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Travel: Discover the happiest place on Earth: Bhutan
Bhutan is no ordinary place. It is a Himalayan kingdom with a reputation for mystery and magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments. The king of Bhutan is determined to make 2015 a great year for this spiritual, mountainous nation.For a country that still measures their output by GNH (Gross National Happiness) rather than GDP it might seem wrong to talk about statistics, but Bhutan has celebrated a record number of visitors this year. 2015, says the king, is the year for this mountainous kingdom.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery hangs on a cliff, and stands above an enchanting forest of blue pines and rhododendrons. As this beautiful and very exceptional monastery is a sheer climb up the hill (900 meters), a pony can be arranged for the ride up, but only until the cafeteria. From then on, it is another steep walk and some narrow stairs towards the monastery itself.
The trail crosses a chapel of butter lamps and descends to a waterfall by the Snow Lion Cave. The view of the Paro valley from here on is breathtaking, and the atmosphere very holy, a place where every Bhutanese will want to come at least once in his/her life. This is the place where Guru Rinpoche brought Buddhism into Bhutan, arriving on the back of a tigress.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan.
It will mark the 60th birthday of the fourth King - His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck - who brought tourism to this tiny land-locked country after his coronation some 40 years ago. Thankfully little has changed in the four decades since his coronation: there is still the same armrest-grabbing drop over Himalayan peaks to the tiny airport at Paro (only eight pilots are qualified to land here).
Himalaya Moutains in Bhutan.
You may think that mobile phones, western vehicles and Manchester United may have pervaded the capital, Thimpu, but in the Paro and Punaka valleys the landscape is one of verdant hills, crystal-clear rivers, towering mountains and a patchwork of fields where crops are still tended by plough, oxen and scythe.
Annapurna Treks: private treks between small Himalayan hideaways.
Being the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, or some call it Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), is also the country’s most gorgeous and majestic dzong. Punakha is accessible from a 3 hours drive east of the capital Thimpu, and after crossing a pass in the mountains, the place is a breathtaking and glorious sight on the first glimpse from the road. It is placed strategically in between two rivers, Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (females) that has noticeable color differences of the rivers’ water.
Punakha Dzong in Bhutan.
Punakha Dzong is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge, and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reigned the kingdom from this valley. Furthermore, it is blessed with a temperate climate, and lovely lilac colored jacaranda trees grow around the dzong during the spring season.
The peak of the Zuri Dzong Trek is probably the perfect spot to have a bird’s-eye view of the entire Paro valley. The Zuri Dzong is the oldest dzong in Bhutan, and in there lies a cave where Buddha came to meditate in, in the 8th century. This peaceful place allows both Bhutanese and tourists to soak in the tranquil that radiates from the extraordinary view, something one can stare at for hours in wonder and awe.
Zuri Dzong in Bhutan.
The total journey time to get there will take approximately 30 minutes if one starts from the museum watchtower, and an additional 1 hour to exit out towards Uma. Tourists can expect to sit and relax there, and also remember to catch the amazing side view as you hike through trek.
Tourists relax after hiking through trek.
Opulent accommodation may not hard to find in the shape of two Como hotels in both Paro and now Punaka and, the obligatory Aman resort, but the traditional dress worn in every walk of public life and the unfailing optimism of its people is not put on for the benefit of camera-toting tourists.
The national sport of archery is also not something rolled for ceremonial events but remains part of the fabric of society (even if the old hand-crafted wooden bows may have been ditched in favour of high-tech carbon models shipped in from the USA).
Mountain bike riding in the Surrey Hills.
Mountain biking, too, may have arrived in these parts courtesy of its cycling-mad new king.
Bhutan’s thigh-busting climbs and break-neck descents make Alpine adventures look like a saunter through the Surrey Hills, but it will be your pilgrimage up to mountain-top monasteries such as Tiger’s Nest that will live longest in the memory.
Sandwiched between the might of India and China you wonder for how long Bhutan can stay like this. But for now, there can be few more magical places in earth.
How to go
Audley Travel (01993 838 320; audleytravel.com) offers a 10-day Highlights of Bhutan itinerary including £3,205 per person (based on two people sharing) including international flights, accommodation and most meals.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery hangs on a cliff, and stands above an enchanting forest of blue pines and rhododendrons. As this beautiful and very exceptional monastery is a sheer climb up the hill (900 meters), a pony can be arranged for the ride up, but only until the cafeteria. From then on, it is another steep walk and some narrow stairs towards the monastery itself.
The trail crosses a chapel of butter lamps and descends to a waterfall by the Snow Lion Cave. The view of the Paro valley from here on is breathtaking, and the atmosphere very holy, a place where every Bhutanese will want to come at least once in his/her life. This is the place where Guru Rinpoche brought Buddhism into Bhutan, arriving on the back of a tigress.
It will mark the 60th birthday of the fourth King - His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck - who brought tourism to this tiny land-locked country after his coronation some 40 years ago. Thankfully little has changed in the four decades since his coronation: there is still the same armrest-grabbing drop over Himalayan peaks to the tiny airport at Paro (only eight pilots are qualified to land here).
You may think that mobile phones, western vehicles and Manchester United may have pervaded the capital, Thimpu, but in the Paro and Punaka valleys the landscape is one of verdant hills, crystal-clear rivers, towering mountains and a patchwork of fields where crops are still tended by plough, oxen and scythe.
Being the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, or some call it Pungthang Dewachen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), is also the country’s most gorgeous and majestic dzong. Punakha is accessible from a 3 hours drive east of the capital Thimpu, and after crossing a pass in the mountains, the place is a breathtaking and glorious sight on the first glimpse from the road. It is placed strategically in between two rivers, Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (females) that has noticeable color differences of the rivers’ water.
Punakha Dzong is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge, and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reigned the kingdom from this valley. Furthermore, it is blessed with a temperate climate, and lovely lilac colored jacaranda trees grow around the dzong during the spring season.
The peak of the Zuri Dzong Trek is probably the perfect spot to have a bird’s-eye view of the entire Paro valley. The Zuri Dzong is the oldest dzong in Bhutan, and in there lies a cave where Buddha came to meditate in, in the 8th century. This peaceful place allows both Bhutanese and tourists to soak in the tranquil that radiates from the extraordinary view, something one can stare at for hours in wonder and awe.
The total journey time to get there will take approximately 30 minutes if one starts from the museum watchtower, and an additional 1 hour to exit out towards Uma. Tourists can expect to sit and relax there, and also remember to catch the amazing side view as you hike through trek.
Opulent accommodation may not hard to find in the shape of two Como hotels in both Paro and now Punaka and, the obligatory Aman resort, but the traditional dress worn in every walk of public life and the unfailing optimism of its people is not put on for the benefit of camera-toting tourists.
The national sport of archery is also not something rolled for ceremonial events but remains part of the fabric of society (even if the old hand-crafted wooden bows may have been ditched in favour of high-tech carbon models shipped in from the USA).
Mountain biking, too, may have arrived in these parts courtesy of its cycling-mad new king.
Bhutan’s thigh-busting climbs and break-neck descents make Alpine adventures look like a saunter through the Surrey Hills, but it will be your pilgrimage up to mountain-top monasteries such as Tiger’s Nest that will live longest in the memory.
Sandwiched between the might of India and China you wonder for how long Bhutan can stay like this. But for now, there can be few more magical places in earth.
How to go
Audley Travel (01993 838 320; audleytravel.com) offers a 10-day Highlights of Bhutan itinerary including £3,205 per person (based on two people sharing) including international flights, accommodation and most meals.
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