Bhutan, A hidden Himalayas Kingdom

Introduction:

Bhutan is an extraordinary place hardly touched by the hands of time. Nestling in the heart of the great Himalaya, it remained in self-imposed isolation for centuries, aloof from the rest of the world. The environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture are awesome, the people are hospitable and charming, and the culture unique in its purity.

Only a lucky few thousand people, who can afford to spend more than two
hundred dollars a day, get to visit the kingdom of Bhutan in a year. 
The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach
to the development of tourism in the kingdom in an effort to avoid the
negative impacts of tourism on the culture and the environment. All tourists
must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided package tour.
Independent travel is not permitted. 
All visa applications must be channeled through the Tourism Authority of Bhutan (TAB) from a selected tour operator. With notification of approval and receipt of full payment, visas are issued when you arrive in the country at the entry points, either Paro airport or Phuentsholing (land entry)..

Fact at a Glance:

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Name:  Kingdom of Bhutan 
Area:  47,000 sq km 
Elevation: lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m ; highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m 
Population:  800,000 (July 2000 est.) 
Capital city:  Thimphu 
People:  Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% 
Language: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects 
Religion:  Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% 
Currency: : 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; USD $1 = about 44 Nu.
( Note - Indian currency is also legal tender .)
Economy:  The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry. Major industries: Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide, rice, corn, root crops, citrus, dairy products, eggs.

Major trading partners: India, Bangladesh, Japan, U.K., Germany, U.S.

Temperature: Temperature  varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas .

The best time to visit is October and November and during major festivals.

Buhan People:

Bhutan is comprised of a mosaic of different peoples who continue to live in valleys isolated from one another and the outside world by formidable mountain passes. It is possible to divide Bhutan's population into
three broad ethnic groups, though the distinctions blur in places. 

Southern Bhutan is inhabited mainly by Nepalese farmers who arrived in the country at the end of the 19th century. They brought the Hindu religion with them as well as the Nepalese language, which is still spoken today over much of Southern Bhutan. 

The central Himalayan region is the home of the Drukpa people, who are of
Mongoloid origin. Most breed cattle or cultivate the land, and their dwellings are spread over a wide area. 

The Northern Himalayan Zone, over 3,000 m (9,000 feet), is the haunt of semi nomadic yak herdsmen. They spend most of the year in their black yak hair tents, but also possess dry-stone walled houses, where they spend the coldest months of the year and which are used to store their goods.

Believed to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, the Sharchops are of Indo-Mongolian type, though their exact origin is unknown (Tibet being the most likely source). At present, they live mainly in the east of Bhutan.

Geography & Environment :

Although it measures only 110 miles from the north to south and 200 miles  from east to west, Bhutan - called by its people Druk Yul, "the Land of the
Thunder Dragon" -- is home to a remarkable variety of climates and ecosystems.

Landlocked Bhutan is bounded on the north and north-west by Tibet, with India nudging its remaining borders. Virtually the entire country is mountainous, peaking at the 7554m (24,777ft) Kulha Gangri on the Tibetan border. 

North to south it features three geographic regions; 

--- The high Himalaya of the north, 
--- The hills and valleys of the centre, 
---The foothills and plains of the south. 

Its great rivers helped sculpt its geography and their enormous potential for hydropower has helped shape the economy.

Due to centuries of isolationism, its small population and topographical extremes, Bhutan's ecosystem is virtually intact, and boasts the most varied habitats and a rich array of animal and plant species. 

Under Bhutanese law, 60% of the kingdom will remain forested for all time. There is currently a remarkable 72% forest cover and an astonishing array of plants; more than 5000 species, including over 300 medicinal strains. There are 165 species of mammals including many rare and endangered animals such as the golden langur, snow leopard and red panda. So far, 675 species of birds have been recorded, including the rare and endangered black-necked crane.

Just over a quarter of the kingdom is in protected areas, all of which encompass inhabited regions. A progressive Integrated Conservation and Development Program reconciles the needs of the community with environmental protection, the foundation of Bhutan's entire economic ethos.

 National parks sustain important ecosystems and have not been developed as tourist attractions. In many cases you won't even be aware that you are entering or leaving a protected area.

Bhutan's climate varies widely from the tropical southern border areas to the perpetually snow-covered peaks of the high Himalaya, just 150km (93mi) north as the crow flies. At the same latitude as Miami and Cairo, its climate depends largely on elevation. It bears the brunt of the monsoon, receiving more rainfall than other Himalayan regions, sometimes up to 5.5m (18ft) a year.

History:

Bhutan has never been colonized and, although recorded history mentions the country in the 7th century, its independence was recognized even
before that. In the 8th century, the great Tantric mystic Guru Padmasambhava (more popularly known as Guru Rimpoche in Bhutan) came to Bhutan from Swat, in present-day Pakistan, and spread the Buddhist faith through the land, planting the seeds of the culture that flourishes today.  Temples and monasteries dating from the 8th century still stand as hallowed places in contemporary Bhutan. 

The next defining event in Bhutan's history was the arrival of Ngawang Namgyel, the "Shabdrung" (literally, "at whose feet one submits") in 1616. The Shabdrung was the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. 

After repelling numerous Tibetan invasions, the Shabdrung subdued the many warring feudal overlords and brought all of Bhutan under the influence of the Drukpa Kagyud School. His 35 year reign also saw the establishment of a nation-wide administration, aspects of which still endure, and the building of dzongs as easily defensible fortresses and seats of local government. In fact, many of the dzongs you see today were built during the Shabdrung's reign. 

The present king, fourth hereditary monarch, is Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk, upon whose coronation in 1974 Bhutan opened its doors to
tourists. Tourism in Bhutan has always been guided by the desire to preserve Bhutan's unique heritage and spectacular natural beauty. 

Bhutan was under Chinese domination off and on from 1720; relations with British began about 1772; acts of violence against British subjects 1863 led to invasion 1865 when by treaty portions were annexed to India; since 1907 under rule of hereditary maharaja; responsibility for external relations assumed by Great Britain in treaty 1910; after 1949 accepted Indian guidance in foreign affairs; territorial claims to parts of the country advanced by China 1958; became a member of the UN 1971. 

Trekking: 

Bhutan offers great opportunities for trekking with its splendid scenic
beauty, lofty mountains and deep valleys untempered by modernization. It provides scenic beauty which gradually unfolds in all its glory and charm. Lifestyles change from the colorful lively pace of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, to the more traditional, simple remote mountain villages only traveled to by foot.  The land is thinly
populated with scattered settlements. A person may walk for several days before sighting a village. 

Trekking in Bhutan is a recent development, although the Himalayas have always held a long-standing attraction to the Western world for trekking and mountaineering. Bhutan is one of the most exclusive and rare destinations for any tourist. The beautiful landscape, unique architecture, snowcapped peaks, colorful dzongs, Lamaist Buddhist traditions and friendly people leave an everlasting impression on the visitor. Trekking permits are required for all parties. 

FESTIVALS

 
The Festivals in Bhutan have reputations for being raucous, joyous affairs. The most popular for tourists are those held in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of year for the tourism industry. Airplane tickets and hotel rooms are frequently difficult to come by. The dzongs come to life with color, music, and dancing as valley dwellers and townsfolk dress in their finest clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked and sword dances and other rituals are performed in dzong courtyards and temples. Most of the dances date back from before the middle ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village elders dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of
huge religious appliqués or throngdrels. The moment of the
unveiling is shrouded in secrecy andcreates great excitement among all the participants. 

Tourists are allowed into the dzongs to watch the festivals, but are not allowed into the inner sanctuaries.
Photography should always be discreet. It is generally allowed for photographs to be taken at tsechus but not at dromches.

ARCHERY
Archery is the much loved national sport of Bhutan. Each village has
its own archery range, and it is impossible to imagine any festival taking place without a high-spirited competition. Contests take place year round. The distance between the two targets is about 120 meters. The targets are made of wood splashed with colorful patterns.
Inter-village rivalry is common throughout the kingdom and this rivalry is no more fiercely expressed than during annual archery tournaments. They are generally held during Losar (Bhutanese New Year coinciding with February or March of the calendar) but smaller competitions are held throughout the year.
The tournament's excitement begins the night before the contest. Teams employ astrologers to assist in the selection process and to cast spells on
the opposition. Each team spends the night prior to the match together in an
age-old tradition of sleeping  in the barn or the forest, depending on the outcome of the astrologers calculations. Apart from improving team spirit, it  is thought that a man should not spend the night before the tournament with his wife as his concentration may begin to waiver the following day.

The tournament itself begins with initiation ceremonies and a traditional
breakfast. Alcohol flows from early in the day and spirits are always high. As the day passes and the alcohol takes effect, the party becomes more and more raucous. Opponents whisper obscenities into their adversaries' ears and dance diversionary dances in front of the target. 
Women from each village participate in the fun by singing for their team and jeering at the opposing team. 

FESTIVAL DATES. 
The festivals listed below are considered the larger and more well known. Small villages through out Bhutan have their own local festivals that are too numberous to list here. 

Nepal & Himalayas Kingdoms Expeditions 2001 & 2002:

NP01 - Mt. Everest Nepal Side Trek

NP02 - Kathmandu - Pakhara - Ghorepani Trek

NP03 -  Lobuche Peak Trek 

NP05 - Nepal- Sikkim - Bhutan,    3  Countries in One Expedition

NP06 - Upper Dolpo Restricted Area Trek

NP07 - Round Manaslu Restricted Area Trek

NP08 - Special Tour of Nepal for Students / Young People

NP09 - Helicopter & Balloon Himalays Tours

Optional Short Tours:

MT. EVEREST FLIGHT TOUR: FOR ONE HOUR WHICH IS CONDUCTED FOM KATHMANDU TOWARDS MT. EVEREST AND BACK. IT IS AN HOUR LONG JOURNEY THAT LEAVES MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME. FLYING AT 25,000 FT. WITH A GUARANTEED WINDOW SEAT AND WONDERFUL VIEW OF MT. EVEREST RANGE. THE FLIGHT DURATION IS TOTAL 45 MINUTES .
THE COST: US$ 170. / PER PERSON (FLIGHT COST ONLY)