The Best things to do in Bhutan
Whether you’re planning on spending a week or a month in Bhutan you’ll not be short of things to do. It may be small, but the Thunder Dragon Kingdom, is packed with no end of possibilities whether you want to tour the cultural sights, explore the towns, discover the countryside or head to the Himalaya on an adventurous trek.
Based on our many years of travelling in Bhutan, here are our recommendations of the best things to do in Bhutan.
Hike to Taktsang Monastery - the Tiger's Nest
For every first time visitor a walk to the entrance of fabled Tiger’s Nest Monastery should be top of their must do list. Impressive enough when viewed from the valley floor, the close-up views of gravity defying Taktsang are even more spectacular and endlessly photogenic. It takes around three hours to reach the entrance but there is a handily placed tea house with great views en route to break the steep climb. Alternatively, you can approach the Monastery from above on a little used trail known as the Bumdra Trek (see ‘Take a short trek’ below).
Enjoy a gentle walk in the valleys
Wide, verdant valleys carved by glacial action, are one of the most beautiful hallmarks of the Bhutanese landscape. Haa, Paro, Punakha and Gantey are amongst the most accessible and all offer the opportunity for some delightfully gentle walking all year round. Valley walks will reveal village life, characteristic chalet-style houses, fertile terraces and fields, interesting flora and fauna and many fascinating chortens and small monasteries. You will be welcomed with a wave and smile by the friendly locals and maybe even offered a potent glass of homebrewed ara. You have been warned! We offer two gentle walking holidays in Bhutan that include ample time to explore the valleys and countryside as well as visiting the key cultural sights and attending a festival - Gentle Walking Bhutan and Temple Trails & Homestays in Bhutan
Take in the Views
Bhutan's lush, forested hills, and high Himalayan peaks provide some immensely photogenic vistas but you don't need to do an arduous climb to reach some of the best viewpoints. The giant statue of Buddha, sitting high above Thimphu, is a great vantage point looking out across the town of Thimphu and surrounding countryside. Not only are the views worth the visit, but the impressive 50 metre high, golden Buddha statue. is a must-see sight in its own right. The Dochu La Pass, 3,100m, situated on the road between Thimphu and Punakha is another superb viewpoint that features in many or our small group itineraries. The pass is famously marked by 108 chortens and, on a clear day, you can see across to the Himalayan peaks on the northern border with Tibet. Fabulous, far-reaching views of the Himalaya can also be enjoyed from the Chele La Pass on the road from Paro to Haa. At almost 4,000m it's the highest driveable pass in the kingdom.
Search for a Yeti
If you thought that the yeti was just a mythical best then you really should visit Bhutan. Many locals living in the remote, mountainous north tell tales of yeti sightings (or Migoi as it is called in Bhutan) and there’s even an official yeti reserve in eastern Bhutan. Although rather camera shy, you’ll know there’s a yeti nearby as they’re said to smell horrible, whistle loudly and walk backwards! Our MD, Steve Berry, is one of the UK’s foremost yeti hunters and has seen large, unexplained footprints in the snow whilst trekking near Gangkar Punsum on several occasions. You too can search for a yeti on our Rodang La Trek.
Visit a Dzong
A combination of fortress, monastery and administrative centre, dzongs are a unique feature of Bhutan and a visit to at least one dzong is definitely one of the best things to do in Bhutan. Architecturally distinct they often dominate the skyline with their towering whitewashed walls, intricately carved windows and facades and ornate ochre and gold roofs. The massive walls and wooden doors surround courtyards and complexes of offices, accommodation and temples that often hold important religious and historic artefacts. Amongst the most renowned dzongs are those in Paro and Thimphu as well as the beautiful riverside dzong at Punakha. Taschiccho Dzong is one of Thimphu’s main cultural attraction and the ceremonial centre of the country. This imposing monastery/fortress has both sacred and administrative functions and is still the seat of government as well as the official residence of the King. The splendid courtyard (dochey) isn’t to be missed or the assembly hall with its painted ceiling and original thrones.
Trek in the High Himalaya
Along the northern border of Bhutan lie the Himalaya with mountains rising to over 7,500m tall. Gangkar Punsum, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are just some of Bhutan’s most celebrated peaks and it’s possible to trek in the shadow of these on several superb trekking routes. If you only have a couple of weeks to spare, the base camp of Mount Chomolhari is a very achievable objective, if you have three weeks leave to use then you can trek all the way to the remote and culturally distinct villages of Lingshi Laya or, if you can find five weeks then the epic Lunana Snowman Trek should be right at the top of your trekking wish list.
Dress up in a Gho or Kira
Wherever you go in Bhutan you’ll see the locals wearing their distinctive national dress - a gho for the men or a kira for the ladies. By law, all men who work in a government office or school must wear a gho as well as on formal occasions. Often made from intricate, handwoven fabrics to traditional patterns, a gho or kira make a great souvenir to bring home from your travels. The artisan textile shops of Thimphu are amongst the best places to find ghos and kiras to try on or buy, and a visit to the excellent National Textile Museum will show you the fabrics being made using age old techniques. For an in-depth exploration of the textile traditions of Bhutan take a look at our Weavers' Trail holiday led by renowned expert in all things textile - Sue Lawty.
Gain Spiritual Merit at a Festival
If you treat yourself to a stylish gho or kira, there’s no better place to show it off then a Bhutanese Festival (or tsechu). These joyful occasions are full of dancing, music and socialising and you can even gain spiritual cleansing by watching the colourful masked dances that enact Buddhist stories and legends. The two most significant festivals are the Paro and Thimphu tsechus which attract vast crowds of locals and tourists. For a more intimate experience, visit one of the smaller village or community festivals such as the Dechenphu Tsechu or Trongsa Tsechu. Other festivals, such as the Black-necked Crane Festival or the Chomolhari Mountain Festival have been more recently established to celebrate aspects of nature and local community that are most important to the Bhutanese people.
Take a Short Trek
You don’t have to go into the high Himalaya to enjoy a trekking holiday in Bhutan or camp out for nights on end. In fact you can spend as little as one night under canvas on the trail. On our Temple Trails & Homestays holiday you have an overnight trek crossing the Saga La Pass, staying in a super comfy fixed campsite. Whilst on our Hidden Valleys of Bhutan Trek you complete the Bumdra Trek which climbs from the valley floor at Paro to reach a scenic campsite beneath a monastery before taking a lesser-trodden path down to the famous Taktsang Monastery - a really unique way to visit the Tiger's Nest. The Paro Valley is also the starting point for the classic Druk Path trek which takes an ancient mountain trail to Thimphu over five days.
Try some Local Delicacies
Ema datsi – a curiously spicy mix of chilli and cheese – is the national dish of Bhutan. The locals love it but beware the power of the chillies which can be rather hot! If the heat proves too much for you try washing it down with a glass of locally brewed ara – a potent, fermented ‘rice wine’. Other popular foods in Bhutan include momos – dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables, phakshaa paa – pork and red chilli stew, and healthy red rice grown for centuries in the Paro Valley. The weekend market at Thimphu is a great place to visit if you want to discover some of Bhutan’s more unusual produce. The market runs along both sides of the Wang Chhu river and has numerous food stalls on one bank and a smaller selection of handicraft stalls on the other. Popular produce on sale includes tea bricks, chillies, red rice, and jackfruit as well as strings of datsi.
Stay in a Homestay
Bhutan has an impressive array of hotel accommodation from comfortable, characterful lodges to elegant, luxury resorts. But to really gain an insight into the people, traditions and beliefs of this enigmatic kingdom, spend a night or two in a village homestay. Increasingly, Bhutanese families are opening up their homes and farms and sharing their lives with curious visitors. You will be able to eat meals with your host family, play games with the children and maybe even enjoy a cookery lesson or a game of archery. We now include a few nights in homestays on a selection of our small group holidays such as Temple Trails & Homestays in Bhutan, Hidden Valleys and our Cultural Cycling Tour of Bhutan. Homestays can also be included in any tailor made holiday. All of the farmhouse homestays we use have been inspected and officially approved by the Bhutanese Tourism Council.
Discover the quirky side of Bhutan in Thimphu
Back in 2016, Prince William and HRH Catherine, visited Thimphu during their whistle-stop tour of Bhutan. Not only is it a town fit for royalty, it's also a place with a lot of fun things to do and see including some rather quirky sights. The only city in the world with no traffic lights, the white-gloved police keep the traffic moving with a unique style akin to a robot crossed with a ballet dancer! They are pure entertainment and much beloved by the locals, which is why the scheme to replace them with lights was thrown out! Whilst in Thimphu, drop into its post office where you can buy personalised postage stamps - a really unusual souvenir. Another quirky sight near Thimphu is the takin. This strange looking creature - part cow, part gnu - is the national animal of Bhutan and can be found in the zoo just outside of the city. Finally, drop into Thimphu's Changlimithang Stadium and Archery Ground where there might be a competition in full swing. Archery is Bhutan’s national sport and is always an entertaining spectacle. Unlike our more sedate version of the sport, traditional Bhutanese archery involves good-natured ‘sledging’ of the opposition as well as celebratory singing and dancing.
If you’d love to discover the Thunder Dragon Kingdom for yourself, take a look at our group treks, tours and walking holidays in Bhutan. Or visit our Tailor Made holidays to Bhutan for more ideas and suggested itineraries.
Mountain Kingdoms MD and owner, Steve Berry, was a significant contributor to this blog article. Steve and has been travelling, trekking, climbing and exploring in Bhutan for over 50 years. He first ventured there in the 1980s as part of a British mountaineering expedition team who were aiming to conquer Bhutan's highest peak, Gangkar Punsum; he wrote a book about his experience. Steve set up Mountain Kingdoms in 1987, and the company were one of the first to organise treks to the country. Steve has trekked the length and breadth of the country and has advised and appeared in several television documentaries about the Thunder Dragon Kingdom including a search for the elusive Himalayan yeti!