Bhutan is a remarkable place, that remain almost completely immune to the passage of time. Located in the center of the imposing Himalayas, lived for centuries in a kind of voluntary isolation, away from the rest of the world. Since its doors were opened, with distrust, in 1974, visitors are left spellbound, the environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture are majestic, the people are hospitable and charming and the culture is unique in its purity with one foot in the past and another in the future, fiercely protecting its ancient culture, its natural resources and its deeply Buddhist way of life.
Thimphu, the capital, is located in a beautiful valley full of woods, on a hill on the bank of the Thimphu Chhu river. It is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Many years ago it was installed one, but the residents complained of his lack of character and it was removed within a few days. Despite the recent development, Thimphu retains its charm and is full of colorful facades and elaborately decorated, giving the city a charming medieval atmosphere.
Thimphu is full of Bhutanese culture and things to see and do. The impressive Trashi Chhoe Dzong, fortress of the Glorious Religion, which dominates the skyline and is located on a hill just above the town, was completely restored in the 1960s of the twentieth century and became the symbol of the capital. It now houses the offices of the king and the central monastic body. Most tour operators organize a visit to the School of Arts & Crafts located below the dzong. At the school we teach the traditional activities to gifted children from all over Bhutan; There is also a small shop that sells some of the amazing works of students at affordable prices.
Once back in town, the most visible religious structure is the Memorial Chorten, which contains numerous religious paintings and tantric statues. For many, represents the center of daily devotion and many people around the chorten during the day. The Weekend Market, which takes place in the center of Thimphu, is the perfect place to experience a pleasant mix of urban and rural culture, since the villagers discuss with the rich residents of Thimphu to get the best deals.
Not far away, the Changlimithang Stadium is the field of archery where you can see athletes play the national sport of the kingdom, complete with traditional dress national behavior picturesque and entertaining ritual. The National Institute of Traditional Medicine is a very interesting structure that uses more than 300 different types of plants to produce medicines that are then distributed throughout the kingdom.
Probably you have a reservation for one of the best hotels of the city, unless you have programmed your trip during the tsechus Thimphu, in autumn, when the hotels are fully booked. In this case, you could end up in a boarding house in a private home, or even in a tent better to accept what is, is part of the risk. Even if your accommodation is very simple, probably your room will be decorated in the style of Bhutan and, at first, you might even think of being in a monastery instead of a bedroom.
The most important festivals and lively tsechus, are held once a year at the dzong and monasteries of Bhutan in honor of Guru Rimpoche. Usually take place in spring and autumn. The tsechus consist of five days of spectacular representation sacred masked dances and theatrical performances allegorical religious subjects that have remained unchanged for centuries. In addition to being a party full of life and a very important means of teaching religion bhuddista, the tsechus are also an important opportunity for socialization.
The Bhutanese have fun and rejoice together and wear their clothes and their best jewelry, in a convivial atmosphere where the fun contagious and devotion they walk side by side. For tourists, this festival is a great opportunity to appreciate the essence of the lifestyle of the Bhutanese. If you can not make good photographs on these occasions, you can throw your camera; we recommend, therefore, to buy twice as many rolls of film do you think you can serve. Very striking is the dance of the Buddha of the Future, which takes place during the Jampa Lhakhang Drup.
If you arrive by plane in Bhutan, most likely you will land in Paro. Western Bhutan is the home of the Drukpa population and you will most likely facing the biggest, oldest and most beautiful dzong in the kingdom. You will immediately be outside the areas swept by mass tourism.
The town of Paro is located in the center of the rich and fertile Paro Valley, characterized by beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages and historic buildings, all located within a few miles. Immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture by visiting the National Museum, which is located not far from the city center. The Paro airport is located 7 km from the town and 53 km from Paro to Thimphu. Taxis are very rare, so you had better make sure in advance that the presence of a vehicle come to pick you upon arrival.
The best times to visit the country are the months of October and November and during major holidays. The weather is better in the fall, from late September to late November, when the sky is clear and you can see the tops of the highest mountains. It is the ideal time for trekking and for traveling throughout the country. The climate is humid all year round; avoided, however, the monsoon period, from June to August, when in Thimphu falls an average of 0.5 m of rain up to 1 m in the eastern hills.
Bumthang is the spiritual center of Bhutan and home to the oldest and most precious of the Buddhist religion. Smokers must refuel before arrival, because in this area is prohibited to sell tobacco. Located in the heart of Bhutan, Bumthang consists of four main valleys: the most important Chos Khor, are the dzong (fortress-monasteries'), the main temples and palaces. Jakar is located at the foot of the valley of Chos Khor; it is advisable to take as a base. Jakar Dzong is the largest of Bhutan its circumference measures more than 1500 m and dates back to 1549. Wangdichholing The Palace was the humble abode of King Wangchuck Uygen.
Farther along the valley of Chos Khor, there is the Jambey Lhakhang temple, built in 659, which houses one of the most spectacular celebrations of the kingdom, the Jambey Lhakhang Drup in October. Kurjey Lhakhang takes its name from the impression of the body of Guru Rimpoche that is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings, which dates back to 1652. If you are tired of visiting the dzong ancient and sacred buildings, go to the countryside . Here, the majority of Bhutanese still live as more than a thousand years ago.
The best place to stay in the region of Bumthang is Japar, just 150 km from Thimphu. As with just about any other place in Bhutan, arriving here means finding any vehicle equipped with wheels and rent it, stop it or climb. The only alternative is to make the journey on foot.
Phobjika is a glacial valley located on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and is a protected area on the border of the Black Mountain National Park. It is one of the most important nature reserves in the country, because of the numerous black-necked cranes (a rare and endangered) that spend the winter here. These birds occupy an important place in the folklore of Bhutan: One of the most famous folk songs tells the sad moment when the cranes leave the valley to return to Tibet. With the permission of the Nature Conservation Section of Thimphu can take a look at the nests of these birds. At dusk, the birds of the region come together for the night, creating a wonderful sight to see.
Pets typical of the valley are the muntjac barking deer, takin, wild boar, sambar the largest deer of Bhutan, Himalayan black bear, leopard and the red fox. Nearby is the Black Mountain National Park, a vast area that still retains its natural state. It contains many species of plants and animals. Among the animals remind the tiger, Himalayan black bear, leopard, red panda, the Indian antelope, serow or Capricorn is a kind of robust goat, sambar, wild boar and the golden langur. To achieve Phobjikha, take the main road to Wangi, then turn onto a dirt road and continue for another 13 km. Phobjikha is 94 km from Thimphu.
Taktshang, the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, is miraculously perched on the edge of a cliff 900 m above the valley floor. The name of the monastery means 'Tiger's Nest' and refers to a legend that Guru Rinpoche flew up here clinging to the back of a tiger (a manifestation of his consort Yeshe Tsogyal) to subdue the demon in the area, Singey Samdrup. The guru spent three months here, meditating in a cave.
Entering the complex you will pass under the images of Rigsum Gompo Jampelyang, Chenrezig and Channa Dorje. The first chapel on the left is dedicated to Dorje Phagmo, with stone image of the goddess hidden in a cavity barely visible in the floor.
The chorten inside is entitled to Longchen Pelgyi Tsegay, a disciple of Guru Rinpoche lived in the ninth century, who meditated in the cave. Behind the chorten is a sacred spring. Guru Lhakhang has at its center an image of Pema Jungne, one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche. This statue replaces a famous picture 'speaking' lost in the fire of 1998. Visible on the walls are pictures of demonic gods with animal heads, different manifestations of the goddess and protector Tseringma Phurba riding a snow lion.
From here you go down to Dubkhang, the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three months. Outside there is a statue of Dorje Drolo, the event with which Rinpoche reached in flight Taktshang. Inside, behind a door with magnificent gilding, there is a chorten filled with small phurba symbols of the thunderbolt very elaborate. Above the door is a picture of Thangtong Gyalpo holding iron chains. Wall paintings of Guru Tshengye, or the eight manifestations of Rinpoche, adorn the walls. still more within the complex there is Tshengye Guru Lhakhang, where you can see a picture of the founder of the temple, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay.
Laya, the north-western part of Bhutan is one of the highest villages in Bhutan: it is located at 3700 m, below the imposing peak of Masagang. Here is a community known by the name of Layap, consisting of around 800 people who speak their particular language. The village women are striking for their elegance and wearing conical hats of special bamboo with a touch of bamboo fastened by means of straps decorated with pearls.
They wear wool jackets black with silver trim and long skirts with strips of black wool in natural colors. They agghindano with a lot of silver jewelry, which often include a number of teaspoons. Women often put on a show consisting of evening cultural circle dances accompanied by traditional folk songs of Layap. If you do not have a helicopter, the only way to achieve Laya is to go there on foot. The step is part of the Laya-Gasa Trek Snowman Path of Man of the Snows, one of the most difficult and demanding paths of the world.
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary nature reserve, which occupies 650 sq km, is located in the area to the east of the kingdom and has the distinction of being the only reserve in the world created specifically to protect the habitat of the yeti, known in Bhutan under the name of migoi (strong man). The migoi is different from the yeti found (or not found) in other regions of the Himalayas. His body is covered with hair that can be reddish-brown or blacks, but his face is not hairy.
Apparently it smells good and has the power to make himself invisible, which explains why it was only seen by very few people. Another feature that helps this be the elusive hairy and not to be seen is the fact that many specimens have their feet put to the contrary, which may confuse those who try to follow in his footsteps.
The village, or Goemba of Sakteng is the ideal place from which to soak in the wilderness of the reserve. Go to Trashigang, then drive along the 60 km that separate you from the eastern border of Bhutan Thimphu total distance: 660 km.
The town of Trashigang, lively and pretty, it's a great starting point for exploring the rugged eastern part of the kingdom. Few tourists come up here, but if you're willing to give up the relative comfort of Thimphu and Paro, and to explore this corner of the country covered with forests, it will be a rewarding experience. It is the most densely populated area of Bhutan, but it is also the true background of the country.
It's a good place to sample the local pledge and to enjoy the atmosphere in that order. The villagers took the city on the occasion of religious festivals, namely 1, 10 and 15 of the Bhutanese month. After selling their products, they remain blocked by the pledge and make the rounds of all the bars have a classic Bhutanese.
Wild mountains, enchanting valleys, winding rivers, crystal clear lakes, dense forests and pristine nature of Bhutan are a true paradise for trekking lovers. Proceed with difficulty on narrow paths without any convenience you may seem a rather silly to spend your U.S. $ 200 per day, but the trek is the ideal way to get to know the rural culture of the country and its pristine nature. In Bhutan you will not find hiking equipment or sleeping bags for hire, then portateveli from home.
Who organizes the tours will provide you with a guide, the animals to carry your bags, foam mats, plates and cutlery and how you can serve for cooking. The hiking trails range from the relatively easy for a period of three days in real expeditions lasting more than three weeks.
Rafting in Bhutan is a relatively new. The rates are the same as for normal tourists and hikers. There are many organizations that offer comprehensive programs on the rivers of level 3-5. The most important are the Mo Chhu, towards the source of the river in Punakha in eastern Bhutan, and the Ema Datse Canyon, on Mangde Chhu in central Bhutan.