Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan kingdom between India and Tibet, has far more to offer than the spiritual getaways it’s renowned for. This carbon-negative nation, with its Gross National Happiness policy rather than GDP, offers a plethora of unusual experiences that many tourists miss out on.
Bhutan has more secrets beyond meditation facilities and monasteries. Here are 20 offbeat things to do that highlight the kingdom’s rich culture, natural beauty, and daily life.
Archery Competitions
Archery is not only Bhutan’s national sport—it’s also a social gathering. Local competitions involve teams in ceremonial dress shooting at targets around 145 yards out, an unattainable range by Western measurements. The competitions are punctuated with dancing, singing, and good-natured heckling among teams.
Players celebrate hits with choreographed routines while fans snack on local food and beverages in the background.
Cross the Punakha Suspension Bridge
One of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan spans 525 feet over the Po Chhu River. Crossing this oscillating bridge provides stunning views of the river and rice fields below.
The bridge connects to the majestic Punakha Dzong, providing a rare view of the fortress that most visitors see only from the ground.
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Royal Textile Academy Workshops
Bhutanese fabrics are said to be some of the most intricate handwoven materials in the world. Hands-on weaving workshops at the Royal Textile Academy are available, allowing you to learn from master weavers the traditional methods of weaving.
Even a small piece requires patience and meticulousness, like mastering a new language with your hands.
Nighttime Wildlife Safari in Royal Manas National Park
Though day wildlife tours are the norm, night safaris reveal Bhutan’s nocturnal animals. The park is also shared with India’s Manas Tiger Reserve and features endangered golden langurs, Asian elephants, and, if you’re extremely fortunate, the odd tiger.
Rangers’ special spotlights enable you to identify shining eyes in the dark, turning the forest into a natural treasure hunt.
Hot Stone Bath in a Farmhouse
Simple and rustic are the ancient hot stone baths of Bhutan, which are entirely different from those you might find in a luxurious spa. Hot stones are placed in wooden bathtubs containing water and healing herbs after they have been heated to red-hot temperatures over a fire. As the stones steadily heat up, they crackle and give off minerals, creating a healing experience at the farmhouses in rural areas.
Sometimes while soaking, you can hear local villagers exchange stories, which provide a glimpse into rural Bhutanese life.
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Cordyceps Hunting Expedition
Locals go to high-altitude meadows (over 14,000 feet) during spring to collect cordyceps, an infected caterpillar that is worth more than gold by weight. These excursions involve camping in beautiful alpine landscapes and scouring the ground for small fortunes.
It demands eagle eyes and patience, but to find even one can support a family for months.
Mask Carving Lessons
The colorful masks used in Bhutanese religious dances (cham) represent deities and characters from Buddhist teachings. Several artisans offer workshops where you can carve your simple mask from wood. Each mask has specific symbolism and technical requirements, making this both an artistic and cultural education rolled into one dusty, satisfying experience.
Mountain Biking the Gangtey Nature Trail
This gentle 5-mile trail through the Phobjikha Valley offers stunning views with reasonable effort. Unlike strenuous Himalayan treks, it winds through pine forests, potato fields, and small villages. The trail reaches its pinnacle at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the valley, which is often dotted with black-necked cranes during winter.
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Dine with a Local Family
Forget tourist restaurants. Rural Bhutanese families often welcome visitors for home-cooked meals featuring ema datshi (chili cheese stew), red rice, and seasonal vegetables. These intimate dinners happen around traditional bukhari stoves in farmhouses where multiple generations live together.
The conversation flows as freely as the butter tea, creating memories that outlast any restaurant meal.
Attend a Local Tsechu Festival
While major tsechu (religious festivals) attract tourists, smaller village celebrations offer authentic experiences without crowds. These events feature masked dances, local food stalls, and fortune-telling rituals. Villagers dress in their finest traditional clothes and socialize between ceremonies.
The atmosphere feels more like a community gathering than a performance for outsiders.
Forage for Wild Mushrooms
Bhutan’s forests hide over 400 mushroom species, many of which are considered delicacies. During monsoon season, locals know exactly which slopes yield the best varieties. Guided foraging trips combine nature walks with culinary education, as experts explain which mushrooms are edible and which should be avoided. Your findings often become part of the evening meal, prepared with typical Bhutanese spices.
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Visit a Traditional Paper Factory
For centuries, Bhutan has produced handmade paper, or deysho, using the bark of the daphne plant. Small factories still use traditional methods, such as boiling, pounding, and spreading the pulp onto screens. Visitors can try making paper sheets to see how this ancient craft continues in the modern world.
The resulting products serve as prayer flags, religious texts, and government documents.
Takin Preservation Center
Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, resembles a cross between a goat and a cow. This strange-looking creature roams the mountains but can be observed up close at the Motithang Takin Preserve near Thimphu. Originally established as a zoo but converted to a wildlife preserve, the center offers a rare opportunity to see these unusual animals.
Their odd appearance inspired local legends about divine creation through magic.
Traditional Bhutanese Cooking Class
Learning to cook ema datshi (chili cheese) and other Bhutanese staples reveals the country’s culinary philosophy. Local chefs teach proper spice combinations and techniques while explaining the cultural significance of each dish.
The classes often include market visits to select ingredients, providing insight into daily Bhutanese life beyond tourist areas.
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Merak-Sakteng Trek
This less-traveled route explores the homeland of the Brokpa people, a semi-nomadic group with distinct traditions and clothing. Their villages feature unique architecture and cultural practices not found elsewhere in Bhutan.
The moderately difficult trek passes through rhododendron forests and alpine meadows while offering glimpses into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Black-Necked Crane Observation
From late October through February, the endangered black-necked cranes migrate to Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley. The Crane Information Center offers spotting scopes and guides who explain the birds’ behavior and significance in Bhutanese culture.
Local children perform crane dances, and the entire community celebrates the arrival of these special visitors with festivals and protective rituals.
Traditional Bhutanese Sports Day
Beyond archery, Bhutanese traditional sports include khuru (dart throwing), dego (discus), and soksom (javelin). Joining locals for a sports day means learning games that require precision and strength. Participants often place friendly wagers on outcomes, creating a lively atmosphere.
These gatherings become social events where skills are displayed and community bonds are strengthened.
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Visit a Traditional Bridge Builder
Bhutan’s traditional cantilever bridges, built without nails or metal fasteners, represent engineering ingenuity. Some bridge builders still practice these ancient techniques, carefully fitting wooden pieces together to span rivers and gorges.
Workshops sometimes allow visitors to try basic joinery methods, demonstrating how precise woodworking creates structures strong enough to last generations.
Discover Bhutanese Contemporary Art
Beyond religious art, Bhutan has a growing contemporary art scene. Thimphu’s Galleries showcase young artists who blend traditional themes with modern perspectives. The VAST (Voluntary Artists’ Studio Thimphu) offers open studios where you can meet artists and see works in progress.
These spaces reveal how Bhutanese youth navigate between ancient traditions and global influences.
Motorcycle Through Dramatic Mountain Passes
Renting a motorcycle to traverse Bhutan’s winding mountain roads offers freedom that tour buses can’t match. The journey between Thimphu and Punakha crosses the Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet, where prayer flags flutter around 108 memorial chortens.
The exhilaration of navigating these roads is matched by spectacular views that change around every curve.
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Beyond Prayer Flags
Bhutan’s magic extends far beyond its spiritual reputation. The experiences listed here connect travelers with the country’s living culture, natural wonders, and everyday pleasures.
Whether learning centuries-old crafts or enjoying modern interpretations of tradition, these activities reveal a Bhutan that exists alongside—but separate from—its more famous spiritual attractions. The memories you’ll create will be as colorful as the prayer flags that dot the landscape but far more personal.
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