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Things to Do in Bhutan
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Paro Taktsang, Punakha Dzong, Multi-day Tours, Nature & Wildlife Areas.
Paro Taktsang, Punakha Dzong, Multi-day Tours, Nature & Wildlife Areas.
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See what other travellers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Historic Sites
Challenging 3 km cliffside hike in Bhutan through lush forests with a mid-point café; culminates at a sacred cliff-perched monastery with panoramic views.
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Religious Sites
Historical fortress featuring ancient architecture and tranquil courtyards, with monks' chants and a striking Buddha statue. Set between two rivers, it presents a serene, traditional ambiance.
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Monuments & Statues
Statue towering at 169 feet amidst Kuenselphodrang Nature Park with serene meditation spaces and panoramic valley views, surrounded by intricate smaller sculptures.
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Scenic Drives
Scenic high-altitude pass featuring 108 chortens, panoramic Himalayan views, and vibrant prayer flags. Reflects cultural history and offers a tranquil setting for meditation.
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Religious Sites
Historic Sites
Scenic Drives
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Religious Sites
Religious Sites
Stupa surrounded by greenery, where visitors can turn prayer wheels and observe local religious practices. Includes city views and serene atmosphere for contemplation.
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What travellers are saying
- Traveller20175California Desert, CA575 contributionsIt is a difficult hike for people who are not fit or have not hiked much. It is a long upward hike with many many many steps. Since you are hiking at a higher altitude, it makes it that much more harder. You do have the option of taking the horse till the cafeteria, but online everyone talks about the dangers of a horse and I wanted to do it without the horse. It was a good weather with very slight rain and a perfect day to hike when I did it. Though it may seem cold at first, do not wear any jackets as you will start feeling hot after 15 minutes of hiking. If you are older and worried about the hike, I would strongly suggest hiking with a private tour guide, which makes it a little bit more easier to do it.
There is a cafeteria mid way point, where you can stop for tea and snacks and lunch, but it is still a long walk with about 800-1000 steps at the very end. One needs to be careful even while coming down, as the mud is slippery and you can hurt yourself. You also need to climb steps from the monastery while coming down. I did hike all the way to the monastery without a horse but very important to have hiking sticks, which you can rent at the beginning of the trail. But it is a great experience, go for it irrespective of how far you can hike. There are amazing views along the way and well worth the muscle soreness that you will experience for the next two to three days. You can also rent the traditional Bhutanese Costume at the shop near the cafeteria, to take pictures. I wore the dress and hiked up to the monastery.
Keep water with you and a cap or hat for the sun. You can buy snacks and water at the cafeteria too and use the restroom there. There are vegetarian options available there. But there is no food or water available anywhere else and if you can carry protein bars with you if you want. There are benches along the way on the trail, to sit down if you are feeling tired. There is no medical services available anywhere and you can carry any first aid kit with you, in case you fall and get scratched. Do not push yourself and go at your pace and however far you can make it. Make way for horses and don't walk too close to the horses. At no point on the trail do you feel deep ravines(though it is there), the trail is pretty wide and no issues at all for people with fear of heights. Definitely a must do when in Bhutan!Written 29 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - T-SGlobetrottersPreston, UK4,097 contributionsThe Dzong lies at the confluence of two rivers in a most picturesque location. It is a monumental building built to an incredibly complex specification. Access is across a wooden bridge.
Exploration is very limited because as a government department most of the site is out of bounds however you can explore the first courtyard and admire the detailed design. This takes you to the temple where access is allowed. Of all the dzongs we visited whilst in Bhutan, we considered this to be the most atmospheric and lavishly decorated of them all. Inside the temple is huge, the area is used for many important ceremonial occasions including the last Royal Coronation. Three huge Buddha figures form the centrepiece of the hall and paintings on the wall cover the story of Buddha, our guide was very patient in explaining the pictorial story.Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Thunder Dragon Tours101 contributionsMade of bronze and gilded in gold (which symbolizes indestructibility), the Buddha Dordenma statue is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, which overlooks Thimphu Valley, and can be seen from far off places while driving through the city. The first glimpse of the near 200ft tall statue - one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world - takes your breath away! There are also many smaller statues of Bodhisattvas on the site. Entry is free. Best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon for sunset.Written 6 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- T-SGlobetrottersPreston, UK4,097 contributionsThe area consists of 108 stupas built in 2004 to commemorate the deaths of Bhutanese soldiers in a war against Assamese insurgents. They are located at a lofty 3,100 feet above sea level, At the time we visited, thick fog rolled in in patches but during clearer intervals, the views were spectacular. It is also worth climbing the hill behind the stupas where eleven meditation caves have been built, each dedicated to a deity.
There is a cafe on site which enjoys equally good views. Recommend warm clothes to visit as it can get quite chilly.Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - T-SGlobetrottersPreston, UK4,097 contributionsMost of the fortress was only built in the 1960’s. The function of the building is part administrative part religious. It hosts government departments on one side of the compound with the temple on the opposite side. The building has impressive scale although access in limited to evenings during the week and all-day weekends and public holidays. Unfortunately, most of the complex is out of bounds apart from the courtyard and main temple.Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- T-SGlobetrottersPreston, UK4,097 contributionsThis was the last of several dzongs we visited in our tour of Bhutan. Outside it is one of the most dramatic with commanding views across the valley. One inside, as with all dzongs, much of the complex is out of bounds with access limited to the courtyards and one temple. This was okay but for us, other temples we have seen elsewhere in Bhutan had the edge. The courtyard area is impressive though with a double tier of wooden balconied rooms (not accessible) surrounding one courtyard.Written 27 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter C82 contributionsFor enthusiastic cyclists strongly recommend this as a bike ride. yes it is high but very do-able and you can rent decent mountain bikes in Paro. Watch out for the yaks on the descent and do bring a jacket/gloves.Written 22 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ashish DebKolkata (Calcutta), India966 contributionsOn the fourth day of our Bhutan adventure, we visited the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, known for its stunning natural beauty and serene landscapes. After enjoying a delightful lunch amidst the valley's tranquility, we proceeded to the historic Gangteng Monastery, a significant cultural and spiritual site in Bhutan. Watch our short video to experience the beauty of Phobjikha Valley and the rich heritage of Gangteng Monastery, and get travel tips for your visit.Written 14 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- T-SGlobetrottersPreston, UK4,097 contributionsThe monastery is a relatively new construction only built in 2004 by Queen Tshering Yanddon Wangchuck mother of the current king. The building is constructed in pagoda style, and it is possible to go inside and walk up to the top where there are super panoramic views of the valley. Decoration inside is full of angry images that reflect negative energy which is meant to be a counterbalance enabling good luck and long life for the king.
It is a very pleasant walk up to the temple with views of rural farming life all along the track passing a large prayer wheel on the way.Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - T-SGlobetrottersPreston, UK4,097 contributionsThe pedestrian bridge which our guide advises is 230m long not 160m as advised in guidebooks spans the wild and fast flowing Pho Chhu river and is the longest in Bhutan. Draped with prayer flags it is a spectacular sight. It is little used these days following construction of a bridge further down the river that takes road traffic.
It is quite fun to walk across, it bounces a bit when walking across but the views from the middle of the bridge are very good.
It is worth a quick visit. It is a short hike from the road up to the entry point.
Once on the other side there are a small number of impressively decorated buildings in the local village.Written 26 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - pglejmSanta Cruz, CA4,462 contributionsDefinitely worth stopping at and hearing the cultural stories behind the ‘divine madman’ who has blessed women seeking fertility as well as drive away evil spirits. It’s a good 20 minute walk through the rice fields with some uneven footing but it’s very doable. Love sitting under the large tree and just feeling peaceful. Our female guide told several stories of personal friends who visited the temple who had fertility issues but later conceived. She was definitely convinced!!Written 18 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Trumpboyer86Singapore, Singapore941 contributions- Nice place, but can get crowded as it is located in the city
- Many people will walk 3 round clockwise for good luck
- Do make sure your footwear is easily removable as many places require to remove shoes.Written 14 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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