Secluded high in the eastern Himalayas with unique customs and people with deeply held beliefs. Bhutan is a land of dzongs and monasteries; monks, majestic mountains and a rich heritage; and an architectural style like no other on earth and a land full of warm-hearted, friendly people who go to unusual lengths to preserve each element of Bhutanese life. Today as a visitor picks up a telephone to call home or travels over a wide network of roads, it may be difficult to imagine that as recently as the 1960's telecommunication was non-existent in Bhutan and travel within the kingdom could only be made by horseback or on foot...there were no roads.

Beyond building a telecommunication network and roads, Bhutan has been integrating the process of modernization with the rich heritage of its past. Bhutanese, go to unusual lengths to preserve each element of their life; from environment to dress to language to religion Bhutanese have managed to keep their centuries-old culture and traditions alive. Besides learning as much as from the past, Bhutanese.

The official estimate of Bhutan's population in 1990 was about 600,000 but other sources estimate the population for 2000 was just under 2 million. Those living in Bhutan of Nepali origin have been excluded from the official census since 1990 which results in such a large discrepancy in population numbers.

Bhutan has four major ethic groups: Bhutia, Sharchops, Nepali, and other indigenous groups. The Bhutia, who are descended from Tibetans, live in the central and northern regions of Bhutan. This ethnic group basically dominates politics in Bhutan particularly with it's contribution of government officials and monks that come from it. Believed to be Bhutan's earliest settlers, the Sharchops live in the southeastern and eastern region. They speak both Tibeto-Burman languages as well as Hindi.

The Nepali people are the latest immigrants to Bhutan. Living in the southwestern and south central section of Bhutan, immigration of Nepali's has been forbidden by the Bhutanese government since 1959. Fear of Bhutan becoming too heavily populated with Nepalese brought about this and the ban on living in the central Himalayan region. Bhutan traditions and culture are to be retained and not dilute Bhutanese distinctiveness. There are small groups of ethnic minorities that live all throughout Bhutan with the largest group living in the Duars. This group is related to those groups living in India's Assam and Bangla states.

Bhutan is a heavenly abode in the heart of the vast Himalaya. But it is little known to the outside world just being wedged between giant neighbors and secluded by some of the highest mountain ranges. Bhutan-the last paradise on the earth reflects age-old religion, culture, arts & architecture in its golden peaks in the background of deep green valley and hillside.

Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Paro. Fly into the Kingdom of Bhutan. On the flight, you can see breathtaking views of the Great Himalayan Mountains. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be welcomed to the Kingdom by your guide from the Travel Agent and transferred to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. You stay overnight in a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2: Sight seeing in Thimpu. You visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery and drive further down with good views of the Thimphu valley. Next you visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Here artists are taught to paint Thankas sacred Buddhist scroll).

You then go to visit the Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced and Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Along with these you go to Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other Arts & Crafts stores. Here you can buy stunning Kiras that can be used as bed covers or wall hangings, jewelry and much more.

Day 3: Drive from Thimphu to Trongsa. You begin an early drive to Dochula (3,100 mts). If the weather permits you will have the view of the beautiful mountain ranges to the north-east. You enjoy a delicious lunch at Wangdiphodrang. Then you proceed to Trongsa across Pelila Pass ( 3,300 mts) the pass is marked by a large prayer flag. En route you visit Chendbji Chorten. This Monastery is patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century by Lama Shida, from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed at this spot. On your arrival at Trongsa you check into a lodge. You stay overnight in Trongsa.

Day 4: Drive from Trongsa to Bumthang. After breakfast you visit the Trongsa Dzong which is the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. This is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Next you visit the Ta dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong.

Afterwards, you will drive to Bumthang via Yongtala Pass and Kilakha Pass. Bumthang is the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. After lunch in Bumthang you visit Kurje Lhankhang, that is named after body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa.

Next you visit 7th century Jambay Lhakhang built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here.

Now you visit Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and are the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom. Finally you visit the Jakar Dzong which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”. The current structure was built in 1667. You stay overnight in Bumthang.

Day 5: Drive from Bumthang to Punakha. After breakfast you explore the fascinating valley of Bumthang. You enjoy your delicious lunch in Trongsa. You visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong and the local market. Now you drive to Punakha. You are free in evening to explore Punakha. You stay overnight in a hotel in Punakha.

Day 6: Drive from Punakha to Paro. In the morning you visit the Punakha Dzong. The Dzong is situated between the two rivers. You will have to hike through the suspension bridge to reach the Dzong. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952 After lunch you proceed to Paro. En route you visit Chimme Lhakhang which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. (This monk is popularly known as the Devine madman for his philosophy, “Salvation through sex”). He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “The Temple of Fertility”. Sterile women from far and wide come to this Temple to get blessed and an article about this temple also appeared in newspaper, The Washington Post some years back. You stay overnight in Paro.

Day 7: Fly from Paro to Kathmandu.