Bhutan
The Land of the Thunder Dragon is an extraordinary place. Vast and impressive fortresses, known as Dzongs, dominate Bhutan's landscape - from the wide subtropical valleys in the south to the Himalayan mountain ranges of the north. One of the world's biodiversity hotspots, Bhutan's national animal is the Takin - legend says it is half goat, half cow. This is a country where selling cigarettes or plastic bags is illegal, where giant protective penises are painted on the walls, where chillies and cheese with red rice is the national dish, and where Gross National Happiness is deemed more important than Gross National Product.
Tucked away from the modern world for centuries, Bhutan, the last remaining Himalayan Kingdom, is managing to retain its Buddhist culture and traditions of the past whilst taking a cautious approach to modernisation. The juxtaposition of old and new is one of Bhutan's most appealing qualities: its ancient history is one of legends and miracles performed by saints, whom the majority of the population still worship daily. Most of that population now have electricity produced by hydropower and 2008 saw a new king crowned and the election of a new democratic parliament - Bhutan really is an extraordinary country in transition.
As our name suggests, we like big panoramic vistas and encounters that give one a new perspective on life - Bhutan boasts a few of these of Himalyan proportions. We have made a name designing extraordinary journeys that allow our guests to get under the surface of a country - to meet the people and get off the tourist trail. We create 'hand-made' journeys, designed from scratch for each individual, that allow time to meet local people, to walk in rural valleys, and really to get to know this beautiful country, as well as taking in the most important historical and religious sights that define Bhutan.
