Page 64 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

232 FORGET TREKKING

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Trekking in Bhutan IN CHIANG MAI?

THE BUILD-UP Located 435 miles (700 km)
north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is the
undisputed trekking hub for Thailand’s
mountainous northern interior. Trekkers find
easy access to lush tropical vegetation, hill-tribe
villages, and unspoiled nature. It is also a great
vs Trekking in Chiang Mai
and jewelry. Other options, from elephant
riding to whitewater rafting, also abound.
The fascinating Kingdom of Bhutan receives only 20,000 visitors a year – about as place to find handcrafted goods, woodcarvings
THE LETDOWN Over the past 30 years, Chiang
many as plod through Chiang Mai in four days Mai has become increasingly modern and more
congested, with a crowded city center. It hosts
about 2 million tourists annually. Even though
it has a more relaxed atmosphere than Bangkok,
interests, including mountain scenery, birding,
NEED TO KNOW Chiang Mai has lost much of its appeal to
agriculture, and architecture. But regardless of trekkers in search of a remote forest trail.
LOCATION Bhutan is a the itinerary or the duration of the trek, being
Himalayan kingdom bordered $)*/"
by Tibet to the north and immersed in the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan is GOING ANYWAY? Chiang Mai can still be an
India to the south always a highlight. Even extended treks into high appealing getaway, provided you make a quick
VISITORS PER YEAR 5IJNQIV mountain regions will see you spend much of the exit for the hill country. Look for a reputable
About 20,000
1BSP #)65"/ time in the lower-elevation villages, walking local operator – as well as in Chiang Mai, many
DAYTIME 5BTI can be found in nearby communities like Pai.
TEMPERATURES 1IVOUTIPMJOH through rice terraces, fields of millet and apple
Jan: 41°F (5°C); Apr: 56°F orchards before ascending to higher elevations Opt for a trek that includes different hill-tribe
(14°C); Jul: 61°F (16°C); */%*" villages so that you become familiar with varied
Oct: 61°F (16°C) where semi-nomadic yak herders roam the hills. – and sometimes colorful – ethnic groups.
Dotting the landscape are medieval fortresses
known as dzongs and elegant monasteries – the
Considered to be a modern-day Shangri-La, Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goenmba) is
Bhutan is tucked below the southern slope of the the best known – all composed in a unique, almost
eastern Himalayas, with Tibet to the north and mystical architectural style. Wearing colorful
India to the south, and is one of the most remote traditional dress with knee-length gowns and
and protected lands on the planet. The country is draping cuffs is common among the locals, as is
slightly larger than Switzerland with a population practising traditional sports, such as archery, tug-
of about 2 million people, almost all of whom are of-war, and digor, a kind of shot put.
connected to the land through agriculture. From After the trek, if time permits, spend a few days
the tops of the 22,960-ft (7,000-m) Himalayan in Thimphu, perhaps the only capital city in the
peaks, the land descends into high alpine slopes world with no traffic lights. What Bhutan lacks in ABOVE Crowds visiting Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a highly
grazed by yaks and goats, into forests of spruce modern conveniences and tourist amenities, it revered Buddhist temple near Chiang Mai
and oak which cover about 70 percent of the more than makes up for with its gracious people,
country, and farther down into fertile valleys and fascinating culture, and diverse scenic appeal.
a low, subtropical southern strip. Although only 10
percent of the land is arable, the soil is so rich and PRACTICAL INFORMATION
the climate so favorable it can grow almost any
crop. It’s no wonder that the country is completely Getting There and Around Where to Stay
There are only two ways to enter With rooms heated by iron
self-sufficient in its food production.
Bhutan. You can either enter from stoves and hot-water bags
Bhutan remains preserved as one of the
India along a single road that placed in your bed, the
least deforested countries in the world, and crosses the border, or you can fly Dewachen Hotel (tel. +975 244
hunting is prohibited by law and religion. In this into Bhutan’s only airport in Paro, 2550; www.dewachenhotel.
predominantly Buddhist kingdom, traditional on the country’s flagship airline, com) in Gangtey is a
culture is rigorously preserved in a society where Druk Air. Be sure you have made wonderfully traditional
experience. Set in a pine forest,
myth and legend are inseparable from the land prepaid travel arrangements and
have secured a visa in advance. it offers convenient trekking
and people. Since tourism is limited and unguided options in the area.
Independent travel is not
travel is not permitted, you won’t find armies of permitted in Bhutan. When to Go
budget backpackers, banana pancakes in every Mar–May and Sep–Nov are
Where to Eat
teahouse, cluttered campgrounds, and legions of Be forewarned – Bhutanese food ideal for trekking.
bars as in Chiang Mai and other places where is spicy hot, but the Bhutan Budget per Day for Two
trekking is the lifeblood of the economy. Kitchen (tel. +975 233 1919) in Around US$280 including the
Trekking in Bhutan is decidedly not adventure Thimphu offers a pleasing setting services of a guide, meals,
with a well-prepared local and accommodations.
on a shoestring, but it is an exquisite journey into a
cuisine that can be tempered to Website
diverse natural environment and a captivating
the Western palate. www.tourism.gov.bt
culture. Bhutan can cater to a wide range of

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