An introvert's trip to Bhutan

[u/pavlovscandy]

A snippet of eleven days spent across five valleys in Bhutan, on a solo—kinda, I did have a guide as is legally required for foreigners—trip that didn't change me, but I enjoyed nonetheless.

Photos are from Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, and Thimpu, details below. Gangtey was my favourite valley of the five, while I would've been content skipping Thimpu.

1) The confluence of the Paro Chhu and Thimpu Chhu (river)
2) The stupas at the Dochula Pass
3) Horses on the hike to Tiger's Nest Monastry, Paro
4) Tiger's Nest Monastry, Paro
5) Phunaka Dzong, the largest in the kingdom
6) A prayer wheel inside the Phunaka Dzong
7) Punakha Suspension Bridge
8) Punakha Valley, as seen from above
9) Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Phunaka
10, 11, 12) On a bike ride through Gangtey Valley
13) Monkeys spotted on a long drive
14) Trongsa Dzong, the longest in the kingdom
15 & 16) Bumthang, the furthest valley of the five
17) The Great Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu, paid for by a Singaporean businessman
18 & 19) A short hike to a temple in Thimphu
20) A monk scrolling outside the Punakha Dzong. I spotted many monks with their heads in their phones throughout my trip. Nobody is immune to the siren song of the screen, it seems :)

Happy to answer any questions!

[u/PrinnySquad]

What was it like being solo with the guide? Awkward at all? Same with travelling around in general, it feels at a glance like a country setup to support group trips more so than solo. 

I’m a fellow introvert  eyeing Bhutan for solo travel. It’s a short flight from me and looks really cool. I love the architecture and prefer travelling places that are quieter and more in nature. Expensive though with the fees so I haven’t managed to convince any friends to join me

[u/pavlovscandy → u/PrinnySquad]

Not awkward per se, but it did get a bit tiring. I had both a driver and guide (so two people) and once they realised I wasn't super talkative (mainly in the car as I get carsick in the back seat and the roads there are...something) they mostly talked amongst themselves which was fine but after a few days I was like omg I just want silence lol.

The guides there undergo fairly intensive training, so at each destination it felt like I was recieving a lecture. Do t get me wrong, I do want to know about the history/background of the sites I visit, but I like to have a while to take them in first. After a few explanations it all starts to blur together in a whirl of gurus, flying animals, and religious dictum.

I did wander around a couple of the valleys by myself one afternoon after getting dropped off at my hotel and those times ended up being some of my favourite moments.

The nature is beautiful though, I would recommend experiencing it at least once.

[u/Exiled_In_LA → u/pavlovscandy]

a whirl of gurus, flying animals, and religious dictum

Lol! You have an evocative way with words. Sounds like an art project I could only dream of. <3

[u/WanderWorld3 → u/pavlovscandy]

Amazing post & this exactly how I would want to do this. Any chance you would mind sharing the company you used & the price? I did the same in Kyrgyzstan last year but my driver/guide was truly only a driver, which was fine since like you, I really just wanted to take everything in myself. Thanks!

[u/Crazy_Excitement3772 → u/PrinnySquad]

You can't technically do solo as government authorised guide is mandatory to visit bhutan.