MESMERIZING
BHUTAN
If you are
·
Peace lover
·
Nature lover
·
Enjoy travelling
·
Enjoy doing adventure
·
Your Happiness index is good
You must visit Bhutan.
A land full of nature, full of happiness, where girls out
number boys and its people giving us important lesson in traffic discipline,
following rules, enjoying life the way it should be.
Some
important points before you go:
·
Travel with passport or voter ID card and
copy of that document
·
2 passport size photos are also required.
·
Indian currency accepted everywhere.
·
Almost all denominations are accepted but 100
Rs is preferable.
·
The temperature varies from city to city but
it will cold in Thimphu and paro. At night we have seen about 1 degrees also so
keep good provision of clothes accordingly.
·
Shoes are preferred as you need to walk
around to see places.
·
Indian currency is equal local Bhutan
Currency: 1 Rupee is 1 Neu.
·
Food: could be a concern for some here. Most
of the hotels serve variety of food mostly Punjabi- Roti, panner other
vegetable etc. But taste could be a problem depending upon cooking style and
herbs used. You may or may not like local food.
·
Various cafes available in markets serving
variety of fast foods like pizza, pastas, burger, sandwiches etc.
·
Shopping for Guajarati’s may not be a good
experience here as they do not do bargain.
·
Most of the travel agents provide local
tourist simcard. Otherwise you can get one from market after providing travel
documents,
·
Wifi is not frequently available in public
places, yes hotels do provide free wifi but not very good and you may struggle
with speed and might need to find one preferred spot in your room or lobby to
catch one.
·
There some dressing restrictions like not
allowing shorts, need to full sleeve t shirts
or t shirts with collar for adults etc are there at certain places to so
better avoid it or talk to your guide before your go every day.
Let’s see Bhutan from my
eyes.
How
to Reach:
Airport- Paro- Direct
flights from various cities of India. 2 major airlines Druk Airlines and Royal
Bhutan Air lines.
By Road:
Via Bagdogra: This is airport In India connected from
various places and nearest air port from here is Calcutta.
We travel from Ahmadabad to Calcutta and then to Bagdora
via flight. And from Bagdogra to Bhutan via Road while going and direct flight
in return.
Road
Journey:
After utter traffic chaos on Airport and heavy traffic on
roads of Bagdogra we embark upon road journey towards Bhutan. A visual treat
has just started. Though it was bright hot afternoon the roads were good and
scenic beauty was really good.
Bhutan
is a landscape of fluttering flags and majestic monasteries. It is also famous
for its essentially undisturbed ecology and traditional ways
of life. The serene atmosphere is a perfect setting for adventures and
exploration.
Lot of construction and repair work is underway.
After about 6 hours we reach Jiagaon, the last village on
our side. Small town, it was evening and roads were crowded. It was usual to
find small shops, unorganized parking etc.
Then comes one gate: Entry of Bhutan.
We were just eager to go on other side as bit tired also.
There were 2 police men or guards at the gate, after some brief inquiry they
let our bus in.
We could believe our eyes.
Phuntsholing:
The city on other side.
Just amazing.
Clean roads, organized and artistic buildings, people
crossing roads on zebra crossing, very light traffic still traffic police at
signals.
That was great welcome.
After check in to the hotel we thought of having small
walk around the place. Quite soothing. It was not very cold.
About 10 at night still traffic police on cross roads.
Day
2: Phuntshilong to Thimphu-About 7500 fts height-from warm to cold
After breakfast we were taken for tourist permission
center. You need to fill up form, give photo and copy of passport or voter ID
to get entry permit. Physical paper permit was issued.
Took less than hour, it all depends upon number of
tourists. Photo taken, finger print taken. Some of us had e permit taken prior
by our travel agent.
Then we embark our journey towards Thimphu- the capital
of Bhutan.
Phuntsholing to Thimphu is driving around mountains. You just start climbing immediately.
This journey from Phuentsholing toThimphu would be
an amazingly scenic drive with views of mesmerizing mountains and flowing
rivers.
To reach Thimphu it took us around 6-7 hours. The entire
journey was awesome. Your eyes will just see Green color on the way, and it
will start getting cold as you climb.
Quality of road was excellent. There are various good view points where you
will not resist taking photos again and again.
Please keep in mind that there not much good food options
on road. Keep your provision of snacks
with you.
We reach Thumphu at about 7 pm. It was quite cold. Our
hotel was very good.
After dinner we tried bit of walking around but it was
too cold so could not go.
Day
3: Local Thimphu:
After breakfast we started visiting local sightseeing.
Important places include:
A marvel of
architecture and design.
A strikingly large structure
surrounded by manicured lawns and beautiful gardens, which houses the throne
room, offices of the secretariat and the King.
Very well maintained.
The place offers a soothing experience. Scenic beauty is best here and a great
photogenic place. Was lucky to view change of Guard at flag hosting place. Do
visit.
Probably highest point
in Thimphu. Having statue of Buddha in sitting posture. Visible from quite a
distance . Excellent place. Easily accessible by vehicles. Offer excellent
views of valley around. A perfect photo spot. Visible from distance. Some
construction work still going in making stairs etc. Washrooms needs to proper
and functioning.
We had been there in
afternoon at about 4. Tired from all day sightseeing. A nice place to relax.
One can do walk, cycling here. Kids can play here. Activity area for kids is
also here. Having nice walking Buddha statue. Good photo point.
A good place which
provides information about the way the things are made by people here with
different styles. We could seen real demo while being made by artists here. Do
spend some time here.
Clock Tower: This is in main bazaar surround by restaurants and shops
around. You can relax here, roam around, and do some shopping as per interest.
We had lunch here. A big open place where one can sit and enjoy the weather.
Area live with activity.
Lunch: Number of
hotels here where you can get Punjabi and fast food here. Some sit in
restaurant and cafes are here.
We were lucky enough
to see Archery game which is national game of Bhutan. We show the different
match in front of Coronation Park with players dancing traditionally with every
point earned in the game. A good sight to see.
We even had a chance
to see live local football match in the football stadium in adjacent area.
Shopping Tip: Rather than buying from Main clock tower are
you can buy traditional dragon mugs from local market here, Do ask your guide
just 5 minutes’ walk away from coronation park.
Motithang Takin Preserve
You will find here the national animal of Bhutam- Takin. Big
park and involves bit of walking too, Not advisable for those who are having
problem with walking. Spotting Takin here is matter of chance.we were lucky as
it was there feeding time so all of them came near to cage wall. In case
of tight schedule this place can be
avoided.
Takin looks like a cross between a cow
and a goat. The animal is indigenous to Bhutan and its surrounding regions
Before going in, the
view outside is just superb. Watch short film just after entering.
Surrounding is
excellent. You can see here various fabrics of Bhutan and related history.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha: Going from cold to
warm weather.-Took around 5 hours with breaks in between.
After breakfast we
started our journey to Punakha valley. This is a forest reserve and you need
permit to enter this area. Travel agents manage this so nothing to be done on
our side.
The roads in Bhutan
are very good.
First we climb from
7500 fts to 10 fts to our first destination on way that is Dochula pass.
At
about 10000 feet this place is worth visiting.
The entire weather was very cloudy with very low visibility.
The Dochula pass is 45-minutes from Thimphu and is
perched at 3100 m, offering a glimpse of the Himalayan range.
What
a feeling of being in clouds. Cold weather. We just move around place and
visited various ancient “Stupas” there. Again flowers there are very good and
this is a photogenic place.
There
is a café here where you can have hot coffee and cold weather or just simply
sit outside and enjoy nature.
Unfortunately
due to very cold and clouds we could not had a visual treat of Himalayas. But
one must visit.
After
we started journey towards punakha and passed botanical garden on way.
On
way we visited
En route to Punakha from
Thimphu. A good place which gives walking and bit of tracking experience. One needs
to walk from various fields and reach there. The walking takes around half and
hour and good experience. There is a cafe and small group of shops various you
can buy things. Good place with divine experience. Not vary difficult to reach.
As usual surrounds are great to view.
This sacred temple was made in honour of Lama DrukpaKunley. Childless
women go to the temple to receive a blessing or empowerment from the saint. It
is a 20-minutes long pleasant walkfrom road at Sopsokha to the temple
After reaching there we had lunch. Very
limited options. We simply skip routine lunch and munch some snacks.
Be careful
while buying from local small market, check expiry dates etc before you bye
anything to eat or drink.
Punukha Dazong:
Sitting right
on the union of 2 rivers this a very beautiful place . It
stands majestically on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo
Chhu
rivers and is one of the most photogenic of all of Bhutan's ancient
fortresses. The color of flowers here -Purple
adds to beauty of this palace. Do ask your guide about history of this place.
Our first Prime Minister shri jawahar nehru has planted a tree here which is
big tree now. A place for monks to stay in summer. Photogenic place. You will
love clicking photos here.
The
dzong joins the mainland by an arched wooden bridge and houses
many precious relics from the days when successive kings reined the kingdom
from this valley.
Other attractions include:
·
River rafting
·
Suspension bridge
Had then evening at leisure in, Zhingkham Resort a good hotel with wonderful
views.
Punakha is all about river, valley and fort.
Day
6: Punakha to Paro- Again going from warm to cold.
We started our journey at about 9 am reach Paro via
Thimphu at about 1 pm.
Paro is often
called the gateway to the Himalayan Kingdom
En route on the out skirts you will see Paro
International Airport- A unique in world which is having shortest runway.
The good thing about Bhutan is that if you keep your eyes
on the surroundings while travelling you will not get tired.
We had lunch. There are various restaurants and cafes
around where you can have food. Most of the cafes serve fast food. Traditional
food could be a problem at times. But Quality of food is good and cost is ok.
The food area is located right in the main market of
Paro.
Popular
attractions of Paro
National Museum of Paro which displays the
Antique items
gathered from different parts of the country in a revamped Ta-dzong building.
Another interesting site would be the
KyichuLhakhang. This temple built in 659 is one of the oldest
temples in Bhutan and is believed to have been built to subdue a demoness
residing in the Himalayas.
Market: Lots of shops which sell local art items of
Bhutan are here. You can walk around and spend time at per your choice.
Just behind the main road where you will be walking (on
right side if you are coming from airport road), do not forget to check in
behind the road, there is river passing which is a very beautiful sight to see.
You can just roam around to feel the weather and have nice experience.
Tigress
Nest: The Temple or Taksang Monastery – A trekkers paradise
It is the most Famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said
that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at the
monastery.
Perched precariously on the edge of a 1200 m cliff, this monastery is
an impressive sight and the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. The up-hill hike
would take around 2 hours.
You could also choose to ride a horse from the parking lot to the Cafeteria.
If the full hike sounds a bit tough, you can hike for 1 hour
to the cafeteria - a wooden tea-house restaurant which offers a good view of
the monastery.
The person who are physically fit and have habit of regular walking or
doing some exercise are advised to take this otherwise you can choose to sit in
bus or go to other place.
At times it is raining here which makes task even more difficult. That
happened with us. Keep minimum baggage, keep water and light snacks and take
stick on rent from base.
Be careful while horses are passing by. They may push
you.
The views are just superb. And worth having trekking
experience.
Only thing parking area is not well developed. In group
tour if you do not choose to climb, you just need to sit in bus for 4-5 hours
till other come back.
Even for using restrooms you need to pay 20 Rs. No food
available.
Evening we spent at leisure just roaming around and
shopping.
The next day we had flight back to home from Paro.
Tip: Though costlier you can opt from to and from flights
from paro your destination to save about 1 day-24 hours of travelling in
Bhutan.
But do visit and recommend
this country. Wishing you happy journey.
Nice information sir..thanks
ReplyDeleteVery informative...eager to go there...
ReplyDelete