| Bhutan means " Land Of The Thunder
Dragon " because of the violent
storms that descend from the Himalayas.
Bhutan is bordered on the North and
Northwest by China and to the East,
South and Southwest by India. The capital
of Bhutan is Thimpu which is also the
largest city of the country. Thimpu
was formerly the winter capital until
1962 when it was declared the permanent
seat of the Government. Bhutan is almost
entirely mountainous with a narrow strip
along the southern border- the Duars,
its only area of flat land. Until 1960s
Bhutan lived an isolated life but after
the introduction of first surfaced road,
it gradually opened its doors to tourists
in 1974. Majority of Bhutan's population
is the Bhotia (or Bhote, derived from
Bod, the ancient name of Tibet). The
official language is Dzongkha, a Tibetan
dialect, although English and Nepali
are also widely spoken. The official
religion is a Lamaist form of Mahayana
Buddhism also referred to as Tibetan
Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism was brought
to the area after the arrival of the
Bhotia and by the mid 16th century there
were many dzongs (fortified monasteries)
in the Himalayan valleys.
Bhutan is rich in its culture as
well as in its biodiversity. Nearly
three quarters of the total area is
covered by forests. The lush valleys,
the radiant snow capped peaks, the
beautiful rural landscapes and the
rich Himalayan flora and fauna of
Bhutan will leave you in awe. Bhutan
still maintains its culture and traditions
in the same way it did centuries ago.
The scope for trekking in Bhutan is
immense from short walks to arduous
treks. Trekking gives an opportunity
to see the beautiful Kingdom of Bhutan
at its most magnificent form. Most
trek routes follow the old trading
route between different valleys. From
the towering snow peaks of the inner
Himalayas to the verdant forests which
cloak the hills above its peaceful
valleys, the trails are clean, unspoiled,
and the wilderness still pristine
in it's beauty. Some of the treks
that are listed above offer enchanting
vistas of the Himalayas. All our trekking
programs are well planned and accompanied
by efficient, trained team who take
care of all the necessities. |
