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All youve got to do is decide to go and the hardest part is over. So go!
TONY WHEELER, COFOUNDER LONELY PLANET

PAGE

PLAN
YOUR TRIP

YOUR PLANNING TOOL KIT

Photos, itineraries, lists and suggestions

to help you put together your perfect trip

EXPERIENCES

ghos (p62)

Tigers Nest

Phobjikha valley Winter (end of

October to mid-February) oers
guaranteed sightings of one of
CHINA
over 300 black-necked cranes
(TIBET)
(p101)
Dochu La One of the best
places to wander through a
magical forest of pink, white and
yellow rhododendron blooms
(March and April; p89)

40

regions
at a
glance

Motithang Takin Preserve,

Bumtha
Thimphu Get up close to

Bhutans odd-looking and

Cheri & Tango

Goembas

Chokhor
endearing national animal, said
Chendebji Valleyto have inspired the legend of
Chorten

# the golden eece (p53)

# Ta
Punakha Pele La
Merak
& Sakten Yeti-spotting

Sacred Sites

Protector deities, spirits and

saints lurk behind every
pass, river junction and lake
in Bhutan. These pilgrim
spots are imbued with sacred signicance and hold
a key to understanding how
Bhutanese see their world.

Tango & Cheri Goembas Excellent excursion from Thimphu to

two of Bhutans most historic
monasteries, with longer hikes
possible (p66)
Taktshang, Paro Valley If the
two-hour hike up to the Tigers
Nest isnt enough, you can
continue up to a handful of littlevisited temples and cliside
viewpoints (p82)
Thowadrak A full days hike
up to a remote hermitage and
meditation complex (p125)

Taktshang (Tigers Nest)

Bhutans most famous and
revered site, tied on to the cli
face by little more than the hairs
of angels (p82)
Gom Kora Pilgrims ock to this
remote eastern chorten for its
collection of rock footprints, relics and bizarre sin tests (p141)
Changangkha Lhakhang,
Thimphu Always bustling
with mothers and their babies
seeking a blessing from the redfaced protector Tamdrin (p53)
Membartsho The serene and
sacred burning lake, where
Pema Lingpa found treasures
and performed miracles (p124)

Looking for other travel resources?

Shopping
Its not just that Thimphu
has the best handicraft
shops in the country (it
does), its also the best place
to actually see the products
being made, from traditional paper and incense factories to local silversmiths
and weaving workshops.

Day Walks

Sometimes its just nice to

get out, o the bus and hike
to a hillside monastery or
temple. Lose the crowds
and meet monks, villagers
and fellow pilgrims.

ACTIVITIES
Hiking

REGIONAL
Cultural
Day trips &
itineraries
In-depth

just one of the activities on

is
oer in this fascinating and
Jakar
#

#
Trongsanewly opened corner of remote
eastern Bhutan (p140 and p177)

Taktshang

# THIMPHU
#
#
_
#
Goemba

#
Wangdue
# Phobjikha
Paro
Phodrang

#
Valley
Tamchhog Dochu
La
Lhakhang

Shopping 33
Museums 33
Modern Bhutan 333

Taktshang Goemba, or Tigers Nest, is Bhutans most famous monastery and one of its most
venerated religious sites. Legend says that Guru Rinpoche ew to this site on the back of a
tigress to subdue a local demon; afterwards, he meditated here for three months. This beautiful
building clings to the sheer clis soaring above a whispering pine forest. The steep walk to the
monastery is well worthwhile, providing tantalising glimpses of the monastery, views of the Paro
valley and splashes of red-blossom rhododendrons.

Bhutan is a paradise for

botanists and birders, with
some of the loveliest and
best-protected forests in the
Himalaya. Mountain goats
and langur are easily spotted; Red Pandas are more
commonly seen in their
bottled form.

Thimphu

COUNTRY
The original
Comprehensive
Adventurous

17
Local men dressed in traditional

Wildlife &
Wildowers

Which region of Bhutan you decide

to visit will most likely depend on
how much time you can afford to
spend here. The vast majority of
visitors quite naturally focus on
the west and Thimphu. With its
excellent tourist infrastructure,
fantastic sights and spectacular
festivals, it allows you to see the
most of Bhutan in the shortest
amount of time.
Central Bhutan on the other
hand sees fewer tourists and is
a quieter, dreamier collection
of alpine valleys and important
monasteries. The winding roads
east are for adventurers, weaving
researchers and yeti hunters. It
offers warmer, wetter and wilder
climes, tougher travel and, some
would say, the real Bhutan,
untouched by group tourism or
even much of the modern age.

20
TOP

CREDIT

4
13
14
16
19
22
26
31
40

PL AN YOUR TRIP I F YO U L I K E

20 Top Experiences .......

Welcome to Bhutan .......
Need to Know .................
If You Like... .....................
Month by Month .............
Itineraries ........................
Booking Your Trip ...........
Planning Your Trek .........
Regions at a Glance .......

Guides for every trip

# Phuentsholing

Museums
The best general museums
are not in Thimphu (try
Paro and Trongsa for that)
but for specialised interests
such as Bhutanese medicine,
traditional country life and
the countrys rich textile tradition, this is the place.
Modern Bhutan
Theres nowhere better than
the capital for the daily cultural collisions that sum up
Bhutans inherent quirkiness. Monks with mobiles
and lamas with laptops are
a daily sight here and this
is also the place to hit the
town with trendy, hoodied
Bhutanese clubbers.
p44

UNDERSTAND
179 BHUTAN
PAGE

Bhutan Today .................

History .............................
The Bhutanese
Way of Life .......................
Buddhism in Bhutan ......
Traditional Arts...............
Architecture ....................
Mountains & Valleys ......
Wildlife & Sanctuaries ...

GET MORE FROM YOUR TRIP

Learn about the big picture, so you

can make sense of what you see

180
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Bhutanese Bu his
of forms. He is the g
tvas and the specia
in a lotus position,
prayer. He also a
circle, also known a

05-itineraries-bhu4.indd 24

206
215
226
233
241
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Jampelyang (M
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Thunderbolt in han

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50 would be Bhote
35 would be Nepalese
15 would be tribal

70

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page

42

On the
Road

Your complete destination guide

In-depth reviews, detailed listings

and insider tips

Top Experiences Map

# Thimphu
_
p44
Central Bhutan

Eastern Bhutan
p128

p106

Western Bhutan
p69

Survival
253 Guide

Your at-a-glance reference

page

262

254
266
272
279
288
295

DIRECTORY A-Z

Directory AZ..................
Transport.........................
Health...............................
Language.........................
Index.................................
Map Legend.....................

FESTIVAL DATES
How to get around,
get a room,

early tourists made photographs of religious statues

into postcards that were
then sold, which is unacceptable to the Bhutanese
religious community.
During festivals you can
photograph from the dzong
courtyard where the dances
take place. Remember, however, that this is a religious
observance and that you
should behave accordingly
use a telephoto lens without
a ash. Dont intrude on
the dance ground or on the
space occupied by local
people seated at the edge
of the dance area and if you
do end up in the front row,
please remain seated. Dont
photograph a member of
the royal family, even if you
happen to be at a festival
or gathering where they are
present.
There is an extensive set
of rules and restrictions,
including payment of additional royalties, for commercial movie making within
Bhutan. The TCB publishes a
booklet that details all these
rules.

DHL (see p64) has an

oce in Thimphu. A 500g
package of documents costs
US$58 to the USA and UK
or US$54 to Australia. A
1kg is package is US$85, or
US$64 to Australia. There
are several smaller courier
companies that specialise in
service to India.

Bhutans festival dates

are xed according
to the lunar calendar
and so the Western
date varies every year.
Check www.tourism
.gov.bt for the latest
dates.

stay safe, say hello

Post

The mail service from Bhutan is reliable, and no special

procedures are necessary.
Bhutan Post (www.bhutan
post.com.bt) oers both
outgoing and incoming Expedited Mail Service (EMS),
which is a reliable and fast
international mail delivery
facility that is cheaper than
courier services. It also has
a Local Urgent Mail (LUM)
service for delivery within
Thimphu.
If you have made a purchase and want to send it
home, its easiest to have the
shop make arrangements for
you. Keep the receipt and let
your guide know what you
are doing so they can follow
up in case the package does
not arrive. Send all parcels
by air; sea mail, via Kolkata,
takes months.

Postal Rates
Airmail letter rates Letters up to 20g cost Nu 10
domestic, Nu 15 for Nepal,
India and Bangladesh, Nu
20 most foreign countries
EMS Rates 500g documents cost Nu 250/700
to India/China, and Nu
820/1215 to Australia/UK

Public Holidays

Public holidays follow both

the Gregorian and lunar calendars and are decided by the
Royal Civil Service Commission (www.rcsc.gov.bt).
Birthday of Fifth King Feb
21, 22 & 23
Birthday of Third King
2 May
Coronation of Fourth
King 2 June, also marked as
Social Forest Day
Coronation of Druk
Gyalpo 1 November
Coronation of Fifth King
6 Nov
Constitution Day/
Fourth Kings Birthday
11 November
National Day 17 December,
the date of the establishment
of the monarchy in 1907

The following holidays are

This edition written and researched
by
set by the traditional lunar

calendar and so vary in Gregorian dates:

Zhabdrung Kuchoe April/
May (Death of Zhabdrung)
Losar January/February,
New Year
Dashain October, Hindu
celebration
Birthday of Guru
Rinpoche June/July
Buddha Paranirvana/
Saga Dawa May/June

Bradley Mayhew,

(enlightenment and death of

Buddha)
First sermon of Buddha
July
Several major festivals are
considered local public holidays including Septembers
Thimphu drubchen and
tsechu. Note that dates for
festivals can vary by several
weeks each year especially if
they are adjusted to conform
to auspicious dates. Before
you schedule a trip around a
specic festival, check with a
tour operator or the Tourism
Council of Bhutan (www
.tourism.gov.bt) for the correct dates. For a summary of
major festivals held in Bhutan see p19.
In the Bhutanese lunar
system, months have 30
days, with the full moon on
the 15th. The 8th, 15th and
30th days of the month
are auspicious and youll
notice increased activity
and prayers in monasteries
across the country.

Safe Travel

Bhutan is a remarkably safe

destination, almost completely devoid of the scams,
begging and theft that affects its neighbours. There
are couple of things to look
out for though.
Altitude Its unlikely you
will have any problems
with altitude unless you
are trekking. Most of the
places tourists visit lie below
3000m and the maximum
elevation you can reach by
road is around 3800m. If

Lindsay Brown, Anirban Mahapatra

Next
page

 Bhutan

\
#

Kangmar

CHINA
TIBET

Thimphu Valley
Hillside monasteries and
wonderful hiking trails (p64)

Thimphu
Crafts, museums and a fine
weekend market (p44)

Wagye
La

Gala

\
#

Masagang
(7165m)
R

Jhomolhari Trek
Bhutans finest
mountain scenery (p153)

Gangchhenta

Tsenda
Kang
(7100m)

Laya

R Gieu Gang

(7200m)

Lingzhi

Teri Gang
(7300m)

Jelekangphu
Gang

Kangphu R R
Gang
(7212m)

Thanza
\
#

\
#
\
#

Thaga

GASA

Zonpghu Gang
(Table Mountain)
(7100m)

R(7300m)

R (6840m)
\
#

Kangri R
(7239m)

Melunghi
Gang
(7000m)
R

Chozo

^
# Gasa

]
#

\
#

\ Jangothang
#
Tsachhu
Jichu
Drake R
\
Damji #
(6989m) JHOMOLHARI
TREK
Jhomolhari R
Tashithang#
\
(7314m) Thangthangka
\
\
#
Phari #
THIMPHU
PUNAKHA
Shing
Dawakha #
\
\
#
Karap
Dodina
\
#
PARO

WANGDUE
PHODRANG

\ Tseshinang
#
Dechenchholing
\
#
^
#Punakha
THIMPHU
\
#
Khuruthang Chhuzomsa #
VALLEY
\
Zelela
Taktshang
Hongtsho
\
Nobding #
\ Lobesa
#
Tashila
Goemba
\
#
_
\
#
Thimphu #
Sephu
^
#

Gunyitsawa

Cheli La
(3810m)

Yatung

\
#

^
#

Kyichu
Lhakhang Isuna

Dochu La
(3140m) Wangdue

Am o C

Simtokha
Dzong
Chhuzom
\
#
\ Genekha
#

# Dobji
Dzong

Phodrang

\
#

hhu

\
#
\
Bunakha#

SAMTSE

Chapcha

Dorokha

]
#

\
#

Dagana

CH HU KH A

\
#

Chengmari
]
#

#
\
\
#

^
# Samtse

Rinchending
]
#

\
#

+
#

\
#

\
#

Sankosh

^
#

#
Damphu ^

^
# Chhukha

Dungna

#
Gangte Pele La
Chendebji
Goemba
Chorten
PHOBJIKHA
VALLEY

TSIRANG

\
Tsimasham #

Sibsu

#
# Paro

#^

Haa

HAA

\
#

Gedu
Jumbja

DAGANA
\
Dagapela #

Tigers Nest
(Taktshang Goemba)
Bhutans most spectacular
sacred site (p82)

\
#

Sinchula
Kalikhola
\
#

Wangdue Phodrang
Refreshingly unrestored
and strategic dzong (p95)

INDIA

(ASSAM)

Kyichu Lhakhang
Beautiful 1300-year-old
temple (p80)

SARPANG

]
Sarpang #

\
#

Tala

Phuentsholing

]
#

Lamidranga

Paro
Excellent dzong and the
National Museum (p72)

+
#

e
#
CHINA

50km
25miles

Bumthang
Sacred sites and cultural
heartland (p112)

TIBET

\
#

Lhodrak

Top Experiences

0
0

Punakha Dzong
Bhutans most beautiful
monastic fortress (p91)

Trashigang
Launchpad to Bhutans
wild east (p137)

Ch h

Chura
Gang
(6500m)

\
#

Tsona

Kur
i

\
#

#
Singye Dzong

\
#

c Gokthong La

Toktu
Zampa

TRASHI
YANGTSE

LHUENTSE

\
Kizum #
\
#

Dungkhar

Mesithang

^
#

\
#

Trashi
Yangtse

\
#

Jakar #

\
#
Zungney
\
#
Gyetsa
Ura
\
#

Thrumshing La
(3750m)
\
#

\
#

Bumth

Kuenga
Rabten

ang Chhu

Zhemgang

^
#

TRONGSA

Autsho

Sengor

\
Namling #

\
Chali #

\
Ligmethang #

^
#

\
Tshenkarla #
\
Shali #
\
Duksum#

hu

Trongsa

Mongar

\ Sakteng
#
Radi#
\
\
Rangjung#
\#
Phongme
Drametse Chazam
\
#
^
#Trashigang
Goemba
\ Merak
#

#
\#
#
\
\
Yadi #
Rongthong
Kanglung
\
#
Sherichhu
\ Bartsam
#
#\
#
TRASHIGANG
Airstrip Khaling
]
#
\
#

ns
ha

\
#

Royal Manas

#
]

National
#

Gelephu

\
#

Park Panbang #
\

Ch h u
Mana s

Nganglam

Deothang

Bhangtar
\
#

+
#^
# Samdrup
Jongkhar

\
#

INDIA

Phobjikha Valley
Premier hiking and
crane-spotting location (p98)

SAMDRUP
JONGKHAR

c Narphung La

ir

Yongla

ZHEMGANG

Wamrong

Riserboo

#
Pemagatshel ^

(ARUNACHAL
PRADESH)

^
#

Sheri Ch

^
#

\
Tangmachu #

^
# BUMTHANG

Yotang La
(3425m) #
\

INDIA

Bomdeling

Lhuentse

(ARUNACHAL
PRADESH)

ELEVATION
6000m
5000m
3000m
2000m
1000m
500m

Trongsa
Commanding dzong with
a fine museum (p109)

200m
100m
0

Itineraries

Whether youve got six days or

60, these itineraries provide a
starting point for the trip of a
lifetime. Want more inspiration?
Head online to lonelyplanet
.com/thorntree to chat with other
travellers.

CHINA
(TIBET)

Cheri & Tango

Goembas

Punakha Dzong

# Chimi Lhakhang
Taktshang
# THIMPHU
#
#
_
Goemba
#
Dochu La
Paro

#
Tamchhog
Lhakhang

22

INDIA

Four Days

A Long Weekend in Paro & Thimphu

If you have limited time or money, you can get a good impression of Bhutan in just
four days by concentrating on Thimphu and Paro. Count on two full days in picturesque Paro, visiting Paro Dzong and the National Museum. On the second day, hike up
to the dramatic Tigers Nest at Taktshang Goemba and visit lovely Kyichu Lhakhang.
After lunch make the three-hour drive to Thimphu, stopping at the charming Tamchhog Lhakhang en route.
On day three you could squeeze in a long day trip over the Dochu La to Punakha
Dzong, the most beautiful in the country. In March, budget an hour to walk through
the gorgeous rhododendron forests above the Dochu La pass. On the way back to
Thimphu, pop into the nearby Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman.
Day four is in Thimphu. Go to the weekend market and visit Cheri or Tango
Goembas in the upper Thimphu valley. If handicrafts are your thing, hit the Textile
Museum and National Institute of Zorig Chusum. Late in the afternoon drive back to
Paro; most flights depart early in the morning.

23

BHUTAN
CHINA
(TIBET)

Khamsum Yuelley
Namgyal Chorten

Punakha
Taktshang

#
Goemba
# THIMPHU
#
Paro _
#

#
# Phobjikha
#
Chhundu
Wangdue
Valley

#
Lhakhang

#
Phodrang
Dochu
Haa
La
Valley

Tamchhog
Lhakhang

INDIA

Seven Days

Haa to Punakha
If youre thinking about a four-day trip, consider a seven-day trip. Its not that much
more money and, really, when are you next going to be in Bhutan? A week gives
you more time to get a feel for Bhutanese culture and enables you to get off the beaten
track in either the Haa or Phobjikha valleys, while still seeing the major dzongs and
monasteries of western Bhutan.
With the extra days you can definitely add an overnight trip over the mountains to
Punakha and nearby Wangdue Phodrang, staying in either of these towns. This way
youll have time to make the 1-hour return hike to the nearby Khamsum Yuelley
Namgyal Chorten, as well as visit Chimi Lhakhang.
To get off the beaten track, add on an overnight trip to the Haa valley, on the road
that links Paro to Thimphu. The road goes over the highest motorable pass in Bhutan,
the Cheli La, and its worth the couple of hours hiking to visit Kila Nunnery. Arrive in
Haa at lunchtime, and spend an afternoon and maybe the next morning exploring the
Juneydrak Hermitage and Chhundu Lhakhang, before continuing on to Thimphu.
Figure on two full days in Paro, including visits to Taktshang Goemba, Kyichu
Lhakhang and Drukyel Dzong in the Paro valley, and a full day (or two) in Thimphu.
See the previous itinerary for more on what to see in Paro and Thimphu. A few tips: try
to be in Thimphu on a Saturday or Sunday to see the weekend market and avoid Paro on
Monday, when the National Museum is closed. If youre lucky, you may be able to catch
a weekend archery tournament, most likely in Thimphu.
If you dont visit Haa, you might be able to add on a day trip to the Phobjikha valley, especially worthwhile in winter (November to February) when the valleys blacknecked cranes are roosting.
At some point during your trip ask your guide to arrange a Bhutanese hot-stone bath,
available in most tourist hotels (for a charge).

Pl an your Trip i t i n e r a r i e s

Cheri & Tango

Goembas

24
CHINA
(TIBET)

Bumthang

Chokhor
Chendebji Valley
Chorten

# Tang Valley
Punakha Pele La

Taktshang

# THIMPHU
Jakar
#

#
#
#
_
#
Trongsa
Goemba

#
Wangdue
# Phobjikha
Paro
Phodrang

#
Valley
Tamchhog Dochu
La
Lhakhang

Pl an your Trip i t i n e r a r i e s

Cheri & Tango

Goembas

# Phuentsholing

INDIA

10 Days to Two Weeks

To Bumthang

A 10-day itinerary should allow you two or three days in Bumthang, with overnight
stops in Paro, Thimphu and Wangdue Phodrang and short stops in Punakha and
Trongsa as you drive through. Even better, 14 days will let you see the same places in
more depth and at a much more relaxed pace. You could then also include the two-day
Bumthang Cultural Trek before you have to turn back to Paro.
Follow the previous four-day itinerary. From Thimphu, a night in the Phobjikha
valley will give you a chance to see Gangte Goemba and also view the rare and endangered black-necked cranes. If you like to explore places on foot, set aside an extra
half-days hiking in Phobjikha.
From Phobjikha its a days drive over the Pele La to the superb dzong and museum
at Trongsa and on to Jakar in Bumthang. Leave early, as theres lots to see en route,
including the Nepali-style Chendebji Chorten, which is a good place for a picnic.
If you have two full days in Bumthang, spend one day doing a loop in the Chokhor
valley, taking in the Jampey Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Goemba.
Day two here should be spent exploring the Tang valley, visiting the Burning Lake at
Membartsho and the interesting Ogyen Chholing Museum near Mesithang. If you have
time, overnight in the Ogyen Chholing Guest House and hike back via the rural village
of Gamling.
The Bumthang valley is another good place for some hiking so budget half a day to
stretch your legs after a weeks driving. From Jakar its a two-day drive back to Paro, so
spend a night at Wangdue Phodrang and visit its earthy dzong.
If you intend to visit India in conjunction with Bhutan, consider driving from Thimphu or Paro to Phuentsholing instead of flying, which will add a day to the itinerary.
From here you are only a few hours from Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim, as well
as the airport at Bagdogra, which has frequent flights to Delhi and Kolkata (Calcutta).

25
CHINA
(TIBET)

Samdrup
Jongkhar

INDIA

Two to Three Weeks

Eastern Explorations
It takes at least two weeks to make a trip out to the little-visited far east but youre
guaranteed to leave the tour groups behind. Theres certainly a loooot of driving involved (up to five hours a day in eastern Bhutan) but then getting there is half the fun!
With this itinerary you avoid the long drive back to Paro by exiting Bhutan at Samdrup
Jongkhar. You do need to arrange an Indian visa before you arrive in Bhutan though.
This is a particularly good trip if youre interested in traditional weaving.
Follow the earlier itineraries from Paro as far as Bumthang, from where you can see
the highlights of the east in five or six days. From Bumthang, day one takes you on a
dramatic drive over the Thrumshing La and Bhutans wildest road to Mongar. Stay
here for two nights and make a scenic day trip up to remote Lhuentse, pausing to visit
the dzong, and hike 45 minutes up to the traditional weaving village of Khoma.
Day three takes you on to funky Trashigang, with a two-or three-hour detour along
the way to Drametse Goemba, Bhutans most important Nyingma monastery. Accommodation standards here are not as good as western Bhutan so bring a sense of humour
as well as bug spray.
Figure on two nights at Trashigang, with another great day excursion to Trashi
Yangtse, with stops en route at the pilgrimage site of Gom Kora, the old Trashi Yangtse dzong and the Nepali-style Chorten Kora. March and April bring two important
pilgrimage festivals to this region. The National Institute for Zorig Chusum is worth a
visit to see Bhutans national crafts, if you havent seen the Thimphu version.
From Trashigang its a six-hour winding drive down to the plains at steamy Samdrup Jongkhar; stop to check out the traditional weaving at the National Handloom
Development Centre in Khaling. From Samdrup Jongkhar, take a three-hour taxi ride
to Guwahati then fly to Kolkata, Delhi or Bangkok, or take the overnight train to West
Bengal for Darjeeling and the Nepal border.

Pl an your Trip i t i n e r a r i e s

Bumthang
Chokhor
Valley Tang
Khoma
Dochu

#
Cheri & Tango
Valley

#
La

#
Goembas
#
Lhuentse Trashi
Chendebji
Jakar
Punakha

# Yangtse
#
#
Chorten
Taktshang THIMPHU

#
Drametse

#
Goemba

#
_

# Gom Kora

Trongsa
Goemba

#
Wangdue

#
Paro

#
# Trashigang

Tamchhog Phodrang Phobjikha Thrumshing La

# Khaling
(3750m)
Lhakhang

#
Valley
Mongar

Our Story

A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of

adventure. In 1972 thats all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed
for the trip of a lifetime across Europe and Asia overland to
Australia. It took several months, and at the end broke but
inspired they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling
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Our Writers
Bradley Mayhew
Coordinating Author, Thimphu, Western Bhutan A self-professed mountain
junkie, Bradley has been trekking in the Himalaya for over 15 years now, spending extended periods of time in Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh and Tibet. After crossing
Bhutan from west to east for the last edition of this guide, Bradley concentrated
on the west for this edition, exploring such lesser-visited destinations as the hike
to Kila Nunnery and little-visited Dzongdrakha Goemba, as well as walking the
Druk Path Trek. Bradley is the coauthor of the Lonely Planet guides Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, as well as a dozen other titles. He was recently the subject of an Arte
documentary retracing the route of Marco Polo. Find him at www.bradleymayhew.blogspot.com.
Bradley also wrote most Plan Your Trip chapters, the Druk Path Trek, Directory and Transport.
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lonelyplanet.com/members/Nepalibrad

Lindsay Brown
Central Bhutan, Eastern Bhutan Summer in central Bhutan is surprisingly pleasant and relaxed with ample opportunity for interacting with the locals, observing traditional agriculture and tasting the produce. While tackling the roads of
eastern Bhutan in summer has its challenges, the raging waterfalls, spectacular
birdlife and the intense and varied shades of green make for an amazing adventure. A former conservation biologist and Publishing Manager at Lonely Planet,
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Understand chapters and Health.
Anirban Mahapatra
Treks Ever since he enrolled in a Darjeeling school at the age of eight, Anirban
has conducted numerous sorties along the Himalaya from Bhutan to Kashmir,
trekking down mountain paths, sipping on chhang (beer) and meditating in
atmospheric Buddhist monasteries. A journalist and travel writer, Anirban has
extensively researched Bhutanese culture and society, all the while acquiring a
taste for the fiery ema datse (chillies). The vertigo-inducing road journey from
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missing a bottomless gorge by a whisker this time around). A Lonely Planet author since 2007,
Anirban lives in Kolkata and Delhi. Anirban also wrote Planning Your Trek and part of the Western
Bhutan chapter.
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