OCTOB E R
Bhutan SOUTHE AS T AS I A
Perched amid the magnificent Himalayan mountains and tucked away from the crowds of China and India lies the Kingdom of Bhutan. Independent for centuries and rich in traditions and Buddhist spirituality, this intriguingly mysterious land is like no other. As a small nation in a rapidly modernising region, Bhutan remains deliberately undeveloped in economic terms, only opening up to a limited number of visitors in the 1970s. Yet it is often regarded as the happiest country on earth thanks to its forward-thinking approach to national wellbeing and conservation. Here native wildlife – including a growing tiger population, the elusive snow leopard and elegant black cranes – roam freely in the country’s five million glorious acres of protected land. Descend into Paro Airport, one of the most infamous flights in the world. Nearly two miles above sea level and surrounded by sharp Himalayan peaks, landing here is so difficult that until recently only eight pilots in the world were allowed to make the journey. From here you can discover the country’s splendours: its people, traditions and epic vistas. Feel the calming atmosphere of monasteries, monks and meditation and get close to Bhutan’s stunning and abundant wildlife.
Previous image: A moment of reflection for three Bhutanese monks Clockwise from left : A statue of Guru Rinpoche sits proudly on a red and gold lotus seat | According to legend, Jambay Lhakhang was built to pin down the body of a demoness who lay across the Himalaya | Perched halfway up a steep cliff face, Tiger’s Nest is one of Bhutan’s most iconic buildings and appears to rise from out of the forest below
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