BHUTAN – THE ROADS LESS TRAVELLED

We are gradually seeing the opening up of South Asia and easing of travel restrictions for the visitors. Nepal has just opened its doors for the tourists, Sri Lanka is already open (except for the South American and South African countries) and the Government of India is contemplating opening up for the tourists as well. With these positive developments on ground, we are once again ready to welcome your esteemed clients into the Indian Subcontinent.

In this edition of TravNama, we will take you on an amazing journey through the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon – Bhutan’. Undeniably, it is one of the world's most beautiful yet mysterious places. Peace, calmness, and satisfaction are the virtue of people living here, making one wonder if it is really a part of the world we live in. When one thinks about Bhutan, generally the more famed places like Paro, Thimpu or Punakha, in western Bhutan, comes to mind.


But there is much more to explore in Bhutan that constitutes the untrodden areas of ‘Central and Eastern Bhutan’. Home to some of the most picturesque landscape, remote and isolated valleys, lofty mountains and meandering rivers, and many local ethnic groups, this area is least developed with rugged roads and fewer visitors. But due to its old world charm and with the natives still following the good old means as their ancestors, it is definitely worth to explore. Enjoy a short video on Eastern Bhutan.

Insider Tip: While travelling from Punakha to central Bhutan, one can visit the picturesque Phobjika valley or Gangtey. The black-necked cranes that migrate here in the autumn and winter (usually end of October and leave by mid February or early march) are a delight to watch. Do you know that this valley did not have electricity connection for years? And the reason for the same was to protect the black-necked cranes from getting electrocuted by the overhead electrical wires. However, with the laying of underground cables, the valley now has electricity. Since locals believe that these birds are auspicious, their arrival is celebrated every year as 'Crane Festival' in the courtyard of the famed and beautiful Gangtey Goempa, perched on a hill. Learn more about the black-necked cranes in Bhutan in this short video.

TAKE A PEEP INTO THE MESMERIZING REGION OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN BHUTAN:

TRONGSA

Bhutan was unified by a man named Shabdrung Ngawang Namgeyl. It was in Trongsa that Shabdrung's great grandfather built the first monastery of Bhutan in 1543. The historically significant town of Trongsa is located in Central Bhutan and was the seat of rulers of the Wangchuk Dynasty who have ruled over Central and Eastern Bhutan. This dynasty is still in power as they started ruling as Kings of Bhutan from 1907 onwards.

Trongsa Dzong, the seat of Wangchuk Dynasty rulers, will reward one with stunning views due to its enviable position. Do visit the watchtower of the Dzong, now converted into a beautiful museum dedicated to the Wangchuk Dynasty, to know more about the history of Bhutan.
Fun Fact: It is still customary for kings in Bhutan to become first Trongsa Penlop (Governor), later the Crown Prince of the country before being crowned as the King of Bhutan..

BUMTHANG
Bumthang is where Buddhism was first introduced in Bhutan and consists of four central valleys – Ura, Chumey, Tang and Chokhor.

Chokhar is referred to as Bumthang valley. Known as the religious hub of the kingdom, Bumthang valley has a lot to offer in terms of Buddhism. It is believed that in Bumthang, Guru Rimpoche cured the local king who was under the influence of an evil spirit. On seeing their king being healed by the holy man, the local people, including the king, embraced Buddhism. Along with some of the most revered monasteries, this region is rich in nature and offers numerous opportunities for avid hikers and trekkers around its valleys. While here, one should not miss a visit to Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang

Jambay Lhakhang
The legend has it that the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built a chain of 108 temples simultaneously to subdue an evil demoness that lay over the Himalayan region. Jambay Lhakhang temple is one of those 108 temples and it is one of the oldest Lhakhang in the entire kingdom of Bhutan.

The main attraction here is the relic of the future Buddha, Jowa Jampa. The visit to Bumthang can be planned with Jambay Lhakhang drup (festival) as one will be able to witness spectacular dances and monastic ceremonies. The festival is celebrated in honour of Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan and to commemorate the establishment of the temple in the 8th century. Witness the beauty of Jambay Lhakhang Festival in this beautiful short video.

Kurjey Lhakhang
One of the most important temples in Bhutan, Kurjey Lhakhang, is the place where Guru Rinpoche subdued the local deities responsible for making the King of Bumthang ill.

The complex has three temples. It is also the site where the Guru meditated for three months before subduing the deities. While departing from the cave, the Guru left his body imprint in the cave, which is still considered very holy.

TANG VALLEY
One of the most pristine valleys, it is located around 11 km from Bumthang. Tang valley is the birthplace of Terton (treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa. It is believed that Pema Lingpa discovered many treasures which Guru Rinpoche had hidden in the Burning Lake. While in Tang Valley, do not miss visiting Mebar Tsho - the Burning Lake near the Tang Village.

Insider Tip: Enjoy an experiential stay at Ogyen Cholling Palace - A 14th century palace that was rebuilt in 1853. It was converted as the first private museum of Bhutan. The noble family still lives in the palace where one can have a chance to meet them with prior arrangement.

URA
Another beautiful valley around Bumthang, Ura, has a medieval ambience. One of the most striking features of Ura is the cluster of houses which is not usual in Bhutan. While here, visit the Ura Lhakhang, which depicts paintings to represent various teachings of Guru Rinpoche.

Insider Tip: While your mind soaks up the beauty of Bumthang, enjoy a beer at Swiss Brewery and farm. Fritz Maurer, a Swiss gentleman, married a Bhutanese girl and settled in Bhutan 45 years ago. Being a trained cheesemaker, he established a Swiss Farm which produces cheese and honey. Mr. Maurer also founded a state-of-the-art microbrewery that produces Swiss-style unfiltered Weiss beer locally famous as "Red Panda Beer". Apart from this, he was instrumental in introducing modern equipment for farming and fuel-efficient smokeless wood stove (Bukhari) widely used in Bhutan. View the entire process of making unfiltered Weiss beer at the brewery and enjoy tasting the Red Panda Beer. At the adjacent Swiss Farm, one can get an insight into the cheese-making process as well.

MONGAR
Welcome to eastern Bhutan! This second most significant town in eastern Bhutan is perched on a hill in contrast to other towns that are located on valley floors. The fascinating journey from Bumthang to Mongar is a treat for the senses.

Here, one should not miss a visit to Drametse Lhakhang, which translates to "peak without enemy". Founded by the granddaughter of Terton Pema Lingpa, this monastery is associated with the Peling tradition of Buddhism. The visit will give an insight into the spiritual treasures and other sacred objects of this tradition.

Handicrafts are a speciality of this region. The containers (Johandom), wooden bowls and cups (Duppa) and wooden musical instruments like Jaling and Dung that are created in this region will all blow one away with their beauty and craftsmanship.

Insider Tip: Mongar is a well-known destination among avid birdwatchers. The quaint ambience of Mongar, its semi-tropical climate and the broadleaved forests make it an ideal space for birds to thrive. Birding in this region is easy, and photographing birds does not take too much effort. While driving between Mongar and Trashigang, one will cross Korilla pass. The area between the Korilla region and the Ngatsang village is a leading birding site where one can spot several bird species.

LHUNTSE
The paradisiacal landscape of Lhuntse will amaze you. One has to drive for 03 hours from Mongar to reach Lhuntse. Earlier known as Kurtoes, this region is wildly acclaimed for Kishuthara (silk weaving), an elegant hand-woven textile.

This textile is considered to be the best in the country and is much appreciated by foreigners as well. Visit the Khoma Village and meet women weavers weaving intricate designs and patterns. Lhuntse is an ancestral home of the Royal Family.

TRASHIGANG
Perched on a cliff overlooking Dangme Chuu (river), it is amongst the most important eastern town of the kingdom of Bhutan. It serves as a base for exploring nearby places like Trashiyangtse, Merak and Sakteng.

Visit the Trashigang Dzong or 'The Fortress of the Auspicious Hill', the idea of which was conceived by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Enjoy an excursion to Gom Kora temple. It is one of the most famous places where Guru Rinpoche meditated to subdue a demon that dwelt in a vast black rock here.

Visit the "Rice Bowl of the East" in the kingdom of Bhutan, 'Radhi Village'. The village, with its fertile land, produces rice and supplies it to the entire eastern Bhutan.

The village is also famous for its delicate raw silk fabrics, or bura textiles weaved using traditional looms. Ranjung Woesel Choeling monastery, which is home to Buddhist nuns engaged in religious practices, is also worth visiting here.

VISIT TRASHIYANGTSE
Trashiyangtse is a treasure trove of natural, historical, and cultural resources. It is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. The inhabitants of the place are experts at woodworking and papermaking.

On an excursion to Trashiyangtse, visit Chorten Kora, the magnificent white Stupa, built in the same style as Boudhnath Stupa of Nepal with eyes painted at four cardinal points. The Stupa was built in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday to subdue the local demons.

Drop by Zorig Chusum and get a chance to appreciate various art forms being taught to the students here like Thangka painting, pottery, wood sculpture, wood-turning, lacquer-work, embroidery etc. It is a sister concern of the school of traditional arts located in Thimphu.

Explore the market for local handicrafts like beautiful cups and bowls made from maple or avocado wood and the traditional Bhutanese paper Desho.

With some more time in hand, one can also explore the Bumdeling Sanctuary, another winter habitat for the endangered Black-necked cranes in Bhutan.

VISIT MERAK AND SAKTENG VILLAGES – THE LAND OF BROKPAS
Take an excursion to the villages of Merak and Sakteng to experience the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the local people known as 'The Brokpas'. Their houses are mainly one-storied and built of stones with tiny windows. They keep on migrating along with their yaks with the change in seasons. Believed to have migrated from Tibet to Bhutan, the Brokpas still engage in the barter system, trading cheese, butter and dried meat for grains and other goods that are not readily available to them.

Both Merak and Sakteng valleys fall within the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, which was primarily set up to protect the elusive Migoi, or yeti, which is historically rooted in the belief system of the Brokpas and an intrinsic part of their worship and ritual practices. The wildlife in Merak-Sakteng forests includes snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, Himalayan red fox and the hoary-bellied Himalayan squirrel. The Merak and Sakteng highlands also possess a wide variety of bird species.
Fun Fact: Trashigang is the trading hub for people from Merak and Sakteng. They come here to exchange yak products for rice and other goods. One can easily spot Brokpas due to the distinction in their costumes as compared to the rest of the Bhutanese people. The most distinct feature is a black felt hat with five fringes protruding from it, known as tsipee cham. It is woven from yak hair. In Merak, the custom of polyandry is practiced, and it is always the identical brothers who share the wife.

Lying deep in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is an otherworldly experience. Come and unravel the secrets of mysterious land with us! We, at Indo Asia Tours, are all about the handcrafted tours, memories, and moments you take out of your trip, and believe us, this escapade will be a life-changing one!