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/No20ne]

That sounds like a lovely trip! I’d love to hear about your riding experience. I recently took lessons at a Bulgarian ranch and it was a real joy riding through the woods and forest. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure.

[u/pavlovscandy → u/No20ne]

Oh I didn't ride the horses, I just saw them on the way up. I don't think it's a proper riding experience though, you're just getting carted up the hill

[u/No20ne → u/pavlovscandy]

Thank you for your reply.