Bhutan Bhutan…Land of the Thunder Dragon. As we
enter the 21st century, this Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom remains a land
known by many, visited by few. Somehow this mystical land of high
Bhutanese dancers celebrating the 25th anniversary
of the King's coronation. (Thimpu, Bhutan)
mountains, wooded valleys, kings, princesses and
anchorites has eluded the vicissitudes that have wreaked havoc on so many
once-remote corners of the earth. It is a privilege for us to travel here.
While all of the Asian countries that we visit have no shortage of stunning
mountain scenery, Bhutan is one of the few that permits the trekker to walk
for weeks on end through pristine land, uninterrupted by environmental degradation.
Bhutan has kept its needs simple. It may have one of the world's lowest
GNPs, but the Gross Domestic Happiness enjoyed by the people of Bhutan is
perhaps the world's highest.
Bhutan lies in a hidden corner of the eastern Himalaya,
sandwiched between China (Tibet) to the north and the Indian states of
Sikkim to the west, Assam and West Bengal to the south, and Arunachal
Pradesh to the east. The country within these borders forms a giant staircase,
whose ascent begins with a narrow strip of land in the south (where the
average altitude is no more than 900 feet above sea level) and continues
up to some of the highest of the Himalayan peaks in the north, some of
which rise to greater than 24,000 feet (7,500 meters) in elevation. A
sparsely populated country, Bhutan is often likened to Switzerland because
of its small size, jealously guarded isolation and stunning mountain scenery.
More than 90% of the population are hill farmers who
live in small villages spread over 46,000 square kilometers (approximately
18,000 square miles) of rugged mountain country. Buddhist teachings and
philosophy are influential throughout the kingdom, and have been since
the 7th century. A deep and traditional reverence for nature has led Bhutan
to impose some of the strictest standards of environmental preservation
in the world. More than 65% of the land is still under forest cover and
some of the rarest Himalayan wildlife, such as the blue sheep, takin and
golden langur, are quite common.
It is often said that ''even
the most experienced trekker will find Bhutan a revelation,'' and we cannot
disagree. In this country known as Druk Yul, ''the land of the Peaceful
Dragon'', the fortunate visitor will find a rare combination of harmony
and accord set amidst incredible natural beauty. The air is clean and
unpolluted, the mountains are magnificent, and the architecture is inspiring.
Bhutan is
Traditional Bhutanese building. (Thimpu, Bhutan)
the least visited of all of the Himalayan countries
due to the deliberate policy of the Bhutanese government. In an attempt
to protect the delicate sensitivities of its environment and the sacred
values of its peoples, the Bhutanese Government actively restricts the number
of tourists allowed into the country and, as far as adventure travel is
concerned, the situation has always been that permission could only be obtained
for specified treks.
Bhutan, like all Himalayan countries, is a land of
great topographic variation. No matter what your activity (mountain biking,
hiking, etc.) this aspect of the country will be most noticeable while
ascending to the top of the many passes encountered. From these remote
heights some of the most stunning vistas in the Himalaya can be seen.
To the south, one looks out over some of Asia's last intact stands of
old-growth forests, interspersed with small hamlets and fortress-like
monasteries, and ultimately down to the dusty plains of west Bengal. To
the east, west and north are the oceanic expanses of the Bhutanese Himalaya,
much of it unexplored even today. Our Bhutan treks and mountain biking
trips offers participants a taste of these lofty heights.
Thimpu Thimpu, the least visited of all Himalayan capitals,
has a population of about 30,000 and lies on the bank of the Thimpu Chhu
River. It also has one of the richest Buddhist histories of all Himalayan
countries. Its unique architecture echoes a mix of Nepali and Central
Tibetan styles and is immediately apparent and inviting. Thimpu's brightly
painted, elaborately decorated facades give the town a captivating, medieval
feel. Sites around town include the Late King's Memorial Chorten, the
silversmith and pottery workshops, the traditional medicine hospitals,
the Buddhist thangkha painting school, and the National Library. Thimpu
is the only world capital without traffic lights.
Paro
When you fly to Bhutan, you will land in Paro. Paro is home of one of
Bhutan's largest, oldest and
Paro Dzong (Paro, Bhutan).
most spectacular dzongs - Paro Dzong. Paro is in
the heart of the rich, fertile Paro Valley with beautiful landscapes, scenic
villages and historic buildings all within a few kilometers. Most famous,
perhaps, is the "Taktshang Monastery" which is famous for its
location on the side of a cliff 900 meters (2,952 feet) above the valley
floor. This landmark was destroyed by fire in 1998, but there are plans
to rebuild it in its original style since it is one of Bhutan's most sacred
sites. It is known as the "Tiger's Nest" because Guru Rimpoche
is said to have flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the eighth
century.
Laya Laya, in the far north-west of Bhutan, is one
of the kingdom's highest villages at 12,136 feet, under
Bhutanese child monks. (Bhutan)
the daunting peak of Mount Masagang. A group known
as Layap, comprising about 800 people with their own language, customs and
dress, lives here. The village women strike dashing figures, wearing peculiar
conical bamboo hats with a bamboo spike at the top, held on by beaded bands.
They dress in black woollen jackets with silver trim and a long woollen
skirt striped in natural earth colours. They adorn themselves with lots
of silver jewelry which often includes an array of teaspoons. The women
often stage an evening cultural show which consists of a lot of circle dancing
accompanied by traditional Layap folk songs. Without a helicopter the only
way to get to Laya is on foot. The Laya-Gasa pass is part of the Snowman
Trek, one of the most difficult and demanding treks in the world.
People Who are the Bhutanese? A good question indeed,
given the fact that their exotic kingdom has long
Bhutanese man. (Thimpu, Bhutan)
been restricted from curious foreign travelers and
anthropologists. They are a proud people with a long culture greatly influenced
by the Buddhism of Tibet. Physically they are a handsome people, often appearing
to be a combination of Tibetan and Burmese heritages. The Bhutanese have
limited the homogenizing influences of the modern world through restricting
foreign travel and imports into their country. It was only in June 1999
that television was first allowed. The men and women of Bhutan adhere to
a dress code of traditional design. Buddhist monasteries are still the sight
of serious religious exegesis, not museums reminiscent of a time past. Yet
a stroll through the towns and countryside quickly reveals not a disgruntled
populace, pining for the modernity beyond their borders, but a people largely
content with -- and indeed protective of -- the slow, traditional pace of
their society. We assure you that you will come away from your Bhutan experience
enriched and inspired by the people and landscape of this wonderful country.
Travel Tips That a place like Bhutan exists in virtually the
same environmental and cultural condition as it did in
Mount Jitsu Drakye. (Jomo Lhari Region, Bhutan)
the 7th century is truly a wonder. Entering
the country's borders is literally an exercise in stepping back in time.
The government of Bhutan has long made it strict policy to limit the numbers
of tourists and general foreign presence within its borders at any one
time. This is done to preserve the culture and environment. The currency
generated from tourism is much needed to help in the development of education,
medicine, and a limited amount of modern infrastructure. Thus, our presence
very much adds to the positive development of Bhutanese society. A visit
to Bhutan does not come cheaply, but we feel it is a small price to pay
for the precious chance to walk through what is perhaps the last bastion
of unexplored Himalayan wilderness, as well as to glimpse at a way of
life that is all but vanished from other Himalayan countries.
Temperature/Weather Climactic conditions in Bhutan are highly influenced
by the Assam monsoon. The monsoon sets in at the end of June and lasts
through the first weeks of September. The vegetation that we encounter
on our way to the high country is a result of the ample rainfall the region
receives. The weather will fluctuate from absolute blue sky with warm
dry days to misty clouds, rain, and perhaps even a bit of snow.
Reading List In order to make the most of your trip to Bhutan,
the following reading lists will help you gain a better understanding
of the landscape, culture and people. Here you can also purchase any books
you might need for your Global Adrenaline trip!
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