|
Take a journey backward in time, to a country where life passes much the same way it has for thousands of years. Bhutan is the last surviving Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, and its traditional religion and culture continue to flourish even as Western tourists arrive on airflights from the "outside" world. Druk Yul is the native term for Bhutan, and this is indeed the "land of the thunder dragon," where fierce storms regularly sweep down from surrounding ranges.
Nestled in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan did not emerge from its self-imposed isolation until 1974, when the country cautiously opened its doors to the world. Since then, visitors have come in growing but still relatively small numbers, discovering the kingdom's pristine environment, unique culture and architecture, and hospitable residents.
Bhutan is a trekker's paradise, especially in contrast to the more celebrated (and crowded) trails and parks of its neighboring country Nepal. In the clear skies of autumn, the country's countless mountain peaks loom over the lands and waters below, enchanting visitors with dramatic vistas. If that weren't enough, a system of national parks and wildlife preserves boasting some of the planet's rarest and most spectacular wildlife beckons the adventurous traveler.
|
|
)
