|
|
home - Bhutan
BHUTAN
The last paradise
Known to the natives as Druk Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon), Bhutan is
regarded as the last paradise on earth. Its isolation, spectacular mountains,
varied flora and fauna, ancient Buddhist monasteries, vibrant culture and mystic
aura have made it so.
Though small in size, the kingdom's topography is one of dramatic contrasts.
From the near-tropical southern border with India at an altitude of 300 m, the
land rises to culminate in the over 7000-m peaks of the Himalaya in the north
which form a natural frontier with the Tibetan region of Bhutan's northern
neighbor, China.
THIMPU
 Lying in a valley (elevation 2,350 m), Thimpu is unlike any other capital in the
world. The traditional architecture of its houses and buildings is particularly
striking.
The places to visit are the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the late King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuk; Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government of Bhutan and the summer
residence of the central monk body; the Traditional Medicine Hospital where
herbal medicines are prepared; the National Library, a treasure trove of ancient
texts; the National Institute for Zorig Chosum for thanka painting, sculpture,
wood and slate carving, gold works, embroidery and traditional boot making;
Changangkha Lakhang which contains ancient scriptures and thanka paintings; and
Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest fortress which now houses a school for Buddhist
studies. You can also visit the smithy on the other side of the Thimpu River to
see traditional gold and silver smiths at work, the Folk Heritage Museum, which
showcases a typical Bhutanese farmhouse, and the Takin Sanctuary (the takin is
the national animal of Bhutan) above the Motithang area.
AROUND BHUTAN
WESTERN BHUTAN
Paro is 65 km (two hours' drive) to the southwest of Thimpu. The Taktsang
Monastery where Guru Rinpoche meditated to subdue evil spirits; Rinpung Dzong,
venue of the Paro tsechu (festival); Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum;
the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, built to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan
aggressors; Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan;
and Dungtse Lakhang with its extraordinary collection of religious paintings,
are the places to see in the valley.
Punakha, 77 km (three hours and 15 minutes' drive) north-east of Thimpu, served
as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and, even today, it is the winter home of
the central monk body. The Punakha Dzong houses many sacred artifacts and
temples. The road from Thimpu to Punakha crosses the 3,115-m Dochula Pass.
Wangdi Phodrang (or Wangdi) is situated 70 km (three hours' drive) south-east of
Thimpu. The Wangdi Phodrang Dzong played a key role during the unification of
Bhutan. En route from Wangdi to Tongsa is the Gangtey Gompa, the biggest
Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.
CENTRAL BHUTAN
Trongsa is 129 km (four and a half hours' drive) east of Wangdi and crosses the
3,300 m Pelela Pass. The Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal
family, houses 23 temples. The watchtower, Ta Dzong, has a temple dedicated to
King Gesar, the hero of a great epic.
Bumthang consists of the valleys of Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. It takes two
and a half hours to reach Bumthang, 68 km northeast of Trongsa. Bumthang is
ideal for making excursions to the many monasteries and shrines — Tharpaling,
Choedrak, Tamshing, Kurjey, Jambey, Kunzangdra among others - as well as to
Mebartso, "the flaming lake".
EASTERN BHUTAN
 Mongar is 198 km (seven hours' drive) south-east of Bumthang. The road to Mongar
crosses Thumshingla (3,800 m), the highest pass in Bhutan. The Mongar Dzong is
relatively new compared with the other dzongs of the kingdom.
Lhuntshi is 76 km (three hours' drive) north of Mongar. The landscape here is
spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges and dense coniferous forests. This
district is famous for its weavers and the fine quality of fabrics they produce.
The 90-km trip from Mongar to Trashigang, the easternmost district, takes four
hours. Some 20 km before Trashigang is the Dametsi Monastery, the most important
monastery of eastern Bhutan. After Thimpu, Trashigang is the largest urban
center where the Trashigang Dzong stands over the Gamri river. Tashi Yangtse,
north of Trashigang, has a dzong and the Nepalese style Chorten Kora.
VISA
Foreign travellers must possess a visa for Bhutan which is granted initially for
14 days. While the actual visa is stamped on arrival in Bhutan upon payment of
US $20, visitors need to obtain visa clearance from the Tourism Authority of
Bhutan (TAB) in advance. The visa can be extended in Thimpu for up to six
months. The operator making your travel arrangements will handle the official
formalities.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
Druk Air, Bhutan's airline, operates flights to Paro from Bangkok, Kolkata,
Dhaka, Kathmandu and New Delhi. The overland entry/exit point is from the Indian
state of West Bengal into Phuntsholing in southwest Bhutan. Phuntsholing is four
hours’ drive from Bagdogra, the nearest Indian airport, and seven hours' drive
from both Gangtok (Sikkim) and Darjeeling. The drive from Phuntsholing to Thimpu
takes six hours.
Transport within the country is provided by tour operators who have their own
fleet of luxury buses. All major places of interest are connected by paved
roads.
GENERAL INFO
Bhutan has a strip of plain in the south, a network of valleys in the central
parts and over 7,000-m high mountains in the north.
Tariff: The Department of Tourism has set minimum tariffs which are
different for the high and low seasons. Individuals and groups of less than four
persons must pay a surcharge. The rates are the same for both cultural tours and
treks.
Season: March-May and September-November are the high season months,
while June, July and December-February comprise the low season. Bring cotton or
light woolen wear in summer (maximum temperature 30 degrees Celsius) and heavy
woolens and down jacket in winter (minimum 1.1 degrees Celsius).
Adventure: Trekking and mountaineering.
Accommodation: Modern hotels are available in Thimpu. The outlying areas
have comfortable resorts and lodges.
For more information, contact Department of Tourism,
P.O. Box 126, Thimpu, Bhutan;
Tel: 00975-2-23251, 23252;
Fax: 00975-2-23695.
|
|
