Bhutan

Trekking:

Bhutan is a popular place for trekking, though the walks are generally quite tough as there are no places to stay or eat in the higher regions, and so all food and camping equipment must be carried in. the fall and spring are the best seasons for undertaking a trek. in the summer, the paths are too muddy, while in winter they are snow covered. however, despite the difficulties of the treks, all efforts and discomforts are more than compensated for by the stunning scenery and extremely friendly, gentle and hospitable people that are met along the way. see: wilderness backpacking.

Deer Park Thimphu

(http://www.deerparkthimphu.org) holds various dharma related events in the capital, including weekly meditation sessions.

Buddhism

It is possible to receive instruction on Buddhist practice at any monastery, though for discussions on Buddhist philosophy it is better to consult with the khenpos or loppons teachers at Buddhist colleges shedra, such as, for example, Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery in Jakar, Tango Monastery near Thimphu or Chokyi Gyatso Institute in Deothang.

Festivals:

Tshechu is the largest religious festival in bhutan and is celebrated in the late summer and fall throughout the country see city articles for local information, though thimphu tshechu is the most famous and attracts around 30,000 people. the highlight of the tshechu ceremonies is the masked dances by monks, which were developed according to precise instructions given by past buddhist masters. according to buddhist philosophy, all experiences leave an imprint in the mind stream that produces a corresponding result in the future, and so viewing these dances, which are imbued with sacred symbolism, is considered to be a very auspicious and sanctifying experience. while the event is not held in a solemn atmosphere and there is much merriment, visitors are reminded that it is still a religious festival that is of great importance to bhutanese people, and so appropriate behavior is expected.

Weaving - Bhutanese woven cloth is prized throughout the world for its unique designs and high quality, and there is a weaving center in Khaling in Trashigang.

Archery

This is the national sport of bhutan and competitions are held throughout the country at most weekends. visitors are very welcome to watch and also to add voice to the boisterous cheering that accompanies these events.

There are a few NGOs based in Bhutan, so it is possible to arrange volunteer work. However, Bhutan is very selective about who it engages in this field. In addition, it is highly unlikely that a position can be found while visiting Bhutan, so those interested in undertaking volunteer work here should first seek employment with NGOs overseas and then express a preference to be located in Bhutan.