BHUTAN
Our tour through Bhutan is a truly spectacular road trip through one of the world’s least explored countries. Throughout the trip, we will travel at a leisurely pace through a part of the eastern Himalayas that offers breathtaking views of some of the world’s highest mountains. We will visit magnificent natural areas, and take leisurely-paced hikes through a variety of natural environments and cultural landscapes. We will stay in hotels of good or medium standard. All hikes will be conducted at a relaxed pace. However, the hike to Tiger’s Nest is somewhat more physically challenging due to the steep ascent to the monastery. Nevertheless, all hikes will be done at a slow and comfortable pace.

A trip to Bhutan is markedly different from traveling to most other countries in the world, as the nation’s nature and culture are so remarkably well-preserved. An astounding 70% of the country is still covered by ancient forests, and a full 51% of the land is under nature protection. Significant efforts are made to preserve the country’s cultural uniqueness. Bhutan is the only country in the world entirely without traffic lights. The country boasts a hospitable population and a tranquility that gives visitors a palpable “feel-good” sensation.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Bhutan is a small country in the eastern Himalayas of South Asia, roughly the size of Switzerland. It is surrounded by India, Tibet, and China, with no coastline of its own, making it entirely landlocked by its neighboring countries. The people of Bhutan call their country “The Land of the Thunder Dragon,” or Druk Yul. Bhutan has a population of just over 700,000, most of whom live on the central plateau. The inhabitants, known as Drukpas, or “Dragon People,” originate from three different ethnic groups. The indigenous Sharchops are from the eastern part of the country. The other groups, making up the population, originally came from Tibet and Nepal. The state religion is Mahayana Buddhism, with the Buddhist community led by lamas, who hold the same status as the king, who otherwise governs the country. Bhutan is the only country in the world where this type of religion is the state religion.

The capital, Thimphu, is located in the central part of the country along the Wang Chu River. With just under 80,000 inhabitants, the city was only founded in the 1950s. All architecture in Thimphu is built according to Buddhist tradition, richly decorated, and very beautiful. Thimphu is unique in that there isn’t a single traffic light in the city.

Bhutan is a country that has deliberately chosen not to follow the path of industrialization. The nation prioritizes high national happiness over a high GDP. The people of Bhutan highly value their Buddhist traditions, which emphasize a life free from stress and career ambitions. The main sources of income are agriculture and forestry, practiced on a small scale. The daily life, culture, and history of Bhutan are deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. Throughout the year, the country hosts numerous festivals in the spirit of Buddhism. Archery is the national sport.

NATURE IN BHUTAN
Bhutan is a country of extraordinary natural beauty, filled with majestic mountains, winding rivers, and lush forests. This land is a biodiversity hotspot, where the flora and fauna continue to amaze with the frequent discovery of new plant and animal species. Bhutan’s terrain is predominantly mountainous, ranging in elevation from 100 meters to 7,500 meters, boasting some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. The nation is geographically divided into three distinct regions: the high peaks of the northern Greater Himalayas, the forested hills and valleys, and the foothills and plains in the south. Snow-capped mountains are visible throughout the country, with the highest peak, Kula Kangri, reaching 7,533 meters above sea level. Below the mountains, alpine meadows spread out, with grazing animals, and there are extensive forests. Beautiful Buddhist monasteries, unique landmarks of Bhutan, are found throughout the country. In the southern regions, the land becomes more fertile around the Brahmaputra River, where the majority of the country’s food is cultivated.

The climate in Bhutan varies greatly. In the southern regions, the climate is tropical, becoming temperate on the plateaus. In the north, the climate is alpine, almost arctic at the highest elevations. Bhutan is under Indian military protection. Tourism in Bhutan is regulated by the government; visitors cannot simply enter the country and explore on their own. Only pre-arranged group tours are permitted, and only about 20,000 travelers visit each year.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FOCUS OF THE TOUR
We will spend significant time hiking through the most beautiful parts of the country, providing excellent opportunities for landscape photography throughout the journey. We will encounter diverse natural environments, including year-round green rainforests, bamboo forests, hemlock forests, rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, river valleys, and wetlands.

For species photography, the bird fauna will be the most accessible. The trip offers the chance to capture spectacular and beautiful bird species such as the Himalayan Monal, Khalij Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Ibisbill, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rosy-throated Trogon, and Himalayan Griffon. We will also encounter many stunning species from typical Asian bird genera, including laughingthrushes, yuhinas, warblers, sunbirds, and babblers. Additionally, we will see several new species from familiar bird families such as rosefinches, redstarts, sparrows, and nightingales.

A significant portion of the journey will traverse ancient agricultural landscapes. The buildings in the villages feature exceptionally well-preserved traditional architecture. We will see rice terraces and small-scale agricultural fields with traditional fencing systems. The trip includes visits to a number of spectacular temples, monasteries, dzongs, and forts, providing opportunities to photograph in many unique cultural settings.