Things to do in Bhutan
Things to do in Bhutan. We have listed numerous things that you can do while in Bhutan. Outdoor activities like Hiking, Trekking, Cultural Tours, Festival Tours are the highlight of visiting Bhutan. Secluded from its neighbour by some of the highest mountain ranges in the world, Bhutan has only recently emerged from its self imposed isolation. This Country of uncommon customs,fascinating legends and scenary of breathtaking beauty remained a mythical Shangrila for a long time.
Best Things to do in Bhutan & Our Popular Picks
- Share your Bhutan Tour by posting letters with stamps made from your best Bhutan Photos.
- Take a selfie with Mt. Everest. Sit on the left while flying into the country from Delhi or Kathmandu.
- Say hello to the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and learn the story behind the mystical animal.
- Be an olympian- try balancing on a suspension bridge in Punakha.
- Hike up the sacred Tiger Nest temple and observe how it defies gravity.
Bhutan Adventure Tour
- Enjoy bicycling on some of the world’s highest road passes.
- Challenge yourself in paddy plantation.
- Hot the bullseye with traditional bow and arrow.
- Bike through medieval trails.
- Meet the monks on hilltop monasteries.
- Explore the lesser travel areas of Bhutan.
- Romance the untamed rivers.
Spirituality in Bhutan
- Spread merit by hoisting prayer flags.
- Practice yoga in a serene environment.
- Sit with monk through the chanting of prayers.
- Discover your inner-self with meditation.
- Take lessons on Buddhism from Buddhist monks.
- Light thousand butter lamps and make a wish.
Enjoy the Wellness Program
- Rejuvenate with herbal and hot stone bath.
- Hela your mind with yoga and meditation.
- Immerse in natural Himalayan hot spring.
- Treat your lungs with a breath of fresh air every day.
- Try our indigenous therapies.
- Enjoy a session on meditation with a renowned master.
Bhutan Travel Guide
Top 5 Trekking you can Do in Bhutan
5 Best Bhutan Cultural Tours
Popular Festival Tour you can Visit
Best Things to do and Places to Visit in Bhutan
Bhutan is very popular for festivals, Trekking, Wellness program, nature, and Spirituality. The best places to enjoy one of the challenging activities to do in Bhutan are the valleys, especially Paro, Jigme Dorji National Park, Punakha river rafting, Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Monastery, and challenging Trek in Bhutan.
Best Things to do while in Paro.
Paro is one of the beautiful valley in western Bhutan. It is the only international airport in Bhutan.
Rejuvenate your body with Tiger Nest Hike
Tiger Nest Temple is one of the popular hikes in Paro. The temple hangs on a rocky cliff 900m above Paro valley. The temple is one of the must-visit places in Paro. The legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in the cave where the monastery is located now. Learn More
Visit Drugyel Dzong
Drugyel Dzong also called Victory Dzong located 12Km from Paro town buily by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1649. The Dzong is located on a small hill top over looking the Drugyel village. The Dzong also is the starting point of Jumolhari Trek route. The dzong have defended numerous attack from Tibetan armies and still standing tall.
Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong
Paro is main administration centre of Paro Bhutan. The Dzong also called “fortress of heap of Jewels”. It was built in 1646. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered cantilever bridge.
Opening Time is after 5 PM
Taa Dzong Museam
Taa Dzong is the only Museum. Since 1968 the national museam of Bhutan has safe guarded the vision of third King of Bhutan to collect, preserve, study and exhibit the cultural and artistic artifacts of Bhutanese civilization, heritage and tradition for the education of all who enter the museam.
Jumolhari Trek
The popular Jumolhari Trek stars from Paro and ends at Paro.
Best Things to do in Thimphu.
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and one of the most populated city with over 100000 people living in the area. It is home to the Bhutanese Royal Family, The Royal Government and to several foreign mission and development projects. Check the best things to do in Thimphu
Visit the Majestic Trashichhodzong
Known as the ” The Fortress of the Glorious Religion”, The Dzong is the impressive structure that houses the Bhutanese Government. It stands on the right bank of the Wangchu River. Learn More
Largest Bhuddha Statue
Atop a hill in Thimphu, the capital and largest city of Bhutan, is a massive, golden Buddha sitting atop a gilded meditation hall.
Simply Bhutan Museam
One of the best museam of Thimphu where you experience live traditional dance, Music and get the opportunity to shoot arrows. Learn More
13 Art and Craft School
Witness the Live School performing 13 arts and crafts of Bhutan. The institute was established to preserve the 13th arts and crafts of Bhutan which was initiated in 1971. The students are taught painting, calligraphy, embroidery, wood carving, sculptor etc.
Dochula Pass
Its the highest road point you come across after leaving Thimphu towards Punakha. The pass offers 10 Himalayan Mountain ranges including the highest Mt.Gangkar Puensum(7570M). Explore the pass and visit the meditation centre.
Textile Museam
Visit the museum is one of the kinds that showcases the clothes worn by Royals. The collection starts with the Gho worn by the first King of Bhutan. Learn More
Best Things to do in Punakha.
Punakha(Altitude 1200M to 4800M) is old capital city and most important village of Bhutan. It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Pho chu and Mo chu rivers.
Balance yourself at Longest Suspension Bridge
Visit the longest suspension Bridge that connects the two remote Villages with Punakha Dzong. Learn More
Punakha Dzong
The Dzong is one of the beautifull Dzong in central Bhutan located between two rivers the Phochu and Mochu, converge, the Dzong appears as a great anchored Ship.
Fertility Temple
The temple is dedicated to one of the renowned monks called Drukpa Kinley. The built-in 15th-century temple is famous for its fertility endowment/rites due to the blessings of lam Drukpa Kinley. Learn More
Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Monastery.
Hike the beautiful monastery overlooking the Punakha valley. The hike takes about 2 hours through the paddy field and you come across lots of locals working on the farms to meet their daily needs. The temple is a splendid example of Bhutanese architecture. It was built over eight and half years and its details have been drawn from religious scriptures. Learn More
River Rafting at Punakha
River rafting in Punakha is very popular among most of the tourist. The 1 hour rafting along mo chu river is one of the scenic rafting that one can book.
Best Things to do in Wangdiphodrang.
Wangdiphodrang also called “Sha”for Bhutanese or east is the gateway to many far flung corners of Bhutan. It shares border with district of Trongsa and Bumthnag in the east,Gasa in the North and Dagana, Sarpang, Tsirang in the South.
Visit Phobjikha Valley
Phobjikha is the best place to relax away from hustle and bustle city life. It is also the winter home of the Black Necked crane (Grus Nigricollis), that migrate from Tibetan Plateau. The birds can be observed from early november to end of March.
Visit Gangtey Monastery
Visit the only Nyingmapa Monastery. The Monastery lies on a hilltop at about 2800M. The location offers a stunning view of Phobjikha valley home to the endangered Black Necked Crane. Learn More
Hot Stone Bath
Experience the Hotstone bath in the farm House.
Hike the Trail
There is excellent hiking trail starting from Gangtey monastery to your hotel.
Visit the Pelela Pass
The pass is 10km from Phobjikha.
What to do in Trongsa? Find the best way to explore.
Trongsa is located in eastern part of Bhutan towards Bumthang.
Trongsa Dzong
Overlooking the Mangdechu River the dzong testifies to Bhutan architectural heritage, political history, rich tradition, and culture. This magnificent structure which has been witnessed in various significant events has a rich legacy.
Trongsa Museam
Also calle Ta Dzong or watch tower which sits promontary above the town, was built by chogyel Minjur Tenpa in 1652. The main relics of this museam is the script written in gold.
Best Things to do in Bumthang.Explore the valley.
Visit Kyichu Lhakhang
Visit the 6th century Monastery in Bumthang.
Visit Jakar Dzong
Jakar Yugal Dzong commonly known as Jakar Dzong, situated on the ridge above jakar village of Chamkhar valley in Bumthang. This 15th century fortress use to defend the people of Bumthang from many Tibetan invasion.
Burning Lake
Lake is very secret to local people of Bumthang. It was beleived that the great treasure hunter discovered many secret Bhudhist Manuscript.
Things to do in Haa. Best way to explore haa valley.
Haa is small western district located towards the north of paro bordered with Tibet near Doklam.
Black and White Monastery
Visit the remote 7th century black and white monastery located in the foothills of three towering mountains venerated in the regions.
Best Things to do in Phuntsholing
Phuntsholing is gateway to Bhutan if you are traveling via road.
Kharbandi View Point
The Viewpoint is amazing from Kharbandi. The unending plain of India from the point is clearly visible. The beautifull monastery was built in 1967 by the Royal grand mother.
Crocodile Breeding Center
Visit the crocodile breeding centre. The center has 3 different speceis of Crocodile. The center started in the year 1976 with two different species of Mugger crocodile and Gharial. The biggest crocodile is 276kg and 12ft long.
Short Trekking Tours for Beginners
Bhutan’s rich natural environment makes it a trekkers paradise. It is a bountiful destination for nature lovers with virgin mountains lakes, imposing glaciers, a rich Himalayan ecosystem that is home to many endangered birds and animals. Most trekking routes are in the northern parts of the country taking you teasingly close to the snowlines and letting you experience amazing natural landscape. From a short day trek to the hardest 31 days snowman trek. Here we just introduce you to a short trek for beginners.
Best Trekking Starting from Paro
It is a 5 days Trek, goes to High Altitude and is moderately strenuous. The Trek route passes through some beautiful High Altitude Lakes. It starts from Paro and ends in Thimphu. It is a popular Trek route.
Beautifull Trekking from Thimphu
It is a 5-days trek near Thimphu, to a large number of lovely high altitude lakes. The Trek is easy and most trekking days are short but there are some long steep climbs. It starts from Khoma (near Thimphu) and ends in Simtokha, Thimphu. The highest point is 4300 Meters.
Trekking Starting from Thimphu
Dur Hot Spring Trek
Dur Hot spring trek is one of the beautiful treks in Bhutan. It is the oldest route to Majestic Mt. Gangkar Puensum through several Hot springs where locals use to visit. This is 16 days Bhutan Trip combined with a cultural tour.
Combine your tour with most Popular Festival of Bhutan
The best thing to do in Bhutan is to combine your tour with one of the festivals of Bhutan. Join the locals in their finest attires and relish their festival meals. You will also get the opportunity to take selfies with the atsara, the life of the festival celebration. They signify enlightened wisdom and their acts are intended to cleanse the collective sins of the people gathered to witness the religious dances. The festival customarily concludes with the unfurling of a Thongdrel(large Across painting) of Lord Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, Zhabdrung, and other enlightened beings.
Spring Festival of Paro
Attend this Spring festival of Paro. The Paro festival for 2023 is fixed from 1st to 5th April. Let us know your date so that we can combine your tour with the Spring festival. Find Details
Thimphu Festival Tour
The Thimphu festival is one of the most popular you can witness during your tour of Bhutan. Check our Thimphu festival dates for 2023 and Book Now.
Haa Summer Festival Tour
Haa summer festival takes place in the month of July. You can combine any tour with the Haa summer festival if your date of travel coincides with the events. Find Details
Other Tours of Interest
Bird Watching Tour
Bhutan is increasingly being described as the birding capital of the world. Bhutan boast about 800-900 species of birds which is almost equal to the 925 species US and Canada combined. Find Detail
Cycling Tour
The rugged mountainous terrain of Bhutan provides an ideal landscape for mountain Biking. It offers both on-road and off-road trails with breathtaking scenery. Find Details
Bhutan unique culture and tradition, authentic Bhutanese life style, unexplored mountains and valleys offers the photographer the perfect shot of the countrys image. Find Details
Pilgrimage Tour
Emanating mysticism and spirituality from every nook and corner, Bhutan makes for a destination unmatched to plan your next pilgrimage vacation.
Are you Planning Include for Bhutan Tour?
Let us help you to plan your memorable trip to Bhutan. It is always better to plan atleast 6 months prior to visit Bhutan. This is because flights to Bhutan is operated by only two local airlines which remains booked throughout the year. With enough time we are in better position to get you the confirmed tickets from your destination.
Talk To Us!!
Helpful Information on the things you can explore more
Other than spending your time with Guide and drive we will also let you explore the places of your own. Most of the hotels will be allocated in the main city where you can have access to many interesting things you can do of your own. Some of our recommendation are mentioned below.
Explore Flora and Fauna of Bhutan and enjoy the nature.
Bhutan has the largest proportion of land designated as protected areas in the World. The rich forest cover includes a range of varying habitats and an amazing diversity of plants and animals. From spotting troupes of Golden langur to wooly yaks in the cold mountains.
Experience village life for an authentic Bhutan Experience
If you are looking for an authentic Bhutanese experience, you won’t find it if you spend your time only in Hotel. Go beyond the hotels and spend a night in a local farmhouse where you get to see the daily activities of Bhutanese local people. Find More
Experience Luxury in the Mountains and valleys of Bhutan.
Explore Thimphus Night Life, Karaoke and dance the Night away.
It is no Las Vegas but Thimphu”s nightclub has a charm of its own. Whether it getting a glimpse of the Thimphus urban music scene and mingling with locals at Mojo Park or moving to the DJ’s beats at VIVA city or space 34, you will discover the capitals no short of upbeat nightlife.
Explore Restaurant and Cafe Culture in the Capital
If you love food and want to explore the restaurant, Thimphu has it all. If the intense traditional flavors is not your cup of tea then try exploring the many cafes and restaurants in the capital. You will get your choice range from blueberry cheesecakes to roast beef sandwiches and house burgers.
Go Souvenir Shopping and take home the memories of Bhutan.
A rich display of traditional handicrafts are on the show at the craft bazar in Thimphu and also the institute of thirteen arts in Kawajangsa where student of the institute create intricate pieces of traditional Bhutanse handicrafts. From Bamboo basket to traditional wooden bowls you will find your perfect souveniers.
Frequently Asked Question about the Best Things to Do in Bhutan
What are the Best Things to do in Bhutan?
Bhutan, also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a beautiful country nestled in the Himalayas with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Here are some of the best things to do in Bhutan:
- Visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery: This iconic monastery is perched on a cliff overlooking the Paro Valley and is one of Bhutan’s most revered sites.
- Explore Thimphu: Bhutan’s capital city is a vibrant hub of traditional and modern culture. Visit the Memorial Chorten, the National Library, and the Tashichho Dzong.
- Attend a festival: Bhutanese festivals are colorful and vibrant celebrations of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. Some of the most popular festivals include the Paro Tsechu and the Thimphu Tsechu.
- Trek to the Himalayas: Bhutan is home to some of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. Go trekking in the Himalayas and experience the natural beauty of Bhutan.
- Learn about Bhutanese art: Bhutanese art is unique and distinct. Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu to learn about traditional Bhutanese art forms.
- Try Bhutanese cuisine: Bhutanese cuisine is spicy, flavorful, and unique. Try dishes like ema datshi (chilies and cheese) and momos (dumplings) to experience the local flavors.
- Visit the Punakha Dzong: This historic fortress monastery is one of Bhutan’s most impressive architectural wonders.
- Experience traditional Bhutanese hospitality: Bhutanese people are known for their warmth and hospitality. Stay in a traditional Bhutanese homestay or farmhouse to experience the local way of life.
What is the best time to visit in Bhutan?
A: The best time to visit Bhutan is from March to May and September to November. During these months, the weather is mild, and the skies are clear, making it ideal for trekking and sightseeing. The spring season (March to May) is also the time when the rhododendrons bloom, adding to the natural beauty of the country. However, if you want to experience Bhutanese festivals, it’s best to visit during the festival season, which varies from year to year.
What is the national language of Bhutan?
A: The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. However, English is widely spoken and is the language of instruction in schools.
What is the currency used in Bhutan?
A: The currency used in Bhutan is the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN). Indian rupees are also accepted in Bhutan.
Do i need a Visa to visit Bhutan?
Yes, all foreign nationals need a visa to enter Bhutan. Visa applications are processed through a tour operator and travellers must book their trip through licensed tour operators in Bhutan.
