Welcome to the last Shangri-La!

In the lofty heights of the mighty Himalayas, a kingdom in the clouds perched on rugged mountains, with dense forested valleys and roaring waterfalls, rapids and swift rivers; it is a land blessed with unsurpassed beauty and peace in today’s world overtaken by chaos and materialism.

Despite globalization, Bhutan, or Druk Yul as it is known to its people, the last bastion of the Himalayan Buddhism, has still maintained its rich, unique culture and traditions and pristine environment with varied flora and fauna. A top tourist destination, it is a country where the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, based on Buddhism, is the guiding principle that govern all our development activities. To the Bhutanese, pursuit of happiness is more important than GDP.

Bhutan emerged out of its self-imposed isolationism in 1960, when the first five-year development plan was introduced, with emphasis on development of telecommunications, hydro-power plants, and setting up free healthcare and schools and other institutions of learning. The country has just launched the 10th five-year plan (2008).

Bhutan has come a long way, though, since the opening of its borders, yet it is as steeped in its rich culture and tradition as in the past. For, culture and tradition and religion is a way of life for the Bhutanese.

It is this way of life, or rather philosophy, which enables us to welcome foreigners, not as camera-toting tourists, but honored guests, making your trip to Druk Yul a memorable experience rather than just a vacation to some far away place.