Bhutan is an independent kingdom in the eastern Himalayas. It borders India, to the south and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China to the north. King Jigme Singe Wangchuck is the present monarch and the fourth ruler of the dynasty founded by his great-grandfather in December 1907. Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom and practices Mahayana Buddhism of the Drukpa Kagyupa sect.
Because of its strict regulations and monitoring system, it was always difficult for outsiders to enter this Himalayan Kingdom. Centuries of isolation have kept the Bhutanese religion and culture to its original state. It is the most isolated country in the Himalayas, having opened up to tourism in 1974. Two and a half decades have not brought much of a Western or industrialized influence into Bhutanese society. Most of its natural resources have not been exploited for commercial development as yet. Ancient Dzong fortresses and monasteries, unspoiled landscapes, lush green hills and valleys, turquoise blue mountain lakes, clean rivers, and sharp snow-capped mountains are among the attraction here.
The highest mountain in Bhutan is 7,200 m. Mt. Chomolhari. A 7 to 15-day trek will take you very close to its base, where nomadic Yak herders still live. Blue sheep, Tibetan snow cock, numerous different species of birds, and Langur monkeys are among the fauna seen along the Chomolhari trek routes.
The attraction of Bhutan includes its clean environment, friendly people and great hospitality, well-preserved tradition, and culture, as well as sparsely populated and highly controlled tourism. Tsechu festivals are held in honor of Padma Sambhava, the Buddhist saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 11th century. The festivals consist of 3 to 5 days of spectacular mask dances performed by monks. These festivals are held in the months of February, March, April, June, September, October, November, and December, usually between the second and the fourth week of each month. The Bhutanese gather in their finest clothing and jewelry in the courtyards of Dzong fortresses to witness and celebrate the sacred teachings of the Buddha. Tsechu festivals are the best times to visit Bhutan. Formal dress is required for all festivals. Our cultural tours & adventure treks to Bhutan range from 4 to 28 days. We have over ten different itineraries available. The following are a few samples of our tours & treks to Bhutan, please inquire for details
Best Seasons to Visit:
April through May and September through December. High-altitude treks are done best between September and November, and cultural tours can be done year around.
Travel Tips:
Travel to Bhutan is adventurous and fun because it is the most isolated country on the Asian sub-continent where the local traditional customs and the natural environment are found intact. For these reasons, we want to visit and discover Bhutan. But remember that this is an underdeveloped country where we may face delays and difficulties in modern transportation and communication systems. Therefore, those going to Bhutan for trekking, involving the high passes and remote areas, should be fit physically and mentally. All our treks in Bhutan involving high passes end by the end of October. Trekkers should bring warm and all-weather clothes. Please ask for details.
Bhutan Visa Procedures:
To process your visa, we require confirmation of your trip with full payment and passport details. Once your visa is processed, we will immediately fax you a visa number. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you must present your visa number. A visa will then be stamped in your passport for the duration of your tour. Please bring along two passport picture size photos either in color or black and white. Present these photos with your passport at the Paro Airport. Or, if entering Bhutan by road, present them at Phuntsoling (a town bordering the Indian state of West Bengal). Best Seasons to Visit:
April through May and September through December. High-altitude treks are done best between September and November, and cultural tours can be done year around.