Bhutan
Land of the Thunder Dragon
Once known as the Hermit Kingdom of the Himalayas, Bhutan is
one of the most isolated countries on this planet and the only
Vajrayãna (Tantric) Buddhist kingdom in the world.
Bhutan has managed to remain nearly untouched by outside
influence, with its religion, architecture, environment and lifestyle
much the same as they have been for centuries.
Although travellers are most welcome, the number of tourists
entering Bhutan is restricted - it had only opened up to tourists 10
years before our visit and only 4,000 visitors were allowed each
year. The kingdom has managed to remain nearly untouched by
outside influence, with its religion, architecture, environment and
lifestyle much the same as they have been for centuries. This
unspoilt, open, relatively unpopulated country was a stark contrast
to Kathmandu - it was like stepping back 100 years.
Nepal
Gateway to the Himalayas
Locked between India and Tibet, the tiny kingdom of Nepal is a
country full of diversity and fascination. It is a Kingdom of great
beauty embracing eight of the world's ten highest mountains
including Everest, Annapurna and Kangchenjunga. To the south of
the great Himalaya, sub tropical jungles are alive with magnificent
animals and colourful birds.
Nepal is still largely without roads; long established trails and
ancient trading routes connect isolated villages where life and
customs have changed little over the years. Only on foot can you
discover the true nature of the country and it seems to be every
trekker’s dream to trek amongst the world’s highest mountains.
Flight from Nepal to Bhutan
Our 1.5 hour Druk Air flight took us over the beautiful
southern plains of Nepal and the Great Himalaya in the north
with fantastic views of the Himalaya including Mt. Everest.
(Views of Kangchenjunga as we left Nepal and soon after the
Chomolhari and Jichudrake in Bhutan.) We flew up ever
narrowing valleys until the Paro Valley, then the plane
descended on a spiral course over a patchwork of cultivated
fields dotted with the traditional Bhutanese houses of wood,
slate and whitewashed stone. At the time of our flight there
were only 12 trained pilots in the world who could land here.
