The Kingdom of Bhutan referred as ‘The Last Shangrila’ is hidden in-between India and the Tibetain region of China. It is believed that the name Bhutan is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Bhotant', meaning 'the end of Tibet', or from 'Bhu-uttan', meaning 'high land'. Historically the Bhutanese have referred to their country as Druk Yul, 'land of the thunder dragon'. Bhutanese refer to themselves as Drukpa people.
The Bhutanese are mostly Buddhist by Faith adhering to the Drukpa Kargyupa sect of Mahayana Buddhism. Colourful Monasteries and Temples dot the mountainsides of valleys. The Drukpas have treasured their natural environment as it is seen as a source of all life and the abode of the Gods and Spirits. Buddhism has been the predominant Religion since the 7th Century and has inculcated deeply the value that all forms of sentient beings, not just human life, are precious and sacred. Given such a prevailing ethos, which respect the natural environment, it is not surprising that the Bhutanese have lived in harmony with nature and that the nation has its environment still pristine and intact today. The country has been identified as one of the ten Bio-diversity hotspots in the world and as one of the 221 global endemic bird areas. Its eco-system harbours some of the most exotic species of the eastern Himalayas with an estimated 770species of birds and over 50 species of Rhododendron, besides an astonishing variety of medicinal plants and orchids. Bhutan also has a rich wildlife with animals like the Takin, snow-leapord, golden-langur, blue-sheep, tiger, water buffalo and elephants.
When the rest of the world has mostly adopted the blue jeans or the western suit culture, Bhutanese have deliberately safeguarded their ancient way of life in all its aspects. Immediately on landing at the country’s only airport by the national airliner, the visitor is in the midst of people dressed in ‘Ghos’ and ‘Kiras’, a landscape with Dzongs, Temples and houses with architecture found no where else in the world.
While crowds, traffic jam and multi-storeyed buildings marks most countries in the region, Bhutan is a serene land in the heart of Himalayan Mountain. With an area slightly larger than Switzerland, there are only about 700,000 people. It is to safeguard this natural environment, culture and a unique way of life that a policy of ‘High Value, Low Impact’ slogan is adapted by the Government of Bhutan for the Tourism sector. In 2003, around 6000 tourists visited Bhutan. For the few who do travel to Bhutan, a wide variety of activities from Snowman Trek to Kayaking down the Mochu (River); from witnessing the colourful festivals in the Dzongs/Fortress to the panoramic mountain flights on Druk air.
We hope that visitors who make the journey to Bhutan enjoy their experience and return home with glowing memories under the loving care of Himalayan Adventures.
Himalayan Adventures Team are a group of professionally trained people in the field of Tourism, who take into account the minute details of our guests with our personalised services and our slogan ‘Friends Forever’.
