Buddhist Heritage
Monasteries, temples and fortress-monasteries shaped by more than twelve centuries of Buddhism, and still at the heart of daily life.
Overview
Buddhism reached Bhutan as early as the 7th century, and Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have brought Vajrayana Buddhism in the 8th century, is honoured throughout the country. In the 17th century, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified Bhutan and built the great dzongs that still house both the government and the monastic body.
Visiting these places is not like visiting a museum. Monks study and pray in the dzongs, families light butter lamps in the temples, and older people walk around chortens turning prayer wheels from early morning.
What to expect
With your guide you can visit temples connected with Guru Rinpoche, such as Taktsang (the Tiger's Nest) and Kurjey Lhakhang, some of the oldest temples in the country such as Kyichu and Jambay Lhakhang, and the great dzongs of Punakha, Paro and Trongsa. Your guide explains the paintings, the deities and the rituals you see.
Where in Bhutan
When to go
Year round. Festival days, when mask dances are held in the dzong courtyards, are especially memorable; see the festival calendar.
Good to know
- Wear long sleeves and long trousers or skirts in dzongs and temples
- Walk around temples and chortens clockwise
- Photography is not allowed inside temples
- Remove your hat and shoes where asked
Journeys that include it
7-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in one week: the capital's dzongs, the Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers, and the hike to Tiger's Nest.
USD 1,800
5-Day Bhutan Short Tour
The essentials of western Bhutan in five days: Thimphu, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang, and the hike to Tiger's Nest in Paro.
USD 1,200
10-Day Central Bhutan Tour: Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang
Beyond the western valleys to Phobjikha's glacial valley and the temples of Bumthang, Bhutan's spiritual heartland, with Tiger's Nest to finish.
USD 2,700
13-Day Bhutan West to East Tour: Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar
The whole country in one journey: from Paro and Tiger's Nest through Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang to the dzongs, temples and weaving villages of eastern Bhutan, leaving by road into India.
USD 3,600