Bhutan

(The Land of the Thunder Dragon)

Travelling east from Nepal, there rests nestled in the heart of the mighty Himalaya a country, known to the natives as Druk Yul or the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Written history finds Bhutan mentioned in the seventh century when Buddhism reached the land. After a long period of internal strife, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who consolidated his spiritual and temporal authority over Bhutan and established the Drukpa Kagyupa tradition of Mahayana Buddhism from which it derives its native name united the country. The sect has continued to this day as the state religion.

Bhutan’s Buddhist leanings are reflected in the rambling hillsides dotted with prayer flags swaying sombrely in the cool mountain breeze, monasteries perched precariously on rock faces, and chortens. Taktshang or “Tiger’s Nest” is one among the many fascinating monasteries that leave tourists as well as locals spellbound by its breathtaking appearance. Religious festivals or Tshechus attract hordes of common folk.Hence, to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Kingdom, a visit during either the spring or autumn months during which they are held will be very rewarding. Of these Tshechus, the most accessible, and also the most popular among tourists, are those held in Paro and Thimpu. Gigantic fortresses or dzongs, fashioned largely of stone, stand testimony to Bhutan’s military past whilst presenting a glimpse of its uniquearchitecture.
FORMALITIES

Bhutan is virtually new to the concept of tourism and maintains a policy of “restricted” tourism. Hence, the Royal Government of Bhutan has formulated a set of administrative requirements and regulates tourist tariffs. All tours are packaged. Daily tariffs for tourists in a group of four are US$ 200 for cultural tours. The rates are inclusive of charges for accommodation, food, land transport inside Bhutan, services of guides and porters, supply of pack and riding ponies where applicable, and cultural programs when and where available. Expenses of a personal nature, however, are not included in the tariffs. The rates apply uniformly irrespective of locations, seasons, and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. To prevent delay or any inconvenience to your travel schedule, you should book well in advance, listing dates of arrival and departure from Bhutan.

All tour payments also have to be made in advance.To encourage visits to Bhutan, the government has established the Tourism Authority of Bhutan (TAB), which is responsible for all tourism related activities. Visa clearance has to be obtained from the TAB well in advance for which you need to submit three passport size photographs along with the visa application. Without visa clearance, Druk Air will not issue a boarding pass. After approval, actual visa is stamped on the visitor’s passport on arrival at the port of entry. A visa fee of US$ 20 is charged for a period of fifteen days and can be extended for a maximum period of six months on payment of another US$ 20. Charges for visa and extension are not included in the tourist tariff. Similarly, airport tax payable at the time of departing Bhutan are not include.
EXPLORING BHUTAN

Geographically, Bhutan is a land of dramatic contrasts. From the near tropical southern border with India, steep slopes climb to snow-capped heights of over 7,000m. at the northern border with Tibet. Rivers cascade down from frozen glaciers to feed the fertile valleys below. Following these rivers upstream, ferns and forests of oak and other deciduous trees give way to evergreens such as blue pine, spruce, hemlock, cypress, and juniper. Colorful rhododendrons set the mountainsides ablaze in the spring. The trails abound in other flowers, and even the high mountain passes above the treeline support tiny alpine flowers on its windswept terrain.

Herds of domestic yak as well as wild, goat like blue sheep. Even the elusive snow leopard can be spotted on rare occasions. Lower in the forests, small game, wild boar, the Himalaya bear as well as a host of other animals roam. Abundant birdlife can be observed in almost all the regions of the country. A sense of discovery begins with your first footsteps in Bhutan and deepens as you travel along quiet paths through an ancient culture.
SOME PLACES OF INTEREST

The land that has been hidden for centuries has preserved a wealth of sights for visitors. Today, paved roads reach most towns of cultural significance. This network of roads has progressed from west to east, so tourist facilities are more extensive in the western region. The following are the main towns and places included on many cultural tours.

Phuntsoling: This is Bhutan’s border town with the vast Indian plains, and is the overland gateway to the Kingdom. It is the start of a breathtaking drive round hairpin bends through lush forests to the towns and valleys of the inner Himalaya.

Paro: This beautiful terraced valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples as also its sole international airport. The Ta Dzong National Museum is located inside an ancient watchtower here. A short drive from Paro is the Drukgyel Dzong fortress, a strategic entry where the Bhutanese forces repelled the numerous Tibetan invasions from the north. The majestic Chumolhari mountain looms in the background. For many, the two to three hour hike to Taktshang monastery, perched on a cliff above the valley, is a memorable spiritual journey.