There is a place on earth that even the most seasoned traveller consider a privilege to visit. And although it is voted one of the world’s top travel destinations, very few make it. This is Drukyul, Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. You cannot find a more enlightening travel destination today.
Bhutan is marked by raw natural beauty where the dense foliage changes dramatically as the sub tropical jungles at sea level merge into a fertile temperate zone and rises up to the great northern glaciers. The pristine environment is home to exotic wild life and is the last refuge for endangered species like the Black-Necked Crane, the Blue Sheep, the Golden Langur, the Takin and even the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The kingdom of Bhutan today remains as one of the last un-ventured destinations. And Bhutan does not have traffic lights even today. That is how the Bhutanese people would like to keep it. Thus the carefully managed tourism policy of the government based on ‘High value, Low impact’, in essence: ‘take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints’.
It is no surprise that the main goal in life for Bhutanese people is happiness. Even the mandate of modern Bhutanese state is Gross National Happiness. In translation, this means that economic development, a goal for much of humanity, is only a means to the real goal of happiness. Bhutan’s Brand tagline ‘Happiness is a place’ simply assures that happiness can be found in simple things and these simple things can be found anywhere and in anything.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development particularly for a developing country like Bhutan. It believes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help to promote a deeper understanding among people and to strengthen ties of friendship based on a deeper appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.
Towards achieving this objective, the Royal Government, has adopted a very cautious approach to growth and development of the tourism industry in Bhutan. Its tremendous potential as a truly indigenous industry and the clear comparative advantages Bhutan enjoys, are compelling reasons to promote Bhutan as a high-end tourist destination in a manner which accords with the tenets of Gross National Happiness.
The Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to the policy of ‘High Value, Low Impact’ tourism.
The country has so far only one international airport that caters to the needs of visitors. The international airport at Paro is located at a height of 7,300 ft above sea level and surrounded by mountains and hills as high as 16,000 ft. There are flights from destinations that include Singapore, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra and Bodh Gaya.
The flight between Paro and Kathmandu is one of the most exciting ones as the aircraft passes over four of the five highest mountains in the world. In fine weather, as you soar higher up, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga at their best.
And there are domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan that Drukair operates to.
The climate in Bhutan is extremely varied, which can be at- tributed to two main factors-the vast differences in altitude present in the country and the influence of North Indian mon- soons.
In the Central parts of the country which consists of temper- ate and deciduous forests, the climate is more seasonal with warm summers and cool and dry winters. In the far Northern reaches of the kingdom, the weather is much colder during winter. Mountain peaks are perpetually covered in snow and lower parts are still cool in summer owing to the high altitude terrain. Southern Bhutan has a hot and humid subtropical climate that is fairly unchanging throughout the year. Tem- peratures can vary between 15-30 degrees Celsius (59- 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Bhutan has four distinct seasons in a year. Bhutan’s gener- ally dry spring starts in early March and lasts until mid-April. Summer weather commences in mid-April with occasional showers and continues to late June. Autumn, from late Sep- tember or early October to late November, follows the rainy season. From late November until March, winter sets in, with frost throughout much of the country and snowfall common above elevations of 3,000 meters.
