Visit the legendary Land of the Thunder Dragon. This beautiful and unique country has much to offer those interested in wildlife, mountains or ancient cultures. We offer tours of between 4 to 29 days. Trips can be cultural, easy walking or alpine tours. Bhutan is home to snow leopard, red panda and black necked crane as well as many beautiful plants and flowers.

Highlights : The impressive capital Thimpu, the remote monastic valleys of Paro and Punakha, unique cultures and activities including archery contests!

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is fast emerging from centuries of self imposed isolation. First opened to tourists in 1974 in very regulated manner upon the coronation of present Bhutanese King, this mountain kingdom is still perhaps the world’s most exclusive tourists destination. Due to the Royal Government’s far-sighted policy to preserve the countries pristine environment and its culture, the harmful effects to industrialization and mass tourism on the environment and the traditional lifestyle of Bhutanese have been carefully avoided. This makes Bhutan a truly unique destination. An unspoiled country with majestic mountains, a unique cultural heritage preserved for many centuries, an architectural style like no other, a landfill of warm hearted and friendly people, reveals a true paradise in the lost era of the present century.

People in Bhutan
The country's population of 600, 000 is composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are of Nepalese origin settled in the southern foothills of the country in the early twentieth century. This ethnic diversity of the people has resulted in numerous dialects and languages that are spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha is the National language. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken.

Religion in Bhutan
Buddhism was introduced in Bhutan in the 7th century by Guru Padma Sambhava. in the centuries that followed, Bhutan was home to many sages and saints including the great saints-scholars like Longchen Ramjam, also known as Kuenkhen Longchen Raamjam, (1308 - 1363). Various schools of Buddhism in Bhutan assimilated other earlier practices and beliefs. The aspirations towards enlightenment and the belief in the widely shared among Buddhists and majority of the innate goodness of human beings are Bhutanese are Buddhists. Hinduism is another religion, practised particularly in Southern Bhutan. The Hindu religion as practised by Southern Bhutanese has many common saints and divinities with Vajrayana, the school of Buddhism prevalent in Bhutan. Buddhism has a significant influence on the values of the Bhutanese and has shaped the institutions, organizations, arts, drama, architecture, literature and social structure. Bhutan's culture, as in other societies, is continually adapting itself in the face of development.

The importance of religious institutions continues in present day Bhutan, as signified by the strength of the monk body who number about 5000 in Dratshangs or Rabdeys supported by the state. This figure takes into account only those monks who are part of the formal monastic structure supported by the state and excludes those who are not part of the state sponsored Dratshangs. The Rabdeys are based mainly in dzongs. Each Rabdey is healed by a Lam Neten who is appointed by His Holiness the Je Kherpo (Heal Abbot), the elected Head of the Central Monk Body. The present je Kherpo is the 70th incumbent. His Holiness the Je Kherpo is the chairman of the nine member Dratshang Lhentshog. Monks continue to play an important role in the daily lives of the people in performing religious ceremonies, and in promoting and preserving traditional scholarship. They are also actively involved in the process of development while constantly renewing their relevance to society in times of change.

History in Bhutan
Till well into the 17th Century, Bhutan was split up into small independent principalities. After the arrival of Buddhism, during the seventh century, the various Buddhist schools began sharing the power in the country with the old aristocratic families.

The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel united the independent principalities into one state. After his death the theocracy disintegrated and the provincial lords fought to gain control over the central power. Only the establishment of the monarchy in 1907 brought peace again. Today the fourth King of Bhutan is leading his country into modern times.

Climate in Bhutan
Bhutan enjoys four seasons each having its advantages and disadvantages to the visitor. The southern plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than higher central valleys. Spring is perhaps the most beautiful time of the year when the fierce cold that characterizes the winter months tends to subside towards the end of February with beautiful Rhododendron blooming with spectacular flaming red, pink and white colors. Summer months in the southern region are generally hot whereas in other parts of the country it is warm and pleasant with average maximum temperatures not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and the minimum at around 10-15 degrees Celsius. The annual monsoon from the Bay of Bengal is also experienced around the country between June and September.

Geography in Bhutan
Bhutan is a landlocked country. It is about 47,000 kilometres - roughly the size of Switzerland. It is located between Tibet in the north, Indian states of West Bengal and Assam in the south, and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.

Bhutan has three major land regions. The Great Himalayan region in the north rises more than 4300 m (14,000 ft) along the Tibetan border. This area is uninhabited except for a few scattered settlements in the high valleys. The Great Himalayas radiate southward into central Bhutan, creating the Middle Himalayan zone.

Flora & Fauna in Bhutan
Bhutan enjoys four seasons each having its advantages and disadvantages to the visitor. The southern plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than higher central valleys. Spring is perhaps the most beautiful time of the year when the fierce cold that characterizes the winter months tends to subside towards the end of February with beautiful Rhododendron blooming with spectacular flaming red, pink and white colors. Summer months in the southern region are generally hot whereas in other parts of the country it is warm and pleasant with average maximum temperatures not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and the minimum at around 10-15 degrees Celsius. The annual monsoon from the Bay of Bengal is also experienced around the country between June and September.

The autumn months from September to November bring shorter days and cooler evenings. The days are crisp with clear skies. Views over the Himalayas are usually the best during September to March. Beginning December the weather takes on its winter coat where days remain crisp and the nights turn cold. The southern region however being much lower have a more temperate climate and considerably warmer winters.