Top 10 Bhutan Activities

The very image and statement of this mountain nation’s desire to remain proudly independent, both geographically and culturally, is the Dzong. These architectural masterpieces are places of worship, governance and – most importantly – defence from Tibet in the north and India in the south. Built mostly during the 17th century, many by the addition of fortifications to existing Buddhist temples, dzongs are uniquely constructed without a single iron nail and are adorned with intricate art and Bhutanese woodwork.

Almost all dzongs contain a traditional painting known as the Four Friends – an elephant, monkey, rabbit and bird – which symbolises the nation’s cultural understanding of the essence of cooperation and interdependence.

Thanks to a national culture of conservative separatism, Bhutan is a country of sanctuary and stability, which applies as much to wildlife as it does to people. For keen birders, this means that you have a chance to see many of the 670 species that pass through or make Bhutan their home, including the Imperial Heron, one of the 50 rarest birds in the world, and numerous others on the endangered list.

We would recommend timing your visit to coincide with the Black Necked Crane Festival in November as monks at Gangtey Gompa celebrate the birds’ arrival from its nesting sites in Tibet with folk songs and masked dance. For sightings of other fascinating species, including many hornbills, the forests around Tsirang are the place to go.

Sitting atop a gilded meditation hall, a massive and gloriously gilded bronze statue of Buddha holds sway over Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Constructed as recently as 2015 to celebrate the 60th birthday of Bhutan’s fourth king, the statue fulfils the prophecies of Guru Padmasambhava and yogi Sonam Sangpo.

Within the statue’s chest are 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha, which more than doubles the 100,000 population of Thimpu itself. During a visit to the statue and surrounding area called Buddha Point, you will sense the devotion of the Bhutanese people to their spiritual heritage and deep-rooted traditions.

Immerse yourself in the many cultural and natural sights to be found in the sacred valley of Punakha whilst raising your pulse on two wheels. It’s a place where there are trails suitable for all cycling abilities as you tour the rice paddies, mud and stone houses and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong: the second oldest monastery in Bhutan. From the Jacaranda-clad banks of the Mo and Pho Chu Rivers, the monastery rises six storeys above the city that was once Bhutan’s capital.

Known to be the warmest of the nation’s valleys, Punakha’s landscapes will reward you with spectacular Himalayan views, many serene monuments and a chance to see the last surviving populations of the critically endangered, white-bellied heron.

It is often said that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and this seems to be true of Bhutanese cooking, which is a wonderfully rich, diverse and appetising experience despite the simplicity of ingredients and techniques. From the staples of red and white rice, cheese and chillies, an array of different dishes are created with the additions of matsutake mushrooms, ferns, orchids and wild asparagus. A particular favourite are Momos: tasty steamed dumplings served in a spicy sauce.

Any dish that includes “Datsi'' in its name will include the famous local fresh cheese, which forms a delicious sauce coating many of the nation’s favourite dishes. You’ll love learning from locals how to cook and enjoy Bhutanese food, and you’ll relish its abundance at a festival.