Has any anon travelled to bhutan? What is it like?

>>2788989 (OP)
did a hiking tour like a decade ago (before they partially opened up)
you had guide with you the whole time

mostly hiked for ~10 days plus a few days in the capitol and a small village
absolutely stunning
but was already expensive back then

Nepal had really similar feel and is easier to travel to
some Indian regions were also similar, but less touristy

what do you want to know

>>2788998
Did you face problem in communication? How were the locals like? Did you interacted with monks on topics like meditation?

I went in 2012 and even posted a thread on /trv/ about it. Since a guided tour was the only option, things were easy. I didn't do so much communication with the locals since the day programs were pretty full. I did go to local bar one night to talk to the locals and found them really friendly and curious and welcoming, they were happy to see a rare foreigner and we talked about our countries and all sorts of things.

>>2789005
>Did you face problem in communication?
not really
even back then many people "spoke" English
or at least were able to exchange basic information in it
every now and then you had someone who spoke fluently (like everywhere more likely young people)

>How were the locals like?
exceedingly friendly and very open
though I bought a Gho (trad clothing worn by almost every men and really /comfy/) on arrival
you don't have to, just don't wear revealing clothes (for Buddhist sites anyway)
and I learned a lot of their customs beforehand, plus my guide gave me an intro on arrival

if you visit someone and stay over, get a gift, something simple (not expensive!) and traditional / crafty from your country and wrap it in white or yellow cloth
they will be very happy about it

>Did you interacted with monks on topics like meditation?
did visit a few sacred sites and attended a few ceremonies
but i'm (an euro) Buddhist myself and already did a few "pilgrimage tours"
so that wasn't the focus on my travels
but you certainly can do more in depth tours there

>>2789244
Thank you anon.

I've been meaning to go since 2016, but I keep getting distracted with other destinations. Since I am now finally "running out" of travel destinations, maybe I can finally go.

>>2789016
>foreigners were rare in 2012
Wow, that's a very isolated country.

Now I gotta wonder what it's like today. 13 years have passed, and I actually have seen Bhutan gain some social media exposure. Hope it's not another tourist trap.

>>2789429
>13 years have passed, and I actually have seen Bhutan gain some social media exposure. Hope it's not another tourist trap.
no, not really
they still limit tourism (outside the capitol)
also leaned heavily into luxury / eco tourism

>>2788989 (OP)
I was there November last year. Quite surprised that it wasn't cold at all but rather it was pleasantly warm in the daytime and had cool nights.
I went by myself. Yes it was an expensive package tour but it was worth it because apparently the price keeps the hordes of tourists at bay. Most landmarks I went to, there were only a few people so I really get to feel the atmosphere.
The only thing that sucked is that I was supposed to do this trip in March 2020. Two days before, Covid happened and it effectively shut down the borders. I can't get a full refund since the Bhutanese government can't return the money I gave them for some reason.

>>2788989 (OP)
>BHUTAN PASSPORT BLUE