Bhutan travel guide

Chele La Pass is the highest road pass in Bhutan. The road leading to the pass from Haa valley must be a candidate for the most winding road ever. However, the road is in good condition and the scenery is just stunning. The pass itself is covered with prayer flags - and we mean covered. Walk up to one of the peaks for a great overview.

The Dochula Pass is a nice break on the journey from Thimphu to Punakha. On a clear day, you will have panoramic views of the Himalayes, including Bhutan's highest mountain Gangkar Punsun (7,564 m). In less perfect weather have a stroll among the 108 stupas (Druk Wangyal Chortens), which commemorate the falling soldiers during the 2003 military operation. The temple, Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, on the other side of the road has extraordinary detailed murals and some kalisikovs from the war (inside the mens-only room).

A crazy divined man erected the fertility temple in the 15th century. Both locals and tourists come here to become fertile (or just to pray). Every tour guide has at least one story of some foreign couple, who became parents after the woman had done the fertility ritual, which includes caring a big heavy wooden phallus around the temple. The short hike from the nearby village to the temple goes through rice paddy fields and pass plenty of penis murals.

Gangtey Monastery is a lovely monastery with vivid, fine detailed wall paintings. The monk quarters are within the courtyard, so there will be a lot of "red cloak monk" sightings. The valley below is winter home for the endangered Black-necked crane, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau. An annual one-day festival is held here on the 11th of November to celebrate the arrival of the cranes. The monastery was under renovation in 2018.

Donated by the Chinese and built by Thai, this 54 m tall buddha is some impressive sight. It's made in bronze, gilded in gold, and hold no less than 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. Though it's the tallest buddha statue in Bhutan, it is a dwarf compared to the world's tallest Buddha statue in China, which reach 128 m into the sky. The view from the base over Thimphu valley is almost equal impressive.

Haa is a small town with lots of character. Its natural setting at 3,056 m at the bottom of the beautiful Haa valley is its main attraction. In any direction your look will be met by traditional farm houses, gushing rivers, chiming prayer wheels, and pristine forest. Just to complete the postcard perfect scenery there are several monasteries perching on hill tops.

This fine temple is the oldest in Bhutan. Founded in the 7th century and later expanding in 1971. The temple is particularly lovely due to the many old pilgrims circling the temple while spinning the prayer wheels. If lucky, you might also get a glimpse of the original Buddha statue from the 7th century, which sits in a separate room, which only get open on special occasions.

Lawala Pass is a less dramatic pass than Dochula and Chele La, but nevertheless with beautiful views of cloud forest (and probably clouds) to one side and green valleys to the other. The pass is mark with prayer flags and a stupa, which is under construction.

The queen mother built this stupa (chorten) in 1974 in memory of her son, the third king of Bhutan, who passed away two years earlier. It's a lovely sacred place favourite by many devoted buddhists, who circle the big prayer wheels and the big stupa. If possible, see the inside of the stupa too.

Most visitors end up spending a night or two in small Paro. Not only is the airport here, but Paro also has two major sights in Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang. Furthermore, Paro is close to the starting point for the mandatory hike to Tiger's Nest monastery. So it's understandable that one end of the main street is lined with handicraft shops, but you just need to venture down a sidestreet to the vegetable market to experience a less touristic Paro.