Bhutan reopened its borders on September 23, 2022; travelers can experience one of the world’s most stunning descents, flying into Paro Bhutan’s Himalayan mountain kingdom.
With its surrounding Himalayan peaks, Bhutan is an extraordinary travel destination known as “The Last Shangri-La.”
While Bhutan offers tourists a thrilling travel experience, it is important to understand that Bhutan is more than just mountain hikes, treks, and trips to monasteries and dzongs.
Bhutan is more than meets the eye.
Let’s learn a little more about Bhutan through images that convey a story with Norbu Bhutan Travels.
1. Hike to Domendrel Tsho
Bhutanese people have claimed that the Domendrel hike is an evergreen hiking track and one of the most famous places in Bhutan. To get to the mountain’s 4000m above sea level summit, you must hike through areas of a deep forest.
During your hike, you will encounter a variety of plants, animals, and flying prayer flags as you cross the trail.
In addition to its pristine scenery, Domendrel is well known among Bhutanese people because of the terrible event in 1996 when six boys were lost while trekking to Domendrel Tsho.
Six boys who visited the lake in the summer of 1996 disturbed its tranquility, angering the local deity.
Bhutanese people believe lakes and mountains are sacred areas that should be respected. The spirits are offended by actions like swimming in the holy water, making loud noises, or burning rubbish or meat close to the lake.
The boys caused havoc by tossing stones into the lake and making loud sounds.
Consequently, they witnessed heavy rainfall, which caused the area to become extremely foggy.
This resulted in them getting lost in the woods, and four of them, all pale and sick, eventually made their way and were found in Punakha; two of them failed to make it out alive.
2. The Symbolism of Mask Dance
Mask dances in Bhutan are renowned as spiritual and divine performance that purifies the soul.
The mask dances performed in the Dzongs are crucial for unifying people to know more about their place, culture, and history.
The dance moves portray celestial dances that spiritual leaders experienced while in profound trances.
While performing, a dancer is believed to be cleansed of his misdeeds. Bhutanese people believe that watching the mask dances will bring prosperity and good fortune into their lives.
Therefore, you must take the opportunity to attend the mask dance performances if you visit Bhutan.
If you wish to experience the beauty of mask dances and other best places in Bhutan, make Norbu Bhutan Travels your first pick and prepare to be blessed with amazing dance festival performances in Bhutan.
3. Explore the 800-year-old Historic Love Home
Visiting this exquisite kingdom in the ever-enchanting Himalayas on your trip to Bhutan will make you feel like you are walking in a fairy tale, where every corner has a story to unwind.
Gasa Lamai Singye is popular Bhutanese folklore known as Bhutan’s Romeo and Juliet from the 14th century.
Their legendary love story has been told for years, and no other love story in Bhutan compares to theirs.
Gasa Lamai Singye is a touching story of a poor young man and a lady born into a wealthy family who was only reunited in death.
Galem was forced into marrying someone else, but she refused and confessed her love for Singye and her pregnancy. Her parents, however, became enraged after learning of Singye’s stature and threw her out of the house.
Eventually, Galam died with their unborn child. Galem’s pyre was lit at the crematorium but did not catch fire.
Singye upon hearing about her cremation, Singye jumped into her funeral pyre when he heard his love was being cremated, which marks the end of a beautiful love story where the two love souls united in death.
4. 108 Memorial Dochula Passes
Dochula Pass, a stunning mountain pass with 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens,” is located about 20 kilometers from Thimphu and is not only a significant location historical and religious but also a well-liked tourist destination that any traveler to Bhutan would want to see.
Built-in 2004 in honor of Royal Bhutan Army soldiers from Bhutan who lost their lives fighting insurgents in 2003.
During the reign of the fourth Druk Gyalpo, rebels had established about 30 camps on Bhutanese soil and were using it as a base to raid Assam, an Indian state in the northeast.
The army, led by Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, successfully removed the insurgents, and “Operation All Clear” was a historic success.
The Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, commissioned this architecture to honor the lost soldiers.
5. Trans Bhutan Trail Reopens
The Trans Bhutan Trail was used by pilgrims, messengers, armies, and traders for hundreds of years.
Until the 1960s, it was the only way to travel and communicate with others across the country. It has found a new life in an age of adventure and connection.
The Trans Bhutan Trail, originally part of the Silk Road, is a historic pilgrimage route that runs east-west across the country for 250 miles and dates back thousands of years.
The path connected a series of dzongs, or fortresses, that were used to prevent invasions by foreign militaries around 500 years ago.
The trail allowed the various Himalayan kingdoms along the route to communicate and fight as one group.
For the first 50 years, the Trans-Bhutan Trail was the only way to travel from one end of the country to the other.
The trail, which connects 400 cultural and historic sites, is now reopened from Haa to Trashigang in the east.
Take on the Trans Bhutan Trail end-to-end hike, one of the most incredible walks in the world, with Norbu Bhutan’s experienced tour guides for the ultimate trekking experience in Bhutan.
Bhutan is a magical and mystical land that thrives on tourism, making it a popular natural destination. This mysterious land contains ancient histories and picturesque, popular, offbeat places.
With Norbu Bhutan Travels, a world of new experiences awaits you in this land of mysteries. Bhutan will never displease you with its breathtaking scenery and cultural significance.
Before planning your Bhutan trip, keep up to date on the latest travel information with us.
What’s holding you back? Contact Norbu Bhutan Travels for one-stop-shop tourism in Bhutan!
No responses yet