Tucked high up in the Himalayas, the beautiful country of Bhutan is one of the most popular South Asian tourist destinations. Lush green valleys, tiny hamlets, majestic Buddhist monasteries and fortresses, and a warm and hospitable population define this magical mountainous land. The Bhutanese have commendably preserved their country’s rich, unique culture while living in modernity.

Here are the top 10 reasons to visit this blessed country:

1. Fascinating Nature

With its location in the lap of the mystic Himalayas, Bhutan has picture-postcard natural surroundings such as miles upon miles of mountain ranges and lush, dense forests. In fact, forest cover accounts for 70% of the land inside Bhutan, which is well-protected by the Government.

This makes Bhutan the world’s only carbon-negative country, offsetting more carbon dioxide than it actually produces.

What’s more, the clean and crisp air in this green country is the first to welcome anyone landing at the Paro International Airport upon arrival.

2. Hike to the Taktsang Monastery or “Tiger’s Nest”

The beautiful, rugged landscapes of Bhutan beckon avid trekkers and hikers to quench their adventure lust. Any Bhutan Tour is incomplete without a hike to the Taktsang Monastery, more popularly called “Tiger’s Nest”. This main highlight of the Bhutan visit lies just on the outskirts of Paro town, at 3,120 meters above sea level.

The Taktsang Monastery is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site perched on a vertical cliff defying all engineering logic. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, an ancient, illustrious Buddhist mystic visited the site, riding a tigress and meditated here.

3. The Bhutanese society and their culture

The Bhutan population is heavily influenced by Buddhist traditions. Moreover, the people have been successful in preserving them too. The incredibly dominant Buddhist culture is evident in the traditional dress worn by the Bhutanese, Dzongkha, their national language, the vibrant religious festivals, and archery, Bhutan’s national sport.

The Bhutanese men typically wear Gho, a knee-length robe tied with Kera, a handwoven belt. Under the Gho, the men wear a white-coloured jacket with long, folded-back cuffs. The Bhutanese womens’ traditional attire is a long ankle-length apron-like dress called Kira.  On special occasions, the women prefer colourful, intricately embroidered Kiras.

While truthfully following the beliefs of Buddhism, the Bhutanese act towards everyone respectfully and compassionately. No wonder how peaceful the entire country is!

With their warm and welcoming attitude, the Bhutanese attract plenty of tourists every year. They also firmly believe that all sentient beings are created equal and probably were their friends or relatives in past lives.

4. Bhutan festivals

Typically known as “Tshechu”, the colourful Bhutan festivals with energetic masked dance and folk performances are undoubtedly a spectacle to behold! The Tshechus constitute a large, prominent part of the Bhutanese culture and are naturally a photographer’s delight.

Among the most noteworthy Tshechus celebrated annually in Bhutan are Paro Tshechu, ThimphuTshechu, and Punakha Tshechu. These are attended by innumerable foreigners and locals alike. So, how about coinciding your travel date with one of these remarkable events?

5. Bhutanese Cuisine

Its unique flavour and spice make Bhutanese cuisine extremely popular worldwide. Hearty stews and meaty curries form the country’s staple. Bhutan’s national dish is “EmaDatshi”, a very spicy stew made of various kinds of chillies and yak cheese. There’s nothing more gratifying than washing all of this stew down with “Suja”, Bhutanese butter tea.

You can try several tasty Bhutanese dishes made of pork, beef, and chicken here. The country commonly grows spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions, and green beans.

If you aren’t so much into spicy food, the restaurants you stop by will gladly prepare you a milder version of the local dishes.

6. Bhutan is known as the “Happiest Place On The Earth”.

Bhutan is the one and only nation worldwide that measures Gross National Happiness as output and values it more than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This unique government policy of Bhutan includes free healthcare and education for its citizens.

So, although relatively poor, it is evident that Bhutan is ruled by a government that genuinely cares about its people. Also, conserving the environment is the Bhutanese way of life. In fact, environmental protection is one of the pillars of Bhutan’s happiness index.

7. Amazing Places to Visit

Bhutan is full of captivating places. Its countless tourist attractions include the famous, hill-perched Taktsang Monastery, the breathtaking Phobjikha Valley, the gigantic statue of Buddha Dordenma, the majestic Punakha Dzong where all Bhutan kings are crowned, and scenic treks like Druk Path and Chomolhari.

And above all,  spectacular Himalayan views throughout any Bhutan Tour!

8. Deep Spirituality

Buddhism, the heart and soul of Bhutan, is seen as deeply rooted in the country. Bhutan has countless Buddhist monasteries and temples, and, in fact, the population of monks outnumbers that of soldiers here. Visiting Bhutan is a unique spiritual experience with listening to the deep chanting of the monks and witnessing the burning of incense and groups of elderly members reciting the divine prayers on their prayer wheels.

9. An Exclusive and Elusive Destination

You’d certainly end up discovering an entirely new way of life in this Himalayan country’s reclusive yet warm embrace. So, any Bhutan Tour entails an experience that is much beyond the country’s striking natural beauty, exemplary architecture, spicy cuisine, and ancient culture.

Bhutan is indeed an alternate universe that somehow illusively resides in our own, nevertheless yearning to disconnect from the planet’s shrillness. It goes without saying that if you’re keen on a more laid-back holiday, Bhutan undoubtedly tops the list of travel choices.

With your desired pace of travel and visits, you can get the best of your preferred places of interest in this famously isolated land that remains an enigma.

10. Souvenirs

Bhutan’s souvenirs are as memorable as its captivating landscapes and monuments. Some incredible souvenirs to take back home as memories of the Kingdom of Happiness are handwoven textiles, Buddhist paintings, and rare postage stamps.