Special Attractions
The listed below are some special Events &attractions that you should consider while planning your trip to Bhutan. Being able to incorporatethese special attractions in your itinerary will enrich your Bhutan tour and make it more meaningful, exciting and memorable.
White River Rafting in Punakha
Almost every tour, involving 5 days and longer, includes visit to beautiful subtropical valley of Punakha. Two rivers, Mo chu(female) and Pho chu(male) adorns Punakha valley offering magnificent rafting opportunities.
Beginners and seniors or children would definitely enjoy the Female river, Mo Chhu rafting with gentle rapids, covering about 7 km. There are 10 rapids, graded as 2- to 2+ (easy). Experienced and thrill seekers can enjoy the Male river, Pho Chhu with 15 rapids of 2 to 4 grade covering about 11 kilometers.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Bhutan’s mountainous terrain offers a fascinating adventure for cycling enthusiasts. The winding roads of up and down with exhilarating drops of thousands of metres, and the challenge of surmounting high passes of over 3000 metres is ever thrilling. The route is accompanied by mixed forests, pasturelands, rich meadows and valleys dotted with medieval villages and towns. You can choose from easy to adventurous trails, and will be backed up by professional support staff at all times. Lonely Bhutan Tour and Trek will co-ordinate your entire trip including arranging quality mountain bicycles for your riding pleasure unless you choose to bring your own bike.
Outdoor kitchen - Cook Ema Datshi and prepare Butter Tea.
Chilli and cheese are essential ingredients in Bhutanese cuisine. A curry conjured up with Chilli and Cheese locally known as “ema datshi” is worth tasting. A meal of red rice, dried beef and ema datshi is the staple diet of Bhutanese and will excite your taste buds with delicious flavours.Our well set outdoorkitchen at Damchena village in Paro can offer open outdoor cooking with the fresh and organic vegetables, herbs, salads and fruits that can be harvested instantly at the farm.
Suja or the butter tea is one of the specialities in Bhutanese recipes. Butter tea is served in all occasions with other traditional meals. Traditional tea leaves is boiled in water, churned in a bamboo churner with fresh cow or yak butter and salt. You might think it more as soup but its tea for the Bhutanese.
Farm House visit, Traditional Dinner& Hot Stone Bath
One of the best ways to experience Bhutanese way of life is to visit a farmhouse. Farmhouses are simple structures made up of locally available mud, timber and stones with distinct Bhutanese wood designs and paintings. Time your visit with a dinner and a hot stone bath. Hot stone bath is an ancient way of healing common ailments such as body aches, wounds and stomach diseases. Mineral contained stones are heated red hot in hard wood fire to heat the water in which you will take a dip for relaxaction and healing.
Village tour - Hiking, walking & Trekking
Hiking, walking and trekkingare very popular in Bhutan because it allows the traveler to get off the beaten track and into the wondrous Bhutanese landscape. Just imagine wandering through a wilderness with a diversity of flora and fauna that has led to Bhutan being declared one of 10 global hot spots for environmental conservation. There are so many sacred monasteries way up in the mountains which can be reached after good deal of hikesalong the mountain trails.Walking into the village, meeting farmers and eating with the families will be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Bhutan is indeed a trekker’s delight. When it comes to trekking, Bhutan proves to be a paradise unmatched. What accentuates a trekking in Bhutan is the country’s captivating scenic beauty and the sheer wilderness that takes you past the unexplored mountain trails, serene alpine villages, crystal clear lakes, Lofty mountains, rugged yet scenic terrains and a plethora of offbeat trails. Bhutan’s good and farsighted tourism policy has greatly contributed in protecting the nature and hence, many of the trails remain untouched and unexplored. Bhutan trekking tours ranges from short treks to challenging high altitude treks. To enrich more Bhutanese experience for the short trekkers we combined some culture experience as well.
Weekend Market & Craft Bazaar
In Thimphu, opposite to Taj Tashi at the end of Norzin Lam road is a long line of temporary huts made of bamboo mats. It should be interesting to check these handicraft stores as they sell genuine Bhutanese artworks.
If it’s a weekend, you can visit the vegetable market, which is locally known as the Centenary Farmer’s Market. Locals from as far as Paro, Punakha and Wangdue come here to sell their farm produce. It offers wonderful opportunity for photography. The lower floor houses red rice and other grains as well as dry fish, fruits and vegetables. The upper floor contains Bhutanese incense, local vegetables, betel nuts, dried meats, cheese and butter. If you cross on the bridge to the other side of Thimphu chu you will find handicrafts and imported garments.
Explore Thimphu capital city
Thimphu, the only capital city in the world without traffic lights is a must-see place. It’s a unique city with mix of both traditional and modernism. Taking about an hour, one can drive around the city, Babesa to Dechencholing then into the core of the city, visit bars, karaoke bars and discos to get an insight to Bhutanese inclination to different cultures. Also explore the little outskirts of the city which will take you to the life of rural settings as well.
Wear Gho, Kira &watch Archery
The national costumes, Gho for men and Kira for women are fascinating attires in Bhutan. It is similar but different to ones worn by Tibetans. Gho is a knee-length robe resembling a Scottish kilt. It’s tied at the waist by a traditional belt made of cotton weave. Kira, an ankle-length dress is a woven fabric. The rectangular piece is wrapped and folded around the body and pinned at both shoulders, usually with silver brooches. It’s then tied at the waist with a long belt. Its worn with tego, sort of like a jacket.
Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. These matches are held on ad hoc basis and if you happen to catch a match, it is fun to spend few minutes observing. We can also arrange an archery demonstration or a lesson on shooting an arrow on prior notice for a more hands-on experience.
Chit Chatting with locals and children
“A guest in your house must be treated like a God” is an old Bhutanese saying and indeed utmost respect is shown to all the guest who comes to the house. It is an utter habit of every Bhutanese to smile, greet each other and share Beatle nut over a conversation of each other’s wellbeing. School children are other amazing people to talk with. They love to say “Hello” to every tourist they come across. It would be fun to watch them run around and play endlessly as they walk back home from school. Therefore, visiting around farmlands and meeting farmers and children would be enriching experience and great memories to take with.
Try Ara and other Bhutanese Alcohol
Bhutan produces one of the best beers and whiskies in the world. Druk 11000, Lager and Red Panda are some of the best that can nourish your taste buds. Special Courier, Highland and K5 are good whisky brands. Try some locally produced fermented wine and ara, to get taste of Bhutanese alcohol.
Being mindfulness of the living Arts
While you are in Bhutan you must notice the living arts such as Architecture and painting, crafts and sculpturing, textile and weaving, fluttering prayer flags and stupas, Monks and monasteries, festival and costumes, designs and colors significance, etc. are to be observed and understood.