TOP 8 Reasons Why You Must Visit Bhutan

Unspoiled. Innocent. Stunning. Contented. Happy. Shangri La. Last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom…and many more things.

You get to hear about Bhutan from those who have been there or even heard or read about the place. The country gives you every reason to travel. Book Bhutan Holiday Packages and explore Bhutan like never before.

Why Visit Bhutan?
Abundant natural beauty, magnificent monasteries, breathtaking landscapes, ancient Buddhist temples, fluttering prayer flags, and happy faces are how we begin to describe Bhutan! I begin to describe because there is so much more to say about this tiny landlocked country that one blog will definitely not be enough. But yes, a journey through this country’s magical and breathtaking lands would surely be a good start to introduce yourself to the happy country!

Proudly keeping this destination sacred, it was only in 1974 that Bhutan allowed travelers in to explore. With only a few travel visas allocated each year, this is an unforgettable travel experience made even more significant by its authentic, sustainable approach to tourism.

Intrigue Facts about Bhutan!

• Bhutan has a population of over 727,145 and a territory of 38,394 square kilometers (14,824 sq mi). It ranks 133rd in terms of land area and 160th in population.
• It is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas, located between China and India in South Asia.
• Bhutanese call their home “Druk Yul” or “Land of the Thunder Dragon” in their native tongue. Why? Because Druk is the “Thunder Dragon” in Bhutanese and Tibetan mythology. It is also the Bhutanese National Symbol. Here, you can find the Druk appearing on the Flag of Bhutan, holding jewels to represent wealth.
• Rather than using the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) as an economic index, Bhutan measures its overall “health” through the four pillars: environmental protection, sustainable development, cultural preservation, and good governance, which together form the Gross National Happiness or GNH.
• The state religion of Bhutan is Vajrayana Buddhism.
• Bhutanese are dedicated to preserving their deep Buddhist traditions and pristine landscapes, Himalayan peaks, a mosaic of ancient monasteries, glacial rivers, and charming villages.
• Bhutan is the only nation in the world where tobacco sales are banned.

Reasons to Love Bhutan

Let’s have a look at 8 Reasons why Bhutan is one of the most preferred destinations for a holiday & most importantly, why Bhutan should be on your travel bucket list!

1.  Happiness is a Priority “Gross National Happiness

Bhutan prides itself on its sustainable approach to tourism, and the king of Bhutan (and the government) really try to ensure that their people lead happy lives.

You may have heard that Bhutan is the first country to measure its success by Gross National Happiness. This is their development philosophy, based on Buddhist values, which measure people’s quality of life based on their well-being. Of course, GDP is measured too, but they monitor GNH as an alternative development philosophy, and in many ways, it’s thought to be much more important.

Education and healthcare are both free under Bhutanese Policy, and often their values and priorities can be very different from the western world.

2. Breathtaking Natural Beauty

Bhutanese law dictates that at least 60% of land should be under forest cover at any given time! This bodes well with the country as it currently has about 71% forest cover, which helps in maintaining and preserving the natural ecosystem of this destination. It is the only country in the world that is not only carbon neutral, but it is carbon negative-(meaning that the Bhutanese offset more CO2 than they actually produce)!

The hilly landscapes, lush, dense forests, flora, fauna, sparkling water bodies, verdant slopes, and mountains provide a unique bio-diversity and balance of nature to the country. Natural beauty is the best, but more importantly, the environment is pure and significantly pollution-free for locals as well as tourists. Feel the natural beauty of Bhutan with the book Bhutan Tour Packages and create long-lasting memories.

3. Celebrate the Festivals in Bhutan

Spiritual music, whirling dances, and colorful wooden masks; a Bhutanese festival, or Tshechu, is completely unique. For many, TSHECHU is the highlight of the Buddhist calendar in Bhutan. These festivals are known for their richness, vitality, and joy. Most of these festivals are celebrated for GURU RINPOCHE, the saint who introduced Bhutan to Buddhism.

Mysterious mask dances and thangka paintings are the most important ways to celebrate the festivals in Bhutan. In this country, at least one festival is celebrated every month, so make sure you don’t just watch it; join in! Book Bhutan Holiday Packages and have fun at these festivals.

4. A Wonderful Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

One of the most significant and iconic monasteries of Bhutan! Tiger’s Nest Monastery, or Paro Taktsang, is a Buddhist temple complex perched on a clifftop in Paro Valley. The Monastery, built in 1692, is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche or Second Buddha) – the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan.

A popular legend states that Guru Rinpoche fled from Tibet on the back of a tigress and flew to this exact location which later came to be known as Taktsang (Tiger’s Lair). The Monastery can be reached via a short trek that takes us from the base of the village through steep slopes, hills, and bridges toward the Monastery on the top. The view from here is one of spectacular wonder, calmness, and peace of mind!

5. A Smiling Country & Friendly People

How warmth and being down to earth largely depend on the people of the country. The Bhutanese people are sweet, warm, and always have smiles on their faces which gives you pleasure to stay there.

6. Authentic Bhutanese Food

Bhutanese cuisine is characterized by spiciness from chilies. The Bhutanese dishes consist of curries, stews, and rice, all packed with chili peppers to maintain a feeling of warmth. The most popular Bhutanese dish is Ema Datshi, melted yak’s cheese served with hot chili peppers. If you are skeptical about chilies in Ema Datshi, then you can try Kewa Datshi, which uses potatoes instead of chilies. You can find variations of this popular dish all over Bhutan.

Also, try the Momos, which is basically a steamed delicacy of vegetables or meat wrapped in flour sheets. Enjoy Jasha Maroo – a diced chicken with fresh ingredients like onion, garlic, tomato, chilies, ginger, and coriander leaves, usually served with rice. If you are a meat lover, then you can find dishes with pork, chicken, yak, beef and lamb. This all looks so Yummy….! Explore the delicious Bhutanese food by booking Bhutan Tour Packages.

7. Visit the Palace of Great Happiness – Punakha Dzong

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful monasteries in the country! The Punakha Dzong is a lovely riot of colors, especially in spring, when the purple jacaranda trees bloom in all their glory against the white-washed walls of the Monastery and the picture-perfect backdrop of the lush green mountains. This is a stunning sight you must definitely not miss when you visit Bhutan.

Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and the second largest Monastery in the country, certainly, one having great historical and cultural significance. It is a beautiful place on the banks of the confluence of the MO CHHU (MOTHER) and PO CHHU (FATHER) Rivers. Whitewater river rafting is a well-known adventure spot along these rivers!

8. A Spiritual Heaven to Discover Inner Peace

Guru Rinpoche founded Buddhism in Bhutan and set a course for a simple lifestyle that ensured people were honest, hardworking, spiritually inclined, and grounded in their religious roots. In Bhutan, Buddhism is not a religion; it’s a way of people! People are generally content and peaceful, often meditating at the many Buddhist monasteries or contributing their fair share and participating in the traditional festivals. You deserve that much-needed break, too, from our busy, chaotic, and stress-ridden lives. And what’s a better place than Bhutan to help you achieve that sense of happiness, contentment, and peace of mind?

Conclusion

And the Reasons for the list go on and on….

BTW, how about that? 8 reasons to make you believe that Bhutan is truly a land of happiness, culture, natural beauty and peace! From delectable cuisine to adventure sports and art & crafts to good stay accommodations, Bhutan has it all. A journey through the wonderland of Bhutan will make you realize that it’s not difficult to be happy! All you have to do is plan a wonderful trip to Bhutan with Yashvi Tours and Travels by booking Bhutan Tour Packages from Ahmedabad.