Tucked in the midst of the huge mountains of the Himalayas, Bhutan is a uniquely beautiful country. Owing to tremendous isolation, the culture and heritage of Bhutan have evolved separately and there is a lot to explore and learn about this place. At the same time, Bhutan has remained a paradise for travelers over time. The mountains, high altitude lakes and the flora and fauna offer a unique perspective along with many adventure in Bhutan. Nature lovers can really rejoice for the fact that there are enough cliffs and rapids to satisfy their urges for adventure sports.
Here is a list of the most thrilling adventure sports in Bhutan that you can engage in with your friends during your getaway in this wonderful country:
Whitewater Rafting
The Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers are quite popular spots for river rafting in Bhutan. The Mo Chhu river has quite a few rapids of classes I and II before it meets the Pho Chhu combined with the beautiful setting of the Bhutanese mountains. The best part about the rafting trail is going through the rapids around the Punakha Dzong, the old capital and royal residence before the move to Thimpu. Shortly later, you will come upon the confluence of Mo and Pho Chhu. One of the most popular adventure sports in Bhutan!
Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing is an adventure sport that has been gaining much popularity in Bhutan, and several places have popped up as interesting experiments in the sport. The activity was made popular in the Himalayan kingdom by the Vertical Bhutan Climbing Club following 1998, and enthusiasts can head to The Nose, a natural climbing rock that is located right outside of Thimpu. Here you will find a total of 13 different routes that have been bolted and made safe and are of varying degrees of difficulty (from 4B to 7B) and can be of length anywhere from 12 to 27 meters.
Crossing The Suspension Bridges of Bhutan
While this may not be conventional, it will get your adrenaline pumping and is definitely a very Bhutan thing to do. The suspension bridge in Punakha that connects the historic Punakha Dzong to all the nearby villages was made by hand several hundred years ago and is considered the longest suspension bridge of the type in Bhutan, yet it hardly makes a sound when you cross it. Crossing these structures is something that you should try and is among the most unexpected adventure sports in Bhutan.
Motorcycle Riding
Riding motorcycles across the scenic valleys and mountains of Bhutan has gained popularity over the years. One can ride the highways as well as lesser known roads with just a guide for company or in a group. This choice is excellent for visitors wanting to experience freedom while traveling inside Bhutan.
Trekking
The mountainous reaches of the Bhutanese Himalayas are quite inviting, and quite a lot of people go trekking in Bhutan through the various trails that run through the mountains. The Jomolhari trek is one of the most popular Bhutan adventure activities amongst tourists visiting this country and offers stunning views of the Jomolhari peak, as well as a peek into the amazing flora and fauna of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The Druk Path Trek is another great expedition that goes through the rhododendron forests that surround the mountain of Gangkar Puensum.
Archery
This is a very unusual thing to do in Bhutan but it is definitely something that you should try if you find yourself in Bhutan. When the country joined the United Nations, archery was chosen to be the national sport. In ancient times, archery was practiced in dzongkhag and gewogs but the country holds modern competitions everywhere now. The most unique thing is that the sport is not limited to athletes as you can find locals participating in all kinds of archery competitions during local festivals and fairs.
Helicopter Ride
HBT can organize helicopter tours. Although expensive Helicopter rides or heli sightseeing is truly unique specially when you fly over beautiful hills and mountains. This is never like anywhere else in the world, experiencing the unique flavor.