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• Witness one of the Bhutan's numerous Buddhist festivals: a riot of masks, dancing and ritual which generally centre on Dzongs in cobbled courtyards. The most famous is at Paro; monks recount Buddhist history and myths through more than 40 religious or folk dances.
• Watch hundreds of monks perform the Dance of the Stag and the Hounds, which represents the conversion of the hunter Gonpo Dorji to Buddhism by the saint Milarepa, in Tashichhoe Dzong as part of the Thimphu Festival.
• Visit the Handicraft Emporium in Thimpu, which displays a wide assortment of unique souvenirs such as beautifully handwoven and crafted products.
• Invest in some stamps. Bhutan is well known for them and they are highly sought after by those in the know. The best place to buy them is the headquarters of the Philatelic Office of Bhutan in Phuentsholing.
• Get back to nature by trekking around the valleys and the mountain gorges. The scenery is simply breathtaking. From Bumthang, travellers can start four- and seven-day cultural tours through the rural villages, including Mongar.
• Mountain bike along the Paro Valley for an exhilarating experience. Bicycles can be hired in Thimpu and trails are suitable for a range of abilities. However, the steeper, longer rides are best left to the professionals and the foolhardy.
• Spot some of Bhutan’s 320-plus varieties of birds, including the rare black-necked crane. The Manas Game Sanctuary has a wide variety of wildlife such as elephants and tigers. It is also the best place in the world to see golden langur monkeys.
• Appreciate the skills of the Bhutanese in archery (datse), Bhutan's national sport. Competitions are held frequently. These events usually prove fun and raucous, and alcohol flows freely.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
• Watch hundreds of monks perform the Dance of the Stag and the Hounds, which represents the conversion of the hunter Gonpo Dorji to Buddhism by the saint Milarepa, in Tashichhoe Dzong as part of the Thimphu Festival.
• Visit the Handicraft Emporium in Thimpu, which displays a wide assortment of unique souvenirs such as beautifully handwoven and crafted products.
• Invest in some stamps. Bhutan is well known for them and they are highly sought after by those in the know. The best place to buy them is the headquarters of the Philatelic Office of Bhutan in Phuentsholing.
• Get back to nature by trekking around the valleys and the mountain gorges. The scenery is simply breathtaking. From Bumthang, travellers can start four- and seven-day cultural tours through the rural villages, including Mongar.
• Mountain bike along the Paro Valley for an exhilarating experience. Bicycles can be hired in Thimpu and trails are suitable for a range of abilities. However, the steeper, longer rides are best left to the professionals and the foolhardy.
• Spot some of Bhutan’s 320-plus varieties of birds, including the rare black-necked crane. The Manas Game Sanctuary has a wide variety of wildlife such as elephants and tigers. It is also the best place in the world to see golden langur monkeys.
• Appreciate the skills of the Bhutanese in archery (datse), Bhutan's national sport. Competitions are held frequently. These events usually prove fun and raucous, and alcohol flows freely.
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
