v illage - Bhutan Village Tour

About Bhutan
The Country
Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed nations in the world. Nonetheless, survey data from the country suggests it is also one of the happiest. Nestled in the
foreboding Himalayan mountains, Bhutan is a landlocked Kingdom situated in South Central Asia, bordering Tibet and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and
Arunachal Pradesh. Known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, visiting Bhutan offers a truly authentic experience with a culture that has been relatively untouched by outside
influence. With towering mountains, intricate architecture, welcoming people and a philosophy steeped in the Buddhism, visitors are guaranteed the experience of a lifetime.
Landscape
Bhutan has been identified as one of the 10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world. Its various exotic ecosystems are home to an estimated 770 species of birds and 55 species of
rhododendron, along with over 300 varieties of medicinal plants. Nine national parks and wildlife sanctuaries hold some of the rarest animals in the world including the snow
leopard, red panda, black-necked crane and golden langur.
People
Visitors will find that the local people have a wonderful sense of humor and are eager to share their culture and their country. Opened for tourism in 1974, the Bhutanese have
maintained strong ties to their religion and customs, allowing visitors to experience the country as is has been for hundreds of years. The people of Bhutan treasure their natural
environment and have lived in harmony with its elements, respecting the sanctity of life and revering the mountains, forests and rivers as abodes of gods and spirits. Bhutan is also
one of the happiest nations in the world, with a strong philosophy regulated by the King, that Bhutan will measure success in terms of Gross National Happiness.
Natural Heritage
For centuries, Bhutan has been known as the valley of Medicinal Herbs, a name that still applies to this day. The country’s rich flora and fauna is the result of its unique location
in the Eastern Himalayas. The annual rainfall, which is significantly higher than in the Central and Western Himalayas, and its dramatic climate changes create a region that is ideal
for the cultivation of a variety of vegetation. Because of deep traditional reverence for nature, Bhutan is a leading country in environmental preservation. More than 70% of the
region is blanketed by thick forests. Many parts of the country have been declared wildlife reserves and as a result are the natural habitats for rare species of both flora and fauna.
Many of its towering peaks are off limits to climbers, leaving a vast swath of countryside that is pristine.
Tourism Policy
The Tourism Policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan is one of “high value and low volume”. The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability,
meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. For this reason the number for tourists visiting
Bhutan are kept to an environmentally manageable level through government regulated tourist tariffs. This, in part, helps to maintain the Bhutanese culture and economy.
Climate
Bhutan has four distinct seasons. Spring is arguably the most beautiful time of the year in the Kingdom. In March, at the height of spring, the whole Kingdom comes to life with a
stunning display of pink and white Rhododendron blossoms. The annual rain from the Bay of Bengal affects the South and Central regions during the summer months of June, July
and August. The end of the rainy reason, also a popular time to visit, marks the closing months of summer. The days are filled with pristine skies and warm weather. The Autumn
months of September to November bring shorter days and cooler evenings. The days remain very comfortable with clear skies. Views over the high Himalayas are usually only
possible from September to March. Towards the end of November the weather turns colder. Winter brings fierce cold that tends to subside towards the end of February around
the Bhutanese New Year. The Southern low lying areas have a more temperate climate and considerably warmer winters. Clear skies in the winter months bring colder weather
but it’s also the best time of the year to view the snow-capped peaks of the high Himalayan Mountains.
Festivals or Tshechus
One of the main attractions in the Kingdom are its annual festivals, also known as Tshechus, celebrated to honor Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rimpoche. For local
people, Tshechus are an occasion for blessing, feasting and socializing. Two of the most popular Tshechus are held in Paro in the spring and Thimphu in the autumn, but there are
various others all year long at temples, Dzongs and monasteries throughout Bhutan. The highlight of any festival is the costumed dancers, who act out stories with colorful masks
and thundering instruments. Townspeople dress in their best clothes and join together to rejoice.
Architecture
The characteristic style and colors of every building is one of the most striking physical features of Bhutan. The Dzongs, which house the monastic and government bodies, are
built on a grand scale without the help of any drawing and are outstanding examples of the best in Bhutanese architecture. Carved patterns in a kaleidoscope of colors blanket
every inch of these magnificent buildings.
Arts and Crafts
Like its architecture, the arts are important parts of Bhutanese culture and they depict the spiritual depth of Bhutanese life. Painters use vegetables dyes to give their work a
unique appearance seen nowhere else in the world. Each painting is intricate in design and stunning with its variety and intensity of color. Bhutan also boasts an unparalleled
wealth in its cottage industry for a country its size. Fine handicrafts of wood and bamboo, ornaments of gold and silver, and highly developed weaving skills represent an
advanced art form.
phone/fax 00975-020336384 (Bhutan) I 603-978-7807 (U.S.) I email info@villagetandt.com I www.villagetandt.com