Bhutan Travel, Bhutan Tours, Trekking in Bhutan Part 1

Slightly larger than Switzerland and only one third the size of Nepal, Bhutan has slowly emerged from its former self-imposed isolationism, cautiously embracing modernizing influences in telecommunications, broadcasting, industrial development, and political reform. It is the inspirational Buddhist tradition of Bhutan, insulated from the turbulence and insecurity of neighboring lands, combined with a relatively undeveloped infrastructure, that long secured the country’s reputation as the most mysterious land in South Asia. The first motor roads were constructed only in the 1960s, cable television was introduced in the late 1990s and in the first decade of the 21st century a mobile phone network was established. Most foreign exchange in Bhutan is generated by the export of hydroelectric power to India, which means that, unlike Nepal, the country has had little economic dependence on tourism. Affluent foreign visitors are charged high daily rates for the privilege of internal travel, and freewheeling backpackers or independent travelers are unable to enter the country. Such policies ensure that the number of visitors is self-limiting and that the negative impact of mass tourism can be avoided. While there are many guesthouses offering simple accommodation, Bhutan has within the last decade attracted high-end hotel development, with the collaboration of the Taj, Como, and Aman international chains. The beauty of Luxury Bhutan Tours This is without doubt a country of unmistakable natural beauty, where ecological issues are at the forefront of everyday concerns and where pristine forests extend from the Himalayan snow massifs of the north through the precipitous mid-mountain belt to the plantations and nature reserves of the southern plains. The dramatic changes in terrain and vertical climatic zones sustain a rich diversity of flora and fauna, characteristic of both Central and South Asia. Moreover, Bhutan Tours may be regarded as a microcosm of Tibetan culture, preserving intact traditions, lifestyles, art and architecture that have been subjected to periods of revolutionary change and devastation in Tibet itself over the last 50 years. Equally, it is important to recognize that Bhutan has evolved its own distinctive national identity over the last 350 years, resolutely maintaining its independence from both Tibet and India. Bhutan Tours - North, south, east and west The north and the more remote central and southerly parts of Bhutan are even now only accessible by trekking, which offers not only spectacular scenery but also a chance to see the village people maintaining their ancient skills and crafts. Several of the fast-flowing rivers are suitable for white-water rafting. The bleak pastures of the high Himalayan ranges are grazed by nomads (drokpa), the decorative farmhouses of the central valleys are inhabited by Drukpa, Monpa and Sharchokpa communities; and the jungle terrain of the south bordering India has been largely settled by the Lhotsampa of Nepalese origin. Relentless winding roads, exposed to landslides in the rainy season and snow drifts in winter, tenuously link the west of the country with the center and the east, as well as with the trading towns of the south, such as Phuntsoling, where decorative Bhutan Tours Gates demarcate the Indian border crossings.