6 Places you must include in your Bhutan Vacation Packages!

Closed off to the rest of the world for the most part of the century, Bhutan recently opened its doors to tourists and travelers from the rest of the world. Even now, tourists coming from countries other than Bangladesh, India, and the Maldives, are heavily scrutinized as the country is still quite exclusive and lets in only a certain number of tourists per year.

Getting Bhutan vacation packages is quite difficult, and you have to wait for quite some time before you can get your visa approved. Famously dubbed as the Last Shangri La, Bhutan is one of the most amazing travel destinations on earth, where you would find only happiness and eternal beauty. Bhutan is also the last kingdom on the Himalayan Range and therefore offers some of the most amazing views of snowcapped mountains and lush green forests.

A vacation to this magical utopia will take you back in time and let you explore some breathtakingly beautiful places. Almost 70% of the country is covered in forests, and most of the mountains are basically untouched.

Read Also: 11 Things You Must Know Before Going On Bhutan Vacations

Bhutan is the only country in the world that is carbon negative. A huge amount of credit for this feat goes to the government of Bhutan, which doesn’t put economic growth over the greater good of its people. In fact, Bhutan has a tradition of grounding its political decision on a Gross National Happiness (GNH) index.

A rich Buddhist culture, quaint little villages, majestic Himalayan peaks, amazing trekking trails, some of the most picturesque monasteries, and a whole lot of happy faces make Bhutan vacation packages a must-see location for everyone at least once in a lifetime.

Leisure travel guides bring you the best and most amazing attractions from the happiest country in the world that you must include in your Bhutan Vacation Packages!

1. Thimphu

Thimphu is the Capital city of Bhutan, also its largest city. Thimphu sits along the Wang Chuu River and is quietly nestled in the Himalayan Mountains. It is the perfect place to start your Bhutan expedition and offers a great cultural experience to tourists. You can experience the architecture, traditions, and delectable (mostly vegetarian) cuisine on your Bhutan vacation packages. Thimphu is not like most other capital cities you may have visited. The locals live a quiet and peaceful life with only some modern amenities. You won’t find any nightclubs or bustling shopping malls in the city. However, there are some amazing restaurants where you can try authentic Bhutanese dishes.

Some essential places to visit in Thimphu on your Bhutan vacation packages are Clock Tower Square, Tashichho Dzong, Dechen Phodrang Monastery, The folk heritage museum, and the National Library of Bhutan.

Related: Your To- Do List For Your Bhutan Vacation

2. Buddha Dordenma Statue

The Budhha Dordenma Statue is one of the largest statues of Budhha in the world. It is located near the Thimpu valley in the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. The statue was built in honor of the fourth Bhutanese King’s 60th anniversary. However, the statue also fulfills a prophecy that was made by Yogis and Gurus centuries ago. As per the local people, the prophecy stated that a magnificent statue of Buddha would sit at this location, bestowing blessings upon the whole world. It is definitely one of the most vital things to include in your Bhutan vacation packages.

The statue itself is 169 feet in height and consists of 1, 25,000 mini sculptures of Buddha in its chest. The nature park surrounding the statue is spread over 943 acres and offers a quiet and peaceful environment for devotees and tourists to relax and meditate in.

3. Paro

If you plan to commence your Bhutan vacation packages by getting here through an aIrplane, Paro is the first city in Bhutan that you’ll visit, as it contains the only airport in the city. The airstrip where planes land in Bhutan is quite amazing itself, as it is quite short, and mostly chartered planes land here. During your flight to Bhutan, you’ll get to see some of the most breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and on a good day, you might even catch a glimpse of the mighty Mount Everest from your window.

The city of Paro is the most popular city in Bhutan among tourists and is one of the most historical ones as well. The city has a complex of small houses, restaurants, and other buildings made in traditional Bhutanese architecture. The city of Paro is situated along the Paro river in the Paro valley and is home to one of the most amazing monasteries in the world, known as the Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest. Make sure to take a day out of your Bhutan vacation packages to explore the unworldly charm of the city, which is best explored by taking a stroll through the city.

Also Read: Festivals Of Bhutan To Look Out This Year 2020

4. Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery

The Taktsang Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, built-in 1692. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in-country, and almost all Bhutan vacation packages you can find online will include a visit to this holy temple. The monastery is also known as the Tiger’s Nest temple. It is believed that in the 8th century Guru Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to the world, rode on a tiger’s back to the cave where the temple is now situated. He then proceeded to meditate the cave for three years, three months, three days, and 3 hours to eradicate the cave from the evil powers the resided within.

Today the monastery sits on a cliff 900meters above the ground with four monasteries for people to pray at, along with residential complexes for monks. In order to reach the sacred temple, tourists and devotees have to take a hike over the rocky paths. However, the hike very difficult and can be done by most people. No Bhutan vacation package is complete with a visit to the holy monastery.

5. Punakha

Previously the political center of the country, Punakha is the preceding capital of Bhutan. It is situated in the Punakha valley and is one of the most beautiful and charming cities in the whole of Bhutan. The city is home to the Punakha Dzong, which is a sacred fortress built in the 17th century. The Punakha Dzong is described by the locals as “the palace of great happiness and bliss.” It is one of the most iconic structures in the country, and up until 1955, it served as the administrative center of Bhutan. The dzong still serves as a municipal center for the country, housing many sacred relics, such as the remains of the Zhabdrung Rinpoche.

The town of Punakha sits peacefully in the Himalayan range, along the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. The town hosts traditional Bhutanese masked dances and musical performances during the Punakha Tshechu festival. The town is surrounded by charming flowers, agricultural fields in the form of terrace farming. It is a must-visit attraction for any traveler for their Bhutan vacation packages.

6. Trongsa

Trongsa is a town in central Bhutan, which is famous for its lush green surroundings, scenic beauty, panoramic views of the hills nearby, and charming houses. The town is often called the ‘Balcony of Bhutan’ because of its topology and monastery perched on the side of the hills. The town is rich in flowers which spread throughout its nearby regions and are complemented perfectly by the traditional white-washed buildings. One of the most popular tourist attractions in this town is the Trongsa dzong, which is one of the oldest dzongs in the country built in 1648 and resembles a flying dragon. The town is just 3 hours away from the capital city Thimphu and 6 hours away from the international airport in Paro. It is an all year round destination with pleasant weather except for the months of monsoon when traveling can get a bit difficult due to heavy rains.

During your excursions through Bhutan Vacation packages, you may indulge in many activities such as kayaking, river rafting, mountain biking, trekking, rock climbing, archery, hiking to some of the most beautiful trails. Other amazing places that you may include in your Bhutan vacation packages include Phobjika Valley, Wangue Phodrang, Chele La Pass, Jhomolhari, and Jigme Dorji National park. Bhutan vacation packages will bring you up close and personal with some of the most amazing sights that you will ever see in your lifetime. The amazing culture, landscape, history, cuisine, weather, and warm locals make Bhutan a must-see destination for every type of traveler out there.