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                                                     BHUTAN    

Bhutan is a tiny monarchy sandwiched between its giant neighbors India and China. The landlocked Buddhist state, though poor, is a calm, peaceful state with devoutly religious people. The state is known as a modern Shangri La because of its discouragement of foreign cultural influences and limited number of visitors allowed into the country. However, with the recent opening up of the country, the world is just beginning to recognize the charms of this Himalayan kingdom, with unexplored mountains, virgin forests and little waterfalls dotting the region.

The capital, Thimphu, is considered one of the smallest capital cities in the world. It is the largest and most populated city of Bhutan. All buildings in Thimphu, throughout Bhutan in fact, are built on traditional Bhutanese architectural principles.

How to reach Bhutan

Bhutan is the last Shangri La of the modern world. The tiny Himalayan monarchy is fiercely protective of its own cultural values and independence. This south Asian kingdom sandwiched between India and China (Tibet), is an unexplored territory just beginning to open up.

Access points over land and by air are limited. This landlocked country can be reached by land or air. Paro International Airport lies 2 hours' drive from the capital Thimphu. Regular flights operate between Paro and Kathmandu in Nepal, or Delhi and Kolkata in India, operated by Druk Air, Bhutan's national carrier. Bhutan has a system of well-maintained roads for travel within the country. The country has no railways, and the mountainous roads are sometimes difficult to negotiate. But the arduous journey is worth the effort, since the visitor is greeted with the sight of the majestic Himalayan peaks and mist covered valleys. All roads and mountain paths will have a Buddhist temple or shrine, since religion plays a major role in the life of the people. So if you do visit this country, remember, time runs slowly here. The pleasure of the journey lies in slowly hiking through the mountain paths, or frequently stopping your jeep to take in the sight of the many shrines and pagodas.

Those desirous of traveling to Bhutan need to book with a travel agency registered with the government. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan.

Cities in Bhutan

Bhutan is a tiny landlocked kingdom in South Asia. Its restricted visitor policy and unexplored regions have earned it the sobriquet "The Shangri la of the Modern World". The unexplored nature of the cities and wildernesses of Bhutan is what makes them so attractive to the visit.

The capital, Thimpu, is the most unusual capital city you might have come across. The city does not have any traffic lights, since there are hardly any vehicles on the roads. The Thimpu River flows by quietly, and unlike other rivers next to major cities, has clear, unpolluted waters. The Trashi Chhoe Dzong houses the country's administrative headquarters and the office of the king. The Institute of Indigenous Medicine is located next to the one of the largest religious libraries in Asia.

Tongsa Dzong, in the Bumthang Valley, is a multistoried fort cut out from the hillside. It is a marvel of architecture, housing many monasteries, memorials and temples.

Kurjey, or Kurjey Lakhang, is located in the town of Jakar in the Bumthang Valley. Kurjey is a complex of temples and caves built in 1652. The complex towers almost 9000 feet above sea level. The Kurjey Lakhang has a white façade and red roofs, making it stand out against the brown hills in the background.

Sakteng is located 50 miles from Tashigang, in southern Bhutan's Bumthang Valley. The town lies very close to India's border. The drive from Tashigang to Sakteng entails a rough drive over difficult mountainous terrain, roads frequently cut off by boulders. However, the drive is worth it, as the journey will bring you to the most interesting places of the spectacular Bumthang valley. Sakteng is located in the mysterious wildernesses of Bhutan, the abode of the "Migoi" known as the "Yeti" in Nepal.

Thimpu

Thimpu, or Thimphu, is the capital of Bhutan. It lies on the Thimphu River, amidst a green Himalayan valley. The strict government policy restricting "foreign cultural influences" has preserved the traditional Bhutanese way of life in Thimpu. In Thimpu, you will see everybody dressed in traditional Bhutanese garments, and all buildings are built in traditional Bhutanese style, with gracefully arched pagodas.

Thimpu is reputed to be the only capital city that does not need any traffic signals. So if you take a stroll down the city center or visit the bustling market, you will not experience any blaring stereos or polluting lorries, as is the case with many capital cities in the world.

The Tashi Choe Dzong Fort is worth a visit. This is the main administrative building of Bhutan, and houses the sitting rooms of the Bhutanese monarch and the National Assembly. Thimpu does not have any museums or art galleries, and that is what sets it apart from other national capitals. The real charm lies in the offbeat locations like the Hospital selling herbal medicines, or the Dzong Chusum institute, housing a collection or religious books.

A visit to the bustling marketplaces is a must for a keen sightseer. There are no big malls or shopping arcades in Thimpu, but this is amply compensated by the helpful nature of the shopkeepers. The shops stock lovely handicraft items, and skillfully woven shawls and decorated prayer wheels.

A short drive outside the city brings you to the Royal Palace that houses the reigning monarch of Bhutan. Close to the Palace is the Tangu Cherry monastery, an old building dating back to several hundred years.

Tongsa Dzong

The city of Tongsa Dzong lies 2200 meters above sea level in Bhutan. It lies between the cities of Ha and Tashiganj. The Tongsa Dzong once housed the Bhutanese Royal family. Built in 1648, the Tongsa Dzong is a maze of narrow winding streets housing Buddhist Pagodas and offices. This multistoried structure was carved out of the mountainside, and is one of the architectural wonders of Bhutan.

The Tongsa Dzong was both a religious center and a defense against enemy armies. It has a brightly colored roof, very conspicuous against the earth tones of the hillsides. The traditional administrative affairs lie with the Tongsa Dzong, which chooses the member of the royal family who goes on to become the monarch of Bhutan.

The scenery for miles around is made up of magnificent mountain peaks and green valleys. Watch the clouds drifting below the Tongsa Dzong, in a surreal and out of the world experience. The place is ideal for meditation and quiet contemplation, as practiced by Buddhist Monks at the Tongsa Dzong for centuries. The Tongsa Dzong is a revered place of pilgrimage for the Bhutanese, who will undertake long, arduous treks to get to this holy city.

The Ta Dzong the watchtower located just above the Tongsa Dzong. It was the administrative headquarters of the Tongsa Dzong, and was used for keeping an eye on the surroundings.

Kurjey

Kurjey, or Kurjey Lakhang, is located in the town of Jakar in the Bumthang Valley. Kurjey is a complex of temples and caves built in 1652. The complex towers almost 9000 feet above sea level.

The Kurjey Lakhang has a white façade and red roofs, making it stand out against the brown hills in the background. The entire complex is surrounded with a white wall with 108 chortens. This wall was built in 1984 on the instructions of the Queen Mother. The complex has three monasteries, three chortens (memorials for the Royal Family members) and three temples, the oldest of which dates back to 1664. The Kurjey Lakhang is dedicated to the Rimpoche Lama, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan. The temple complex also has an imprint of the revered monk, who was said to have left the imprint on the rocks while deep in meditation.

The oldest temple in the Kurjey Lakhang has large statues of the Rimpoche Lama, and 1000 smaller statues carved out on the rocks. The devout monks can be seen quietly rotating their prayer wheels, or sitting crossed legged, deep in meditation. The beauty of the valley is ideal for mediation and deep thinking, as the clear mountain air, the deciduous forests and the vast valley puts one in a serene frame of mind. The clam and peace in the surrounding touches the soul, and lets the mind wander to the realms of dragons and Yaks, the partly divine mythical beings mentioned in Buddhist literature.

Sakteng

Sakteng is located 50 miles from Tashigang, in southern Bhutan's Bumthang Valley. The town lies very close to India's border. The drive from Tashigang to Sakteng entails a rough drive over difficult mountainous terrain, roads frequently cut off by boulders. However, the drive is worth it, as the journey will bring you to the most interesting places of the spectacular Bumthang valley. Sakteng is located in the mysterious wildernesses of Bhutan, the abode of the "Migoi" known as the "Yeti" in Nepal. Stepping into the little explored forests, supposedly teeming with mythical creatures and fairies, is an out of the world experience.

The population of Sakteng consists of indigenous tribes that are generally reticent and unwilling to interact with outsiders. The Sakteng people come to Tashigang to trade with the locals, and are noted for their unusual costumes and striking features.

The most popular tourist attraction of Sakteng is the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an unusual sanctuary, as it was created to preserve the "Migoi" the Bigfoot of the East. There has been no scientific confirmation of the existence of the Migoi, yet the locals will tell you many tales about the tall, shaggy creature walking on two legs. Apart from its phenomenal strength, the "Migoi" is also known for its magical powers, including the ability to become invisible and walking backwards in order to evade trackers!

The lush deciduous forests of Sakteng have never been fully explored, as locals do not venture too far into the jungles and the entry of foreigners is restricted. However this is a good place to start exploring the wildernesses of the Shangri la of the modern world.

Tour Attractions in Bhutan

Bhutan is a tourist's paradise owing to its unexplored mountains and forests, its little visited valleys and mysterious Buddhist temples and monasteries. Each region of Bhutan has different characteristics. The people are very religious, and the significance of religion in their lives can be gauged from the number of Bhutanese festivals celebrating religious themes.

Paro Valley lies in the central part of Bhutan. The city of Paro, the second largest in Bhutan (Thimpu is the largest), has the only airport in Bhutan. Paro is the ancient center of religion and governance in Bhutan. The Dzongs, or temple complexes, the monasteries and palaces of Paro seem as old as the surrounding Himalayas and pine forests. The serenity of the Valley, so shielded from the influences of the outside world, seems to have stopped time in its tracks.

The picturesque Bumthang Valley lies in the southeastern part of Bhutan. The Bumthang Valley, apart from its spectacular natural beauty, is noted for its many Dzongpas, or temple complexes, and palaces. Jakar is the main town in Bumthang Valley. It has narrow, small streets with shops selling everything from apple brandy to yak cheese and silver ornaments. Other places to visit in the mystical Bumthang Valley are the Kurjey Temple and the many monasteries dotting the place.

The Bhutanese people are devotedly religious, and this spirituality shines through in the major festivals of Bhutan. This does not mean that there are no occasions for people to be boisterous and enjoy themselves. The Tsechus Festival attracts many devotees and tourists. The less exuberant Dromcho festival is of great religious significance.

Paro Valley

Paro Valley lies in the central part of Bhutan. The city of Paro, the second largest in Bhutan (Thimpu is the largest), has the only airport in Bhutan. The Druk Air operates regular services from Paro to India, Nepal and Thailand.

Paro is the ancient center of religion and governance in Bhutan. The Dzongs, or temple complexes, the monasteries and palaces of Paro seem as old as the surrounding Himalayas and pine forests. The serenity of the Valley, so shielded from the influences of the outside world, seems to have stopped time in its tracks. The Rimpung Dzong, cut into the hillside, overlooks the Paro River snaking far down in the valley below. The old watchtower, Ta Dzong, stands guard on the slopes above the Rimpung Dzong. The Kyichu Lyakhang is an old temple just outside Paro. The Taktasang is an old pilgrimage center. The atmosphere of the Paro valley is of religious devotion. Paro is the site of the Kichu Resort, one of the best mountain resorts in Bhutan.

The Phobjika Glacier has been declared a protected area. The Glacier, high above the Himalayas, has preserved its serene atmosphere undeterred by the pollution that has taken its toll on many glaciers around the world. Near the Glacier is the Black Mountain National Park, home to rare black cranes and leopards.

The splendor of the Paro Valley lies in the undisturbed calm of the region, the craggy mountains and the peaceful people inhabiting this place.

Bumthang Valley

The picturesque Bumthang Valley lies in the southeastern part of Bhutan. The Bumthang Valley, apart from its spectacular natural beauty, is noted for its many Dzongpas, or temple complexes, and palaces. Jakar is the main town in Bumthang Valley. It has narrow, small streets with shops selling everything from apple brandy to yak cheese and silver ornaments.

The Kurjey Lakhang Complex, built in 1652, rules over the surroundings from a height of 9000 feet. It is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for the devout Buddhists of Bhutan. The Kurjey Complex houses numerous temple pagodas, monasteries and chortens, or Royal memorials.

The Wangdichholing Palace, built in 1857, is a simple structure with no grand embellishments or vast halls. The view of the Bumthang River from the Palace is magnificent, as it meanders far below in the valley. A water powered prayer wheel stands outside the Palace entrance.

The Bumthang Valley is dotted with large and small monasteries. The Tamshing Monastery is over 5 centuries old. It houses many stone image of the Guru Rimpoche. As you trek through the Valley, you will come across many water mills used by the locals to grind wheat. The unusual water mill at the Wangdichholing Palace is also used for turning a large prayer wheel.

And of course, the majestic mountains, the invigorating mountain air and the tall pine forests add to the charms of the paradise called Bumthang Valley.

Fairs and Festivals

The Bhutanese people are devotedly religious, and this spirituality shines through in the major festivals of Bhutan. This does not mean that there are no occasions for people to be boisterous and enjoy themselves. However the religious aspect is always kept in mind, according to the Buddhist tradition that makes one contemplate about the next life.

The Tshechus Festivals are celebrated in Thimpu, Paro and surrounding areas for several days. They are dedicated to Guru Rimpoche who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan. The sword dances, performed by masked dancers, are believed to ward off evil spirits. The dances are centuries old and are performed biannually. The entire town turns out in its finery to watch the dances and celebrated the end of the harvest season. The festival time is the boom time for tourism, as people from around the world flock to the festivals.

On the occasion of the Dromcho festival, religious dances are performed and a large tangkha, or shrines are decorated and people throng to pay their respects to the tangkha. The sanctum sanctorum of the tangkhas is closed to tourists, though visitors are allowed to watch the festival.

Tourists must remember that the dates of the festivals vary depending on the lunar phases. If you are visiting Bhutan just to see the festivals, please confirm the festival dates before hand.

                                                              Hotels in Bhutan

First time visitors to Bhutan are often taken by surprise at the good accommodation available in this tiny Himalayan kingdom. The architecture of the hotels is based on the traditional Bhutanese style of homes and temples, in line with government policy. The surroundings of the hotels are the most important point a traveler considers while choosing one. The Motithang Hotel in Thimphu lies in a premier residential neighborhood. It is the oldest hotel in Bhutan and has had head of states among its guests. The Hotel Druk lies in the heart of Thimphu, in the city center. It offers comfortable stay to its guests and modern amenities like sauna rooms, beauty salons and car rentals. The Kichu Resort in Paro is located 2 hours drive from Thimphu. Set amidst lovely woods, with a backdrop of misty mountain peaks and the Paro Chu River flowing quietly by. All the above hotels have been given the "best category" rating by the tourism department of Bhutan. All of them feature restaurants with multicuisine diners.

Motithang Hotel

Motithang is one of the premier hotels in Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. It was the first hotel in this tiny Himalayan nation. It commands a remarkable view of the city and the traditional Buddhist pagodas and homes. The Motithang has every comfort to offer the visitor.

Hotel Druk

The Druk Hotel at Thimphu is located in the heart of the city. It has comfortably furnished rooms with modern amenities. All rooms command a splendid view of the cloud covered Himalayan peaks. Set amidst lushly wooded environs, the Hotel Druk offers a comfortable stay to its guests.

Kichu Resort

The Kichu Resort is located in Paro, a picturesque town nestling in the Himalayas. The Resort is a perfect getaway for those looking to relax amidst mountains and spending time among the serene locals. The rooms of the Kichu Resort command a magnificent view of the nearby Himalayan ranges and wooded glades. The Hotel is very close to the City center and international airport.

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