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Experience "Bhutan"- A Kingdom in the Foothills of the Himalayas
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“Bhutan” – A Kingdom on the Foothills of Himalayas

Kuntala 38 Comments , , , , ,

Bhutan – A picturesque country with its flora and fauna is flocked by tourists almost throughout the year. One can spend almost a week in the foothills of the Himalayas in tranquility and peace.

The places which are a must visit in this mesmerizing country are; Thimpu (the capital city of Bhutan), Punakha, Gangtey Valley, and Paro. I will traverse through each of them and share my experiences on how nature has embedded them with its green carpet.

Thimpu

Thimpu is the capital city of Bhutan. One can spend two days in this place with its majestic mountains rejuvenating the mind and heart along with its gorges and valleys. The Memorial Chorten is one of the prestigious cultural heritage sites of Thimpu. It is built in the memorial of the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuk by his mother. It is amazing to watch the locals encircling the stupa 108 times with a respect to the king throughout the day. The beauty of the stupa is affiliated with the golden spires and the lion shrines; securing the stupa from flying away to Tibet (as believed by the locals).

The cultural heritage journey in Thimpu is further enhanced by the “Buddha Dordenma”, the tallest Buddha in the world. The status is placed above a high mountain top and presents a royal and grand appearance as it overlooks the country. People around the world have been contributing small statues of Buddha inside the stupa as a mark of respect and there are more than 2000 statues already in the collections. The artistry inside the monastery is something to be appreciated specifically the skill of the artists and the precision in their work. One should also not miss out on the Takin Zoo, the archery tournament, and the living museum portraying Bhutan culture.

Punakha

Punakha, the administrative center of Bhutan, is also one of the important travel destinations. Its magnificent valleys in between the Himalayas are a treat to the eyes. The Himalayan ranges seem endless engulfing one in its vastness and purity. The gushing sound at the confluence of the Pho Chu (male river) and the Mo Chu (female river) rivers with the water splashing on the stones shining on the banks looked as if an artist has painted a panoramic view of the landscape.

The most adventurous part of Punakha is the 164 m suspension bridge over the rivers. One can take a walk over the bridge and experience the soothing breeze and get enlightened. And finally one must not forget to visit the Punakha Dzong, a palace along the riverside built in the 17th century. The massive structure of the palace and the beauty of its architecture is amazing to watch.

Gangtey Valley

Gangtey Valley is one of the rarest experiences a traveler can have thronged by the black-necked cranes during the winters. The valley stretches for miles like a widespread green carpet in between the mountains. One has to reach the valley after passing through dense forests and the beautiful rhododendron trees. It's indeed a treat to the eyes to watch around one of the plains opening up with its greenery; along with small artistic villages. One of the main attractions of the valley is the black-necked cranes; the migratory birds arriving in Bhutan in September and October.

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature in Bhutan is involved in protecting the birds from being extinct or being attacked by unknown predators or any major natural calamities. The valley is flanked by beautiful meandering rivers, wide varieties of mountain plants, and trees especially the Pine trees and the rhododendrons. The strawberry plants with little red juicy fruits pop up in between the green grasses. Bright flowers adorn up the valley with their colorful hues. The valley is also a great destination for hikers. One can see small groups of hikers, walking for long distances across the valley.

Paro

Paro, situated west of Thimpu, hosts Bhutan's only international airport and is a hub for the farmers. The city is famous for one of the sacred sites in Bhutan, the Taktsang or Tiger's Nest. Its believed that Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche flew to this particular location on the back of a tigress. Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, and 3 hours in the 8th century. He is considered to be one of the pioneers who introduced Buddhism in Bhutan.

One can visit the Chele la Pass from Paro located at an altitude of 3810 m or 13,000 feet. It's the highest road pass in Bhutan. One can see colorful flags fluttering all along with the place. It's mostly chilled out there and one can experience a cold effect throughout the place. The drive to Chele la pass is worth the experience as you pass through the dense forests of tall trees, rivers, waterfalls, rhododendrons, and the yaks and the takins grazing in the fields.

The immense beauty of the mountains, valleys, and rivers and the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan is astonishing to watch. It's a place of a traveler's envy; like a magnet attracts and pulls one into its mesmerizing epicenter of beauty.

For a complete guide on how to plan for a Budget Trip from India to Bhutan; please do not miss to visit the link BudgetTravelBuff.

Author

Kuntala

A travel enthusiast craving to explore the exotic destinations in the world, deciphering the mysteries and the thrill concealed in them.

Tags: #bhutan, #bloggers, #blogging, #travel, #travelogueofkuntala, #travels

Kuntala

A blogger interested in travelling and exploring new places and sharing ideas with all. Curious about the unique features of a place and its ethereal beauty.

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