Holidays to Bhutan
Mountain peaks and mystical monasteries
Bhutan can be found sitting peacefully between India, Nepal, and Tibet. It’s a Buddhist Himalayan kingdom that places real importance on happiness and spirituality – something that’s obvious in its traditional customs and celebrations. Each of the nation's 20 districts hosts its own annual festival filled with pageantry, dancing and the rhythmic clash of cymbals and beating drums. The autumn festival in Thimphu, and the spring festival in Paro are especially exciting, with traditional ceremonies, costumes, and mask-wearing monks.
Highlights of holidays to Bhutan
Head on holiday to Bhutan and you’ll open what was once held secret from the outside world. You’ll learn more about Buddhism, happiness and dzongs as well as taking guided tours of Thimphu, Paro, and the peaceful rural region of Punakha. You can also combine a holiday in Bhutan with time in incredible India, where unforgettable adventures include the Taj Mahal and the heavenly mountain foothills of the Himalayas.
As soon as you touch down in Thimphu, you’ll realise this is no ordinary capital. Firstly, there are no traffic lights. The locals decided they were too formal. Secondly, alongside the temples, heritage museums and Himalayan parks and gardens, there’s Tashichho Dzong. This imposing monastery sits on the banks of the Wang Chu River as the seat of the Bhutanese government. It’s a must-see while in Thimphu and shows off a mix of ancient and modern Asian architecture.
Key Bhutan travel information
Bhutan is in the eastern Himalayas in Asia. It is a small country that borders India and Tibet.
The capital of Bhutan is Thimpu, which replaced the ancient city of Punakha as capital city in 1955.
The flight time from the UK to Bhutan is just under 10 hours.
You will need a visa if travelling to Bhutan on a British passport. Visit GOV UK for more entry requirement advice related to visiting Bhutan. You can also visit CIBT visas for more information.
In general, the south of Bhutan tends to be more tropical, and the east of the country is often a lot warmer than the west. The further north you travel, into the Himalayas, the colder it’s going to get.
Bhutan is six hours ahead of GMT.
Dzongkha – similar to Tibetan – is the official language of Bhutan. English is practically the second language of Bhutan and is spoken by the majority of guides and accommodation owners.
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