Best Things To Do in Bhutan
Go on a pursuit of happiness in Bhutan
An ambiance of serenity, friendly people, majestic monasteries and stunning mountain views – there is a wealth of experiences on offer in Bhutan. The region is steeped in Buddhism, evident in its Dzong architecture (a dzong is an example of typical fortress architecture) and cultural practices, there is abundant wildlife to savor and the cuisine is delicious – so many places to visit and things to do in Bhutan make it a must-visit travel destination!
The capital city of Thimphu, (also spelled Thimpu), attracts with its popular Tashichho Dzong and the Memorial Chorten as well delicious Bhutanese cuisine! Other popular cities and regions include Punakha with its Dzong architecture, Paro Valley with its beautiful monasteries and serene charm, and famous landmarks such as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Wangdue Phodrang with its dzong, as well as popular treks like the Jomolhari trek.
If you are wondering when is the best time to visit Bhutan, and how you should plan your itinerary, our destinations experts are waiting to assist you. Here is a list of the top things to do in Bhutan curated by our Enchanting Travels specialists, which should definitely be part of your Bhutan travel guide!
1 Sample a Slice of Buddhist History in Bumthang
The spiritual monastery town of Bumthang is one of the most important religious centers in the country. The numerous temples and monasteries are impressive testimonies of the country’s Buddhist history.
The walls of the Tamshing Lhakhang temple are adorned with some of the oldest historical Buddhist paintings. The ‘Kurje Lhakhang’ is one of the holiest places in all of Bhutan. The popular dzong in this region is the Jakar dzong, which overlooks the Chamkhar valley in the region.
2 Spot a Black-necked Crane in Gangtey Valley
Watch the rare black-necked cranes in Gangtey Valley, also known as the Phobjikha Valley, which is part of Black Mountains National Park, There are also tigers, leopards and Asian wild dogs to spot in this most important game reserve of Bhutan.
The hallmark of this beautiful valley its the rich biodiversity – there are marshes, green pastures, coniferous forest, unique dwarf bamboo and apart from the rare crane, it is also home to 13 other globally threatened species. The region attracts with its scenic beauty as well as its cultural significance, with the Gangtey Monastery a big draw.
The best way to reach the Phobjikha Valley would be to drive from Thimphu.
3 Visit the Taktsang Monastery in Paro
The impressive Taktsang Monastery in Paro Valley is located at an altitude of 3,000 meters and is one of Bhutan’s landmarks. It is often said that the monastery, known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, is the most beautiful in the entire Himalayan region, making it one of the top attractions in Bhutan.
Embark on a steep hike amid thick oak and rhododendron forests, surrounded by scenic vistas as you make your way to the entrance of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is here that Buddhism began and Bhutan and spread to other parts of the country, making it a key landmark in Bhutanese culture.
4 Savor Views of the Himalayas from Punakha
The most beautiful view of the Himalayas is from Punakha. The Punakha Dzong is an impressive monastery building that stands majestically in front of this breathtaking backdrop. The Punakha Dzong is one of the oldest and largest dzongs in the region. This six-stories Dzong was built in the 17th century. A combination of timber, stones and earth add to the stately appeal of the Dzong.
Apart from stunning views of the mountains, Punakha’s rice-fields add to the charm of the region. Punakha is a must-visit on your Bhutan trip!
5 Explore the Capital City of Thimphu
The Tashichho Dzong in the capital of Thimphu (or Thimpu) is a Buddhist monastery, fortress and also seat of the government of Bhutan. This imposing Dzong in the north of the city houses over 30 chapels, temples and shrines. What will strike you most about the dzong is not only its massive structure but also the beautiful gardens that surround it!
One of the more popular attractions in the city is the Memorial Chorten. The Memorial Chorten is instantly identifiable because of its golden spire and bell. Fun fact: Did you know that Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights?
Enjoy Thimphu’s diverse sights – from monasteries and museums to tiny streets with shops displaying a variety of colorful local crafts. Learn how to cook traditional Bhutanese dishes at the home of a local and while you traverse the streets of Thimphu, make sure you sample Ema Datshi or a stew made of chilies and cheese along with the famous Bhutanese red rice!
The national sport of Bhutan is archery, so don’t be surprised if you see people practicing the sport across Thimphu!
Discover all the best things to do in Bhutan by booking your vacation with our experts at Enchanting Travels. Contact us for your tailor-made and obligation-free tour itinerary.
Popular Trips to Bhutan
Best Places To Visit
Best Time To Visit
The best time to travel to Bhutan depends on what you wish to do. Winter is ideal for rafting and birding, while springtime is ideal for hiking. Our destination experts share an overview of when to travel to Bhutan.
Travel Guide
Before you set out for your trip, be prepared with all the facts and important details. From visas to health information and getting around, find all the details in our Bhutan travel guide.
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“This was our third Enchanting Travel trip and was the longest one, 6 weeks. From beginning to end, all communication, arrangements, accommodations, activities were just what we wanted in this trip. Visiting Sri Lanka, southern India, Assam and Bhutan via car and 6 internal flights sounds tiring but, surprisingly, it really wasn’t. Some of the boutique hotels were exceptional, ranging from charming and quaint to luxurious, and all memorable. Our guides in Sri Lanka (Kusum) and Assam (Dipankar) were outstanding and provided us with unique experiences of day-to-day life for the average person that were not on the itinerary. This was exactly what we wanted and they delivered!! In Bhutan, our local trekking guide, who spoke no English, invited us to eat our picnic lunch in his home and to meet his wife. It was a spur-of-the moment offer as we neared the end of the trek (which was above 12,000 ft elevation). That kind gesture was heartwarming and we truly appreciated his hospitality! At several sites we visited in Assam, we were asked to pose for selfies with many people. We now know how celebrities feel!! At one point, we had about 30 people surround us for photo opps. We never felt threatened, just sort of embarrassed by the attention. However, my husband said he loved being asked to pose for selfies with pretty young women! (He’s 80, so everyone is young!)”
January 2023 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting is a travel company that you can trust! Their representatives are knowledgeable about the countries and their customs and they meet individuals interests. We have used Enchanting five times – and have never been disappointed or let down!!! Personable, always professional, with the ability to look after the most minute details so that the trips that you help them plan happen without any hitches!!!”
January 2020 Rating 5/5
“We were well looked after during the entire tour. The guides were knowledgeable”
February 2019 Rating 4/5
“Enchanting Travels made planning this vacation a breeze. I didn’t stress at all during the trip, especially since there was also someone there to help with international transfers. All of our guides spoke English well and were quite accommodating.”
February 2019 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels are highly efficient and provide exceptional customer service. They tailored a package to suit our needs and requirements, and the cost was very competitive. Everything was well organised and our Trip Coordinator was in contact during our holiday to ensure that we were happy with everything. I highly recommend Enchanting Travels and will be organising another trip with them in the future.”
December 2016 Rating 5/5
“If you are thinking of going to Southeast Asia, please consider Bhutan. It is a sight to behold. The people are very accommodating and our hotels provided us with a good night’s sleep at the end of a busy day. The roads here are not all paved so going between the larger towns does take up part of your day, but it is well worth it! The scenery is fantastic! Sometimes you are driving into clouds and when you come out have beautiful mountain views. The food can be spicy, but we told them in the beginning we wanted a milder menu and they did very well with that. We not only saw the tourist side of Bhutan, but went to a home and also a 300 year old farm and were served tea and puffed rice. A very different culture than ours, but the king is doing a great job of working on services to modernize and still keep the look and feel of a “happy” country. I would love to go back in 5 years to see how it has changed. They are improving the roads everyday. It was a wonderful relaxing trip. Thank you Enchanting Travels.”
September 2016 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels employs people who really know how to listen to their clients and provide an exciting itinerary that is also safe and flexible. Everyone we worked with, from Brenda and Lavina to our guides Mr. Pongthep and Sangay, and our chauffeur Kengua, were professionals who seemed to really enjoy showing us their beautiful and exciting countries.”
September 2016 Rating 5/5
“Go to Bhutan now! We don’t believe it is really going to stay this way for long. And it really is unique right now. Building laws require that dwellings be built in the traditional fashion and this makes for the most beautiful and original vistas. No one goes to Bhutan for the cuisine.”
April 2015 Rating 4/5