THINGS TO DO in BHUTAN – A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO WHAT NOT TO MISS

Due to the $250 per person per day fee, many people only stay a few days in Bhutan. Choosing what to do and see in Bhutan can take time to get the best value for your money. This comprehensive guide to Bhutan shows you the best sites, broken down by districts and areas. This guide is excellent for both first-timers as well as returning visitors!

Unique Things to Do in Bhutan

The average backpacker spends four days in Bhutan. There needs to be more time to see all the highlights. However, if you’re looking to dive deeper into the trip of your life, this breakdown will give you a list of the top sites and best places to base yourself when visiting Bhutan.

Things to Do in Paro – Bhutan

Paro is the only international airport located in Bhutan. If you’re not coming from Nepal, India, or Overland, you’ll arrive in Paro.

Top sites to see if you have time for a whole day in the city

• National Museum
• The Paro Dzong
• The Drukgyel Dzong.

Paro is a great starting point for anyone exploring other parts of Bhutan. But there is one attraction that everyone should see when they visit Bhutan. It is usually done on the first or last day of their visit to Bhutan. Tiger’s Nest Monastery is the attraction.

This great site is worth a visit, even if you only have a few hours to spare.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery – (Taktsang Monastery)

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, known as Taktsang Monastery, is just outside Paro. It is one of the most visited places in Bhutan. It is one of Bhutan’s most sacred places and should not be missed.

Because so many people spend only four days in the country, this is very popular. It is also close to the airport and takes just a few hours to climb. The elevation gain is approximately 1000 meters.

The incredible thing about this trek is the view of the magnificent monastery perched on a cliff. If you search for Bhutan on Google, there is a good chance that Tiger’s Nest Monastery will be the first image. It is stunning. It is beautiful. The monastery still works today. Monks still live in the mountains.

Paro: Where to Stay

Le Meridian Paro Riverfront was a wonderful place to stay in Bhutan. After trekking up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, it was a great place to relax.

We enjoyed our 5-star hotel stay with luxurious rooms and a delicious buffet. The hotel also has a spa and a gym. The views from the river and mountains are spectacular. There are also beautiful spots to relax outside.

Please note that the lounge and main restaurant are closed Sundays. You can order room service or use the minibar.

What to Do in Bhutan – Thimphu

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is a great place to visit and do many things. This is the most popular stop on Bhutan Tour. As soon as we arrived in Bhutan, we drove straight to Thimphu. We left Paro at the Tiger’s Nest Monastery as our final stop.

Spending a few days in Thimphu is well worth seeing all the sights. Here are some highlights from our three days spent in Thimphu.

Buddha Dordenma

The Buddha Dordenma, a magnificent sight that overlooks Thimpu’s city center, is stunning. It was completed in 2015 and built to promote the country’s prosperity. It is 51m high and a popular pilgrimage site for locals.

Hide up to the top to get a better view of Buddha’s statue. You’ll be welcomed by the locals who use tents and camp behind Buddha.

Dechen Phrodrang Monastery

Dechen Phrodrang was originally the city’s Dzong. Dzongs were once fortresses high up in the Himalayan mountains between Bhutan and Tibet. These buildings were converted into administrative buildings, which now house the administrative centers for Bhutan. Dechen Phrodrang Monastery used to be the administrative center of Bhutan. Today, it is a monastic school.

We learned that many poor people attend monasteries to study, as they have their education, food, and clothing covered. Many of the boys who stay in the system become teachers.

The boys are friendly and enjoy having their pictures taken.

Changlimithang Stadium and Archery Ground

Bhutan’s national sport is archery. We split with our group to see the sights and had a blast exploring our city.

We had to see archery, so we made it a point to visit the National Stadium. We missed one of the competitions at the stadium, but we still managed to catch a group practicing.

They are amazing. It was difficult enough to see the bullseye from our seats, let alone hit the target from hundreds of meters away. They can practice without charging, but you should maintain their concentration.

National Memorial Chorten

The National Memorial is a popular stop on the Bhutan tour bus route. We could see many people walking around the stupa while we were there. During our visit, it seemed like waves of tourists were coming in and out of the chorten.

Built-in 1974, the temple was completed. Because it was built in honor of the King of Bhutan, the Chorten is very popular in Bhutan. We also met the King Of Bhutan.

Tashicho-Dzong

Many dzongs can be found around Thimphu. The Tashicho Dzong, the main administrative building, is the most popular. It is vast, and monks can be seen roaming the grounds.

You can also watch the changing guards from this location. Unfortunately, we could not watch the changing of guards because I was snuggling up with a cat and suffered a severe allergic reaction.

My guide suggested I go to a hospital because my eye was swelling. We had only 20 minutes to wait for the changing of the guard, but we decided to return to the hotel to get some Benedryl.

You can also visit a paper factory and a textile museum in Bhutan. These are supposed to be very interesting. Dave and I could not get along with other journalists, so we decided to go on our own and explore Thimphu’s more adventurous side. We went to the monasteries and archery while they took the bus.

You are not obligated to follow the crowd when you’re on tour. While group tours can help guide you, you still have the freedom to explore the area on your own.

Where to Eat in Thimphu

Simply Bhutan

Simply Bhutan is a great place to stop in Thimphu for lunch or to see Bhutan. This is a place to eat in Thimphu and a museum where you can get a taste of Arag, the local spirit—a creamy shade made from rice, wheat, or maize. You can also try archery and see the phallic gardens.

Seasons Restaurant

It feels like a small town. You can order pizzas or pasta. Others tried the (either yak or ox – I don’t remember which one) burgers, which were delicious.

Where to stay in Thimphu

The Le Meridien Thimphu was our hotel. It was an SPG hotel, and it was centrally located. Many of the most popular restaurants were easily accessible from our hotel. The hotel has a spa, lounge, restaurant, and swimming pool. Breakfast was a delicious buffet, and the room was well-equipped with modern amenities. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was an unforgettable experience.

Things To Do In Punakha, Bhutan

The district of Phunaka is the next stop after Thimphu. Phunaka was once Bhutan’s capital until it was relocated to Thimphu in 1955. It is located in the Phunaka valley, where the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers meet. Punakha has many activities, and you can see the beginning of Punakha from your first viewpoint.

Dochula Pass

Tour buses traveling between Thimpu and Punakha often stop at Dochula Pass. The valley is dominated by 108 Chortens (shrines), located at 3100m in the mountains. Explore the surrounding paths and monasteries for different views.

A nearby botanical park, a tea shop, souvenirs, and a snack area are all available. There’s also a temple. While most people stay short here, we made two stops and couldn’t stop. You can see the mountains from the valley if the weather is clear.

Phunaka Dzong

Phunaka Dzong, the most well-known Dzong in Bhutan, is Phunaka Dzong. Dzongs were once fortresses in Bhutan that were later converted into administrative buildings. These were often large complexes that had interior courtyards and exterior walls.

They are administrative offices but also serve as monks’ accommodation. You may have the chance to interact with monks when you visit a Dzong.

The Phunaka Dzong, Bhutan’s second oldest, was built in 1637. It is also the country’s most magnificent Dzong. In 2011, the King had his wedding here. It is now the administrative center of the Phuaka District. Visitors are welcome to visit.

The tone for entering the Dzong is set by crossing the river on the wooden bridge. You are going to do something special. You can still see monks walking the grounds, and you can share your walk with them as they go about their day.

All rooms of the Dzong, including the temple and courtyards, are open to the public. The square contains a large Bodhi Tree, a sacred and ancient fig tree. It is a peaceful setting for admiring the fantastic structure.

Enjoy the serenity and energy of the Dzong by taking your time. Spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying the peace.