Great for: Adventure travelers, people who like being off the beaten path, cultural trips, spiritual journeys, hiking.
Trip Duration: 10- 14 days
I arrived into Paro and was transferred to the beautiful AMAN Kora Paro property. Set in a stunning forested location, the rooms are huge and stunningly decorated, and the staff was wonderful. Early the next day, we transferred to the Haa valley. Known for its scenery, hiking and complete feeling of peace, this relatively undeveloped area would be our home for the next two days. A luxury campsite was set up for us, with a furnished tent with very comfortable beds, and outdoor bathrooms with flushable toilets and warm showers. During my time here, we learned traditional Bhutanese games, saw performances of folkloric song and dance, received massages in the forest, had astrology readings and sat around the bonfire with Bhutanese whiskey. It was an amazing experience.
We hiked out the next day, stopping at an abandoned home for a breakfast spread in the forest, before biking the rest of the way down through the valley. We arrived in Thimpu to the stunning Six Senses Thimpu. I think it is safe to say that the lobby has one of the best views you may ever have an opportunity to see. After a private meditation session with the monks at the largest sitting Buddha in the world, we had a candlelit performance of a lost dance that was revived for the first time in decades.
My time in Thimphu was far too short. There is so much more to see and do, but it was time to move on to Punakha, one of the warmest valleys in Bhutan. This valley is filled with ancient temples, exhilarating hikes, white water rafting, and mountain biking trails. Several of the very best hoteliers in the world have built properties here, including Six Sense, AMAN and & Beyond. The options for luxury accommodations make it incredibly difficult to choose, but you won’t be disappointed in any of them. In addition to the wonderful activities of the area, our group ended the day with a meeting and herbal treatment with a traditional wellness practitioner and a farm to table dinner.
My final adventure in this fascinating country was the trek to Tigers Nest Monastery. This challenging hike was worth every sore muscle afterward for the amazing views and the absolute awe-inspiring feat of engineering that is Tigers Nest. Our group was treated to tea in the VIP room that is used by the Royals when they visit the site, and we also had the opportunity to enter the sacred cave beneath the monastery. That evening I enjoyed a well – deserved hot stone bath with fresh local therapeutic herbs.
Bhutan is always ranked as one of the happiest places on Earth. The people are kind and gentle and this land is still largely untouched by the chain restaurants and over-development. It is not easy to get to, and traveling throughout the country has its own challenges, but it is well worth the time and effort.
