Your To- Do List For Your Bhutan Vacation

Day 1: Hidden Jewels

Unravel unseen Bhutan by visiting the hidden jewels to avoid the juggernaut. The best place to visit is the Haa valley where you can see the national flower blue poppy blooming in mid-June to late July. You can hike along the valley to explore the flora here. You can also observe white poppy and rhododendron.

Kila Nunnery in Paro is a school where 50 nuns are pursuing higher studies in Buddhism. This nunnery is situated 3350mt above sea level and you can visit the place and get an insight into the discipline and the beauty of Buddhism. The best time to visit here is from March to May and September to November.

If you love collecting stamps you can visit the Philatelic Bureau, Thimphu. Its a post office and you can find rare stamps here that may add value to your existing collection or just invoke the collector in you. 

Phobjikha Valley is another hidden jewel, where you can find the endangered species of Deer like The Sambar Deer and the 

Barking Deer. You may also notice Himalayan Black Bear, leopards and Red foxes here. It is amazing to visit here if you are a wildlife photographer. It is located at the height of 3000mt and the best time to visit here is October to November.

Lheunste was home to many royal families and the handloom of this place is still very scared and the sites located here still hold cultural and historical value. You can visit here from November to April.

National Handloom Development Project in Trashigang is a site where more than 400 villagers display the handwoven fabrics printed with the natural dyes. You can select from 300 varieties of fabrics and can also learn the techniques from the villagers. 

Samtse is a district in Bhutan where you can see the touch of Hinduism and is very different from the rest of Bhutan. Spend a day in this village and you can see a mix of Nepalese and Hindu culture.

Day 2: Hiking

It is a great recreational activity and you can unwind yourself while getting lost in the beauty of hills here. There are many major hiking points here and you can select according to the time and energy you have. Bhutan is home to many rich mountain peaks and you can always find a peak for yourself. The major hiking points that you can select from are:

• Druk Path Trek
• Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek
• Jomolhari Loop
• Jomolhari Trek
• Snowman Trek
• Nabji Korphu Trek
• Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek
• Gangtey Trek
• Punakha Winter Trek 
• Bumthang Cultural Trek 

Day 3: Monasteries

Bhutan is home to many monasteries, temples, and Dozangs. For a spiritual day out you can plan a visit to any of the following monasteries to learn about the Bhutanese culture. The beauty of Buddhism and the power of it is showcased here. Buddhism has many aspects one of them is the tantric side of it. You can even spend months in monasteries and pray for your inner self. The famous monasteries here are:

Paro Valley holds many ancient and famous monasteries like Taktsang Monastery,  Kyichu Lhakhang Monastery, and Rinpung Dzong Monastery.

Thimphu which is the capital of Bhutan has 2 main monasteries that you can visit:  Cheri Monastery and Tango Monastery.

Phunaka Dzong is one of the largest Dzongs in Bhutan and is situated by the Pho Chhu riverside. It holds great historical value and is a must-visit when you explore the Phunaka district. To know more about Phunaka you can refer to the article 'Amazing things you can do in Punakha'.

Day 4: Cafes

Taste the authentic food and scenic beauty of the valley at these cafes, where you can find many explorers and travelers like you. You can sip in some hot beverage or your favorite drinks alongside some scrumptious and delicious authentic food. The cafes to explore are:

• Palden Roastery in Paro valley serves amazing organic coffee and tastes greatness with every sip.
• Art Cafe has delicious cakes in Thimpu and is a must-try when you visit the capital.
• Upstairs Restaurant in Thimpu makes your morning coffee an amazing one. You can enjoy the sunrise or sunset of the mountains from this place.
• Champaca Cafe in Paro valley is a heaven for Tea lovers as they offer a wide variety of sip worthy teas.

Day 5: National Parks

Bhutan has great flora and fauna and is home to many species. Around 3000 varieties of medicinal plants can be found in one national park itself. You can visit the national parks merely for some leisure time or bird watching. If you are a photography enthusiast than the national parks of Bhutan won't disappoint you.  The national parks worth visiting here are:

• The Jigme Dorji National Park
• Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
• Royal Manas National Park
• Phrumsengla National Park

Day 6: Festivals

Your visit to any country is incomplete without experiencing the festivals there. Bhutan is a culture rich country where the people celebrate trekking, harvesting and many other aspects of life. In the article ' Festivals of Bhutan to look out for this year' all the major festivals have been explained in brief. You can learn about the culture, dresses, and values of Bhutanese people in these festivals. However below are the celebrations that you should not miss out on. 

• Thimphu Tshechu
• Paro Tshechu
• Jambay Lhakhang Drup
• Punakha Drubchen
• Haa Summer Festival

Day 7: Adventure activities

The major activities in Bhutan are trekking, hiking, and rafting. The rafting, however, is very prominent in Phunaka where the two sacred rivers Pho Chu and Mo Chu. You can have the adrenaline rush while you raft in 16km and 10 km stretch respectively and spot the suspension bridge above you.

Day 8: Shopping

Take back some souvenirs and handicrafts of Bhutan to keep the memories of your vacation with you forever or take back some gifts from the land of thunder dragons. The best places to shop are:

• Norzin Lam Street
• Authentic Bhutanese Craft
• Lama Tshering Dorji General Shop
• Lunga Handicraft
• DSB Books
• Choki Handicrafts