Geographic features of Bhutan

If you are reading this; it would be pretty much safe to assume that you have at least some idea about Bhutan among which its topography is bound to be one. So as you may already know, Bhutan is a country in the Himalayas. Its geographic features basically consist of high and steep mountains which intersect with one another to form deep valleys with swift rivers running along them. The altitude of the foothills can vary from 200 meters above sea level down south to 7000 meters above sea level up north.

The effect of Bhutan’s precipitous terrain on tourism

Due to its challenging terrain as previously cited, a distance that can be covered in just few hours in a country with flatlands can take up to a day or two or more in a county like Bhutan. Hence, most travelers coming into Bhutan settle for the commonly visited destinations in the west, like Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue-Phodrang and Haa as they are in close proximity to Paro- the port of arrival.

The unseen rest

Although, the aforementioned places in the western region are among the highly visited ones which most tourists come looking for and are enough to give you a good insight into the exclusiveness of Bhutanese tours; they do not however cover certain important aspects which maybe of great interest for some of you. Here are some examples:

• More Fortresses

  Almost all the provinces in Bhutan have so called Dzongs which in the olden days served as fortresses during wars. They are now home to certain administrative offices and accommodation for the monk bodies. Also, they house artifacts that are priceless to the people of Bhutan since they hold religious, historical and cultural significance. Therefore, seeing as many fortresses will assure a better understanding of everything that there is to know about Bhutan, not to mention the their size and the architectural variations, provided you sign up for a tour package which covers more than just the western region.

• Additional attributes

  If one can acquire as much facts about Bhutan by simply visiting some of its fortresses in different regions; you can only imagine the amount of attributes you will be able to gather from visiting other places of importance which are widely spread across the country. Let us take the example of Bumthang- a province in the central region of Bhutan. It is considered the most historic province since it is home to countless sacred sites and temples dating as far back as 7^th century.

• Indigenous ethnic groups of Bhutan

  Bhutan, though not densely populated, has its own share of indigenous tribal groups who have their own dialects and way of life. There are three main ethnic groups in Bhutan. They are Ngalops, Tshanglas, and Lhotshampas.

  The other minority groups are Brokpas and Bramis of Merak and Sakteng in eastern Bhutan, Bumthaps and Khengpas of Central Bhutan, Kurtoeps in Lhuentse, and the Doyas of Samtse and finally the Monpas of Rukha villages in WangduePhodrang.

  Claiming to be of Tibetan origin, we have Ngalops in the western Bhutan (Thimphu and Paro).  Tshanglas are considered the aboriginal inhabitants of eastern Bhutan (Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Pema Gasthel and Samdrup Jongkhar). The Lhotshampas have settled in the southern foothills of the country.

  These ethnic groups add uniqueness to the already unique Bhutanese culture which without a doubt makes them a must see for both tourist and locals alike. However, getting to them would probably require more than just a mere few day package tour as they reside in places which are close to inaccessible.

• India-Bhutan border

  What better way to spice up your Bhutan tour than to pay a visit to any of the three points in the southern part of Bhutan that share borders with India, namely Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar. That way, you will be in two places at once- sounds almost movie like but not impossible nonetheless.

Bottom line

Consequently, if these are aspects you would like to inculcate in your first or next trip to Bhutan; all you need to do is contact Bhutan Pelyab Tours. Not only do we offer extended tours but we also offer our guest the luxury of personalized tours if a request for one shall be put forward. Please remember, we strive to make your trip a memorable first or a memorable next but certainly not the last.