Name: Finisterra Travel
Price range: $$$

Nicola and I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Kingdom of Bhutan, a tiny Buddhist country tucked in the heart of the Himalayas, in July of 2017 as guests of a very gracious local host. He created a custom Bhutan adventure just for the two of us. Although both Nicola and I have visited many countries in Asia, Bhutan stood out as truly unique. For starters, it is the only officially buddhist country in the world, there are no traffic lights, its architecture is traditional and cohesive, temples and Dzongs (fortresses) adorn even the most remote regions of the country, it boasts dramatic landscapes, and the people are incredibly friendly. It is also a land where wealth is measured not by traditional economic measures, but rather by a happiness index. How awesome is that? With its stunning scenery, welcoming people and fascinating culture, a visit to Bhutan is guaranteed to increase your Gross Personal Happiness.

Bhutan is a fabulous country for hiking ranging from day hikes to multi-day treks. While we were there, we hiked almost everyday, although none of our hikes were terribly difficult. One of the most extraordinary things was that we encountered virtually no other travellers on our hikes, even along some of the more popular trails. We did encounter monks, farmers, students, and so many mellow dogs. Pristine mountain lakes, rice terraces, precariously perched temples, imposing glaciers, and some of the world’s most endangered species await the visitor in the mountainous amphitheatre of the Himalayas.

If hiking isn’t your thing, there are dozens of colourful festivals throughout the year that are very worthwhile. Every village is known for their unique festival though the most widely known is the annual Tshechu, meaning a religious festival.

Interested in visiting Bhutan? Contact us and we can put together a custom trip for you. Unlike most other countries, you cannot travel/backpack independently, but must book at tour through a licensed operator (which we are). We will arrange your visa, flights, and curate an itinerary that best suits your needs whether you are interested in an active or cultural trip. Check out our Bhutan itinerary for inspiration – Bhutan Custom Tour. Not quite what you are looking for? Tell us what you are most interested in and we will curate a Bhutan tour just for you.

A close-up of a vibrant Bhutanese Buddhist prayer wheel, painted bright red and adorned with large golden Tibetan script, set within a highly decorated wooden wall structure featuring traditional floral and geometric patterns. — Prayer Wheels – Bhutan

A close-up, high-angle shot of a large pile of deep red, wrinkled dried chili peppers, showing their glossy texture and slight brown stems. — Dried Chilis – Bhutan

A close-up vertical shot of a pile of small, flat, rectangular and triangular pieces of dried Yak cheese (chhurpi), ranging in color from pale yellow to deep golden brown, with many pieces featuring a small black string or thread running through them. — Yak cheese on a string

A low-angle vertical shot of multicolored Buddhist prayer flags whipping in the wind. The flags, in shades of blue, white, red, green, and yellow, are tied to the railing of a wooden suspension bridge spanning a muddy, rushing river. In the background, a steep, tree-covered green mountain peaks under a cloudy sky. — Buddhist prayer flags

A dramatic low-angle shot of the colossal Great Buddha Dordenma statue in Bhutan. The large bronze-plated, seated Buddha figure, resting on an ornate golden pedestal, is positioned against a heavy, overcast, cloudy sky. — Great Buddha Dordenma

A busy scene at the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, showing a large crowd of Bhutanese people dressed in traditional gho and kira at a festival or gathering. Colorful rectangular Buddhist prayer flags (red, white, blue, yellow) are strung overhead, and tattered strips of similar colored flags frame the foreground, with green hills and buildings visible in the background. — Thimpu – National Memorial Chorten

A low-angle shot from the back showing three Buddhist monks in deep red robes walking away from the camera down the wooden floor of a long, covered traditional bridge. The bridge features ornate, colorful railings and a dark wooden ceiling structure, leading toward an opening at the end. — Monks at the Punakha Dzong

A vertical indoor photo showing three young Buddhist monks wearing traditional deep red robes and standing at the bottom of a wooden staircase against a white wall. All three are looking directly at the camera. The monk on the left is holding the stair railing. — Monks at the Punakha Dzong

A vertical shot showing the backs of three Buddhist monks in traditional red robes standing on a wooden bridge, looking out over a river towards a large, traditional Bhutanese building (likely the Punakha Dzong) in the distance. The bridge railing is decorated with colorful, traditional designs. — Monks at Punakha Dzong

A horizontal wide-angle shot of the majestic Trashigang Dzong in Bhutan, a large fortress-monastery with white walls, deep red roofs, and golden embellishments. The Dzong sits alongside a wide, muddy river, with lush green trees in the foreground and a backdrop of steep, forested mountains under a partly cloudy sky. — The beautiful Punakha Dzong

A vertical portrait of an elderly Bhutanese woman with short, gray hair, seated cross-legged on a patch of stone. She is wearing a light-colored, casual button-down shirt and patterned trousers, along with sandals, and is smiling with her mouth open. A pile of green leaves rests on the ground beside her. The background features a vibrant green rice paddy field and rolling, forested hills under a cloudy sky. — Chillin’ with betel nut in the rice paddies

A vertical portrait of an elderly Bhutanese woman with white hair, sitting cross-legged on a stone patch by a field. She is wearing a traditional plaid vest over an orange shirt and a deep red skirt, smiling and extending her open right hand toward the camera. In her left hand, she holds a small item (possibly a knife or tool). To her left, there is a round stone mortar and pestle. The background features a vibrant green rice paddy field stretching toward hazy, cloud-covered mountains. — Handing us betel nut to try

A wide-angle shot of a souvenir stand displaying various wooden phalluses (phallic symbols) in different sizes and colors, including unpainted wood, red, and blue, all with cartoonish painted faces. Behind them sits a larger, yellow, winged, phallic-shaped carving wearing a necklace. The items rest on a red cloth with postcards and pictures of Bhutanese culture and landmarks arranged in the background. — Divine Phallus

A selfie-style photo featuring Keri (left, wearing a black jacket and sunglasses) and Nicola (right, wearing a blue shirt and sunglasses) smiling while seated at a small white table outdoors. They are dining with a Bhutanese man (center, wearing a gho, the traditional national dress). In the background, on a grassy hill, is the large, tiered white dome of the Memorial Chorten stupa. — Pic-nic beside the Chorten

A bright, sunny, wide-angle shot of the Chorten Kora Stupa in Trashiyangtse, Bhutan. The tiered, square-based Buddhist structure is ornately decorated with gold roofs and intricate woodwork, topped by a golden spire. A white marble lion statue on a pedestal stands to the left of the stupa in a lush green courtyard. Mountains and a clear blue sky form the background. — Buddhist Temple

A close-up, slightly high-angle shot of a recessed niche painted bright turquoise, containing several small golden Buddha statues. The largest, central Buddha is seated with its hand in a gesture of teaching or fearlessness. Another, more rectangular golden relief is leaning against the back wall, and a tiny, old-fashioned framed photo rests at the base. The bottom edge of the niche features painted stripes of blue, red, and yellow. — Buddhist offerings – Bhutan

A vertical overhead shot of a wooden table set for two people, showing plates of Bhutanese food (rice, chili dishes, vegetables, and other sides) and four small bowls of yellow soup/sauce, along with two white cups of milk tea, on dark grey placemats. — Typical Bhutanese Lunch with Chilis and Cheese (our favourite)

A smiling woman, Nicola, wearing sunglasses and a black jacket, stands on a viewing platform with her arms outstretched in excitement. In the background, the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) is visible, built into the side of a steep, rocky cliff overlooking a deep, green forested valley in Bhutan. — Nicola at Tiger’s Nest Monastery

A dramatic wide shot of the Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) in Bhutan, clinging precariously to a sheer cliff face. The white and red monastery buildings, with golden pagoda-style roofs, are nestled into a rugged, moss-covered gray rock wall, surrounded by dense green forest and steep mountains under a partially cloudy sky. — Paro Taktsang – Tigers Nest Monastery

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