Every tourist seeks the blend between natural beauty, rich culture, spiritual experience and warm hospitality when they think of travel and travelling destination. All these features are captured by two neighboring countries Nepal and Bhutan. These two countries have the perfect blend in nature, culture and history but the experience you will get from both of these country are very different.
One of the common things between these countries is its kind people. Whether you are a traveler seeking for adventure or someone who is seeking to lost in beauty and culture Bhutan and Nepal is the perfect destination for you. Here you can experience both adventure and heartwarming beauty.
From this blog you will get to know why Nepal and Bhutan is perfect travelling destination and why you should consider these country for your next journey.
History and origin of Nepal and Bhutan
Nepal is one of the oldest South Asian country with rich history and culture. The birth place of Lord Buddha and home to 100s of Himalayan giants including the world’s highest peak Mount Everest or Sagarmatha. People living in Nepal are known as Nepali, one of the kindest and friendly people you will ever find. Nepal history is living over 11000 years and its origin is surrounded in myth and legend. As per the record Nepal exist since fifth century AD. Kiratis were they first rulers of Nepal. The name Nepal origin is very subjective it is believed that ‘ne’ represents Newar or a Tibeto Burman meaning house of wool.
Bhutan a land of peace, surrounded by clean and greenery forests, landscapes and 100s of monasteries. Home to one of the most humble and kind people. Bhutan’s name is originated from Sanskrit term Bhotanta meaning end of Bhot or end of Tibet. Bhutan was originated during 1616 AD when Ngawana Namgul a lama of Tibet defended three Tibetan invasions.
He was the one who established himself as a ruler over a system of ecclesiastical and civil administration. Bhutan had several historical names like Lho Mon meaning southern land of darkness, Lho Tsendenjong meaning Southern Land of Sandalwood and Lhomen Khazhi meaning Southern of Four approach. During 17th century it was also known as Druk Yul the land of thunder dragons.
It is very essential to know how these country were originated this helps to build a sense of respect towards a country’s tradition and culture.
A journey through contrast and complements
Nepal and Bhutan share spiritual roots in Buddhism and Hinduism and geographical closeness but each of their features differs from each other and the experience they offers you are completely different. Nepal is diverse, dynamic, secular, vibrant and a flow between both city hustle life and calm village life. From the busy city like Kathmandu to the calmest city like Pokhara a land where the trekking journey to the Himalayas begins. On the other hand Bhutan is the land of peace, spirits, pristine and happiness. Also known for its Gross National Happiness philosophy, a land where the tradition and culture is preserved and highly respected.
Combining these both countries in one trip offers you a beautiful contrast and balanced experience between Nepal’s natural beauty and open tourism and Bhutan’s exclusive atmosphere and scenery.
Himalayan Scenery
Both Bhutan and Nepal is home to jaw dropping giants Himalayas and landscapes. In Nepal you can get the trekking experience from the easiest trekking destination to the hardest trekking destination some of the iconic treks in Nepal are Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Gokyo lakes and many more these treks offers you stunning views of world’s highest peak and vivid landscapes.
In Bhutan you will be offered with subdued but equally majestic landscapes, terraced hill sides, lush valleys and varieties of snowcapped mountains. Tiger’s Nest Monastery also known as Takstang lies on the clinging cliff of Dochula making this place a major highlight of Bhutan.
These two countries Nepal and Bhutan will give you a complete experience of Himalayas while Nepal serves you with dramatic peaks and high altitude treks, same wise Bhutan offers you mythical landscapes and peaceful trials perfect for trekkers.
Spiritual and Cultural immersion
Nepal is the birth place and home to one of the legend Lord Buddha, located in Lumbini this place holds a deep tuning between Hindu and Buddhist tradition. Kathmandu valley alone serves the spiritual temples and stupas which holds a lot of importance to both Hindu and Buddhist community some of the sacred temples and stupas in Kathmandu valley are Swayambunath known a monkey temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. Not only the temple the local jatras and traditions are major highlight of Nepalese culture.
In Bhutan Buddhism is the most followed religion, Bhutanese people believe that Buddhism shapes every aspect of their life from governance to daily ritual the positivity Bhutanese people have is really amazing to see. You will find beautifully preserved fortress monasteries known as Dzongs, prayer flags fluttering in the peaceful wind, and Tshechus a sacred festival. In this festival you will see masked dancer performing their ancient stories.
Therefore travelling to Nepal and Bhutan in one trip will help you to develop a positive lifestyle. You will get to understand how much the deviation and the sacred places means to a group of people.
Unique Architecture and Heritage site
Talking about Nepal and Bhutan and not highlighting their beautifully carved houses, temples, painting and their heritage sites is impossible. Kathmandu valley is home to one of the beautiful community Newar, this valley features Newari architecture, pagoda temples, and royal places. The streets of Bhaktapur and Patan feels like you are waking through living museum filled with craftsmanship.
The architecture and heritage sites in Bhutan are regulated to preserve tradition. Bhutan is filled with white washed Dzongs painted with wooden details, traditional farmhouses and sacred temples which are seamlessly integrated into the nature.
Both Nepal and Bhutan are rich in Architecture and Heritage sites. If you travel Nepal and Bhutan in one trip you will get a chance to blend in the unique and ancient architecture which is an art that is uniform making your trip a fascinating.
Festivals and Celebration
Nepal offers you various types of festival including, Festival of colors Holi well known festival among tourist. Holi falls in month of March celebrated with colorful powder and dance. Dashain is the main festival of Nepali people falls around the month of September to October. Known as best Hindu festival with family gathering and flying kites. Tihar falls around the month of October to November known as festival of lights, where homes are decorated with lights and candles, animals like dogs, crow, cow and buffalo are worshipped. Brothers and sisters foreheads are covered with seven colored tika followed by gifts. Children and people dance and sing in front of others houses and offered money and selroti with rice. Buddha jayanti falls in the month of April to May month celebrating Buddha’s birth, with prayers at stupas.
Bhutan is also rich in festivals two of the most seen festival for tourist are Paro Tshechu and Thimpu Tshechu. Paro Tshechu is annually celebrated in Paro valley usually in the spring season. This festival is celebrated in honor of Guru Rinpoche the man who brought Buddhism in Bhutan where people perform masked dances. This festival lasts for five days featuring several of dance performed by monks’ and layman in costumes masks, while Thimpu Tshechu is a three day event celebrated on 10th day of the 8th lunar month also to honor Guru Rinpoche. This festival showcase Bhutanese culture, tradition and spirituality.
Witnessing these spiritual festival in one trip truly feels like a dream.
Adventure in both lands
Nepal is paradise to adventure seekers. To add more adventure in your trip try white water rafting, Paragliding in Pokhara, Mountain biking, bungee jumping and enjoying Scenic mountain views.
In Bhutan adventure is gentle but rewarding you can try hiking to remote monasteries, biking through mountain passes, taking nature walks in protected mountains and spotting rare wildlife like black necked cranes.
Both lands offers you the best adventure experience but in a different way which are very rewarding.
Approaching local people
Bhutanese and Nepali people are one of the most hospitable, friendly and welcoming people. If you are approaching Nepali then greet them by saying Namaste by joining your both hands. If you are approaching Bhutanese then greet them by saying Kuzuzangpo la and shaking their hands.
By travelling both countries you will not only experience the beautiful landscapes but also a gratitude, selflessness and welcoming behavior of local people. It’s very easy to build connection with the people of Nepal and Bhutan until and unless you are disrespectful.
Conclusion
Trip to Bhutan and Nepal is not just a journey to experience the thrillers and adventure but it is a journey to explore yourself, local people and a lesion that has to be learned Bhutan is the perfect global example of sustainable tourism while Nepal is trying to adopt eco-tourism practices.
As a traveler a single trip to these beautiful land is truly a blessing and a onetime life experience. Are you ready to sprinkle your journey with mystery and beauty? Then travelers visit to Nepal and Bhutan in one trip is perfect for you.
Read more: https://abovethehimalaya.com/nepal-bhutan-tour.html
