In ancient times it was known as 'the lotus garden of the gods'
It is much said that Bhutan is comparable to Switzerland in both size
and topography, being largely mountainous. With these borders a giant
staircase is formed - from a narrow strip of land in the south at an
altitude of 10,000 ft where a lot of Bhutan’s natural beauty stands in
isolation as many of its high peaks have still not been climbed; but
nevertheless, this is the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'…& a global
hotspot…
Physically situated in the heart of the Himalaya, Bhutan is blessed with a rich tapestry of exceptional cultural heritage.
Bhutan is no usual country like anywhere else. This is a place where buying cigarettes is illegal, & the rice is pretty red. The chillies hereabouts aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish is made of chillies. It’s also a country deeply seeped in Buddhism, where men wear the national tunic to work, & where giant protective penises are painted on the walls of most houses; in Bhutan the Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than the Gross National Product. Tourism in Bhutan is different from anywhere else. Visitors famously have to pay a minimum of US$200 per day, making it one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit, but this fee is all-inclusive, you don’t have to travel in a group and you can design your itinerary your way. What you won’t find in Bhutan is backpacker-style independent travel. This is Nepal for the jet setters who are willing to spend at the drop of a hat…the Bhutanese way!
Mystical legends have bounded the Kingdom of Bhutan for centuries. Its precipitous mountainsides and remote forested valleys have many holy places with deep spiritual importance where the founders of Tibetan Buddhism left their ancient doctrines. Much of Bhutan is still covered in forest and, above the tree line; the mountains are not explored much and offer some of the best trekking in the Himalaya.
The Bhutanese have succeeded in maintaining their cultural and spiritual heritage and belief that they live in the last Shangri-La; by strictly limiting the number of tourists to the Kingdom to a maximum of 5000 a year.
Western values have little or no influence in this part of the world. Here in this land of culture and extreme charm this exudes a special feeling of serenity. The people are extremely religious, much in evidence hereabouts, even in pretty developed towns with modern amenities, the spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps are still regular features of daily life. Monasteries, temples and religious monuments are dotted across the landscape bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism, while red robed monks, young and old, are everywhere mingling freely in towns and village markets. The local folks enjoy their presence.
Bhutan boasts a wealth of Bio Diversity with almost three quarters of its land area covered by forests, it has been declared amongst the ten most prominent areas for environmental protection in the world. Its rich Himalayan flora and fauna, dazzling snow capped peaks, lush valleys and unbelievably beautiful rural landscapes will leave all but the very hardened asking: That if there is a heaven on Earth? The Land of the Thunder Dragon it probably is.
If you care to visit Bhutan, you will be among the select few who have experienced the appeal and magic of one of the world’s most mysterious countries – the ‘last Shangri La’ – and you’ll be enacting your role in this medieval kingdom’s efforts to join the contemporary world, while steadfastly maintaining its distinct and amazing cultural identity. Hence, why then you would want to spend a lot of your money to come here? It is perhaps because most of all, Bhutan gives you deep insights into another way of living, an optional revelation of what is truly important in life.
In this country known as the ‘Druk Yul’, or ‘Land of the Peaceful Dragon’, the fortunate visitor will find a rare combination of harmony and accord, amidst a landscape of amazing natural beauty.
Physically situated in the heart of the Himalaya, Bhutan is blessed with a rich tapestry of exceptional cultural heritage.
Bhutan is no usual country like anywhere else. This is a place where buying cigarettes is illegal, & the rice is pretty red. The chillies hereabouts aren’t just a seasoning but the entire dish is made of chillies. It’s also a country deeply seeped in Buddhism, where men wear the national tunic to work, & where giant protective penises are painted on the walls of most houses; in Bhutan the Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than the Gross National Product. Tourism in Bhutan is different from anywhere else. Visitors famously have to pay a minimum of US$200 per day, making it one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit, but this fee is all-inclusive, you don’t have to travel in a group and you can design your itinerary your way. What you won’t find in Bhutan is backpacker-style independent travel. This is Nepal for the jet setters who are willing to spend at the drop of a hat…the Bhutanese way!
Mystical legends have bounded the Kingdom of Bhutan for centuries. Its precipitous mountainsides and remote forested valleys have many holy places with deep spiritual importance where the founders of Tibetan Buddhism left their ancient doctrines. Much of Bhutan is still covered in forest and, above the tree line; the mountains are not explored much and offer some of the best trekking in the Himalaya.
The Bhutanese have succeeded in maintaining their cultural and spiritual heritage and belief that they live in the last Shangri-La; by strictly limiting the number of tourists to the Kingdom to a maximum of 5000 a year.
Western values have little or no influence in this part of the world. Here in this land of culture and extreme charm this exudes a special feeling of serenity. The people are extremely religious, much in evidence hereabouts, even in pretty developed towns with modern amenities, the spinning of prayer wheels, the murmur of mantras and the glow of butter lamps are still regular features of daily life. Monasteries, temples and religious monuments are dotted across the landscape bearing witness to the importance of Buddhism, while red robed monks, young and old, are everywhere mingling freely in towns and village markets. The local folks enjoy their presence.
Bhutan boasts a wealth of Bio Diversity with almost three quarters of its land area covered by forests, it has been declared amongst the ten most prominent areas for environmental protection in the world. Its rich Himalayan flora and fauna, dazzling snow capped peaks, lush valleys and unbelievably beautiful rural landscapes will leave all but the very hardened asking: That if there is a heaven on Earth? The Land of the Thunder Dragon it probably is.
If you care to visit Bhutan, you will be among the select few who have experienced the appeal and magic of one of the world’s most mysterious countries – the ‘last Shangri La’ – and you’ll be enacting your role in this medieval kingdom’s efforts to join the contemporary world, while steadfastly maintaining its distinct and amazing cultural identity. Hence, why then you would want to spend a lot of your money to come here? It is perhaps because most of all, Bhutan gives you deep insights into another way of living, an optional revelation of what is truly important in life.
In this country known as the ‘Druk Yul’, or ‘Land of the Peaceful Dragon’, the fortunate visitor will find a rare combination of harmony and accord, amidst a landscape of amazing natural beauty.
SO ARE YOU READY TO GO???
ENTER the ‘Last Shangri-La’ with ‘Visit Nepal Tours & Travels Pvt Ltd’’… we’ll take you on whirlwind tour to some of the loveliest spots of Bhutan. We will show you things never seen before & walk with you into exclusive areas not known. We will make your holidays a practical venture that will increase your knowledge of the unknown; & where experiences you gain will live in your thoughts for years to come…General information related to Bhutan
Location: Between China and IndiaArea: 46,620 sq km (18,182 sq mi)
Longitude: 27° 30’North and 90°30’ East.
Capital: Thimpu
Population: 2,139,549 (approx. 02 million)
Political-System: Monarchy
Religion: 70% Buddhist, 25% Hindu, 5% others
National Animal: Takin (Burdorcas taxi color)
National Bird: Raven (Corvus corax)
National Flower: Blue poppy (Meconopsis grandis)
National Sport: Dha (archery)
Language:
Dzongkha is the official language of Bhutan. Other widely spoken languages are Nepali, Bumthap, Sharchop and Hindi. English is understood and spoken by majority of people in major towns and is the medium of education in schools.
Time:
Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT, 30 minutes ahead of India, 1 hour behind Thailand and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. There is only one time zone throughout the country. .
Drinks:
It is safer to drink bottled, boiled and filtered water. A reasonable variety of both hard and soft drinks are available in hotels, restaurants and shops in most towns. Many Bhutanese enjoy drinking traditional homemade alcoholic brews made from wheat, millet or rice.
Shopping:
The most popular tourist purchases are traditional Bhutanese arts and handicrafts. Produced by skilled artisans, these are generally of a high quality, and include Buddhist paintings and statues, textiles, jewelry and wooden bowls and carvings
Seasons:
The autumn is between (September-November). Winter is between (December-February), & summer is (March-May), the Monsoons fall between (Jun- August)
Water:
In major cities boiled and filtered water as well as mineral water is available in most of the hotels and restaurants. Elsewhere, it is advisable to use water sterilization tablets or stick to tea and soft drinks.
Working Hours:
Government offices open from 09 am to 17:00 hrs in summer and till 16:00 hrs in winter.
Official Holidays:
The Government and most other offices work five days a week. Saturday and Sunday is the official weekly holiday when most of the shops are closed.
Electricity:
All towns in western Bhutan have a reliable power supply. Elsewhere, access is less consistent, and electricity is not available in many outlying areas of the country. The voltage supply is 220/240, the same as in Nepal and India.
Road Transport:
Road transport is the dominant mode of transportation for passengers and freight within the country and to the neighboring states of India.
Other Transport Arrangements:
There are taxis with fare meters in Bhutan available for those who care to use it.
People & Culture
The Bhutanese culture is one most cautiously protected and well conserved cultures in the world. The people of Bhutan realize that other than their centuries old culture and revered values, there is little else that is exclusive to their small and less developed country. In a bid to prevent their ancient customs from being influenced by the West, the Bhutanese government has made it mandatory for all Bhutanese to wear only their national dress in public.
All Bhutanese art-dance, drama and music-is steeped in Buddhism. The paintings are not produced for tourists, but for religious purposes; festivals are not quaint revivals, but living manifestations of a national faith; and almost all art, music and dance represents the struggle between good and evil. These traditions can be seen in all their glory at Bhutan 's spectacular religious festivals called Tsechus.
The largest and most colorful festivals take place at Bhutan's dzongs and monasteries once a year, especially in honor of Guru Rimpoche. They are normally celebrated in spring and autumn. Tsechus consist of up to five days of spectacular pageantry, masked dances and religious allegorical plays that have remained unchanged for centuries. Besides being a vital living festival and an important medium of Buddhist teaching, tsechus are huge social gatherings. Bhutanese revel and exult together, dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry, in a welcoming ambiance where humor and devotion go hand in hand. For guests, the tsechu provides an ideal opportunity to appreciate the essence of the Bhutanese character.
The Bhutanese diet is rich in meat, dairy, grain (particularly rice) and vegetables. Emadachee, made with green hot chilies and cheese stew, is considered the national dish with many interpretations to this recipe throughout the kingdom. Meat dishes, mainly pork, beef and yak, are lavishly spiced with chilies, and it is common to see bright red peppers drying on rooftops in the sun. Salted butter tea, or suja, is served on all social occasions. Though there is plenty of white rice, Bhutanese prefer a local, slightly nutty, red variety. At high altitudes, wheat is the staple. Several Tibetan-style dishes are common, including momos (dumplings), and thukpa (noodles). Pork fat is popular in the wilds because of its high-energy content. Chang, a local beer, and ara, a spirit distilled from rice, maize, wheat or barley, are also common and widely favored. Doma or betel nut is offered as a customary gesture of greeting.
Visa Information
To obtain a Bhutanese visa, you need the following: - Bhutan visa
application form x 3 copies duly filled -2 passport-size photographs
-Photocopy of the passport For private visitors, a sponsorship
certificate form must be filled in by the sponsor. A fee of US $70 a day
should be paid directly to the Department of Tourism for private
visitors, except for family members. Visa processing time: 1 month. When
entering Bhutan , you receive a visa for only 2 weeks from Paro
airport. Visa extensions can be granted if you stay longer. Except for
SNV employees, the visa extension fee of Nu. 510/- for each passport
should be paid.
Wildlife
In Bhutan over 160 species of mammals have been recorded so far
including Tiger, Snow Leopard, Takin Red Panda, Blue Sheep, Musk Deer,
Elephant, Rhinoceros, Golden Langur. Other animals found in Bhutan are
the Ganges River Dolphin , Golden Leaf Monkey , Particolored Flying
Squirrel and the Wild Water Buffalo . Other endangered animals are also
found in Bhutan like.
Argali
Asiatic Black Bear
Assamese Macaque
Clouded Leopard
Dhole
Eurasian Otter
Gaur
Mainland Serow
Sikkim Rat
Sloth Bear
Smooth-coated Otter
Takin
The fauna diversity is just as rich with as many as 620 species of birds recorded till date which includes the Black necked Crane, White bellied Heron, Rufous necked Hornbill and the Lammergeiers While most of Asia's bird habitats (forests) are being and have been decimated, Bhutan is a very special because of its lack of deforestation and the government's commitment to preserve wildlife. Few developing countries have the cultural and environmental interconnectedness that Bhutan has always promoted. 60 percent of Bhutan is now forested and, by law, will remain forested. Bhutan has the highest percentage of ecological preserves in the world; over 26 percent of Bhutan is designated for environmental conservation. While all of this makes economic sustainability tougher but a more needed policy, it provides the bird lover with the world's best viewing opportunity.
Birds in Bhutan can be found from the glacial alpine regions of the north to the sweltering tropics of the south. The geography and altitude is also the most diverse areas of bird habitats ever found in a single country. Endangered Black Necked Cranes winter in the temperate Phobjikha Valley highland marshes while the Rufous-Necked Hornbill hides out in the lush tropical rain forests of the south.
Argali
Asiatic Black Bear
Assamese Macaque
Clouded Leopard
Dhole
Eurasian Otter
Gaur
Mainland Serow
Sikkim Rat
Sloth Bear
Smooth-coated Otter
Takin
The fauna diversity is just as rich with as many as 620 species of birds recorded till date which includes the Black necked Crane, White bellied Heron, Rufous necked Hornbill and the Lammergeiers While most of Asia's bird habitats (forests) are being and have been decimated, Bhutan is a very special because of its lack of deforestation and the government's commitment to preserve wildlife. Few developing countries have the cultural and environmental interconnectedness that Bhutan has always promoted. 60 percent of Bhutan is now forested and, by law, will remain forested. Bhutan has the highest percentage of ecological preserves in the world; over 26 percent of Bhutan is designated for environmental conservation. While all of this makes economic sustainability tougher but a more needed policy, it provides the bird lover with the world's best viewing opportunity.
Birds in Bhutan can be found from the glacial alpine regions of the north to the sweltering tropics of the south. The geography and altitude is also the most diverse areas of bird habitats ever found in a single country. Endangered Black Necked Cranes winter in the temperate Phobjikha Valley highland marshes while the Rufous-Necked Hornbill hides out in the lush tropical rain forests of the south.
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