bhutan best time to visit – TourGenie Simplify Travel

Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, the tiny Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan was inaccessible to the outside world until a few years ago, and now it has become one of the premier travel destinations in this part of the world primarily because of its unique culture and traditions that have been preserved for centuries now. Bhutan is also nicknamed as ‘the Land of the Thunder Dragon’ and is the only country to go by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness as a development index. Bhutan lies in Southeast Asia and shares its border with Tibet, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal. Bhutan has only one international airport— Paro Airport. The nearest railway station is Hasimara in West Bengal. Bhutan is well connected by roads too (Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar) and accessible from India.

The landscape of Bhutan consists mostly of steep and high mountains and deep valleys. , Bhutan’s climate goes from subtropical in the south to temperate in the highlands, while in north Bhutan the region experiences an extremely cold climate with year-round snow. No wonder Bhutan is rich in flora and fauna. You will also find delicious foods here from soups and stews of meat and dried vegetables spiced with chilies and cheese are popular preparations. Buckwheat, rice, and maize are staples here. Food will never be a problem here.Dzongkha is the official and national language of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Having said this, most of the people in Bhutan speak English and Nepali and even understand and speak Hindi. The national dress for Bhutanese men is the gho and women wear an ankle-length dress called the kira. The best time to visit Bhutan is in the spring/summer months between March and May. October and November are great for hiking and trekking.

Bhutan has a lot of exciting holiday options. Here are a few curated by TourGenie:

Festival holiday packages: Festivals are the best time to visit Bhutan to understand their culture and religion like the Lhuentshe Tshechu Festival

Motorcycle tour holiday packages: Nothing beats a tour on bike to appreciate the beauty of this country. Popular routes takeyou through the main cities of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Bumthang.

Mountain biking holiday packages: Have an adventurous heart and love mountain biking? Then this is a once in a lifetime experience waiting to be explored. Explore Western Bhutan Mountain Biking Tour

Walking tour holiday packages: Walking tours are perfect to see and experience local lifestyle and way of living of those living in rural Bhutan, like the Bhutan Remote Villages Walking Tour.

Hiking and trekking holiday packages: Treks like theChelela to Kila Goenpa Nunnery Hike will take you through beautiful dense forests, with spectacular views of Paro Valley and Haa Valley of Bhutan.

The Bumthang Owl Trek is one of the most sought after treks in Bhutan. It is a 3-day trek around Bumthang (north-central Bhutan) and is great for amateur trekkers t take in the unspoiled landscapes of blue pine, birch, maple, spruce, juniper, bamboo, and rhododendrons, with opportunities to visit age-old Buddhist temples and monasteries as well as get a glimpse into local village life. All of this and the glorious views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, which is the highest unclimbed peak in the world. The best time to visit is in the months of April and May when rhododendrons are in full bloom. Trekking through this area in autumn is a different experience altogether as there is a possibility of encountering Himalayan black bears. For culture lovers, the best time to visit Bhutan is during the local festivals.

The trek begins at the Manchugang village and passes through the Dhur Village of the nomadic Kheps and Brokpas. The trek continues with an uphill climb through a forest of blue pine, juniper and hemlock towards the campsite at Schonath (3450m). The otherwise silent nights here are punctuated by the hooting of owls, hence, the name ‘The Owl Trek’. The following day, the trek traverses lush forests to arrive at the Drangela Pass. The day ends at a campsite at the Kitiphu Ridge (3870m), from where Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7541m), the highest unclimbed peak in the world, is clearly visible. On the final day, the trek takes you on a descending path towards the monasteries of Zambhalha, Chuedak, and Tharpaling of which Chuedak monastery is the most unusual in Bhutan, having 100 Avoloketeshvaras in the form of Chukchizhey (eleven heads) that is seen nowhere else in Bhutan. By afternoon, the trek moves along the ridge of Kikila and follows the traditional trek route between Trongsa and Bumthang (the Royal Heritage Trail) to arrive at the Jakar Dzong, which marks the end of the Bumthang Owl trek.

The trek is perfect for amateurs and graded as easy, so first-timers can definitely try this. Every trek in Bhutan is accompanied by a guide, cook, camping assistant, and a few horsemen and horses to carry gear and the Owl Trek is no different. The maximum elevation that is reached during the trek is 4000m (13123 feet above sea level). Make sure to wear hiking boots, all-terrain clothing and carry a sleeping bag, water-bottle, first-aid kit, and a de-hydration kit as essentials.

To know more about this trek in details, read here: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/bumthang-owl-trek-best-time-to-visit

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Holiday Packages To Bhutan

Bumthang Owl Trek: Best Time to visit Bhutan