Unveil the Wonders of Bhutan

Many of Bhutan’s inhabitants enjoy the blissful waters of natural hot springs for healing and relaxation. One such spring, Gasa Tsachu, stands out for its extraordinary beauty and prime location. Nestled in the foothills of a majestic Himalayan peak, Gasa Tsachu offers naturally warm, wonderfully mineral-rich bathing to soothe one’s body and soul.

Only known to science since 1876, the the IUCN Red List lists this shy species of crane as "vulnerable." A few hundred individuals fly to Bhutan's serene Phobjika Valley -- the country's largest wetland area -- to escape the Tibetan Plateau's frigid winters. The RSPN (Royal Society for Protection of Nature, which created the center) has monitored the cranes here since 1987, and bird arrivals have been steadily increasing in the three decades since.

While the upper reaches of the Mo Chhu offer challenging whitewater conditions, the lowest stretch of the river combines straightforward rafting with wonderful scenery, making it particularly attractive for those new to rafting. The 6km (3.6 mile) trip takes around an hour — occasionally slightly longer in the spring when winds and currents intervene to push this section of the river from Class I to Class II. An hour spent floating downriver provides an unforgettable experience of the beautiful Punakha Valley.

Stretching down the middle of Norzin Lam from the National Textile Museum to the luxurious Taj Tashi Hotel, a line of simple bamboo huts house Thimphu's highest concentration of Bhutanese handicrafts and souvenirs. The craft bazaar is one of the capital's most interesting places to browse, with heaps of malas (prayer beads), glossy wooden bowls, brass Buddha statues, grimacing skull masks, sheaves of delicate handmade paper, jewel-toned scarves, and even mugs decorated with photographs of royalty.

Bhutan is a birders' paradise. This country the size of Switzerland is home to about 680 species of avifauna in astonishing variety — gulls, terns, storks, falcons, woodpeckers, kingfishers, hornbills (including the spectacular rufous-necked hornbill), macaws, cuckoos, starlings, and on and on. Bhutan is such a biodiversity hotspot that ornithologists are sure more species await discovery within its borders.

Owned and personally run by an ex- Mr. Bhutan bodybuilding champion, Bhutan Fitness Zone is a five-story structure that offers not only a dedicated gym space but also massage, sauna, TRX group class, and personal training by Mr. Bhutan himself.

One of the oldest gyms in the capital - and located in the heart of the city - Planet Gym has gained quite the following over the years, especially because of its association with the Bhutan Body Building trainees.

After long-ago battles, Bhutanese soldiers recovered from their wounds by soaking in tsachu, or hot springs. The tsachus' curative powers were so highly regarded that people would trek for weeks to bathe in them to treat joint and muscle pain, headaches and a host of other ailments. While the Duer Tsachu is more accessible than it once was, it still requires a tough four-day trek from the nearest road head along a trail known as the Duer Hot Springs Trek.

Well known for the ancient healing technique, Gelephu is blessed with a hot spring located 15 km away from the Gelephu town. This hot spring has got the attention of people all around Bhutan and during the chilly winter season, it becomes nothing less than a fish market with a huge number of people gathering.

Icy, glacier-sourced streams feed the Po Chhu or “Father River,” which energetically tumbles its way southwest towards Punakha and its confluence with the Mo Chhu (“Mother River”). Rafting trips along the upper Pho Chhu start with a series of Class IV rapids immediately below the tiny village of Wangthangkha. Further downstream, experienced rafters and kayakers will enjoy the big, bouncy Class III rapids as the fast-flowing river eases and slows.

With stray dogs sleeping in the rough and the occasional cow on the fairway, a round of golf at the Royal Thimphu Golf Course is a uniquely Bhutanese experience — although the fervent local players will be familiar to golfers everywhere. The 9-hole, par-33 course which can also be played as an 18-hole round using two different sets of tees) was constructed in 1971 atop fallow rice paddies a few kilometers north of Thimphu, within sight of dramatic Tashichho Dzong.

The Bhutan International Marathon features some of the most spectacular scenery offered on the international circuit. Starting at an elevation of 2042 m (6700 ft) in sight of Himalayan peaks that never lose snow cover, the route follows the Mo Chhu river past the temples and villages and rice paddies of Punakha Valley before crossing a 100-meter-long suspension bridge to finish at Punakha Dzong fortress, ancient seat of government and winter home of the monastic body.