Myths about tours, festivals and travel in Bhutan

 

Bhutan is a small country that for a good reason has been coined a true Shangri La. In part this perception stems from its secluded location in the Eastern Himalayas, having only one airport, only one road and a government set on measuring the nation’s Gross National Happiness rather than its GDP.  Add to it that Bhutan government retains monopoly on tourism and myths inevitably follow, and here are some of them.

The best time to visit Bhutan is in the spring and fall. The answer is “may be,” but if you wish to avoid hordes of tourists come any other time. 

It’s false that the key reason why to come to Bhutan are the festivals, and that the best festivals are those in Thimphu and Paro.  While Paro and Timphu festivals are the most visited, there is no reason to feel the other festivals in Bhutan are less important or interesting! Following is a Bhutan festival schedule that shows there is a festival almost every month of the year and all over the country.

Next to Paro and Thimphu festivals, Jambay Lhakang Drup festival  has become the most visited festival in Bhutan. In fact there are now so many tourists coming to this festival that you will hardly see a local. In other words, with such a spectacle of so many tourists the sole purpose for which one craves to visit Bhutan to begin with – seclusion, pristine nature, peace and quiet – is lost during this very festive period when tourist arrivals are at a peak.

While Kurjey and Nimalung Tsechu festivals as well Tangbi Mani festival in Bumthang Valley, the cradle of Bhutan’s civilization in Central Bhutan, are great choices to get away from crowds of tourists, if you really prefer no or only a few tourists, visit especially those festivals that are the least promoted by both, the Bhutanese as well as overseas operators. Undeniably the least visited festivals are further east you travel not only from West Bhutan but also from Bumthang Valley. Two festival towns stand out, namely Mongar and Tashigang, and the two most memorable festivals in Eastern Bhutan are Chorten Kora and Gom Kora festivals.

Remember, to experience the real Bhutan you need to tour the country beyond Paro and Thimphu, travel at least to Punakha, Trongsa or Jakar, and with increasing influx of tourists you might as well consider booking a tour traversing Bhutan all the way to its Eastern end.