Bhutan is the best-kept secret in the travel industry. Due to its relative isolation, the country is not known to the outside world and until 1960, western visitors rarely visited the country. Mr. Burt Kerr Todd, the first American to ever visit Bhutan, wrote in a National Geographic article on Bhutan (Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon; December 1952).
Bhutan is protected by the mighty Himalayas from the rest of the world and enriched by the essence of Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism, Bhutan has managed to remain shrouded deeply in a jealously guarded isolation. A basic understanding of Bhutan's Buddhism is essential to understanding the Bhutanese.
"Bhutan lies squarely in the center of the Himalayas, amid the highest mountains on earth...in its 18,000 square miles can be found a such variety of climate and scenery, such grandeur and peacefulness, and such fascination of the novel and unknown as few countries its size can boast. Its neighbors are Tibet to the north, Sikkim to the west, India's West Bengal, and Assam to the south and east."
The "fascination of the novel and unknown" to this day continues to enthrall visitors to Bhutan. Unlike neighboring countries which encourage mass tourism, the Royal Government of Bhutan has chosen a more cautious policy on tourism largely to preserve its natural and cultural heritage. As such less than 5,000 travelers discovered Bhutan last year (compare this with half a million tourists who visited Nepal in the same period). Visitors to Bhutan can feel the benefits of this policy and have a rich and unique travel experience. Some travelers can spend their entire time in Bhutan without ever coming across another tourist. There has never been a "visit Bhutan year" rather the country awaits to be discovered and explored and Adventure International promises to be your guide and fellow traveler on this journey of discovery.
With 3 friends we trek up the Tsum Valley supported by our guide Dawa and porters Shambu and Anil… a fantastic trip. Beautiful, fascinating,
