Everyone enjoys finding out about the world’s litany of secret locations for holidays. The trouble is, the more people that find out, the less of a secret it becomes! This is certainly the case with Bhutan tours. 40 years ago, non-Bhutan citizens were not allowed into the country. Yet the government decided to soften their stance and allow tourists in for the good for the economy. Despite being exposed to outside influences for the last four decades, Bhutan still sticks rigidly to its ancient traditions which makes it one of the world’s ‘must-see’ locations. Hopefully, it will not go down the same route as other locations and succumb to modern innovation at the expense of its traditions.
A Nation Of Substance
Bhutan tours are for those seeking to experience a brand new culture as opposed to baking in warm sunshine. The south of Bhutan has a tropical climate so it does cater to sun worshippers to a degree but it is a country all about sightseeing, exploring and trekking. There are a multitude of sunny locations dotted around the world that offer a ‘canned holiday’. Bhutan is the polar opposite of this because it is a nation of real substance, especially spiritually. This is seen by the huge amount of Buddhist temples located all over the countryside, even in mountainous locations where you wouldn’t expect anyone to live.
Climate Challenges
When booking Bhutan tours, be aware that rainfall in the country varies hugely depending on where you are staying. For example, the Himalayan regions are the driest with less than 50cm of rain a year while the central valleys have less than 100cm a year. In contrast, the southern border area can have up to 5 metres of rain per annum, mainly because of its tropical climate and the accompanying monsoon season. This occurs from June to August and accounts for a large proportion of Bhutan’s rainfall. September to November is the most popular time of year for tourism because the climate is mild, the skies are clear and the sublime mountain view stands out above all else.
Sensible Planning
While it is tempting to just book Bhutan tours in autumn to coincide with the good weather and popular festivals, you need to take into account the fact that this is the most expensive time of the year to visit Bhutan. The popularity of the huge tsechus at Paro and Thimphu has led to overcrowding in recent years and it can also be difficult to book a flight. It is much better practice to take a look at some of the other outstanding Bhutan festivals that take place during the year and plan your trip around them. You will have a greater choice of flights and accommodation while also experiencing a more intimate and rewarding festival.
At some point in the future, Bhutan tours will reach a level of popularity that will cause the busy season to extend by many months. Before this happens, you need to engage in some sensible holiday planning to get the very best out of Bhutan and its many wonders.