Happy travel to the land of the thunder dragon: Bhutan! Where luxury and sustainability merge into fascinating travel experiences.
The small, last
Himalayan
Kingdom of Bhutan is located in South Asia and borders India to the south and Tibet to the east.
Unlike many other countries, the Buddhist-influenced state does not focus solely on economic growth and the like when it comes to prosperity – rather, “prosperity and happiness” are the political goal.
Even today, everyone is still talking about “Gross National Happiness”. In 1979, King Jigme Single Wangchuck chose it as his state goal during an interview. This involves promoting socially just social and economic development, preserving and promoting cultural values, protecting the environment and good governance and administrative structures.
It goes without saying that environmental protection in Bhutan is enshrined in the constitution. This means that Bhutan really only offers gentle and sustainable tourism. After all, the breathtaking landscape, the traditional culture with its monasteries in the mountains, as well as the flora and fauna should be protected in the best possible way and preserved for the future.
We particularly like the fact that this quiet “green tourism” can also be lived and experienced on a daily basis in the luxury segment. The well-known and excellent hotel chains SIX SENSES and AMAN have independently built a series of lodges in the most beautiful and culturally interesting areas of the Kingdom of Bhutan, making your trip not only interesting and relaxing, but also extremely comfortable.
Landscape, nature and climate
Three different landscapes characterize Bhutan: in the south, on the Indian border, runs the plain of Duar. A narrow lowland belonging to the foothills of the Ganges-Brahmaputra lowlands. To the north of this, the land rises steeply. The 2,000 and 3,000-meter-high mountains of the front Himalayas are the main settlement area of Bhutan. Finally, on the border with Tibet lies the high mountain region of Lunana. The highest mountain in the country is the 7,570m high Gangkhar Pensum, the world’s highest mountain that has never been climbed by a human being. The second highest peak is Kula Kangri.
The climate in Bhutan varies greatly. While the south has a tropical to subtropical climate, the valleys in central Bhutan have a temperate climate with cool winters and hot summers. In the mountains, winters are extremely harsh and summers are cool. Flooding can often occur in the southern areas during the rainy season.
Bhutan’s untouched forests are home to a large number of protected and rare animals and plants. The government has therefore designated large areas of the country as national parks. Tigers, monkeys, leopards, rhinos and elephants, as well as bears, the serau, the yellow-bellied musk deer, monitor lizards and a wide variety of game and bird species can be observed in the wild as well as in the well-managed reserves.
Our travel tip
If you would like to discover the Kingdom of Bhutan, which lies between China and India, we only recommend guided private tours.
Together with our hand-picked local partners, we will put together a tour of Bhutan’s nature and temples to suit your wishes – naturally at the highest culinary level and in the inspiring lodges of SIX SENSES and AMAN. Luxurious and yet sustainable.
Come with us on a journey to happiness – to the land of the thunder dragon.
