Some of the most unique places that you need to include in your Bhutan tour packages are:
1. Tiger’s Nest: Tiger’s Nest, also referred to as Taktsang Palphug Monastery, is not only famous here but throughout the world. This 16th-century monastery has an extraordinary architecture and is a must-visit while in hutan. It is a cluster of buildings that looks as if it is cascading down a 900-metre high cliff. It consists of 4 temples, praying spaces, and residences for monks. The monastery is reachable only after a steep 2-3 hour climb.
Location: Taktsang trail, Paro Valley.
Price: The entry fee is INR 1,000 per person.
Timings: Every day 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
2. Chele La: One of the most intriguing and exciting places to visit in Bhutan, Chele La is the country’s highest motorable pass. Located at an altitude of around 3988 metres above sea level, it divides the Haa Valley from Paro Valley. The pass offers stupendous views of the surrounding alpine forests, waterfalls, lush green valleys, and mountains like Jomolhari.
Location: The pass is located on the Bondey-Haa Highway.
Price: There is no entry fee.
Timings: The pass can be accessed anytime.
3. Punakha Suspension Bridge: This suspension bridge is the oldest and the longest bridge in the country built over the Po Chhu River. It is quite an exciting experience walking on this wobbly yet surprisingly sturdy bridge as one crosses over the rushing river. It is an amazing vantage point to see the beauty of the misty lush meadows and valleys around.
Mountainous regions are synonyms with these amazing structures that seem to delicately hang in the air. One of the longest in the country, this wooden-planked bridge is a must-see. The length of the bridge is covered in colourful prayer flags and garlands that emit peaceful and positive vibrations as they flutter in the wind. The bridge connects the Punakha Dzong with the villages of Shengana, Samdingkha, and Wangkha.
Location: Gunji Thang, Chuu Riverbank, 5 minutes away from the Punakha Dzong.
Price: There is no entry fee.
Timings: The Bridge is open 24/7.
4. National Museum: There is no better way to know about the rich cultural heritage of this Himalayan kingdom than to visit its National Museum. The history of this museum is as intriguing as its treasures. This building was used as a watchtower in the 16th-century and reconstructed to house the museum in 1968.
This intriguing conch-shaped building is a testimony of how this country evolved. It has 6 floors, with each of them narrating a unique story through the preserved paintings, royal dresses, weapons, wildlife specimens, jewellery, masks, scrolls, carved stones, etc. The biggest attraction here is the ‘Egg of Mule’ that came to the museum in 1928.
While nobody knows how this intriguing exhibit came to the museum, there are many legends that one hears. It is said that there was a rich businessman Tshongpo Wangdi who possessed 2 mules with extraordinary strength. One day, one of his mules dropped dead and an egg was found beside his body. This egg, considered to be lucky, saved the family from an epidemic that destroyed their entire village.
Location: The museum is located above the Rinpung Dzong, Paro.
Price: INR 25 per person.
Timings: Summers (March-October)- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Winters (November-February)- 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
5. Dochula Pass: This mountain pass, standing at an elevation of around 3100 metres, is one of the most striking locations in Bhutan. The pass is famous for offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of surrounding mountains and valleys shrouded in silvery mist.
Thickets of flowers like magnolia, rhododendrons, surround the pass and Daphne and are framed by Himalayan ranges in the background. At the pass’s summit, you will see the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (stupas) that stand as a memorial to the fallen Bhutanese soldiers in the 2003 armed rebellion. Every year the Dochula Druk Wangyal Tsechu is held at the festival ground near the pass.
Location: The pass is located on the road between Thimphu to Punakha.
Price: There is no entry fee.
Timings: Can be accessed any time of the year.
6. Haa Valley: Surrounded by miles of brown-golden rice fields, meadows, and high mountain peaks in the background, Haa Valley is one of the most stunning places to include in your Bhutan tour packages. Home to the Queen Grandmother of the Dorji dynasty, this valley was opened to the tourists only in 2002.
This is why it has mostly remained untouched and is the best place to spend some laid back time. Don’t miss seeing the White Temple and the 15th-century Haa Wangchuk Dzong while here. The valley is quite popular with adventure enthusiasts for its numerous rugged trails that are perfect for hiking and mountain biking.
Location: The valley is located in the south-west of Paro and connects it with Chhukha and Samtse.
Price: There is no entry fee.
Timings: Can be visited any time of the year.
7. Royal Manas National Park: Bhutan is abundant in wildlife and has rich & diverse fauna ecosystems throughout its landscape. This national park, sharing its border with the Manas Tiger Reserve in India, showcases how the Bhutanese people lovingly conserve their nature. It houses hundreds of endangered and vulnerable species of birds, plants, animals, butterflies, and fish that are rarely seen in any other countries besides Bhutan.
Some of the park’s most famous and exotic residents of this park are Himalayan Black Bears, Royal Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants, Asiatic Gaur, Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Red-headed vultures, White-bellied herons, etc.If you plan in advance, you can also participate in bird watching tours that are conducted regularly at the park.
Location: South-central Bhutan.
Price: INR 100 per person.
Timings: Every day from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm
8. Choki Traditional Art School: Bhutan has a rich culture of art and craft and this beautiful place showcases how the love of these extends beyond barriers. This art school was specially established to teach arts to students who were talented but couldn’t afford to pay to learn. On your visit, you will be met with smiling little faces who will happily take you on a round of their school to see children engaged in clay art, carvings, and painting.
Location: Kabesa Lam, Thimphu.
Price: The entry is free.
Timings: Every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
9. Weekend Handicraft Market: Also known as the authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar, this vibrant market is the highlight of any Bhutan tour. This is where people go to catch the vibrant and happy pulse of the country.
Sellers from all across the country come to this bazaar every weekend to sell amazing bamboo products, silk fabrics, statuettes of Buddha, prayer flags, brass incense holders, carved dragons, thangkas, bells, drums, jewellery, etc. You can also pick up locally made beer, honey, cheese, tea leaves, noodles, and spices here. Don’t miss to try delicious and authentic Bhutanese snacks like Ema Datshi, Shakam Paa, Juma, and a huge range of momos.
Location: Below Norzim Lam, Thimphu.
Price: There is no entry fee
Timings: Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
