Bhutan

Summary

The kingdom of the thunder dragon, where everyone wears national dress and the King has decreed that Gross National Happiness is much more important than Gross National Product. A land of temples and fortress monasteries which has only just in recent years begun to welcome tourists, Bhutan is now home to some seriously luxurious lodges. Everything starts in Paro, home to the country’s only airport, where legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Bhutanese Buddhism, flew in on the back of a tigress. He made his home at Taktsang Lhakhang, a precarious ledge high above the town where he meditated for three months. Now known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, it is one of the more popular attractions in the area and a good strenuous hike. For a gentler experience visit the National Museum or head for Thimphu, the capital. Along the way enjoy treks and walks for all abilities, as well as breathtaking scenery and the clearest mountain air.

Experiences

• Visit the medieval capital of Thimphu
• Climb up to Taktshang Goemba (Tigers Nest Monastery)
• Visit the precious Buddhist site at Bumthang
• Visit the Trongsa Dzong fortress
• See the endangered black necked cranes at Phobjikha Valley

Seasons

Bhutan has a very varied climate, from the tropical plains in the south to the cooler central valleys. It is very difficult to generalise the seasons as it does very much depend on your altitude and where you are looking to travel to.  In summary the seasons in Bhutan are

Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August also monsoon season with short, sharp, heavy rains
Autumn: September to November
Winter: December to February

Best time to go

The best time to visit Bhutan is in spring and in autumn when there are many Buddhist festivals.