Tailormade Holidays in Bhutan

The Bumthang Valley is actually a series of four valleys that lie at the heart of Bhutan. There are many beautiful walks in the area through the pine forests and grassy meadows that sit high on the slopes above the roaring Chamkar River. On such walks you will come across small shrines and Buddhist prayer wheels nestled in shady ravines and small rustic monasteries with friendly monks and nuns. The small settlement of Jakar comprises a cluster of houses, small shops and restaurants and a visit to the town’s Jambay Lhakhang monastery is recommended. The valley of Ura has an extremely rustic and rural feel and is worthy of a full day’s visit. Bumthang is also a good starting point for a number of excellent treks and it is the gateway to the little-visited eastern reaches of Bhutan.

The small town of Paro is often the first point of call for visitors to Bhutan, since the country’s international airport is located here. Paro holds many delights, not least the trail up to the famed Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which seemingly clings to a cliff-face and commands impressive views across the valley. This is a must for any holiday itinerary, and we advise an early start to make the most of the birdlife and flora along the forested trail that leads up to the monastery. Other worthwhile highlights in Paro include the National Museum, the imposing Paro Dzong or a full day excursion to the scenic Haa Valley, an excellent botanical and birding site where the sensational Himalayan Monal may be seen. The sought-after Ibisbill, the iconic wading bird of the Himalaya, is another avian attraction of the Paro area, where it favours the gravel islands of the Paro River.

Bhutan’s capital city isn’t a place in which most visitors linger long and a night here is generally enough to satisfy curiosity. The imposing Tashi Dzong is one of the highlights and there’s also a nearby nunnery worth visiting. For those interested, the Mothithang Takin Preserve holds several Takin, the bizarre goat-antelope that resembles a mountain Musk-ox and is Bhutan’s national animal.

The Punakha Valley is reached by crossing the Dochu La pass from Paro or Thimpu, a drive of only a few hours. As well as spectacular views of the Himalayan snowbound peaks, this journey offers excellent birding and botanising in the wonderful hemlock, fir, rhododendron and evergreen oak forests en route. Fire-tailed Myzornis and Mrs Gould’s Sunbird are among the most stunning forest birds to look for, while in spring the flowering rhododendrons and magnolias are a highlight. The Punakha Valley itself, lying at under 1,000 metres, is one of the lowest valleys in central Bhutan; it is consequently warmer and holds a range of lowland bird species that you are unlikely to see elsewhere in Bhutan. The fabulous Punakha Dzong is situated at the confluence of two rivers and is flanked by several Jacaranda trees which blossom in spring; it is widely considered to be the most beautiful of all the country’s dzongs. Many rewarding walks can be made from Punakha, exploring both the river and forest habitats, but it is the valley to the north of Punakha that holds the most special species, among them Fire-capped Tit and the extremely rare White-bellied Heron.

The little village of Gangtey consists of a few farmhouses scattered upon the hillside overlooking a large upland mire known as the Phobjika Valley. A large flock of Black-necked Cranes winters here, making this valley one of the most important wildlife reserves in the country. The cranes generally arrive towards the end of October and depart between mid-February and mid-March. These magnificent birds have become part of the local folklore here and hold a special place in the hearts of the residents of Gangtey, to the extent that an entire festival is held to celebrate their safe return each year, usually in November. There are lots of excellent walking trails around the valley and a visit here shouldn’t be discounted even if you’re coming at a time when the cranes are not in residence.

Located in the far east of Bhutan, the Lingmethang Road is only 79 kilometres long but passes through every forest type and altitudinal zone between its highest point at 3,700 metres all the way down to the valley bottom, a drop of over 3,000 metres! This extreme altitudinal range enables one to see an extraordinarily high number and diversity of bird species and these roadside forests hold many of the most sought-after of eastern Himalayan specialities, amongst them Ward’s Trogon, Satyr Tragopan and Rufous-necked Hornbill, plus a wealth of warblers and babblers at lower altitudes. Suffice it to say, the birding here is quite outstanding; however, this is a remote and little-visited location where camping is necessary and long road journeys are required. For the serious birder, though, it’s ‘a must’!

The Bhutanese enjoy many magnificent Buddhist festivals or ‘Tsechus’ throughout the year and most of these take place in the monasteries and dzongs around the country. Each one is a time for locals to come together to socialise and celebrate, wearing their finest national dress, and one can’t help but be swept up with the sense of excitement, fun and the deep reverence these people have for their Buddhist roots. These events are always colourful affairs, with the monks donning intricate costumes and ghoulish masks to perform ritualistic ‘Cham’ dances in the cloistered courtyards of the dzongs and monasteries. Specific festival dates change each year according to the lunar calendar and it is necessary to book early to include one of these dates in your itinerary as accommodation often sells out well in advance! Some of our favourite festivals include the Thimphu Tsechu (Sept/Oct), Jambay Lhakhang Drup of Bumthang (Oct/Nov), the Black-necked Crane Festival of Gangtey in November (the best for a wildlife theme!), the Punakha Tsechu (Feb/Mar) and the Paro Tsechu (Mar/Apr). We can help you decide on a particular festival, but whichever you attend it is bound to be a most memorable experience!

Bhutan offers some of the best trekking opportunities in the world, enabling you to explore and enjoy its Himalayan peaks, isolated valleys, magnificent temperate forests, mysterious Buddhist hermitages and spectacular wildlife that includes Tiger, Takin and Snow Leopard amongst its highest mountains. All treks are undertaken with a knowledgeable guide, a team of pack ponies or Yaks and a cook. Since there are no mountain lodges or tea houses it is necessary to stay overnight in tents which are often set up near small monasteries or shrines. A reasonable level of fitness is required as the routes traverse steep valleys, cross high passes, and are at altitude. However, there are many options available, from short low-altitude treks to longer, expedition-style adventures.

Bhutan works exceptionally well in combination with both India and/or Nepal, but whether you choose to do this, or focus solely on Bhutan, will depend on the time and budget you have available, as well as your ambitions with regard to the region’s wildlife and cultural attractions. Indian destinations that combine well with Bhutan include Kaziranga National Park in Assam, arguably India’s best wildlife reserve and the former British hill station of Darjeeling. Kathmandu presents another obvious option since many flights into Bhutan come via Nepal’s capital. Packed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and also offering Chitwan National Park, Pokhara (for mountain views), Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and a wealth of trekking options, a stop-over in Nepal is hard to resist. With a combined experience of over 60 years of operating holidays to this part of the world, our team is well placed to offer advice and guidance to make sure that you get the most out of your visit!