After an 11-day, 12 night tour through Bhutan in November, 2024, we can say that Breathe Bhutan exceeded our expectations, providing us with an unforgettable experience.
We are global travelers in our early 70s, usually making our way independently; but in Bhutan we found that being accompanied by a guide (Wangchuk) and driver (Kuenga) proved invaluable. Where else can you have a local resident by your side to answer all your questions—in English, the second language of Bhutan?
As promised, Breathe Bhutan tailored our trip to our interests, and our days were packed with a wide variety of activities.
For example, since we wanted to learn about the religion and culture of Bhutan, we visited numerous temples, stupas, dzongs, monasteries and nunneries. Our guide Wangchuk never tired of explaining the intricacies of Buddhism here, illustrating with his own practice, so that this important aspect of Bhutanese life gradually took shape and gathered meaning. We hung prayer flags in a number of places, and offered fruit at a few temples. We listened to monks chanting and had fun with some young novices. Wherever there are streams, large enclosed prayer wheels spin continuously, powered by the running water, merging nature and spirituality.
Culturally, we watched local women weave beautiful scarves, and we observed students of the Thimpu craft school create detailed paintings, mandalas, sculpture and wood carving. We also viewed the traditional process of paper-making from Daphne plant fibres.
We witnessed archery and darts contests as they are enjoyed by locals everywhere, including the on-the-spot singing and dancing when an arrow hits the target from 145 meters away. It was fun to try it ourselves at closer range. We enjoyed the colourful masked dances at the Gangtay festival of the endangered black-necked crane, and learned more about the crane’s role in the local ecosystem. At some high altitudes, yaks grazed beside the road.
Throughout our trip, including some hikes, we were impressed with the natural beauty of Bhutan. Dense forests blanket the hills and waterfalls descend from the majestic white-peaked Himalayas.
Everywhere, too, were the golden terraces of rice, being harvested by hand in November. Some fields were plowed with oxen. In preparation for winter, bright red chillies were spread on rooftops to dry. It’s another world.
It was impressive to see how roads had quite recently been built and improved across the high north-south mountain ranges, helping to unify the country. Those winding passes were navigated skillfully and carefully by our driver Kuenga.
Our accommodations were well chosen and comfortable throughout the trip, including unique heritage and farm home stays. Occasionally our guide and driver brought us to a local restaurant where we could taste the true chilli-infused Bhutanese food. Wangchuk led us through local food markets, explaining the cornucopia of dried and fresh produce. We drank butter tea and tasted homemade ara at a farm stay. We enjoyed microbrewery beer and picnicked in the woods.
Overall we felt genuinely cared for at every step of the way. Our driver Kuenga and guide Wangchuk worked seamlessly together, always reliable, knowledgeable, kind, and helpful. It was a clear example of the pursuit of Happiness in Bhutan! Kadrinche la!
