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NDTV
21-05-2025
- NDTV
5 Reasons Why Bhutan Should Be Next On Your Travel List
Hidden deep in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan remains one of Asia's most underrated gems. This small, landlocked kingdom blends age-old traditions with jaw-dropping scenery — and yes, happiness is an actual national priority here. While much of the world races toward rapid development, Bhutan has taken a different path, choosing cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and mindful living. With its peaceful monasteries, lush forests, and fiercely protected identity, it offers something far richer than your average holiday. If you're craving meaningful travel that leaves a lasting impression, Bhutan deserves a top spot on your bucket list. Here are five reasons why. 1. Happiness Isn't Just a Slogan — It's Policy Bhutan is famous for measuring success through Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of GDP. It's not just a feel-good phrase — GNH is a framework that guides everything from government decisions to education and business development. You can feel it in the way locals engage with you, in the absence of overwhelming crowds, and in the country's slower pace of life. Bhutan's unique take on wellbeing makes it one of the most peaceful and grounded places you'll ever visit. 2. The Culture Is Completely Intact — And That's By Design Bhutan isn't interested in becoming the next tourist hotspot. It caps the number of visitors by imposing a daily Sustainable Development Fee (currently around $100-$200 USD depending on the season and length of stay), which supports local infrastructure, healthcare, and education. What does that mean for travellers? You're not elbowing your way through selfie sticks or watching sacred rituals turned into Insta moments. Instead, you get an authentic glimpse of a country that's fiercely protective of its identity — from its architecture (no high-rises allowed) to national dress codes that are still worn with pride. 3. You Can Visit One Of The World's Most Iconic Monasteries Paro Taktsang — better known as the Tiger's Nest — is the crown jewel of Bhutanese landmarks. Perched on a cliffside at 3,120 metres, it looks like it was plucked straight out of a fantasy film. But the climb up is very real-and so worth it. The hike takes about two to three hours each way, passing pine forests and fluttering prayer flags. Built in the 17th century, the monastery is believed to be where Guru Rinpoche, the man credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, meditated for three years. It's not just a tourist attraction — it's a pilgrimage site that locals deeply revere. 4. It's The Only Carbon-Negative Country In The World That's right-Bhutan doesn't just talk sustainability; it lives it. While most countries are scrambling to offset their carbon emissions, Bhutan is setting the global gold standard. Over 70% of the country is covered in forest, helping it absorb more carbon than it produces. Hydropower, generated from glacial rivers, provides clean energy, and environmental protection is even baked into its constitution. Travelling here means you're contributing to a country that genuinely values its natural environment. Bonus: The air is some of the cleanest you'll ever breathe. 5. The Food Packs A Punch Bhutanese cuisine doesn't hold back on flavour-or spice. The national dish, ema datshi, is a fiery mix of chillies and cheese, and it's served with just about everything. Don't be surprised if you see dried red chillies hanging from balconies — they're as essential to daily life as rice. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike will find something to rave about, from hearty pork stews to momos (dumplings) and red rice grown in the highlands. And while you're at it, try a glass of ara, a traditional rice-based spirit that's often homemade and occasionally potent.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bhutan is known for its festivals and hiking. Here's how to plan a trip around both.
Considered by some to be the real-life location of the elusive Shangri La, Bhutan is a small Himalayan enclave that also happens to be the last remaining Buddhist Kingdom in the world. Here, there are many more Buddhist temples and monasteries than days of the year, and just about as many festivals. Add in rolling hills, dense forests, and countless never-to-be-named mountains in areas so remote that it takes a week's worth of hiking to reach the nearest village, and you have yourself a culture-loving trekker's dream. From two-mile treks up to hilltop temples and sacred sites to the newly established 250-mile Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan has routes for all skill levels. Freshly opened to tourism in 1974, Bhutan has a number of regulations in place for visiting. And, having watched neighboring countries like India and Nepal face significant overcrowding and pollution problems as a result of rapid commercialization, Bhutan decided to take a different approach. Intent on preserving its culture and pristine natural habitat, Bhutan requires guides and federal workers to wear traditional dress while on duty; it requires three trees to be planted for every one cut down; and its constitution sets aside 64 percent of land as permanent forest. To prevent overcrowding, Bhutan also introduced one of the highest tourist taxes in the world. Dubbed the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), this $100/day charge is required to obtain a visa, and it is in addition to the accommodations, airfare, activities, guides, and other trip costs. (Our ancestors walked these trails hundreds of years ago. Now you can too.) Each festival has its own focus: Increasing prosperity, improving health and wellbeing, or warding off evil spirits. They also, particularly in remote regions, provide a rare opportunity for locals to socialize with extended family and friends they rarely see otherwise. Celebrations often last three-to-five days and many locals attend every day to be blessed by the dances. Filled with elaborate costumes and intricate performances, these festivals welcome dozens of masked dancers representing demons, spirits, animals, and deities that perform for three or four hours at a time. Most attendees sit on the ground (often outdoors in the sun), but some bring mats and small stools to pass the time more comfortably. For the past 25 years, Kinley Gyeltshen has been leading hiking, heritage, camping, and festival tours for Wilderness Travel, one of Bhutan's first international tour operators. According to him, festivals are a fun addition to a trip, but shouldn't be the focus. Instead, he suggests travelers spend about half-a-day at a festival and spend the rest of the time exploring other aspects of the country and culture. Gyeltshen also encourages travelers to consider smaller, lesser-known festivals. 'Not only will there be fewer tourists, but you'll have a better chance to really get a feel for the people and be able to interact with locals on a personal level,' he says. There's no bad time to go to Bhutan. In fact, numerous festivals take place every month across the country, and there are excellent hikes available year-round. When planning your trip, consider that most festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the dates are not fixed. Here's a breakdown of what to expect each season. November – January The weather is cooler and potentially snowy during these months, but Gyeltshen says the hiking is good and skies tend to be clear. 'It's the best time for photography, particularly if you want clear pictures of bright blue skies and snow-capped mountains,' he says. Winter is also the best time to witness the 700 black neck cranes that roost in the Phobjikha Valley ('Crane Valley'). The Black Neck Crane Festival is held in November, when the cranes begin arriving, but Gyeltshen suggests visiting in December or January to witness the largest numbers. Aside from the Black Neck Crane Festival in central Bhutan, all other winter festivals are in the far east, requiring several days of driving or a likely-to-be-canceled domestic flight. February – March Late winter and early spring offer cool but pleasant weather and you still have a chance to spot black neck cranes in Phobjikha. The landscape is still fairly brown (and you may experience light snow in some areas), but the hiking trails, festivals, and attractions are much less crowded. The Punakha Festival is an excellent choice, as it is lively, easy to get to, and a short drive from many other attractions. (Related: A photo journey into the remote communities of eastern Bhutan) April – May Though the black neck cranes have returned to Tibet, Gyeltshen says late spring is the best time for birdwatchers who want to see the large number of migrating river birds returning to Bhutan from northern India. The weather is warm and pleasant, valleys are bursting with wildflowers, and hikers can enjoy less snowy and muddy trails. The Paro Tshechu Festival is a popular festival that is very easy to get to because it's held near the airport that virtually all travelers arrive through. The drawback of visiting in late spring is that trails, attractions, and festivals are much more crowded. June – August Summer monsoons have become less intense in recent years, but these months remain the wettest. Hiking is certainly an option, but you'll face a much greater chance of encountering sloppy, muddy trails. Gyeltshen notes that the upside is that in summer, flowers are brilliant and bountiful, including the national flower, the high alpine blue poppy, and the critically endangered pink poppy. Sonam Dorji, a tour guide with MyBhutan, adds that summer festivals are plentiful, they go on rain or shine, and that the country is less crowded because of the higher chance of rain. September – October Though summer monsoons can extend into September, the weather tends to be pleasant. According to Dorji, September is the best month to tackle long treks like the 216-mile Snowman Trek (which he's done three times). Thought to be the hardest trek in the world, this harsh Himalayan hike typically takes 24-30 days to complete, includes several passes over 17,000 feet, and requires wilderness camping every night. Because October is less prone to rain and has so many easy-to-reach festivals (like Thimphu and Jakar), October is a bit more crowded than September. If visiting in October, Gyeltshen suggests also considering the Highland Festival. Held each October 23-25, this high-elevation festival attracts few foreigners since it takes place in the remote highland town of Laya, a two-hour trek from the nearest road. (Related: See the relentless beauty of Bhutan—a kingdom that takes happiness seriously) Cassandra Brooklyn is a New York City-based travel writer who specializes in sustainability, accessibility and the outdoors. She is a former international tour leader with EscapingNY and is the author of the guidebook Cuba by Bike.
National Geographic
19-05-2025
- National Geographic
Bhutan's beauty beckons tourists. Here's how to plan your trip.
Considered by some to be the real-life location of the elusive Shangri La, Bhutan is a small Himalayan enclave that also happens to be the last remaining Buddhist Kingdom in the world. Here, there are many more Buddhist temples and monasteries than days of the year, and just about as many festivals. Add in rolling hills, dense forests, and countless never-to-be-named mountains in areas so remote that it takes a week's worth of hiking to reach the nearest village, and you have yourself a culture-loving trekker's dream. From two-mile treks up to hilltop temples and sacred sites to the newly established 250-mile Trans Bhutan Trail, Bhutan has routes for all skill levels. The Black-Necked Crane Festival in Bhutan is held annually on November 11 at Gangtey Monastery in Phobjikha Valley. Photograph by Tshering Wangdi, Alamy Stock Photo Bhutan's new model of tourism Freshly opened to tourism in 1974, Bhutan has a number of regulations in place for visiting. And, having watched neighboring countries like India and Nepal face significant overcrowding and pollution problems as a result of rapid commercialization, Bhutan decided to take a different approach. Intent on preserving its culture and pristine natural habitat, Bhutan requires guides and federal workers to wear traditional dress while on duty; it requires three trees to be planted for every one cut down; and its constitution sets aside 64 percent of land as permanent forest. To prevent overcrowding, Bhutan also introduced one of the highest tourist taxes in the world. Dubbed the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), this $100/day charge is required to obtain a visa, and it is in addition to the accommodations, airfare, activities, guides, and other trip costs. (Our ancestors walked these trails hundreds of years ago. Now you can too.) The Bhutanese Paro Tshechu Festival within Paro Dzong. Photograph by Eric Kruszewski, Nat Geo Image Collection How to choose which festivals to see in Bhutan Each festival has its own focus: Increasing prosperity, improving health and wellbeing, or warding off evil spirits. They also, particularly in remote regions, provide a rare opportunity for locals to socialize with extended family and friends they rarely see otherwise. Celebrations often last three-to-five days and many locals attend every day to be blessed by the dances. Filled with elaborate costumes and intricate performances, these festivals welcome dozens of masked dancers representing demons, spirits, animals, and deities that perform for three or four hours at a time. Most attendees sit on the ground (often outdoors in the sun), but some bring mats and small stools to pass the time more comfortably. For the past 25 years, Kinley Gyeltshen has been leading hiking, heritage, camping, and festival tours for Wilderness Travel, one of Bhutan's first international tour operators. According to him, festivals are a fun addition to a trip, but shouldn't be the focus. Instead, he suggests travelers spend about half-a-day at a festival and spend the rest of the time exploring other aspects of the country and culture. Gyeltshen also encourages travelers to consider smaller, lesser-known festivals. 'Not only will there be fewer tourists, but you'll have a better chance to really get a feel for the people and be able to interact with locals on a personal level,' he says. Dancers performing at the Trongsa Tshechu, a prominent annual festival in Bhutan, celebrated within the walls of the Trongsa Dzong. This festival is also known as the winter festival and is a major religious and cultural event. Photograph by Reinhard Golebiowski, Anzenberg/Redux A crowd watches Buddhist monks performing a masked dance during the annual Trashigang Tshechu festival. Photograph by Jed Weingarten, Nat Geo Image Collection When to go to Bhutan There's no bad time to go to Bhutan. In fact, numerous festivals take place every month across the country, and there are excellent hikes available year-round. When planning your trip, consider that most festivals follow the lunar calendar, so the dates are not fixed. Here's a breakdown of what to expect each season. November – January The weather is cooler and potentially snowy during these months, but Gyeltshen says the hiking is good and skies tend to be clear. 'It's the best time for photography, particularly if you want clear pictures of bright blue skies and snow-capped mountains,' he says. Winter is also the best time to witness the 700 black neck cranes that roost in the Phobjikha Valley ('Crane Valley'). The Black Neck Crane Festival is held in November, when the cranes begin arriving, but Gyeltshen suggests visiting in December or January to witness the largest numbers. Aside from the Black Neck Crane Festival in central Bhutan, all other winter festivals are in the far east, requiring several days of driving or a likely-to-be-canceled domestic flight. February – March Late winter and early spring offer cool but pleasant weather and you still have a chance to spot black neck cranes in Phobjikha. The landscape is still fairly brown (and you may experience light snow in some areas), but the hiking trails, festivals, and attractions are much less crowded. The Punakha Festival is an excellent choice, as it is lively, easy to get to, and a short drive from many other attractions. (Related: A photo journey into the remote communities of eastern Bhutan) Celebrations often last three-to-five days and many locals attend every day to be blessed by the dances. Photograph by Pete Ryan, Nat Geo Image Collection The Gangtey Tshechu festival at the Gangtey Monastery. Photograph by Lee Frost, robertharding/Alamy Stock Photo April – May Though the black neck cranes have returned to Tibet, Gyeltshen says late spring is the best time for birdwatchers who want to see the large number of migrating river birds returning to Bhutan from northern India. The weather is warm and pleasant, valleys are bursting with wildflowers, and hikers can enjoy less snowy and muddy trails. The Paro Tshechu Festival is a popular festival that is very easy to get to because it's held near the airport that virtually all travelers arrive through. The drawback of visiting in late spring is that trails, attractions, and festivals are much more crowded. June – August Summer monsoons have become less intense in recent years, but these months remain the wettest. Hiking is certainly an option, but you'll face a much greater chance of encountering sloppy, muddy trails. Gyeltshen notes that the upside is that in summer, flowers are brilliant and bountiful, including the national flower, the high alpine blue poppy, and the critically endangered pink poppy. Sonam Dorji, a tour guide with MyBhutan, adds that summer festivals are plentiful, they go on rain or shine, and that the country is less crowded because of the higher chance of rain. September – October Though summer monsoons can extend into September, the weather tends to be pleasant. According to Dorji, September is the best month to tackle long treks like the 216-mile Snowman Trek (which he's done three times). Thought to be the hardest trek in the world, this harsh Himalayan hike typically takes 24-30 days to complete, includes several passes over 17,000 feet, and requires wilderness camping every night. Because October is less prone to rain and has so many easy-to-reach festivals (like Thimphu and Jakar), October is a bit more crowded than September. If visiting in October, Gyeltshen suggests also considering the Highland Festival. Held each October 23-25, this high-elevation festival attracts few foreigners since it takes place in the remote highland town of Laya, a two-hour trek from the nearest road. (Related: See the relentless beauty of Bhutan—a kingdom that takes happiness seriously) How to get there:Gateway city, Paro (the only international airport) can be reached by direct flights from Dubai, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi, and a handful of other Indian cities. Delhi has daily flights, Bangkok has several flights per week, but some cities, like Dubai, only have one weekly flight to Bhutan. Two airlines serve the country, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, and if you join a group tour, your tour operator will likely handle booking your flights. Guided tours: Technically, a guide and a driver are not required, but hiring both makes traveling easier, partly because travelers are not admitted to many sites without an official guide. Adventure travel company, Wilderness Travel, specifically schedules small group hiking tours around the country's spring and fall festivals. Intrepid offers several hiking-focused trips and they are often combined with Nepal to help bring down the cost, but they do not typically include festivals. Numerous other small operators, like MyBhutan, specialize in custom tours focusing on hiking, festivals, luxury, or other themes. Cassandra Brooklyn is a New York City-based travel writer who specializes in sustainability, accessibility and the outdoors. She is a former international tour leader with EscapingNY and is the author of the guidebook Cuba by Bike.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bhutan partners with Binance to launch first tourism crypto payments
Bhutan, the South Asian country located in the Himalayan region, has partnered with Binance Pay and the country's fully digital DK Bank to launch a national-level crypto payment system for tourism. The partnership marks the first time a tourism product has accepted cryptocurrency at a national level. Tourists can avail a range of tourism services, including flight and hotel tickets, visa and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) fees, monument entry fees, and local shopping, using Binance Pay via static and dynamic QR code payments. More than 100 merchants in Bhutan are now live with Binance Pay and DK Bank. The service supports more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, BNB, and USDC. The pioneering crypto payments system lets tourists avail themselves of a seamless and fully integrated travel experience system across immigration, stay, and shopping while in Bhutan. Binance CEO Richard Teng said, "We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we are not only advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in travel but also setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies." 'This is more than a payment solution — it's a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,' said Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan. 'It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.' Bhutan is a picturesque nation located amidst the Himalayas that offers tourists an opportunity to experience its rich natural beauty and unique cultural traditions. The country is also well-known for its dynamic crypto mining industry. It holds 12,062 BTC worth $1.17 billion at the time of writing.
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Bhutan and Binance Pay partner to launch world's first national-level crypto tourism payment system
THIMPHU, Bhutan, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- Bhutan is pioneering the future of travel by becoming the first nation to implement a national-level crypto payment system for tourism. Bhutan's innovative mechanism allows travelers with Binance accounts to experience truly cashless journeys. In collaboration with Binance Pay and Bhutan's fully digital DK Bank, this initiative offers travelers using Binance Pay a seamless, secure, and flexible end-to-end payment experience. More than 100 merchants are now live with DK Bank and Binance Pay. From booking flights to purchasing fresh fruit from roadside vendors, visitors can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of digital transactions throughout their journey. This innovative model allows Binance Pay users to pay for nearly every part of their Bhutan journey using supported cryptocurrencies. This includes airline tickets to Bhutan, tourist visa and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel bookings, tour guides, monument entry fees, local shopping, and more — all settled quickly and securely through static and dynamic QR code payments. Known as the "Kingdom of Happiness," Bhutan prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GDP, focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, and societal well-being. This pioneering collaboration with Binance Pay and DK Bank furthers that vision by harnessing digital innovation to enhance travel experiences, empower local communities, and unite tradition with technology. Key highlights: Seamless Experience: Use crypto for all travel-related expenses, from flight tickets and visas to local purchases. Tourism First: A fully integrated system across immigration, travel agents, hotels, guides, and retail. Inclusive Reach: Enables small vendors in remote areas to accept QR code payments. Powered by DK Bank: Supported by Bhutan's first fully digital bank. Lower Fees: Significantly cheaper than traditional payment methods, with 0 gas fees Immediate Transactions: Seamless crypto-powered immediate transactions for tourists Comprehensive Support: Accepts more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including BNB, BTC, USDC Secure Transactions: Features encrypted transactions, 2FA, and real-time confirmations via the Binance application. Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, said: "We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we are not only advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in travel but also setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and our belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences." "This is more than a payment solution — it's a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience," said Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan. "It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy." The partnership marks the first time a tourism product has accepted cryptocurrency at a national level. It addresses common barriers to digital payments, such as high transaction fees and limited merchant acceptance, by offering a low transaction fee and prompt settlements. Real-time notifications further ensure transparency for both merchants and visitors. DK Bank, Bhutan's first fully digital bank—is powering the local settlement mechanism. Licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, DK Bank brings modern technology and innovation to deliver seamless, secure, and accessible financial services to all strata of society, especially those marginalized and unbanked. Binance Pay is a seamless, borderless, and secure cryptocurrency payment feature on the Binance app, allowing users and merchants to pay, send and receive crypto worldwide without incurring gas fees. With support for over 300 cryptocurrencies, it caters to more than 40 million active users and 32,000 merchants. Trusted by over 270 million users across 100+ countries, Binance stands as the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users.
