Ep 1 Thimphu | Bhutan Capital Tour | Buddha Dordenma | Food, Culture & Hidden Gems

In Episode 1 of our Bhutan Series, we explore the beautiful capital city of Thimphu, the heart of Bhutan. We started our journey from the iconic Clock Tower Square, which is considered the center of Thimphu. Here, we met our guide Dorjee, who accompanied us throughout the Bhutan trip. In Bhutan, having a guide is mandatory for tourists during the entire stay. If you wish to support this channel: YouTube Member Programme : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuxLOUo41P3eEAW8U-Dwjg/join Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/visa2explore Channel merchandise: https://kadakmerch.com/collections/visa2explore Gadgets that we use: Primary camera - https://amzn.to/2Vkvs2I Secondary camera - https://amzn.to/3ftmjvo Gadgets we use: Primary camera - https://amzn.to/3zZWjjo Secondary camera- https://amzn.to/3C5525B Day 1 (19th March) Breakfast at Zombala 2, Our first food stop was Zombala 2, a popular local restaurant. We tried Non-veg Fried Momos, Veg Bhakthuk I personally had this, The restaurant remains closed on Sundays Best time to visit Bhutan: March to May, September to November Cheri Base Picnic Spot - We then visited a peaceful picnic spot near Jigme Dorji National Park, where we saw the beautiful Thimphu Chhu River. Nearby, we also spotted a monastery associated with Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan. Buddha Dordenma - Next, we visited the massive Buddha Dordenma statue. Height: 54 meters One of the largest Buddha statues in the world Houses thousands of smaller Buddha statues inside Entry Fee: ₹500 (approx.) Temple Visit - On the way back, we also visited a Hindu temple. Photography & videography are not allowed inside temples and monasteries in Bhutan. Traditional Lunch Experience - At Heritage Home / Babesa Village Restaurant, we had a traditional Bhutanese meal. We started with Butter Tea (Suja) – made with: Tea leaves, Butter Salt (no milk), Common in Himalayan regions like Sikkim and Uttarakhand. Local dishes we tried: Red Rice, Ema Datshi (chilli & cheese), Kewa Datshi / Gondo Datshi, Pumpkin Jaju, Fried Cheese, Mixed Vegetables, Phin (glass noodles) In Bhutan, cheese is a key ingredient in many dishes. Exploring Thimphu City - We explored Dechen Phodrang Monastery, from where we got a stunning top view of Thimphu city, including government buildings and the Supreme Court area. We also visited local handicraft shops (around 85 stores) and bought a sling bag. Centenary Farmers Market - At the Centenary Farmers Market, we saw a mix of local Bhutanese and Indian vegetables, giving a glimpse of daily life. Day 2 - 20th March Wangditse Hike - We started our morning with the Wangditse Hike, a short and scenic trail offering panoramic views of Thimphu valley. Perfect for nature lovers and beginners. Royal Takin Preserve - We visited the Royal Takin Preserve. Entry Fee: ₹300 (approx.) Home to Bhutan’s national animal – Takin, Unique animal with goat-like head and cow-like body Found mainly in Bhutan and parts of Northeast India The preserve has well-built walking paths allowing visitors to observe animals without disturbing them. Simply Bhutan - Finally, we visited Simply Bhutan Museum. Entry Fee: Tourists: ₹1000 Locals: ₹200 Guide: Included (free) This is a living museum showcasing Bhutanese culture, traditions, food, and lifestyle through interactive experiences.