culture

Bhutan has finally revealed its reopening date, September 23, 2022, after remaining shut to outsiders for more than two years due to the pandemic. The gorgeous Himalayan nation has been attracting travellers from across the globe for ages now. Whenever you plan a visit to Bhutan there's a lot to explore. ‘The land of happiness’, ‘The Kingdom above the clouds’, ‘The land of the Thunder Dragon’… Bhutan has gained a few names over the years which is a pretty good indicator of how epic it truly is. Delve into the essence of Bhutanese beauty, culture and history. The hands-on experience in traditional textile and handicraft workshops and the close exposure of monastic life and pastoral scene, etc. offer you a perfect chance for a memorable exploration in Bhutan. Whether you’ve been dreaming of heading to this magical corner of the world for a while or if it has only just landed on your radar, you’re in the right place. We’re going to let you in on some of the absolute must-do’s whilst you’re in Bhutan. 

1. Hike The Tiger's Nest Monastery

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Takstang) is in one word, extraordinary. The buildings are perched on the side of a cliff, 10,000ft above sea-level! It was built in 1692 and still functions as a monastery today with monks living on the mountain. You’ll need to hike here and the trail begins just 10 miles north of Paro (a 20-minute drive).

2. Visit Punakha Dzong

Punakha Dzong is stunning. It is the second oldest and second biggest in all of Bhutan but arguably the most beautiful. It is located between two rivers and you have to cross a bridge to access it. The most interesting thing about this building? Not one nail was used to create it... not one! 

3. Be in awe of Buddha Dordenma

When you see Buddha Dordenma you'll be blown away by how big it is (169ft!), but what's even more surprising is that there are 125,000 smaller buddhas inside it! With a population of around 100,000 people in Thimphu, there are more Buddhas than humans.

4. Go to a festival

There are heaps of festivals in Bhutan but two of the biggest are the Paro Tshechu in March and the Thimphu Tshechu in October. During both of these festivals, you'll see incredible traditional outfits, dance, food, and arts. It is arguably one of the best ways to witness Bhutanese culture and you'll be overwhelmed with wonder.

5. Try your hand at Archery

The national sport in Bhutan is archery, but they have been playing this sport long before it was even recognized as one (which means they're pretty good). They do things a bit differently here though, archery involves a lot of signing, dancing, food, and drink and is very much a social event.

6. Visit Tashichho-Dzong

The Tashichho-Dzong was first constructed in 1216! Since then the building has grown a lot. It houses the offices of the King, the Throne Room, and some government ministries. The Dzong is surrounded by beautiful gardens and enviably well-kept lawns, you won't be disappointed with a stroll around here.

7. The Memorial Chorten

The Memorial Chorten was designed to be 'one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu' and reflects Tibetan style architecture. When you visit be sure to only circle the Chorten in a clockwise direction and learn all about the 3rd Dragon King on Bhutan. 

India is a life-changing experience for travellers of which Ladakh is truly unmissable. Think of an India tour itinerary and Ladakh certainly deserves a mention. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, Ladakh is one of the remotest places on Earth and a treasure to explore. Settled at an altitude of 3542 meters above sea level it is one of the highest inhabited places on the planet. Boasting of the immense scenic beauty of mountains, lakes, rivers and a cold desert it is a wonder to visit. Adding to it are the amazing allures including palaces, and monasteries. And, lastly, an adventure of a lifetime is a guarantee. A surprising fact about Ladakh is that a trip can be planned in the official off-travel season. The land opens up for visitors from late May to October. As it is monsoon in the rest of India, if you want to skip rains, you must pay a visit.

If you are still not sure to plan a trip to Ladakh on your visit to India, here are a few reasons.

Scenic Beauty

Ladakh’s location is out of the world and therefor is its beauty. The Land of High Passes is settled in the snowy heights of Himalayan ranges and is surrounded by mountain ranges of Karakoram. Even for a land withoutt rain, it is simply one among the most blessed natural places in India and the world. The rugged  mounatins are shades ofbrown with specks of green and layers of snow. The rivers iand the lakes are crystal clear displaying myraid shades of blues. The deesrt dunes of Nubra Valley are magical with their unbeivale golden hues, home to the unique double-humped Bactrian Camels.

Culture

Ladakh has a unique Tibetan Buddhist culture with impacts from traditional beauties. Over the years, this culture has become an important backbone for tourism. The land’s traditional culture and lifestyle make the cuisine, dressing, dance forms and others. The festivals of the land gain more attention thanks to the exclusive culture of the land. This is one of the few places where you can find dancing monks enjoying festivals just like you.

Taking a pilgrimage tour is a double beauty. You get to wander around ancient monasteries, explore the culture and enjoy the unique architectural beauties. Apart from these, the nature plays an important role in adding peace and tranquility to these religious places. Every year, thousands of people visit Ladakh for pilgrimage activities. Top iconic religious sites to visit in Ladakh are Likir monastery, Thiksey monastery, Sumda Chun, Shanti Stupa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and others.

Adventure

Statistically, this is the main reason that drives more than three fourth of the travel population to Ladakh. The geographical wealth and the Himalayan nature gives access to different landscapes, which allow you to enjoy unique adventure activities like mountain biking, trekking, jeep safari, river rafting, camel safari, yak safari, ice hockey and many others. No wonder, Ladakh is called as the adventure capital of the country.

It is the place for adventure activities. Top three motorable mountain passes of the world are located in Ladakh. It is the only destination in India apart from Rajasthan, where you can enjoy camel safari. It is one of the very few places to experience yak safari too. The most common safari to enjoy in the region is the jeep safari. The Himalayan regions make the safari more exciting. Many sure to choose the right season so that you can enjoy all types of safaris here.You can find a lot of trekking trails for hiking and trekking along with frozen rivers. Name an adventure activity; and, you would find it there. Top peaks for hiking are Nun-Kun, Stok Kangri, Jang Yatse and others. You can also enjoy a trekking excursion to the base of Mount Everest; if you are up for the challenge. Apart from these, there are a lot of monasteries to explore and enjoy their rituals, explore their libraries, antiques and others.