What’s it Really like to travel to Bhutan?

Travel to Bhutan and you’ll enjoy one of the most special and unusual destinations this planet has to offer. Bhutan is a destination I had been hoping to visit for some time, and it finally happened this year.

I was deciding between three destinations for my big solo trip this fall — either Bhutan, Uzbekistan, or Morocco. One of my readers suggested prioritizing the most physically demanding trip first, and I knew going to the high-altitude trekking destination of Bhutan was the right decision.

And I was blown away by Bhutan.

Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is an isolated enclave in the Himalayas. I have never been anywhere else like it. This is a country that prioritizes happiness first; a country overflowing with natural beauty; a country where it feels like you’ve gone back in time.

Let’s take a look at Bhutan — what my solo trip to Bhutan was like, and what you need to know before planning a trip there yourself.

This post was published in November 2024.

Bhutan is an isolated country in the Himalayas.

It strikes me how many people haven’t heard of Bhutan before. Bhutan is located in the Himalayas, nestled between India and China. Kathmandu is the nearest major city, one hour away by flight.

You can also enter by road from Northeast India, which is doable, but very few tourists do this. There are no land crossings into China (which is technically the Tibet region).

So why do people travel to Bhutan?

Mountains. The Himalayas here are spectacular, and there are so many outstanding trekking opportunities. Most travelers finish their trip with a hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the symbols of the country. If you’re a hardcore hiker, there are plenty more beautiful and challenging opportunities.

Cultural tourism. Bhutan is home to the most beautiful temples I’ve ever seen, and the people wear gorgeous traditional clothing. That, plus the traditional architecture, the festivals, the dances — there’s so much! Bhutan is also a popular destination for travelers interested in Buddhism.

A huge draw for the well-traveled. If you’ve visited a lot of places, it gets harder to be impressed. As my 87th country, Bhutan impressed the hell out…