Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries
The small Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, with a population of only about 700.000 people, lies along the ridges of the eastern Himalayas, bordering the global giants of Tibet and India. Most of the country is mountainous, with some of the highest unclimbed Himalayan peaks on earth. It was these mighty Himalayas which protected Bhutan from the rest of the world and left the kingdom blissfully untouched.
The Drukpa Kagyupa school of Mahayana Buddhism, the Bhutanese form of Buddhism, provided the essence of a rich culture and fascinating history, which the people of Bhutan have so carefully guarded and protected over centuries, thus further ensuring the country's isolation and uniqueness. The Bhutanese people have treasured their natural environment and regarded it as the source of all life, which has meant that Bhutan entered the 21st century with its environment still richly intact. 72% of the land area is still under forest cover and Bhutan has been identified as one of the ten biodiversity hotspots of the world.
Bhutan's early history is steeped in folklore and mythology and the country still retains all the charm of the old world. It was only in 1974 that the country opened for tourism, and travellers today experience the full glory of this ancient land through its strategic fortresses known as dzongs, numerous ancient temples, monasteries and stupas which dot the countryside, prayer flags fluttering on hillsides, lush forests, rushing glacial rivers and the warm smiles and genuine friendliness of the people.
