Essential Experiences in the Land of the Thunder Dragon
The allure of Bhutan, the Himalayan Kingdom at India’s mountainous North, lies in its unique geography: Soaring snow-capped peaks, gushing rivers and whistling cold winds are complemented by ornate dzongs (fortresses), hot chilly-cheese and the kindness of the people.
Formerly consolidated and ruled absolutely by the Wangchuk dynasty, it now functions as a well controlled constitutional monarchy.
We’ve scoured the highest peaks and canvassed the lowest valleys to compile 10 unbeatable experiences in Bhutan — A guide to the very best Bhutan has to offer.
10 Essential Experiences
1. Hike on Himalayan Trails
Although the Himalayan mountains look challenging, it’s a good idea to hike along the numerous trails connecting various remote villages and settlements. Most of these nature trails are found at a distance from the cities and towns, so one may have to rely on a guide or locals to get to these paths. Along the way, you may come across friendly villagers, exquisite flora and fauna, bold animals and streams of icy cold water. That’s something you don’t want to miss.
2. Help Monks Build their Monastery
Some Monasteries, like the one in Cheri, near Thimphu, are still being built (or upgraded) with additional meditation rooms or monk quarters. The monks carry building materials like cement, bricks and stone on their backs to the construction site. Ask them if you can help them out— the able-bodied, by carrying the load of, say, a sack of cement. The ones who can’t take physical stress, by offering food or donating to the temple in the monastery.
For your efforts, the monks will not only offer blessings but also some much needed refreshments like hot tea, rice crisps with caramel and orange juice.
3. Go with the Flow
This one’s only for the hot summers: Cool off in the rivulets and streams you come across all around Bhutan’s major highways by dipping your feet or hands in their pure and pristine water. A stroll by the banks of the rivers relaxes your mind while you admire the views of the valley.
4. Local Snacking
Eat like the locals do. Ask for Momos, Bathup and Ema-datsi.
Momos: These little pockets of finely chopped vegetables and meat are the perfect snack in the cool evenings of Bhutan. Just off the main town square in Thimphu, lies a small, simple cafe called Classic. The freshly steamed Cheese Momos served here are delicious. Classic can be found just behind the famous Bhutan Kitchen Restaurant in Thimphu.
Bathup: Bathup is a home-made noodle soup, not unlike the Tibetan Thukpa. The taste and texture of the noodles are quite distinct since the dough they’re made with consists of two parts whole wheat flour (atta) and half part white flour (maida). The soup is made with finely chopped vegetables and chillies.
Ema-datsi: Ema-Datsi is well known as the national snack of Bhutan. It is a delicious blend of soft cheese, made with cow or yak milk with sliced and diced chilly, served piping hot. The Bhutan Kitchen Restaurant in Thimphu serves Ema-datsi as a part of their buffet. However, if you visit Bumthang, make a pit-stop at Kaila Guesthouse in Jakar to try their home-cooked Ema-datsi.
5. Aim Well
Archery is the national sport of the kingdom and is a favourite pass-time for young men on holidays. Archery competitions are popular and people invest in expensive bows and arrows to participate in these tournaments. Mockery, abuse and victory dances are all part of the experience. Catch serious tournaments at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu or some casual ones at any village in Bhutan.
Carrom can be seen being played by the young and old alike on cold evenings in the alleys of Thimphu. Watch the players’ expressions while they sit around the polished board, take aim, hit the striker and either pocket a coin or lose.
6. Bike Ride from Thimphu to Paro
Bhutan is connected by serpentine, scenic roadways; and the best way to enjoy these is on a motorbike. Hire a bike from Thimphu and kickstart your day to explore the city on a two-wheeler. The highway from Thimphu to Paro is built quite well and is abundant with painting-like landscapes; with rivulets and bridges, valleys and mountain tops, settlements and pop-up markets. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see an airplane take off from one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
7. Swiss Breakfast
If you’re in Bumthang, take a short hike from the Chamkhar town to the Swiss Guesthouse for their delectable breakfast. Discover the flavours of locally grown, organic food sitting in the midst of their bountiful orchard. A standard breakfast spread includes strawberry and plum jams, salted butter, freshly baked bread, blocks of hard cheese, honey and omlettes — all of this is home-made! Their excellent collection of books and free wifi ensures that time is well spent here.
8. Liquid Courage
Hiking to cliff-hanging monasteries and treks in the mountains can be a daunting task, which calls for some liquid courage. For those who need the extra boost, ask for Ara at a local restaurant or bar, since sale of Ara is prohibited in Bhutan. Ara, a rice liquor, has a sharp taste and is usually served as a neat in a small bowl before or after meals.
Bhutan has its own premium whiskey brand called K5 (the name honours the coronation of the fifth King of Bhutan) which locals believe competes with internationally acclaimed whiskeys.
Also try other Bhutanese alcohol brands such as Raven Vodka and Red Panda beer which are widely available in bars and general stores.
9. Street Shopping!
Along the northern end of Thimphu town, lies the National Handicrafts Bazaar. It is a line of stalls for women to make and sell handicrafts. Selling factory-made items and items from other countries are banned here. Watch the women weaving yarn, stitching cloth or painting masks in and around their stalls. The painstakingly hand-woven silk cloth with intricate embroidered motifs are well worth the high price that these stall owners quote.
10. Drink ‘Holy Water’ of the Guru
Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang is an important pilgrimage site visited by devotees to pay respects to the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche on a rock surface. Just a short hike away, lies a ‘holy water’ or drubchhu spring which as the story goes, was ‘released’ by Guru Rinpoche from his body. The spring is a small, undecorated place where villagers come and fill buckets full of water to take back home. Drink some water to cleanse your soul and carry some along for the journey ahead.
3 Fixes for Bhutan
- Fix the roads fast: The current state of roads from the west to the central part of Bhutan and onwards to the east is really bad. The Government, in a roadmap towards development, is building new roads and widening the existing highways. However, with the time for completion estimated at around 3 years, trade and tourism are bound to suffer.
- Tourism is the way: Bhutan benefits from it’s high value — low volume tourism philosophy. Bhutan is a beautiful place and people must be made aware of it. However, with only one airline, one international airport and few flights, the planning one has to do to get here can be quite cumbersome. Bus stations and services need to have co-ordinated timings across the country and upgrades to the buses themselves is much required.
- Diversify the Craft Culture: The Institute for Zorig Chuzum teaches and promotes traditional Bhutanese arts, but for Bhutan’s talented artists to shine, there must be a platform for them to explore new mediums and concepts. A school for modern art, perhaps?
