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The Kingdom of Bhutan
Nestled in the folds of the Himalayan Mountains between China and India, the Kingdom of Bhutan seems to dwarf its giant neighbors with its cheerful people, stunning scenery, ancient edifices, and a culture that is both unique and inspiring. Bhutan is not a rich country, but it has a richness seldom found elsewhere.
Your senses will be filled with the scents of burning incense and juniper; the vibrant colors of hand loomed textiles and prayer flags wafting in the breeze; the tastes of hot chilies and soothing tea; the sounds of roaring rivers or virtually no sounds at all. This is Bhutan.
Visitors often remember their visit to Bhutan as more than a vacation. The grace and warmth of the people, the sheer beauty of the landscape and ancient buildings, and the genuine spirituality that is a part of everyday life is not easy to forget. Few travelers have the opportunity to visit this lovely country. It is an experience of a lifetime.
Now that you’ve settled into dreaming about heaven on earth, I’d like to share some practical information to help you prepare for your visit.
Bhutan Features:
The Thirteen Traditional Crafts (Zorig Chusum)
Architecture is a significant part of Bhutanese culture. The architectural designs of most buildings in Bhutan feature certain characteristics and similarities, including the roof structure, windows, colors, and building shapes. However, architectural skills are still taught and learned as they have been for centuries – through oral instruction and apprenticeship. The giant dzongs, for example, had no written drawings, and were built by hand without even nails.
Traditional farmhouses are dotted across the country and in small villages. Most houses are rather large, and typically include room for livestock, the family, grain storage, and an altar room (choesham). Between the upper level of the house and the roof is an airing room, typically used for drying chilies to use year round.
Buddhism in Bhutan:
The official religion of Bhutan is Vajrayana Buddhism, which was brought to Bhutan by Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in the 8th century. One will immediately notice the influence of Buddhism, with prayer flags on virtually every hill, red-robed monks interspersed with locals on the streets, people spinning prayer wheels and circumambulating temples and choetens on the way to work or school. Many of the buildings have religious significance – the ancient dzongs, monasteries, and temples dot the landscape across the country. Buddhism is ingrained in the culture of Bhutan and its people.
The constitution of Bhutan guarantees religious freedom to all, as long as it does not impinge of the rights of others. Other religions, such as Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam are also practiced in the country. Visitors of all beliefs are welcome in Bhutan, and you will be able to visit many Buddhist sites.
This being said, with a basic understanding of the Buddhism practiced in Bhutan, visitors will be able to better experience the culture and everyday life of its people. Several books present various information on this subject, including:
Bhutan – Lonely Planet Country Guide
What Makes you Not a Buddhist (Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse)
Bhutanese Buddhism and its Culture (Kumagai Seiji)
Climate/When to Visit:
Bhutan is a year-round destination, but several factors can help determine the best season to visit. We generally offer our signature tour in spring and fall. We will plan a visit for summer or winter if you are interested in those times of year.
Spring (March – May)
Bhutan is in full bloom in the springtime with rhododendrons, magnolias and other plants and wildflowers. High temperatures are generally about 70 degrees F (20 C), and several festivals take place at this time of year. There is some rainfall, but in most parts of the country, this is a very pleasant time to visit.
Summer (June – August)
Summer is the monsoon season; therefore, expect more rain than in the other seasons. That being said, the rains come and go, and the sun does appear more that might be expected. The numbers of tourists are fewer, and the trip cost is lower. It can be a good choice if you plan to visit only western Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, and Haa Valley areas), or plan to spend a bit more time indoors.
Note: Although June is considered as part of the monsoon season, the monsoon rains typically begin in late June or early July. Therefore, early to mid June is also a good time to visit Bhutan.
Autumn (September – November)
Fall is the most popular season to visit, with warm daytime highs in the 70’s F, blue skies, and little rain. Several festivals are held in the fall, and there are gorgeous views of the Himalayas.
Winter (December – February)
The winters in all but the northern regions are cool in the daytime with little rain, making it suitable for most activities. It can be quite chilly in the nighttime, however. Roads from western Bhutan to the east may not be passable from time-to-time from January – early March, due to snow. There are fewer tourists in the winter, and the trip cost is less.
Culture:
The culture of Bhutan is clearly evident and visible in most aspects of life, including Buddhism, architecture, art forms, archery, festivals, forms of dress, conduct code (Driglam Namzha) and other traditions. Visitors will see people practicing Buddhism everywhere; see men and boys dressed in the gho and women and girls dressed in the kira, or witnessing a local archery match.
Driglam Namzha is a code of conduct for all Bhutanese, from wearing the gho or kira (with a kabney for men or rachu for women for certain functions), how to address officials, teachers, etc., how to sit, how to eat, and so forth. A grade for Driglam Namzha is even included on students’ school report cards.
Along with the traditional culture, evidence of the modern world is also becoming more apparent every year. Young people wear jeans and t-shirts, listen to modern music, go to discos and bars, and wear modern hairstyles. Many people have cell phones, computers, and watch television (it was introduced to Bhutan in 1999, which was the last country in the world to have TV service).
Festivals:
Many travelers plan their visit during a time when a Tshechu is celebrated. These religious festivals occur annually throughout the country at local dzongs, monasteries, or temples. The exact dates of each yearly Tshechu vary from place to place.
While these are religious events for the local communities, tourists and other visitors are generally welcome. The highlight of the Tshechu are the masked dances, where monks and local men dress up in traditional costumes and perform ancient dances that have special meanings about Buddhism and life.
The most popular, and crowded, Tshechus located in Paro and Thimphu. Smaller festivals can be just as enjoyable and rewarding, and we plan a visit to a festival for each of our tours. For more information, visit the government website at: http://www.tourism.gov.bt/activities/festivals
Flora and Fauna:
Bhutan is considered as a biodiversity hotspot, and conservation of the environment is of utmost importance. Forests cover approximately 72% of the country, and 60% of the land is protected. Flora and fauna abound with pine forests, medicinal plants, rhododendrons, ferns, orchids, and the rare Blue Poppy. Many animals are found in the dense forests and mountains, including snow leopards, Bengal tigers, red pandas, Golden Langurs, and the takin (Bhutan’s national animal). In Southern Bhutan live rhinoceros, elephants, and water buffaloes. Bhutan also has many bird species, with over 670 recorded species, including the endangered Black Necked Cranes.
The Thirteen Traditional Crafts (Zorig Chusum):
The thirteen traditional arts and crafts have been practiced in Bhutan for centuries, and is a very important part of their culture and religious tradition. Visitors can discover the thirteen arts and watch students learn their trade at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu. The National Textile Museum in Thimphu has an excellent display of woven fabrics and clothing.
The thirteen arts and crafts are as follows:
Thag-zo (weaving fabrics)
Tsha-zo (weaving cane and bamboo baskets, etc.)
Shag-zo (wood turning, cups and bowls, etc.)
Lha-zo (painting, Thangkas, etc.)
Shing-zo (carpentry)
Do-zo (masonry)
Par-zo (carving, wood, stone and slate)
Jim-zo (sculpture, statues of deities, etc.)
Lug-zo (bronze casting, bells, bowls, etc.)
Gar-zo (casting iron work)
Troe-ko (ornaments from silver, gold, copper)
De-zo (papermaking from Daphne tree)
Tshem-zo (Embroidery, appliqué, boot making, etc.)
Treks:
Trekking in Bhutan can be a remarkable experience, as pristine forests and small villages cover most of Bhutan. Once on a trek, you will not hear sounds of cars, airplanes, etc. You will be in the beautiful Himalayan wilderness.
Because of the relative high altitude and other considerations of many treks, we offer an “easy” day trek on our Signature Tour that does not require hiking experience or sleeping overnight in a tent. This trek allows many people to manage without too much difficulty, and allows you to experience the beauty of the Bhutanese forests and countryside. If you are a serious and experienced trekker and desire a more challenging experience, please contact us, and we can assist you.
Even “easy” treks can be physically demanding for some people, due to the altitude, rocky terrain, and climbing involved. Therefore, if you are hesitant about taking our trek, we can plan a different event for you on that day.