. Archery contests are the most popular form of sport in Bhutan, and in 1971, it was named as the national sport. The kingdom maintains an Olympic archery team and holds numerous competitive events at both local and district levels, as well as the national contests held in the capital. Attending an archery contest is unlike anything you have seen, and the festive atmosphere is fueled as much by the copious amounts of food and alcohol that are consumed as by the love of the sport itself.

Archery contests can be found in areas all over the kingdom, and the best competitions to attend for the best in Bhutanese archers are at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, which hosts the national competitions. You can even try your hand at taking a few shots yourself at the Changlimithang Archery Range and Workshops, inside the stadium. Other major archery competitions are held during almost every festival in Bhutan, including during Losar, the Bhutanese New Year.

Enjoy the Wonderful Wildlife

A small landlocked nation, Bhutan is abundant with wildlife, both animals and birds, and takes serious steps to preserve the natural habitats of its native and migrant species.

In some of the most rugged terrain in the world, you can find such amazing animals as the Bengal Tiger, one-horned rhino, clouded leopards, sloth bears, barking deer, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, blue sheep, and the beautiful and rare Tibetan wolf.

The most popular bird in Bhutan is the black-necked crane, which migrates to the Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue Phodrang every year to their winter feeding grounds. More than 770 species of native birds can be found in Bhutan, with more than 100 migrant varieties adding to that every year.

Bhutan is also the home of the famous Takin, an unusual gnu-like animal that is native to the kingdom and has become the national animal of Bhutan.

Feel the Nature: Forests and Blooms

Bhutan is a country of immense forests and natural landscapes, which is one of the major attractions of the kingdom for international travelers. With only a small population, much of the country is still virgin forests and primeval jungles, and much of the country’s forests are still in their natural state. Some of the most beautiful flora and tree are found in the remote areas of Bhutan and is preserved by the kingdom for future generations.

Visit the Local Market

Local markets are still a major source of local goods in Bhutan, and the traditional weekend markets that include food goods, handicrafts, and local incense are a great way to explore parts of the local culture. The most popular weekend market is the one at the capital, Thimphu, which occupies the whole west bank of the Wang Chhu to the north of the Changlimithang Stadium, which runs from Thursday evening until Sunday night.

Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Tower of Trongsa Museum

Built in the 17th century to replace an earlier 16th-century temple on the site, the Trongsa Dzong is the largest fortress of its kind in Bhutan. Originally known as the Chökhor Rabtentse Dzong, it has been expanded over the centuries to include the famous Chenrezig Lhakhang and the Maitreya Temple. At a strategic location, the Trongsa Dzong has been the seat of the Wangchuck family in Bhutan for centuries and is one of the main sources of printed Buddhist literature in Bhutan.

The Ta Dzong, the watchtower that overlooks the Dzong in Trongsa, is now a museum over five floors that focuses on displaying Buddhist arts and Royal memorabilia. The most notable royal item is a 500-year-old jacket from the Wangchuck family, which belonged to Ngagi Wangchuck, the first Penlop of Trongsa.

Head to the Valleys of Thimphu and Haa

Thimphu Valley and Haa Valley, which located on either side of the Dzongkhag of Paro, are two of the most stunning areas in western Bhutan. Thimphu Valley, with its stunning Trashi Chho Dzong, is one of the best places to visit for Tshechus in the autumn season, and the capital boasts some of the best dinings in Bhutan.

The Haa Valley, guarded by high mountains, borders with both India to the southwest and China to the northwest, and has some of the most surreal views in the kingdom. Just 13 kilometers from the disputed border with India, this almost undiscovered area of western Bhutan gets few visitors and is the perfect place for peace and serenity, as well as amazing views of some of the highest mountains in the world on a clear day.

>> Taking a 9 days Haa valley trekking tour to fully explore the valley.

Feel Why Bhutan is the Happiest Country in the World

Bhutan is a country that values its people’s happiness over having a high Gross Domestic Product, which prompted the change to having Gross National Happiness as its main measure of wealth. However, while this may be the measure put in place by the king, it is clear when visiting the kingdom that the people are generally happy with life in their isolated little world. Friendly faces greet you wherever you go, there is a real sense of family within communities, both small and large, and the Buddhist glue that holds this all together makes Bhutan one of the most serene places in the world to visit. Not just because of the remote places and high lonely mountains, but because the people give off a sense of peace and serenity in themselves.

Conclusion of the Top Things to Do in Your Bhutan Tour

Bhutan is one of the most exclusive destinations in the world, not just because of the expense of getting there. The stunning landscapes, friendly people, awe-inspiring mountains and Buddhist Temples, and the huge amount of phallic symbols make Bhutan a unique destination with exclusive sights and attractions that can be found nowhere else on the planet. If you are really looking for that perfect one-of-a-kind destination to visit, taking a Bhutan tour with the top things to do is the best choice for you.