Q&A: Is Bhutan for me?

Thinking about a trip to Bhutan but unsure if it will be worth it? Getting to the last Shangri-La is admittedly pricey and, owing to the manner in which you have to pay, it can be a chore to arrange. However, you are guaranteed to come away with lasting memories from one of the world’s most unique and untouched cultures. I have put this Q&A together to better help people decide if a visit to the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon is truly for them.

Bhutan: Arriving in the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon

Bhutan. The land of the thunder dragon. A tiny country nestled between China and India, directly atop the Himalayas. All of the research I did on the place before I headed there promised that the mountain views, rolling valleys and endless terraced rice fields would be spectacular. Boy did Bhutan deliver on this front, starting with arguably the most incredible airport descent on the globe.

Paro: In and About Town

Paro, although not a must visit destination in Bhutan, still has a number of interesting places worth a look. There are a number of dzongs in the vicinity of the tourism-oriented town, including one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and it also claims ownership of the country’s National Museum, International Airport and the valley that houses Bhutan’s most wondrous treasure, the Tiger’s Nest.

Thimphu: A Jaunt Around Bhutan’s Capital

Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital and most densely populated city with roughly 91,000 citizens residing there. It is the base for the country’s government and houses the palace of the current king and queen. When you arrive you will get your first chance to see the traditional design of Bhutanese homes, all of which must follow a certain theme as set by royal decree. Sights here include the impressive Tashichhoe Dzong and the Buddha Dordenma statue which offers some glorious bird’s-eye views of the capital nestled in the valleys below.

Punakha: aka the Place with all the Penises

Our second day in Bhutan involved a long and arduous drive to the district of Punakha. Although the distance between Thimphu and Punakha is only 70km or so, the drive took us well over three hours due to the terrible state of Bhutan’s mountainous road network. Punakha is famous for its picturesque dzong which is situated between the meeting point of two raging rivers and Chimi Lhakhang otherwise known as the Temple of the Divine Madman. There was, however, a far more juvenile reason for my excitement for this leg of the trip…

Tiger’s Nest: The Jewel in Bhutan’s Crown

Tiger’s Nest is likely to be the main factor in most visitors’ decisions to come to Bhutan. Despite being a country of almost unrivalled beauty, Taktsang is by far and away the jewel in the crown of this tiny Himalayan kingdom. Perched precariously at the very edge of a sheer mountain face, the location of the monastery almost defies belief and the views from the hike on the way up are unparalleled in their splendour. A visit to Bhutan would not be complete without stopping at this amazing landmark.

A Step-by-Step Guide on Getting to Bhutan

Booking a trip to Bhutan is not straightforward. When I was looking to arrange my visit I could find very little information online about the process. I had everything explained to me by my chosen tour operator but it still sounded dodgy – my bank even said so! It was against my better judgement that I sent a large payment against their warnings. Thankfully everything turned out fine in the end, but it seemed a big risk at the time. I hope this guide helps put your mind at rest and limits the anguish you face when arranging what will surely be the trip of a lifetime – I know I could have used something like this to put my mind at ease when I was booking!