Bhutan: An Insider’s Guide
The Buddha Dordenma overlooks the capital city of Thimphu.
This guest post was contributed by Zach Collier.
In 1997 during a backpacking trip in Asia, I had my first glimpse of Nepal while trekking and kayaking around the Himalayas. Like many visitors to this area of the globe, I found myself entranced with the rich history of Buddhism and the stories of the Dalai Lama found here. I decided to extend my stay and pay a visit to neighboring Tibet in the hopes of experiencing the famed Shangri-la. I arrived in the capital city of Lhasa and drove to Kathmandu, visiting many important temples and buildings of the former country. But, sadly I didn’t find the peaceful, Buddhist country that I sought, as the Tibetan culture had been greatly altered by China’s takeover in the 1950s.
Bhutan’s scenic landscapes include beautiful rice paddies like this one.
It was many years later that I learned about the kingdom of Bhutan, which hinted at the rich cultural experience I had hoped to find in Tibet. This small country lies just east of Nepal, sandwiched between the behemoths of India and China. For much of the 20th century, Bhutan has been off limits to foreigners, but beginning in 1974, the government began allowing some tourism. The leaders of Bhutan have been careful to limit foreign influence in the hopes of sheltering both their rich culture and stunning natural environments.
A Northwest Rafting guest talks with a young Buddhist monk.
Find Action and Tranquility in Bhutan
After many years working as a river guide and outfitter in the States, I took the plunge in 2009 and started my own raft and kayak travel company. I knew I wanted to lead trips all over the world and visiting Bhutan was at the top of my dream destination list. In 2010, I made my first trip to Bhutan in order to scope out its rivers and piece together an itinerary that would work for my clientele. It was love at first sight with this fascinating country. The Bhutanese people were immediately friendly, their unique culture was what I had been looking for in Tibet, and their rivers fed with the snowmelt of the Himalayas were beyond beautiful. I’ve been back to Bhutan every year since to guide our “Rivers and Dzongs of Bhutan” trip.
In Bhutan, the rivers fed with snowmelt from the Himalayas are “beyond beautiful.”
Bhutan is a special place for many reasons, but what makes Bhutan special as a tourist destination is that instead of touring dreary old castles and religious sites, every place you visit is still alive and being used today. Most of the Dzongs (fortresses), chortens (shrines) and monasteries here are hundreds of years old yet remain in operation. The Mahayana form of Buddhism is the state religion and is practiced by the vast majority of the population. Monks, prayer flags, and prayer wheels are everywhere, and they remind you about the spiritual side of life that is interwoven with everything they do.
Taksang (Tigers Nest) Monestery is the holiest place in all of Bhutan.
Experience Authentic Bhutan
My favorite experiences in Bhutan are always something unplanned or unexpected. On several occasions I’ve been at a monastery when the Je Khenpo (religious leader of Bhutan) is visiting for a special ceremony complete with butter lamps, chanting monks, and offerings. The Buddhist culture most people dream of when they think of Tibet is alive and thriving in Bhutan.
Bhutan can be a place for a spiritual journey, a chance to see the biggest mountains in the world, and an opportunity to be around truly happy people. It is their authenticity as a nation that stands out to me as something special and what will keep me coming back.
Northwest Rafting Company guests experience authentic Bhutan.
Not-to-be-missed experiences when visiting Bhutan
1. See the Buddha Dordenma, the largest sitting Buddha in the world, which overlooks the capital city of Thimphu.
2. Visit a functioning Dzong. My favorite is the Punakha Dzong in the Punakha Valley.
3. Receive a fertility blessing at the temple of the Divine Madman.
4. Raft past local people and beautiful places on one of the rivers of Bhutan.
5. Watch a Buddhist ceremony at one of the monasteries.
6. Visit Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, the holiest place in all of Bhutan.
About Zach Collier
Zach owns Northwest Rafting Company, an outfitter offering rafting trips and cultural tours to his favorite destinations around the globe. He travels to Bhutan every fall to lead active groups on their annual “Rivers and Dzongs of Bhutan” trip.
From a former guest: “In the top 10 days of my life, two of them were on this trip to Bhutan!”
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Good site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find good
quality writing like yours nowadays. Itruly appreciate pople like you!
Take care!!
Bhutan is very good place to tourist.
I wish Nepal too adapted the policy of Bhutan to some extent. Not on the measure of limiting the no of tourists but on preserving their natural and cultural heritages. Great country-Bhutan. Don’t get to become one of the happiest nation in the world for nothing. Cheers to Bhutan!