How To Use This E-Book
Getting Around the e-Book
This Pocket Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration and planning advice for your visit to Bhutan, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.
The guide begins with our selection of Top 10 Attractions, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan unmissable experiences. The Introduction and History chapters paint a vivid cultural portrait of Bhutan, and the Where to Go chapter gives a complete guide to all the sights worth visiting. You will find ideas for activities in the What to Do section, while the Eating Out chapter describes the local cuisine and gives listings of the best restaurants. The Travel Tips offer practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, there are carefully selected hotel listings.
In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.
Maps
All key attractions and sights in Bhutan are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.
Images
Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Bhutan. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.
About Insight Guides
Insight Guides have more than 40 years experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce 400 full-colour titles, in both print and digital form, covering more than 200 destinations across the globe, in a variety of formats to meet your different needs.
Insight Guides are written by local authors, whose expertise is evident in the extensive historical and cultural background features. Each destination is carefully researched by regional experts to ensure our guides provide the very latest information. All the reviews in Insight Guides are independent; we strive to maintain an impartial view. Our reviews are carefully selected to guide you to the best places to eat, go out and shop, so you can be confident that when we say a place is special, we really mean it.
2017 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd
Table of Contents
Bhutans Top 10 Attractions
Top Attraction #1
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Taktsang, the Tigers Lair
The most sacred place in the kingdom, perched on a vertiginous ledge above the Paro valley. For more information, .
Top Attraction #2
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Tsechus
Colourful Buddhist festivals held in monasteries with jesters and dancing monks. For more information, .
Top Attraction #3
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Homestays
Relax with your hosts, try a hot stone bath and live like a local for a day. For more information, .
Top Attraction #4
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Mountain treks
From remote valleys to forests and Alpine meadows, Bhutans natural world is pristine and rich in fauna and flora. For more information, .
Top Attraction #5
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Punakha Dzong
In the ancient capital, this splendid fortified monastery is poised at the confluence of two rivers. For more information, .
Top Attraction #6
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Arts and crafts
Watch young artists at work in the National Institutes in Thimphu or Trashiyangtse. For more information, .
Top Attraction #7
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Birdwatching
Over 670 species of birds have been recorded, including the endangered black-necked cranes from Tibet. For more information, .
Top Attraction #8
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Trashiyangtse
A beautiful remote valley in Eastern Bhutan with a tumbling stream and rice terraces framed by wooded slopes. For more information, .
Top Attraction #9
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Archery
The national sport practised by men in traditional dress, accompanied by female cheerleaders and victory dances. For more information, .
Top Attraction #10
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Farmers markets
Weekend markets in Thimphu and Paro are perfect for people-watching and discovering the local produce. For more information, .
A Perfect Tour of Bhutan
Day 12
Paro
On your first full day in Bhutan, stroll around this charming town and explore the valley, the temples called Lhakhang and the old Drukgyel Dzong. Next morning, drive up to Chele La, Bhutans highest road pass, then down to the secluded Haa Valley for a relaxing day.
Day 3
Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu, stopping briefly in Tachogang to walk across the restored medieval bridge, then discover the capital, see the dzong and other major sights, and have a break with coffee and cakes.
Day 45
Punakha
Drive to Punakha over the Dochu La pass and enjoy the panorama. Then head down to the semi-tropical Punakha valley to receive a blessing in the temple of the Divine Madman. On your second day, visit the dzong , picnic by the river and trek through paddies to the hilltop Namgyel Chorten. If you feel adventurous, go rafting on the river Mo Chu.
Day 6
PunakhaBumthang
Back on the highway, head towards Central Bhutan, crossing the Black Mountains at the Pele La pass. Stretch your legs by the Chendebji Chorten, continue to Trongsa and marvel at the dzong perched on the edge of a ravine, before driving to Jakar, capital of the Bumthang district.