Luxury Holidays in Bhutan
Few people travel to 'The Land of the Thunder Dragon', despite it being voted one of the world's top destinations. Sitting high in the Himalayas, between Tibet and India, the Kingdom of Bhutan has remained hidden. The doors were only recently cautiously opened for travellers to this Shangri La shrouded in myth, where sacred monasteries cling precariously to sheer cliffs, colourful prayer flags flutter on high ridges, and red robed monks chant day and night.
Almost unaffected by the influences of the modern world, the traditional way of life, guided by an inherent belief in Buddhism, continues virtually unchanged to this day. Having never been colonised, traditional Bhutanese society is still characterised by small scattered communities living in isolation with little contact with one another, and retaining a strong sense of individualism. The first road for motor vehicles, linking Bhutan to India, was not built until 1961.
Bhutan is home to abundant bird and wildlife - species such as Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Tiger, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep and the Takin - the Bhutanese national animal can be found here.
Visitors can participate in archery tournaments, sing and dance through day and night at the religious tsechus (festivals), trek to the fantastic monasteries, bicycle the highest road passes at over 12,000 ft, or walk the hillsides, ablaze with the colour of myriad wildflowers between March and May.
'While tourism may be important as a revenue earner, Bhutan sees no gain in succumbing to over commercialism. It recognizes that a small country emerging from isolation must do so in its own time and at its own pace. The department of tourism is clear that its policy of high value, low volume is the right policy because Bhutan is just too small for mass tourism. And as the world begins to discover the Land of the Thunder Dragon, many go away with a sense of having been in a special place, far from the insanity of modern living. Here is a land where life may not be materially luxurious but it provides much that is good for a society that is not yet caught up with the global rat race' - Department of Tourism.
The mandate of the modern Bhutanese state is Gross National Happiness and the main goal of its people as individuals.
We look forward to tailoring your holiday to Bhutan. Please call Tim Best Travel on +44 (0) 207 591 0300, or if calling from the US, Toll Free on 1-866-205-8369 to speak to one of our luxury travel specialists.
