A small Himalayan kingdom nestled in the Eastern Himalayas between India and China, Bhutan is a mystical and untouched paradise steeped in ancient traditions and stunning natural beauty.
Also known as the Land of Thunder Dragons, Bhutan is often appreciated for its rich cultural heritage as well as a unique approach towards sustainability and happiness.
Traveling to Bhutan is often a reflective and transformative experience as this ‘Land of Last Shangri-La’ has something for everyone, regardless of whether you are a nature lover, adventure enthusiast, or someone seeking peace and solitude.
Therefore, in this blog, we have covered 10 reasons why you should travel to Bhutan. By the end of this blog, you will most likely find yourself booking tickets to your next favorite travel destination- Bhutan!
Spectacular Himalayan Landscape and Nature
The main reason why you should travel to Bhutan has to be the pristine natural beauty that the country offers. The diversity here is simply amazing as you can find everything from snowcapped mountains to lush valleys.
The geography of Bhutan ranges from the towering high altitude mountain peaks to fertile plain lands and everything in between, which creates a nice variety of ecosystems in the country.
About 70% of Bhutan is covered by lush forests which makes it one of the most protected nations when it comes to the environment. That is the reason why the natural beauty here is awe inspiring.
You will find many cascading waterfalls, serene lakes, roaring rivers, and these landscapes will cater to any sort of thrilling adventure activity including trekking, birdwatching, or simply meditating by the side of a hill.
Rich Buddhist Culture and Heritage
Bhutan is often recognized as one of the last strongholds of Mahayana Buddhism and this culture has become deeply woven into the lifestyle of people as the cultural fabric of the nation.
Every small to big element of the way of life in Bhutan radiates the learnings from Mahayana Buddhism, be it the intricate architecture of its monasteries to the daily lives of its people.
You can visit many monasteries in Bhutan like the Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) perched on a cliff or the elegant Punakha Dzong or even the Buddha Dordenma statue with all having unique cultural significance.
These monasteries, while being places for architectural beauty, also offer a tranquil environment for visitors to sit and engage in meditation or other mindfulness practices.
Spirituality in Bhutan is not merely confined within the walls of the monasteries, in fact there is spirituality in every corner here. Buddhism in Bhutan is an integral part of things like prayer flags fluttering on mountain passes to the spinning of prayer wheels at every corner.
This can be a great example for travelers to witness a unique blend of tradition, faith, and modernity. Visitors can also reflect and learn about Buddhism and leave with a spiritual essence.
Vibrant and Unique Festivals
The festivals in Bhutan, locally known as Tshechus are some of the most colorful, vibrant, and culturally rich events that you will come across not just in Asia, but across entire world.
The festivals in Bhutan are a unique blend of rituals, customs, traditional dance (Cham dances), music, costumes, masks, and other fun games. These celebrations are done to cleanse the participants of their sins and bring them blessings.
Most of these festivals honor the teachings and beliefs of Buddhism and they also commemorate the life and teachings of Guru Padmasambhava, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan.
Besides being religiously significant, these festivals also act as a glue to keep the community bound together in Bhutan where locals don their finest traditional attire and get together to exchange joy and celebrate.
Some of the most famous festivals in Bhutan include Paro Tshechu Festival, Punakha Tsechu, Trongsa Lhuntse Tshechu, Bumthang Tangbi, Matsutake Mushroom Festival and more.
Serene Spiritual Retreat
Along with being a treat in terms of natural beauty and cultural heritage, Bhutan also is a spiritual sanctuary where you get to see the unique blend of ancient traditions and modern mindfulness.
Given the deep-rooted nature of Buddhism in Bhutan, meditation is a common practice and rather a way of life here. You will find many monasteries and meditation centers that will teach you meditation techniques from the experienced monks themselves.
Also, the serene environment of Bhutan, which is often nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes, provides the perfect setting for meditation, introspection, and spiritual growth.
Even wellness and yoga treats have become quite popular in Bhutan in the recent years where they combine the traditional healing practices of Bhutan with other modern techniques.
Visiting Bhutan and participating in these yoga classes, traditional Bhutanese therapies, and guided meditation classes can give you a relaxing break from the daily hustle and bustle of life.
By embracing the spiritual traditions of Bhutan, you can also embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner peace and by the time you leave the country, you will have completely transformed from within, in a good way.
Sustainable Tourism Model
Bhutan is often considered a pioneer in sustainable tourism due to its ‘high value, low impact’ tourism model which ensures that the country encourages tourism while also making sure that it remains unspoiled for future generations.
Environmental conservation and protection of cultural heritages is a priority in Bhutan over the profits that are generated by the hospitality business which allows the locals as well as tourists to cherish the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this Kingdom.
This is achieved by imposing a daily sustainable development fee (SDF) on the visitors which is then used to fund education, healthcare, and environmental conservation projects in the country.
The standard SDF is USD 100 per night and it allows Bhutan to progress while also controlling the number of visitors in the country. Also, the number of people visited annually is capped by Bhutan too.
This ensures that you escape the problems related to overcrowding and you can have an exclusive travel experience without pollution and cultural dilution. So it is a win win for visitors as well as locals.
Also, Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that is carbon-negative, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces due to the large number of forests and use of renewable resources in the kingdom.
Iconic Trekking Trails
Just like the iconic trekking trails in Nepal, Bhutan is also a dream destination for trekkers as it is home to some unique and iconic trekking trails which allows you to have an experience of a lifetime.
You will find pristine environment, untouched trekking trails, and breathtaking Himalayan views which makes these trekking routes a serene delight. Bhutan also has all kinds of options for trekkers with different levels of trekking experiences.
Jomolhari Trek is one of the most popular treks of Bhutan as this trek takes you on a journey of 8 to 10 days over which you will be crossing diverse landscapes, including lush forests, high-altitude meadows, and remote villages.
This moderate to challenging trek concludes by giving you stunning views of Mount Jomolhari (7,326 meters), which is often known as the ‘Bride of Kanchenjunga’.
Another popular trekking trail in Bhutan is the iconic Snowman Trek which is regarded as one of the most difficult trekking routes of the Himalayas and in the world.
This trek takes you to some of the most remote, inaccessible, and high altitude regions of Bhutan, mostly going over the mark of 5,000 meters when it comes to altitude.
Spanning over more than 3 weeks, this trek is extremely challenging and requires a great level of physical fitness which makes it a bucket list adventure for hardcore trekking enthusiasts.
For beginners, you can go for the Druk Path Trek, Degala Thousand Lakes Trek, or the Bumthang Owl Trek. The Druk Path Trek is a shorter trek that connects the towns of Paro and Thimpu and gives some of the most picturesque views.
The Degala Thousand Lakes Trek is a famous lake trek of Bhutan that takes you to numerous alpine lakes accompanied by the stunning views of Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga.
The easiest on the list is the Bumthang Owl Trek which is a cultural trek which takes you through the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, dotted with monasteries, ancient forests, and panoramic views of the Himalayas over 2 to 3 days.
Architectural Beauty
Bhutanese architecture is one of the major reasons why you should visit Bhutan as the architecture here is definitely aesthetically pleasing, but it is a lot more than just that.
It is a living testament to the country’s dedication to preserving its heritage. Every building and every monastery in Bhutan tell a story of resilience, faith, and harmony with nature and offers a glimpse into the soul of Bhutan.
The architecture in Bhutan is strongly rooted in its traditions, and even many modern buildings are made using ancient techniques. Structures here generally have vibrant paintings, carvings, and motifs of Buddhist deities, mythical creatures, and auspicious symbols.
This can be seen especially in the Dzongs, the fortress monasteries of Bhutan, which are the crown jewels of the architectural heritage of Bhutan. They are mainly places of worships.
However, they are also used as administrative centers and monastic schools. You will find that each Dzong has a unique design which represents some part of the history of Bhutan.
Punakha Dzong, known as the palace of happiness, is one of the most iconic structures in Bhutan and it is famous for the stunning wooden bridge, vibrant murals, and beautifully maintained courtyards.
Another important monastery, Paro Taktsang (locally known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’) is built into the side of a mountain and features four main temples, dwellings, stairways, and corridors, and is decorated with murals, woodwork, and religious artifacts.
Unique Wildlife and Biodiversity
Bhutan is a biodiversity of hotspot as the country boasts a wide range of flora, fauna, and birds, including some of the rare species of wildlife which makes it an exotic location to visit.
On the high-altitude trekking trails of Bhutan, you can spot some elusive species like the red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan serow (thar), as well as the black necked crane.
You can also explore the many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Bhutan like the Jigme Dorji National Park, Royal Manas National Park, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, and more.
Delicious Bhutanese Cuisine
For food lovers, Bhutanese cuisine is a unique delight which is a blend of different flavors influenced by the Tibetan as well as the Indian and Nepali culinary traditions.
The food items in Bhutan are rather flavorful, spicy, bold, and still warming and hearty. Let’s just say that Bhutanese people love their chilies and cheese a little too much.
Some famous dishes of Bhutan are Emma Datshi, which is chili and cheese; Keva Datshi, Potato and Bhutanese Cheese, and Shamu Datshi, which is something with mushrooms.
Siakam, Ima, Datshi, and Bhutanese are dried meat. Siakam Pa is an excellent Bhutanese dish of dried meat cooked with dried chilies and sometimes a piece of radish.
Paksha Pa, a piece of pork, is fried with dried red chilies and sometimes some mountain vegetables. Jasha Maru is a Bhutanese chicken stew, sometimes called a chicken curry.
Jumma is an ordinary Bhutanese sausage made with minced meat, rice, and some light spices, all filled into an intestine wrapper. Suja is the Bhutanese term for butter tea, which is rather popular in Bhutan tea culture. Make sure to try these.
The Gross National Happiness Philosophy of Bhutan
One final reason why you must travel to Bhutan has to be the unique gross national happiness philosophy of Bhutan which has left the entire world surprised and inspired.
The kingdom prioritizes the health and wellbeing of the citizens over the material wealth which has made Bhutan one of the happiest countries in the world back-to-back.
This happy environment resonated with all the visitors as you will experience a rather slow pace of life where people prioritize happiness and contentment. This also makes the locals much more warm, hospitable, and welcoming.
