We Visited Bhutan – 23 Sep to 29 Sep 2017

This photograph epitomises what bhutan is all about - Mountains,valleys,Rivers,Winding roads,small villages,Dhongs - et all 

Bhutan invokes an element of mystique and wonderment. The mountains, valleys and innumerable rivers add to the beauty of the landscape. Any visitor is sure to be mesmerized by its tranquility, cleanliness, open spaces, equitable weather and more importantly their friendly people. No doubt it has positioned itself as a sought after tourist destination. It offers tremendous opportunity to tourists who seek adventure, solitude or just plain relaxation. A little more than 209,000 tourists visited Bhutan in 2016.

Bhutan is a small country hidden in the Southern slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, landlocked between Tibet to the North and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh to the West and South. It has historical links with India from ancient times. Increasing the ‘Happiness Quotient’ is one of the primary objectives of the government. Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government.

Jai, Sushama and I started our journey on a wrong foot. We were offloaded from the aircraft in Bengaluru for carrying a battery charger in our checked in baggage. With great difficulty we managed to board the next flight and catch Delhi – Paro flight on time. The Paro airport is located in a very picturesque valley and presents extremely challenging task to the pilot in maneuvering the aircraft for landing. Impressive Bhutanese architecture surrounds the airfield. In fact the people have struggled hard to maintain their traditional architecture throughout the country. The design blends beautifully with the natural surroundings and presents a very harmonious façade.

Main airport building

A stunning view from the airport

Another view

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.and Jetsun Pema The Queen of Bhutan

After a quick immigration process we met up with Mr Wangchuk our van driver cum English speaking guide. He remained with us for all the seven days, endlessly talking and sharing experiences, information and tidbits about himself and Bhutan. He certainly made our stay very interesting. We drove from Paro to Thimphu stopping at various places to absorb the breathtaking views and for photography.

Outstanding view as we drove to Thimphu

Photo opp

With our driver cum guide Mr Wangchuk

We stayed in the Indian Army messes in Paro and Thimphu. The messes are located at vantage points offering the best views in the town. However we stayed in an excellent hotel ‘Dragon's Nest Hotel & Spa’ at a distance from Punaka. The property overlooks river “Puna Tsang Chhu” . The hotels in Bhutan are very reasonable while offering excellent service and ambiance.

From our room in Army Mess

In the mess dining hall - ancient relics - i meant the bear

View of the valley below

There is very minimal touristy stuff to do in Bhutan, One can start the visits after breakfast and be back at the hotel or a nice restaurant for some chilled beer and delectable lunch. Druk 500 beer kept us company throughout our stay. Druk is a good beer but slightly on the stronger side. Bhutan cuisine is very unique with abundance of cheese, mushrooms and chilies in their preparations. The chillies are used more as a vegetable than as spice in their cooking.

Sushama at her best

Babesa Village Restaurant

Very happy with vegetarian Bhutanese food

The first evening we visited ‘Babesa Village Restaurant’. Located, 7km outside Thimphu, this charming restaurant offers traditional Bhutanese cuisine in a lovely century-old building. In the beginning, nobody came to take the orders and the people in the restaurant simply stared at us. As time passed, an English speaking lady came across to our table to inform us that the joint was closed to public as they were celebrating a family reunion. When she learnt we had travelled all the way from Bengaluru, she very graciously set up a private table and served us whatever they had prepared for the family. Assisted by old faithful ‘Druk’ we went on to enjoy an excellent Bhutanese cuisine and their remarkable hospitality. The lady looking after us was the manager and trained in ‘Taj Westend’ Bengaluru. Our bill of fare included Ema Dashti, Shakam Paa, Hoentay Momos, Lom and white rice. Some of our meals were at ‘Zone’ restaurant which is very popular with the expats and provides both local and continental cuisine.

Main entrance to the shrine

Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Great Buddha Dordenma itself, will be made of bronze and gilded in gold

One of the 108 Apsaras which adorn the platform

Jai and Sushama taking rest

Other Apsaras

After visiting Thimphu and Punaka we headed West to Paro.

Very colourful market place selling traditional wares

Local knitting a sweater

Highpoint of our visit to Bhutan was trekking to the “Tiger’s Nest” monastery located six miles from the city centre. The monastery complex consists of seven temples which is perched on top of a vertical cliff. The trek involves an extremely arduous vertical climb from a base height of 6000 ft to 10600 ft. Most of the way, there are no regular steps or a paved path. It is one long and steep dirt rocky track leading to the top. Just short of the temple there are 800 steps to climb.

To the base

An almost vertical climb

FINALLY

Jai and I decided to use a horse up to the first stage and then trek. Unfortunately, Jai fell of the horse and decided to rest in the restaurant. I continued to trek alone, as Sushama had already gone ahead. Apart from the vertical climb, one has to worry about high altitude sickness. I really do not know what motivated me to undertake this strenuous climb, may be to prove a point that I am physically and mentally strong. Whatever prompted my internal decision making, I completed the trek in six hours. I was totally exhausted yet extremely elated that I could complete this challenge. Getting down is much worse and your knees take a severe beating.

You need to carry some food, water and a strong walking stick to complete the trek. The view from the top is simply exhilarating and pumps in extra amount of adrenalin to reach back. As you sit back and look at the calm and serene face of’ “Lord Buddha”, it envelopes you with inner strength and resolve. 

Trek to Tiger’s nest was indeed a remarkable achievement for me.

There are wonderful opportunities for kayaking and White water rafting. One can choose the degree of difficulty depending upon level of fitness and familiarity with the sport. We did a level 3 Paro to Chhuzom five mile rafting. Must see attraction includes “Great Buddha Dordenma” a gigantic Buddha statue in the mountains outside of Thimpu. Drive to Chele pass is very, visit to Paro Taktsang monastery ends the list.

At the end of seven days we felt relaxed and recouped. Bhutanese are very warm and friendly. They go out of their way to be helpful and courteous.

Beginning of white water rafting

Ended in Paro Dzong which ranks as a high point of Bhutanese architecture.

On the way to Paro - Lyril soap ad with clothes on

A bird in the bush and nothing in hand - Yellow billed Magpie

Rich in agriculture

Chelela Pass at 13200 ft - love drive

If you are looking for a peaceful getaway at very reasonable cost, then Bhutan is definitely the right destination. It offers a different basket of experiences to savor.