Destination Bhutan

Bhutan: Where Nature tells stories of Buddha

As a plane approaches towards its landing zone, a unique piece of land surrounded by a wall of high mountains starts revealing itself. As the airport gets closer you see toy-like small homes, ribbon-like streets and rivers on blocks of green with shadows of floating clouds making dark spots at places. It's a flight of fantasy which ends at Paro Airport, the international gateway to Bhutan, a picturesque mountainous land, locked by mountains on all sides. Situated fairly close to the border of West Bengal, Bhutan is the shortest distant foreign land that you can visit. If a foreign trip is on your card for long, Bhutan can well fulfill your wish. Even if you are not from Bengal, reaching Bhutan is easy, thanks to the high availability of flight service.

Located in the eastern end of the mighty Himalayas, Bhutan is the last existing Buddhist kingdom in the world, overlooked by neighbors like India, China, Nepal, Bangladesh and India's North-Eastern state of Sikkim. Being surrounded by mountains full of lush greeneries, Bhutan is fabulously rich, in terms of scenic beauty, which makes it an alluring tourist destination. The country appears like the bottom end of a bowl with walls made of mountains. The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is also known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon since it often experiences the tremendous storm from the Himalayas. Apart from mountains with altitude ranging up to 23,000 feet, landscapes of Bhutan also consist of sub-tropical plains. The subalpine Himalayan heights dominate the Northern part of the country while the Southern part is comparatively plain. Bhutan is also blessed by Mother Nature in the form of rivers which have flown through different parts of the country and have passed by all the major cities adding to their breathtaking scenic beauty. However, scenic surroundings and peaceful atmosphere are not the only factors that have encouraged tourism in Bhutan. The unique culture of the country which is still dominated by age-old traditions, its rich heritage and art and craft of local people and their lifestyles together make Bhutan a charming place. Another unique feature of this Buddhist land is the Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is a land where people's quality of life and their social progress are measured. Policy decisions and allocation of resources are reviewed according to this national happiness index.

Bhutan offers a complete package to its visitors, in terms of tourism and is among the most romantic places to be at. Green landscapes at the horizon and sound of water flowing on the rivers throughout the day and night add to the charm that travelers look for in their romantic trips. Especially for honeymoon couples, Bhutan is enthralling. A gentle stroll through streets of the towns, cities and the wilderness areas on a moonlit evening or night could be an unforgettable experience for you. Though scenic beauty certainly tops the list of features that Bhutan possesses, rich history of the ancient Buddhist kingdom, which are written on the walls and pillars of the monasteries and stupas and hidden in chambers inside temples and in the dark corners of the fortresses or Dzongs attract many visitors who are curious about the past of kingdoms and civilization. The forests of Bhutan are also equally enthralling since they are home to diverse species of wild animals. Bhutan is a land that you can explore in your own way. You can opt for exploring the scenic Nature of Bhutan or stay at the big cities where streets, lanes, buildings, and restaurant stands as great examples of cleanliness and hygiene. At Bhutan, you need not follow any travel guide but yet you must ensure visits to some of the top sites in the country.