Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas, sandwiched between Tibetan region of China in the north and India in the south, lies a mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful Himalayan Kingdom, about the size of Switzerland. It is often referred to the outside world as the last �Shangri La� on earth. The inhabitants themselves call it �Druk Yul�, meaning, the land of the peaceful dragon. The world knows it better as Bhutan.
Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that managed to preserve its environment almost intact. With approximately 72% of the country still under forest cover, Bhutan is blessed with great richness of flora and fauna, a wealth of almost 600 bird species, including the globally threatened Black-Necked Crane. With crystal clear rivers and Majestic Himalayan mountains, the rich wild life includes Tiger, Snow Leopard, Golden Langur, Blue sheep, Takin, Himalayan Black Bear and Red Panda, to name a few.
Bhutan�s small population of around 600,000 people live in close harmony with nature and are the world�s only surviving practitioner of the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism. Despite their small numbers, the Bhutanese have, over the centuries safeguarded their unique culture, tradition and heritage in all aspects of daily life with a passion that is unparalleled.
Apart from enjoying colorful religious mask and folk dances during the festivals or visiting numerous palace like Dzongs (ancient fortresses), each with its fascinating history that depict the impressive Bhutanese architecture, the trekking on the awesome and lofty mountains or bird-watching offer splendid beauty which few sites on earth can compare. Whichever you choose, each experience will linger on your mind and heart, for a long time to come.
If you are looking for a paradise on earth experience, look no further, for Bhutan is the ultimate answer. As a Bhutanese tour operator, we take great pride in the opportunity to show you the magic and beauty of Bhutan.  

HISTORY

Bhutan�s early history is steeped in the Buddhist tradition and mythology. Bhutan�s history parallels Buddhism�s following in the Himalayas and to properly understand Bhutan�s history one also needs to understand its religion. Mystery surrounds Bhutan�s distant past, as books and papers were lost in consecutive fires at the national printing works and at Punakha Dzong in 1828 and 1832. And then a massive earthquake in 1896 and a fire in Paro Dzong destroyed all but a few of the records that outlasted the first disasters.
Bhutan was not unified under a central authority until the 17^th century. However, the religious presence in the country had been acting as a spiritual cohesion for many years. It was in 747AD that Guru Padmasambhava, also considered as the second Buddha, made his legendary trip to Bhutan from Tibet on a back of a flying tigress. He arrived at Taksang (Tiger�s Nest) and meditated there. A monastery now perches precariously on the cliff as a permanent memory to his name. Wherever the saint set foot in those days has today become a pilgrimage site highly revered by the Bhutanese.
Then in 1616, another saint called the �Shabdrung� meaning, �at whose feet one submits� came and unified the country under a central authority. He is responsible for building all the Dzongs (fortresses) in the kingdom and designed the present system of intertwined religious and secular government. To the present day, these Dzongs serve as centre for religious and civil authority.
The country�s recent history begins with a hereditary monarchy that was founded in the early 20^th century and continued the country�s policy of isolationism. It was under the leadership of the third king (present King�s father) that Bhutan emerged from its medieval past of serfdom and reclusion. Until the 1960�s the country had no national currency, no telephones, schools, hospitals, postal services or tourists. Development efforts have now produced all these- plus a national assembly, airport, roads and a national system of health care. Despite the speed of modernization, Bhutan has maintained a policy of careful, controlled growth in an effort to preserve its national identity. The government has also limited its acceptance of tourism.

GEOGRAPHY

The Kingdom of Bhutan is nestled in the eastern Himalayas covering an approximate area of 46,500 square kilometers, roughly 150Kms from north to south and 300Kms from east to west. The kingdom lies between 89 and 92 degrees east and 27 and 28 degrees north. It is bordered by the Tibetan region of China in the north, the Indian states of Sikkim in the west, West Bengal and Assam in the south and Arunachal Pradesh in the east. The terrain is among the most rugged and mountainous in the world, as most of the country includes part of the Himalayan ranges. The land rises from an elevation of about 100 meters above sea level in the south to more than 7,550 meters in the north. The variations in climate are correspondingly extreme. Southern Bhutan is generally hot and humid, while the high Himalayan mountains in the northern borders are under perpetual snow. Climate can vary considerably between valleys and within valleys depending on the altitude.

POPULATION

The population of Bhutan is estimated at 600,000. As in most developing countries, the proportion of the population under 15 is as high as 43%. The population growth rate is 3.1% per year, which is one of the highest in the world. As in many non industrialized countries, the high infant mortality rate in the past induced people to have more children in the hope that at least some of them would survive. Now, with the introduction of better medical facilities, many more children survive, but it takes time for people to adjust their habits. With this in view, various family planning options with the latest techniques are made freely available, accompanied by family planning information campaigns. The government is keenly aware that an increased population will strain the country�s resources. At present, Bhutan has a ratio of resources to population that provides adequate housing and food as well as an unspoiled environment.

ECONOMY

Although significant economic progress has taken place since 1960�s, the majority of the population remains dependent on agriculture for income and employment. The national per capita income is USD 540. As most rural settlements are far from the markets, there has been little potential for sale of surplus production of crops and livestock, although this is beginning to change with the opening of roads in the once inaccessible areas. The type of crops produced varies considerably, depending on climate and access to markets.  Only 7.8% of the land are used for agriculture. Cash crops are maize, rice, millet, wheat, buckwheat, barley, mustard, potato, vegetables, orange, apple, and cardamom. Most people raise cattle or, in the high country, yak.
Though the vast majority of the population still farms, the agricultural sector�s share of gross domestic product has dropped to less than 50% since the sale of hydroelectric power started contributing to the national income. The department of mines enforces the government�s conservation policies that control mining and quarrying. Small mines, mostly in the south, produce gypsum, limestone, dolomite, coal, talc, marble and slate. Bhutan exports calcium carbide, wood products, ferrosilicon and cement. The other major export in agricultural product is apples, oranges, and cardamom, can fruit and jam. A new cash crop being successfully exported is mushrooms.   
With the high precipitation and an altitude variation of up to 7,550 meters, water resources are abundant in Bhutan. While the difference in altitude provides many possibilities for hydropower generation, the main rivers are generally deeply incised and irrigated agriculture is limited to areas served by gravity from small perennial streams. The power Master plan estimates that the country has potential to generate as much as 30,000 MW of electricity. As local requirements are still modest, the major share of the energy produced will be exported representing a large part of Bhutan�s total export revenue. The export of power already provides 25% of government revenue. We see the export of electricity as the key to gaining economic independence from foreign donors. Our government�s policy is that the future backbone of our economy will be hydropower. It is our largest resource and is sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly.

TRADITIONAL  CULTURE

Bhutan has a unique culture that is greatly shaped by its religion. The Bhutanese are very religious and at the same time fun loving. Each district has an annual religious festival, which is attended by the whole locality, dressed in their best clothes. This yearly event is not only a social gathering and a time for festivity, but the Bhutanese consider it very sacred, too. People here believe that, you earn merit by simply watching the mask and folk dances, which has deep roots in the religious history of Bhutan.
In accordance with Buddhist tradition, there is a strict taboo on killing in Bhutan. This prohibition applies to the act of killing, but a practicing Buddhist may eat meat that is slaughtered by someone else. Fishing also violates this precept, and it is not allowed in many streams in Bhutan. Monks are held in great respect and play an active part in community life. In the past, it was customary for each family to have at least one son to enter the monastic order at about ten years of age. The system is less prevalent today because many boys are opting for western style education now.    

FESTIVAL DATES FOR THE YEAR 2000.

• Punakha Festival (Dromche) 10^th -14^th February (Punakha)

• Chorten Kora 05^th Feb. & 6^th March (Trashiyangtse)

• Gom Kora 13^th -15^th March (Trashigang)

• Chukha Festival 13^th -15^th March (Chukha)

• Paro Festival 16^th -20^th March (Paro)

• Ura Yakchoe 13^th -18^th April (Bumthang)

• Kurjee Festival 11^th July (Bumthang)

• Nimalung Festival 09^th -11^th July (Bumthang)

• Wangdue Festival 04^th -07^th October (Wangdue)

• Tamshing Phala Choepa 07^th -09^th October (Bumthang)

• Thimphu Festival 08^th -10^th October (Thimphu)

• Tangbi Mane 13^th -15^th October (Bumthang)

• Jambay Lhakhang Festival 11^th -15^th November (Bumthang)

• Praker Festival 12^th -15^th November (Bumthang)

• Mongar Festival 03^rd -06^th December (Mongar)

• Trashigang Festival 04^th -07^th December (Trashigang)

• Trongsa Festival 03^rd -06^th January, 2001 (Trongsa)

• Lhuntse Festival 03^rd -05^th January, 2001 (Lhuntse)

TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2001

• Punakha Festival (Dromche) 28^th February � 03^rd March (Punakha)
• Chorten Kora Festival 09^th & 24^th March (Trashiyangtse)
• Gom Kora Festival 01^st � 03^rd April (Trashigang)
• Chhukha Festival 01^st � 03^rd April (Chhukha)
• Paro Festival 04^th � 08^th April (Paro)
• Ura Yakchoe (Festival) 03^rd � 07^th May (Bumthang)
• Nimalung Festival 28^th � 30^th June (Bumthang)
• Kurjee Festival 30^th June (Bumthang)
• Wangdue Festival 25^th � 27^th September (Wangdue)
• Tamshing Festival 26^th � 28^th September (Bumthang)
• Thimphu Festival 27^th � 29^th September (Thimphu)
• Tangbi Mane (Festival) 01^st � 03^rd October (Bumthang)
• Jambay Lhakhang Festival 01^st � 05^th November (Bumthang)
• Praker Festival 02^nd � 05^th November (Bumthang)
• Nalakhar Festival 11^th � 13^th November (Bumthang)
• Mongar Festival 22^nd � 25^th November (Mongar)
• Pemagatsel Festival 22^nd � 25^th November (Pemagatsel)
• Trashigang Festival 23^rd � 26^th November (Trashigang)
• Trongsa Festival 24^th � 26^th December (Trongsa)
• Lhuntse Festival 24^th � 26^th December (Lhuntse)

For further information, tour packages and itineraries, please contact Dechen Cultural Tours and Trekking for immediate assistance.