THIS SMALL HIMALAYAN BUDDHIST KINGDOM SITUATED TO THE NORTH OF BANGLADESH IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY OFTEN ATTRIBUTED WITH AN AURA RESONANT WITH THE IDEALS OF SHANGRI LA, SUBMERGED IN MAGICAL LEGENDS AND IMAGERY

In the heady atmosphere of Bhutan’s high altitude passes, it would be easy for the traveller to imagine the fabled valley of mystical perfection just over the lost horizon.

Bhutan’s remote and somewhat austere beauty and culture remains largely natural and unspoilt. The country is best suited to those captivated by Tibetan Buddhist culture, breathtaking scenery and quietude, as visitors will not find the shopping, theme parks, bars, clubs and other busy distractions so common in many other destinations.

The lush valleys and their forested slopes hide a wealth of quiescent cultural depth. Aside from the quaint towns and traditional villages, the landscape is dotted with the charismatic Dzong temples, so characteristic of high Himalayan Buddhism, and many other shrines with their characteristic fluttering prayer flags.

Visiting many of these structures also provides excellent opportunities to enjoy leisurely walks through the spectacular scenery whilst, above the valleys, the high passes and white peaks beckon the serious trekker. The forests are at their most beautiful in the spring, when the Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Magnolias and Primulas are in bloom.

Whilst Bhutan’s peaks do not quite rival the majestic towers of nearby Nepal, there are nevertheless several spectacular summits in excess of 6,000 metres, including Bhutan’s highest, Gangkhar Puensum, at 7,541m, the world’s highest unclimbed peak. Before any excited mountaineers see the potential opportunity for a historic conquest, however, it should be noted that mountains are deeply held as sacred by the Bhutanese and for this reason summit mountaineering is currently banned in Bhutan.

However, it is this very attitude towards their beliefs, culture and heritage that carefully preserves so much of the country and makes Bhutan such a fascinating place to visit. If authenticity is your watchword, this is certainly the place to come!

Bhutan’s refusal to relinquish its cultural identity is a far-sighted approach, and does not entirely eschew the modern world, but rather takes a very measured and considered approach to new technologies, a policy at the core of which remains the preservation of its treasured heritage.

Likewise, conservation and environmental care, far from being the often cynical and vacuously false political obfuscation pervading political and media rhetoric in many parts of the world, are reverentially regarded as pivotal to preserving Bhutanese identity.

This commendable approach to conservation is epitomised not only by the vast tracts of forest reserves set aside for protection, but by the highly enlightened interconnecting wildlife corridors that enable its precious wildlife to freely traverse the entire country.

The country also has a number of mountain biking trails and, as you would expect in such dramatic landscapes, white water tumbles magnificently from the heights providing the adventure enthusiast with amazing rafting and kayaking potential.