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Frazzled and paced out with a hectic lifestyle? Arrive in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan to its pure, pure air and unblemished habitat fiercely protected by its people. Monasteries with ancient sanctum sanctorum alive with legends of the past; unfrequented trekking trails that take you deep into the valleys; people who are happy walking the path of their ancestors - these are just wee glimpses into your rejuvenation experience. The country isn’t promoting tourism on a big scale and you will not be particularly seduced by its amenities. If you can visualize your visit as a privilege peek at pristine and protected land, you’ve got the essence!

Bhutan lies west of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and east of Nepal. Thimphu, the capital, is at an altitude of 7700 feet, a small charming city in the heart of the Himalayas. Modernisation is strictly monitored and buildings must be made in the traditional Bhutanese style and cannot exceed a specified height. In fact, the first and the only traffic light was installed near a chorten (a small Buddhist temple) but was later removed upon the order of the king as not suitable

to the environs of Thimphu.

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Bhutan has been given the name - ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ – as a result of the violent storms that quite often occur in the country.

In the year 2006, Business Week rated Bhutan as the happiest country in Asia and the eighth happiest country in the world!

In Bhutan everyone mostly is known by their first name as traditionally only the Royal family can use a surname.

Bhutan must be the only country where it is compulsory for citizens to wear their national dress when in public.

Did you know that there is not a single traffic light in Thimphu the capital city or in fact in the whole of Bhutan!

Bhutan is not the place for you if enjoy smoking. You certainly wont be able to buy any here, as there is a a ban on tobacco sale.

Catch sight of the Golden Langur Monkey, an endangered species of monkeys found in Bhutan.

Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed nations. TV and Internet were introduced only 12 years ago.

Historically Speaking

Documented history of Bhutan begins with the 8th century when Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rimpoché, came from Tibet and spread the Buddhist faith throughout Bhutan. He is the most important figure of the country’s history and is said to have had miraculous powers. He preserved his teachings and wisdom in “termas” (hidden treasures) to be found later by enlightened followers known as “tertons”. Pema Lingpa was the most renowned terton who found texts that detailed the religious dances and art of Guru Rimpoche that are now part of Bhutan’s living heritage.

Numerous clans and families ruled over bits of Bhutan and quarreled among themselves and with Tibet until the 16th century when Ngawang Namgyal established himself as the religious ruler of the country. He unified Bhutan then called “Druk Yul”, or Land of the Dragon. The political administration he established lasted up to the 20th century. His death in 1705 was followed by 200 years of political infighting. In 1907, Bhutan’s chiefs and principal lamas (monks) voted unanimously to put Ugyen Wangchuk on the throne. Thus began the Wangchuk dynasty that

rules till today.

In 1947, India gained her independence from British rule and recognised Bhutan as a sovereign country. When China took over control of Tibet, Bhutan’s policy of total isolation was in quandary before the country was formally admitted to the United Nations in 1971. The present monarch, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, ascended the throne in 1974 and the international media were admitted into the country for the first time. Traditional methods of governance were changed in the major political reforms of 1998. The Council of Ministers had to stand for election and people voted to put them in power for a term of five years.

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Habitat

Cradled by the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is flanked by India to the south and Tibet to the north. The country is only 47,000 sq km in area and has diverse terrain ranging from tropical to subtropical forests in the southern lowlands to sparse alpine meadows in the north. The people and their administrators are determined to preserve the habitat by halting rapidly expanding human population. Perhaps this is the reason why Bhutan is the last refuge for many species of plants and animals that have perished elsewhere in the Himalayas.

South Bhutan gets most of the seasonal rains and it is lush with forest vegetation including ferns, hanging plants, bamboo, orchids and teak trees. These forests are home to monkeys, snakes, birds, butterflies, deer, leopards, tigers, white rhinoceros, elephants and bears. The forests thin out in the higher regions of Bhutan but a variety of poplar, ash, magnolia, aspen, oak, conifers and rhododendron grow. The Phobjika valley in Wangdue and Dzonkhag and Bomdiling in Yangtse see the winter migration of the rare black crane.