Adventure
Bhutan is quickly developing its abilities as a first destination for adventure sports. Our kingdom is the flaw location for all of exciting activities like, Trekking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Fishing, etc.
Rafting down in crystal clear, fast flowing rivers, or trekking through lush, green forests, Bhutan gives a new type of experience for the tourist’s .Travelers can seek adventure in free and free atmosphere.
All the necessary arrangements for adventure activities can be made through your localtour operator .They provides expert and experienced guides to be safety at all times.
Cycling
Most biking trips go through well paved roads while others on dirt and sand roads. Traffic is still relatively very light and the experienced .The more adventure have the option of making side excursions for more off the road ventures if prefer. The accommodate most types of frames including MTB, Hybrid, and road, depending on your cycling style and experience .Biking trails mostly meander through small towns and villages and rural areas.
There are also numerous opportunities for optional hikes with a bit of climbing thrown in. There are some challenging climbs with one in particular that is more than seven hours. You peddle the pads over two miles (3,400 meters) above sea level. You effort is rewarded with breathtaking view and an unforgettable experience .Riders should have an adequate level of fitness and stamina and be experienced enough in the field of mountain biking. Tours are fully supported by following riders. Many of the biking trails lead through small villages and temples which can provide interesting and information diversions should you wish to take break.
Kayaking and Rafting
They cut through high valley and low plains to meet up with the Brahmaputra River in India. The pristine nature setting and the sheer variety of the rivers’ courses provides a unique opportunity to explore Bhutan’s beautiful wilderness. Adventure tour and travelers will not be disappointed by the rugged, untamed waterways of Bhutan. The rivers are plentiful with strong currents varying between slow, gentle flows in some places and powerful, raging torrents can be found throughout the country. Although adventure sports and tourism are relatively recent introductions to Bhutan, they are rapidly gaining in popularity. The river courses available in Bhutan offer something for all visitors regardless of experience. They are easy routs for beginners are hair-raising runs for the veterans. The best time for the rafting and kayaking is from March to April and November to December.
Bhutanese rafting and kayaking guides are well trained and will do everything to ensure that you enjoy the adventure while minimizing the risks. The rivers of Bhutan were first surveyed for potential routes for water sports in 1997 by Gerry Moffat and Peter Knowles, both experienced rafters/kayakers at the invitation of the Royal Government and the Department of tourism.
They trained the first batch of Bhutanese river-guides and conducted surveys to grade the rivers. Since, other rivers have been surveyed including the Punatsang Chhu, and Amo chhu.
Trekking
Explore what truly sets Bhutan apart from anywhere else and discover one of the most remote kingdoms of earth. Where you are looking for a day hike or a grueling 31 days adventure, Bhutan has it all. Pristine mountain lakes, imposing glaciers and some of the world’s most endangered species await you in the mountainous amphitheatre of the Himalayas.
Spirituality and wellness
Bhutan has many activities available for those visitors seeking a place of solace, rest and recuperation. Whether it’s a session of peaceful, contemplative meditation, a relaxing soak in a mineral hot spring bath or the all natural remedies of our traditional medicine .Bhutan has just what you need to revive and rejuvenate your body and spirit. Many tourists from Thailand and other Buddhist countries come to Bhutan specifically for meditation and retreat tours. Additionally most hotels also provide yoga sessions, retreats and meditation facilities within the hotel premises. The traditional medicine of Bhutan is known as Sowa Rigpa and dates back to the 17th century when it first spilt from it Tibetan. Bhutan’s origins. Bhutan‘s natural environment with it exceptionally rich flora has enabled the development of an unparallel Pharmacopoeia. Hot springs or Tshachus as they are locally known can be found all over the Kingdom and their medicinal properties are known to cure various ailments ranging from arthritis to body aches and even sinuses.
Hot spring Therapy
In Bhutan, hot spring known as found all over the Kingdom. The medicinal properties of this hot spring have been used by the Bhutanese people for centuries to cure various ailments ranging from arthritis to body aches and even sinuses. It is a popular tradition among Bhutanese to visit hot springs during the winter months.
Meditation and Retreat
As one of the last strongholds of Vajrayana Buddhism ,Meditation and mediation retreats are a common practice among Monks and Buddhist practitioners and hermitages are located all over the country ,usually next to temples monasteries and monastic school. Tour operators can include meditation programs in your Itinerary if you are interested in trying this Bhutanese way of retreat. Additionally most hotels also provide yoga sessions, retreats and mediation facilities within the hotel premises.
Flora and fauna
Bhutan is a treasure trove of biological diversity with an unparalleled richness of flora and fauna due to the varied altitudinal and climatic condition present in the country. This fragile ecosystem has remained unspoiled due to the conservation efforts of the Bhutanese people and government .Today 60%of the kingdom totally area has been designed as protected nature preserves. Bhutan is a perfect destination for enthusiastic horticulturalists as it contains more than 60%the common plant species found in the Eastern Himalayas .It also boasts of approximately 46 species of Rhododendrons and over 300 types of medical plants. Junipers, Gentian, Magnolias, Orchids, Blue poppies, Edelweiss, various medical herbs.
The kingdom also home to a wide variety of animals .At higher altitudes you will come across snow leopards, blue sheep, red pandas, takin, marmots, and musk deer. Leopards, gorals, graylangurs, Himalayan black bears, red pandas, sambars, wild pigs, and barking deer are found in the temperate Zones. The tropical forests in the south are a heaven for clouded leopards, elephants, one horned Rhinoceros, water buffalos, golden languor, gaurs, swamp deer, hog deer, horn bills, and other many .Bhutan is a home to the high altitude inhabiting Tigers in the world and they are commonly found throughout the country.
Bird watching
Bhutan is the paradise for bird lovers and ornithologists. About 670species of birds have been discovered and many more are yet to be discovered. Around 50 species of the known birds are winter migrants. These include ducks, waders, birds of prey, thrushes, finches and buntings. Migrants to Bhutan include cuckoos, swifts, bee-eaters, warblers, and flycatchers. Bhutan is home to many species of birds that are in danger of extinction, including the imperial Heron, which in one of the fifty rarest birds in the world and the rare Black –Necked Crane, which breeds in Tibet and then migrates over the Himalayas to Bhutan during the winter months. The Cranes can be spotted in Phobjikha Valley in Western Bhutan. Bhumthang in Central Bhutan and in Bomdeling in Eastern Bhutan. They migrate to these winter roosting sites in the months of September and October and fly back to Tibet between February and March.
Festivals
the lunar Tshechu is a religious festival meaning “tenth days” held annually in various temples, monasteries, and Dzongs throughout the country. The tshechu is a religious event celebrated in tenth day of a month of calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche . However the exact month of the Tshechu varies from place to place and temple to temple .Tshechus are grand events where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize. In addition to the mask dances tshechus also include colorful Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainment .It is believed that everyone must attend a tshechu and witness the mask dances at least one to on order to receive blessings and wash away their sins. Every mask dance performed during a tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of GuruPadmasambhava. Two of the most popular Tshechus in the country are the Paro and Thimpu .Tshechus in terms of participation and audience .Besides the locals many tourists from across the world are attracted to these unique, colorful and exciting displays of traditional culture.
