Bhutan was cut off from the rest of the world until the late 1960s and early 1970s. Then the country started to welcome tourists as a way to make money and introduce Bhutanese culture and values. The government is cautious about mass tourism’s potential harm to the environment, despite letting foreign visitors in. It has made efforts to limit large numbers of tourists by mandating that travellers arrange tours through Bhutanese firms and pay a fee of £250 per individual per day. This fee provides for food, accommodation and a sustainable tourism cost of £65 to guarantee that visitors do not harm the environment and natural resources.

Bhutan’s strict policies have enabled it to retain one of the planet’s most unspoilt ecosystems. More than 35% of Bhutan’s land is safeguarded, and the government has committed to upholding at least 60% forest coverage. Bhutan has consistently refused to compromise its natural resources for short-term economic advantages. The country’s commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable tourism makes it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts.

Five major reasons, why you should visit Bhutan:

1. It Just Got Easier and lighter on pocket:

Until recently, foreign visitors needed to use specific tour operators and plan and pay for a complete itinerary with a minimum spend each day, in order to obtain a visa. Without a visa, it’s not possible to buy aeroplane tickets for Bhutan. There are many regulations to follow, like being accompanied by a guide almost the whole time. Nevertheless, the method of booking has become more straightforward and transparent. You can now reserve directly with hotels or a rising count of tour operators from Bhutan or North America. The everyday spending limit has been removed, and this September 2023 saw a fifty percent reduction in the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for the next four years; a move that saves most travellers around a hundred pounds per day, or two thousand pounds for a usual couples’ trip. Furthermore, the US dollar currently holds a very strong position against the local Bhutan currency, the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN), with a 10-20% increase compared to the last year before the pandemic (2019)

2. Travel for fitness:

Bhutan is a place of outdoor adventures such as hiking, cycling, rafting, birdwatching, fishing, horse riding and now wildlife watching. The must-see sight in the country is the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery, which is hard to reach – a 4-6 hour round trip hike (moderately strenuous due to high elevation) since there’s no road access. Most people on a Bhutan trip visit this popular spot. It inspires active travel plans that feature various hikes.

The mountains are not only impressive natural structures but also symbolise the obstacles everyone must overcome in their lives. While hiking in the Himalayas, you challenge yourself, develop your patience, and improve your determination. The Himalayan trails have the ability to ignite your inner drive to persevere, prosper, and attain success.

3. Enchanting Buddhist Culture and monastires:

As mentioned above, the Tiger’s Nest temple is highly associated with Bhutan. It appears on every travel brochure, starts off every travel article, and is prominently featured on all the web pages linked in this article. If you search for images of Bhutan on Google, the temple is mostly what you see. This renowned attraction is indeed beautiful, yet there are numerous other monasteries, Dzongs (Monastic fortresses), stupas and a colossal Buddha statue standing at 170 feet (filled with 125,000 smaller ones). Most of these spots are situated in remote areas and can be coupled with hikes or bike rides. However, the most picturesque ones can be reached by vehicle. Even if you’re not into Buddhism, the building and artwork are a must-see and one of Bhutan’s top attractions, like the Sistine Chapel in Rome or the Duomo in Florence.

4. Inreasingly improving Hotel Standards:

It comes as no surprise that the rise of tourism in Bhutan has attracted new companies looking to tap into the luxury market. Two new and noteworthy hotels have recently opened this month (September 2023). One of them is operated by andBeyond, a widely-known and respected African safari lodge operator with many lodges in both East and Southern Africa, as well as a recent expansion in Chile.

This property stands out from other high-end luxury brands by prioritising outdoor activities and exploring Bhutan beyond the usual cultural and temple tours. There are only two villas and six deluxe safari-style “tented” suites which offer many amenities such as soaking tubs, walk-in showers, air conditioning and more. In addition to excellent staff, this property also serves delicious food with many local Bhutanese flavours. Its location is enviable.

Pemako Punakha is the latest addition to Bhutan’s luxurious properties. It’s owned by a Bhutanese company that also operates an airline, cellular carrier, several hotels, and the top hotel in the capital city, previously known as Taj Hotel, now re-branded as Pemako Thimphu. The property features around two dozen tented villas, each with a private pool and butler service – quite large for Bhutan’s “boutique” standards. Even at the top-tier luxury level, several of the lodges in this area are insufficient to provide amenities such as fitness centres or multiple dining and drinking locations. However, Pemako Punakha offers all of these features and is guaranteed to become one of the world’s most discussed new hotels.

5. Fishers‘ Paradise, it’s worth to fly to fish

OK, this is a little unconventional, but it’s new and of very high quality. In addition, enthusiastic anglers are individuals who already journey to far-flung locations to reach the best waterways, and this is one of those. The principal aims are sizable brown trout (and snow trout) and the colossal and highly coveted Golden mahseer (and Chocolate Mahseer), both found in peaceful rivers. The latter is renowned, somewhat similar to tarpon in saltwater, often exceeding 50 pounds and among the most robust freshwater fish in the world, but they have decreased in other Asian countries where they are usually sought. Bhutan harbours a vast quantity of them, and new regulations have only recently allowed the first authorised trip with an outfitter called Himalayan Flyfishing Adventures in March 2023. They provide single-day expeditions and multi-day specialised fishing holidays. Several high-quality lodges, including the new &Beyond, may assist in organizing fishing, but it requires advanced preparation due to multiple licensing regulations and the clear restrictions on the rivers where fishing is permitted.