Bhutan A Kingdom of Happiness

From the inspiring beauty of the Paro Valley to the streets of Thimphu, Bhutan is a Himalayan kingdom where people pride themselves on their happiness quotient. Situated close to the border with West Bengal, Bhutan is the shortest foreign land to visit. Bhutan looks like a unique piece of land surrounded by a revealing wall of mountains. It looks like a fantasy ending at Paro airport, an international gateway to Bhutan, which is blocked by land on all sides. Bhutan is the last kingdom in the world behind neighboring countries such as China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sikkim. Bhutan is rich for its scenic beauty which makes it a tourist destination. The flavors of the country are vibrant, red chillies being an ingredient in every Bhutanese dish. Ghos and Kiras are the national dresses of Bhutan.

The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon due to the experience of storms from the Himalayas. The country is blessed with the nature of the rivers that flow through different parts of the country. The picturesque surroundings and the calm environment are not only the factors that encourage tourism in Bhutan. The culture dominated by ancient traditions, the rich heritage of the local population and the way of life make the country an enchanting place.

Plums Cafe and Druk in Thimphu serve traditional Bhutanese food like chicken chowmein, delicious momos, spicy datshi (Bhutanese national dish) in different versions. On the streets of Thimphu, there is a Swiss bakery that offers delicious almond cakes and rum cakes. Countryside hotels offer picturesque mountain views and access to shopping and entertainment. Clock Tower Road in Thimphu has a variety of shops selling antiques and grocery items. The textile is world famous and is quite expensive. A weekend market takes place from Friday to Sunday, on both sides of Wang Chhu.

Bhutan tour packages are available to the visitors in terms of sightseeing and as one of the romantic places. For honeymoon couples, the trip to Bhutan is fascinating. A walk through the towns and cities can be an unforgettable experience for you. Bhutan is a land that can be explored in your own way. One can opt for the scenic nature or explore the big cities and restaurants. In Bhutan, you don’t need a travel guide, but you can visit important sites like Paro, Phutentsholing and Punakha. One can go for an elephant ride or jungle safari and then can start to Phutentsholing to get passes. The afternoon is the time to explore the local markets. Other places like Buddha View Point, Memorial Chorten, National Library and Punakha Dzong are the sights that are included in the package.

The best time to visit Bhutan is from October to May when the weather is sunny as in December and January snow can block the mountains and therefore travel is restricted.

How to get to Bhutan?

By highway: Bhutan can be reached from West Bengal. Buses and cars are available in Siliguri. You can take the Jalpaiguri train to Phutentsholing, it takes three hours to reach the station.

By flight: Flight to Paro International Airport is available from Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu.