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Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
After a strenuous trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, we planned to treat ourselves to a more relaxing experience: Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon.
Just the name instills mystery and intrigue in this Kingdom of ancient spiritual traditions, where Buddhism strongly influences daily life and has done so for generations.
Bhutan is a Kingdom where prosperity is measured by Gross National Happiness, and is the world's only carbon-negative country.
Why We Chose Tibet Vista
Choosing our tour operator was easy. In 2019 we took the Tibet train from Beijing across the Tibetan plateau to Lhasa and then on to Everest Base Camp and across the Himalayas to Kathmandu with Tibet Vista. The entire trip was seamlessly organized; we had a fantastic experience.
We knew very little about Bhutan but a look at Tibet Vista’s web site showed all the details we needed, giving us a clear insight into the types of trips offered and the key tourist destinations.
We decided to opt for their 5 Days Classic Bhutan City and Scenic Tour. Although “City” is rather grand wording, as their largest “city” is the capital Thimpu, with a population of just over 100,000.
Enjoy a short trip to Bhutan and see the best of this beautiful Himalayan kingdom in 5 days.
The Dragon Awakes
We were lucky to get a window seat on the left-hand side of the plane, so as we took the short flight from Kathmandu to Paro, Bhutan, we had an uninterrupted view of the Himalayas.
We had heard that the challenging descent to the airport was not for the faint-hearted, but the pilot made easy work of a series of steep turns, and while almost brushing the tops of mountains, the runway quickly came into view.
Seeing Mt. Everest and Makulu from our flight from Kathmandu to Paro.First Impressions of Bhutan: Calm, Clean, and Unspoiled
Upon leaving the plane and walking across the apron to Arrivals, it became immediately apparent that we were in a special place. The air had a unique clarity to it, and the colours of the sky and landscape could have come from a painting. The terminal building was more like a temple with a large photo of the Royal Family taking centre stage.
In Arrivals, we got our first sight of the gho, the traditional Bhutanese robe required to be worn by all male public servants, children in education, and tour guides to uphold the Bhutanese traditions.
Once beyond passport control, where we were greeted with “Welcome to Bhutan,” we met our guide and driver dressed in their smart gho’s and taken to our waiting car. Selet was to be our guide for the entire trip and was to take care of our every need.
With a population of less than 800,000 and with only 126,000 vehicles, the absence of traffic, even around the airport, was a reminder that this is a sparsely populated country.
They had a relaxed attitude to driving, always slow and respectful to all other motorists, quite a change from the chaotic roads of Kathmandu, which we had left behind. All the time chatting with Selet, we headed for the first of many temples we visited on our trip.
Arriving at Paro International Airport.Ancient Temples, Monasteries, Chortens, and Prayer Wheels in Bhutan
It is reported that Bhutan has over two thousand temples and monasteries. Our itinerary was planned to visit as many of the important ones as the 5-day trip would allow.
Throughout, Selet’s knowledge was impressive, and he gave us a comprehensive history of each temple and the meanings of the many, wonderful images on the walls, ceilings, and statues.
Bhutanese temples are spiritual and artistic, steeped in history, many centuries old. They are built to a similar traditional design featuring intricately carved, painted timber structures with whitewashed stone walls and tiered, sloping roofs. Inside, the historical use of yak butter lamps gives the rooms a musty and dark atmosphere where the walls and ceilings are adorned with sacred art, vibrant thangka paintings, and protective deities.
In many temples, the murmur of red-robed monks deep in prayer was heard, punctuated by crashing cymbals. These ancient rituals go back generations. At times, we felt like intruders, but tourist numbers are always very small; often, we would be the only ones, and Selet was always there to guide us.
Punakha Dzong, known as the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan.
Seeing locals circling the huge prayer wheels at the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.Hiking to the Iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Probably the most iconic landmark in Bhutan, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is believed to be the place where Guru Rinpoche landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet.
Situated at over 3,000m, it's a 2-hour walk and 900m ascent. The walk slowly winds through pine forests, giving a growing sense of anticipation as the Monastery, with its many separate temples, clinging to the mountainside, draws closer.
Despite being one of the top places to visit in Bhutan, it was never busy, and Selet guided us through the many temple buildings and inner rooms.
The monastery was originally built in 1692, but a fire destroyed large parts of it, so in 2005 it was rebuilt to the original design. The skill of the craftsmen was very impressive, with the buildings and decorated walls looking centuries old.
Enjoying the stunning views of the cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro.A Memorable Journey Through Bhutan with Tibet Vista
We had a wonderful Bhutan tour. The ancient traditions and culture of the country seemed to intertwine into everyday life.
From the start, Tibet Vista was very prompt at answering questions and even rearranging itineraries at short notice. Our tour guide, Selet, was a foundation of warmth and knowledge, and with the organisational capabilities of Tibet Vista, we would not hesitate in recommending them.
The 108 Chortens at Dochula Pass on the way from Thimphu to Punakha.
Explore Bhutan with our local guide, Selet.
Take a short break in Bhutan and discover the highlights of this stunning Himalayan kingdom
"Welcome to Bhutan! Explore the Land of the Thunder Dragon with Tibet Vista"