Bhutan is an extraordinary travel destination by any measure. Some have called it the last Shangri-la. Others described the Bhutanese people as one of the last culturally intact societies. All who visit are bound to be mesmerized by the country’s natural beauty.
Nestled between two global giants, China and India, the small kingdom has maintained a high degree of authenticity and independence, although this may be changing sooner rather than later. While the unique cultural heritage continues to be dominant in everyday life and is strongly promoted by the government, there are signs of modernization and development everywhere. Still, Bhutan remains remote and isolated enough to make it very attractive for those who prefer the roads less traveled.
Itinerary
Our journey began with a very early flight from Bangkok to Paro, which has Bhutan’s only international airport. The national airline is Druk Air. Its pilots are probably the only ones experienced enough to maneuver larger size aircraft safely through the maze of the Himalayan mountain peaks that surround the region. There are no guarantees that landing is always possible, and passengers are given advance notice that flights may be cancelled or even turned around midair if the weather conditions are deemed unsafe. On a clear day, however, the views from the plane are nothing short of breathtaking. Nearing Paro, passengers can see some of the most spectacular peaks of the eastern Himalayas, including Kanchenchunga, the third highest mountain in the world, and Chomolhari, Bhutan’s holy mountain.
After clearing customs and collecting our baggage, we were met by our tour guide and driver who stayed with us throughout our entire visit. While there are no off-limit areas for tourists, the government of Bhutan requires that foreign visitors follow a pre-paid, pre-planned travel itinerary set up by a Bhutanese touring company.
English is spoken in the larger cities and at all major hotels, but once you venture out into the country, communicating with the locals can be more difficult.
Our first stop on the way to our hotel was the Ta Dzong, a circular fortress that was originally built to protect the town of Paro and the surrounding valley from invasion by foreign enemies. Today, it is a national museum. “Dzongs” were originally military fortresses, but today they serve as administrative centers for local governments and as monasteries for Bhutan’s many monks and their religious activities.
Below the Ta Dzong lies the Paro Rimpung Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful edifices of its kind. Visitors should not rush through these majestic, yet utterly peaceful dwellings but take time to quietly linger and experience the otherworldliness of the place.
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