Bhutan
The Last Shangri-La
About Bhutan
Bhutan measures national policy by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP. The result is a country that has kept television until 1999, banned plastic bags before most nations had considered it, and where forests must legally cover 60% of land forever. Tiger's Nest monastery clings to a cliff 900 m above the valley floor. It earns its reputation.
Quick facts
Best time
Mar – May
Ideal duration
6 – 9 days
Budget (per person)
₹55,000+
Visa
Permit (through licensed tour operator)
Things to do
Tiger's Nest Monastery
Paro Taktsang clings to a sheer cliff at 3,120 m. The 4-hour hike up is among the most rewarding in Asia.
Punakha Dzong
Built at the confluence of two rivers in 1637, this fortress-monastery is Bhutan's most photogenic building.
Dochula Pass (108 Chortens)
At 3,050 m, 108 memorial stupas ring the pass with views of the Himalayan peaks when clouds clear.
Thimphu Weekend Market
Farmers descend from surrounding villages every weekend selling red rice, dried cheese, and hand-woven fabric.
Bumthang Valley
Bhutan's spiritual heartland — four valleys dotted with ancient temples, apple orchards, and yak herders.
Archery (Bhutan's National Sport)
Watch or join locals at archery ranges where teams compete from 145 m apart — twice the Olympic distance.
What makes it special
Ema Datshi
Bhutan's national dish: a fiery stew of chilli and yak cheese that appears at every meal. Not optional.
Red Rice
A nutty, mineral-rich grain grown in Paro valley at altitude — earthy and deeply satisfying.
Textiles & Weaving
Bhutanese women weave some of Asia's most intricate cloth. A genuine Kishuthara silk scarf takes weeks to produce.
Hot Stone Bath
A traditional Bhutanese wellness ritual: river stones heated over fire dropped into a wooden tub of herb-infused water.
Through the lens
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