The land of gross domestic happiness Bhutan is the only country in the world where not GDP but GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) matters.
The land of Thunder Dragon is a landlocked nation in the lap of Himalayas. We chose to travel to Bhutan because of innumerable reasons:
- The pictures of Bhutan were intriguing and interesting
- It is relatively cheaper than the other countries
- The travel rules are relaxed for Indian citizens
- It is a safe country to travel
Our Road Journey to Bhutan
Though there are a few flights to Paro, Bhutan’s major city, however, it is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world.
So we skipped it and instead took the flight to Bagdogra and then a four-hour journey to Phuentsholing, the border town of Bhutan.
The road journey to Bhutan is really scenic as you pass through the tea estates, via Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, crossing the Teesta river. We even tasted pineapples on the way, which was a refreshing experience.
Overnight Stay at Phuentsholing
Since we reached late in the evening, we decided to stay overnight in hotel Damchen- a 3-star property in Phuentsholing. There are plenty of hotels in the city as the town is frequented by Indian tourists who travel by road to the city.
Do you need a visa to enter Bhutan?
Indian tourists do not need a visa to enter Bhutan. But you do need a permit to go beyond Phuentsholing. Hence you must carry your (a) Valid Indian Passport having validity of minimum 6 months; and/or (b) Voter Identity Card, issued by the Election Commission of India.
We were carrying our passports but the process was lengthy and so was the crowd at the office. After nearly two hours we got the permit.
Thankfully we had met our guide and pilot Tashi. A nice gentleman who kept us entertained with many anecdotes. Tashi was a Tibetan living in Bhutan. He had studied in India and then had returned to Bhutan for livelihood. He displayed great respect for the Bhutanese king and queen and was proud of his country- Bhutan.
From Phuentsholing we started our journey ahead to Thimpu. We had a number of places in our itinerary and were all reared to go.
Visit to Thimphu
Post our immigration formalities we proceeded towards Thimphu with our guide Tashi in his car. It took us close to 4 hours to reach Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. It was the month of December and the temperatures were freezing. We had checked into Bhutan Boutique Residency. The view from our room was lovely and decided to have a taste of city life there.
City Life in Thimpu
We strolled on the streets which were sparsely populated and explored a few cafes there. The first one that we visited was a tea cafe that served tea and cakes. We happened to meet a few young girls who had aspirations to become a doctor and had plans to study medicine.
Next, we checked into a pub to watch a local band perform.
A young group was playing some Bhutanese numbers which we couldn’t understand but loved the music.
King’s Memorial Chorten: The next morning, post a hearty breakfast, we proceeded towards the Memorial Chorten which is one of the tallest monuments in Thimphu. The elegant architecture draws the tourists from far and near. Built-in the honor of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third king of Bhutan and the father of modern Bhutan, the stupa is adorned with statues and paintings dedicated to the king majesty.
Takin Preserve, Motithang: The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat. Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist yogi, Drupa Kunley, and it can be found only in Bhutan and nearby areas. Taxonomists place the animal in a category of its own as it is not similar enough to any other animal to fit established categories.
Drubthob Goema / Zilukha Nunnery: There are also a few nunneries in Bhutan and one of them is Drubthob Goema / Zilukha Nunnery. The beautiful architecture draws tourists from far and near you may interact here with some of the nuns who have devoted their life to spirituality and Buddhism.
Simply Bhutan Museum: Simply Bhutan is a museum that takes you on a beautiful journey of Bhutan From the Bhutanese handicrafts to the magnificent architecture, Simply Bhutan Museum is a sight to behold. The entire museum is built reusing old timber, window, and door frames, and other items from traditional and old demolished houses.
Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room, and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built-in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.
Buddhist ViewPoint: The huge Buddha structure is central to Thimpu’s identity. The glistening statue in the sun overlooks the city and blesses it. The structure contains amazing 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas as well. The view from the top is breathtaking.
Changangkha Lhakhang: The oldest Buddhist temple, built in the 12th century, situated at the top of a hill. It occupies a significant place in Buddhist culture. Hre people bring babies for their naming ceremonies and to seek blessings from the protector deity Tamdrin.
Our experience at Thimpu was splendid. The beautiful environs of the city were magnificent so was the culture. We had many other wonders in the itinerary that the city had to offer.
It was a well written and very informative post.. I feel like going on a solo trip.. indeed travel means to alive..
After reading, seems like a must have trip. Soon be visiting Thimphu for sure.