' The Land of Thunder Dragon ', the last paradise of the world, remained secluded and isolated from the rest of the world for thousands of years .This land locked country, resting at an altitude of 1,524 metres from the sea level and spread over an area of 18,000sq miles, is nestled in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas. With its splendid scenic beauty, lofty mountains and deep valleys untempered by modernisation it provides a relief from the fast paced life of the rest of the world. To its North lies Tibet, behind a thrust of some magnificent snow-clad peaks. In the Southern part the country, amidst dense tropical forests, the Dooars region of West Bengal (India), forms its border. The Western frontier is locked by the hill state of India, Sikkim. The Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh shares its borderline with Bhutan in the East.

Spread over an area of 305.7 km in length and 144.84 km in breadth, from East to West, Bhutan is a country comprised of splendid mountain ranges studded with painted shrines, forts, monasteries and virgin hamlets. All this forms a part of this high picturesque valley of the eternal highland. The historic towering Dzongs and implacable fortress, religious center, where the glow of butter lamps mingle with the gentle murmur of Lamas at prayer. The exquisitely curved and architectural style is echoed in the far flung houses and wayside shrines. Bhutan is the last bastion of Mahayana Buddhism in the world. Its state religion is the Drukpa sect of Kagyupa school of Mahayana Buddhism.

The chapels are rich repositories of religious icons appliquéd and painted wall hangings and murals, vying with rock chapels and hermit retreats that cling precariously like swallows, nest to crags in precipitous cliffs high above the valleys.

In the dense forests of the South, East and North, a variety of common and rare animals, insects and plants are found in abundance.

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The most unusual capital of the world is one of the bustling modern town on the banks of the Wangchu River, is the epi-centre of all the governmental and cultural activities. Thimphu became the capital of Bhutan when his majesty the Third King, his Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, moved the capital to Thimphu from Punakha. Tashichhodzong , the summer residence of the monastic community, lies on the banks of the Wangchu (Thimphu River). The Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned .A visit to Thimphu remains incomplete, without a visit to the Traditional Painting school where age-old styles of Bhutanese painting, including thangkha painting, are taught. Student of Buddhist studies can spend a purposeful time at the National Library, which houses a vast collection of books and research documents of Buddhist literature.

The Memorial Chorten built in the fond memory of His Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan, who is the architect of modern Bhutan. The Chorten at present is Bhutan's treasure house of wide and multifarious collection of stamps. These are best seen in commemorative books insideThimphu's central post office. Simtokha Dzong , at 6kms from the city is the Kingdom's oldest Dzong which now houses the school for Buddhist studies. One can also visit the Tango and Cheri Monasteries, which lies on the outskirts of Thimphu visit to the local market can be a delightful pass time in Thimphu is to wander along its main street.Thimphu's local market g ives you an opportunity to watch closely, the way life goes in the capital. Farmers from the neighbouring villages come to sell their produce and wares - mountains of bright red chillies, fresh mushrooms, asparagus in season, and cereal of all kinds. You might be surprised to see orchids being sold as vegetable! There are brightly coloured Bhutanese handicrafts on sale.

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The gateway to Bhutan from the west is both entry and exit point by air, and there can be few more charming valleys to be welcomed by, or from which to remember the Land of the Thunder Dragon. You can feel the sweet fragrance of the Bhutanese air, and the silence and peace of Paro valley, as you descend from the aircraft. Paro is home to the national museum and watchtower to one of the oldest and most celebrated Dzongs in Bhutan, the Rinpung Dzong which means the " Fortress of the Heap of Jewels ". The Dzong is the symbol of the religious and secular centre of all affairs in the valley. The architectural wonder, of the Dzong sets tone for the official Dzongs throughout the Nation and invites the visitor to have glimpse of the cultural strength of the Kingdom's heritage. The Dzong was built in the 15th century and finally consecrated in 1646. Above the Dzong is Ta Dzong , an old watchtower which is now the National Museum. The museum's hosts a wide collection of ancient Bhutanese arts and artifact, weapons and stamps, birds and animals.

It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the founder of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived in the valley of Paro more than a millennium ago on the back of a legendry tigress. He meditated for three months in a cave where a monastery was later built and called Taktsang or the Tiger's Nest , one of the most sacred pilgrim sites for every Bhutanese. The monastery caught on fire, in the early part of 1998. However, the "pelphug" or the holy cave in which Guru Rinpoche meditated was found intact and safe. The reconstruction of the monastery to its original splendor is already in process.

Around Paro

• Drangzhegoem:A little monastery just above the Hotel Olathang. A gradual climb passing through village houses and apple gardens.
• Sangchoekar Monastery: (hike starts in the village of Lango in the Paro valley): approx. 2hrs.
• Dzongdrakha Temple: (between Paro and the valley of Ha - hike starts from Bondey Farm near Bondey Office): approx. 1 1/2 , then drive to Chele La.
• Ruins of Drugyal Dzong: 18 km from Paro town, on the south side of the valley. Drugyal Dzong (victorious fortress) was once, what its name proposed it to be. It was from this Dzong that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.

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The old capital of Bhutan is situated in a low valley called Punakha valley. The road to Punakha from Thimpu winds up amidst the Pine forest from Simtokha Dzong and further descends into the low valley of Punakha which still today is greatly dominated by the presence of Punakha Dzong. The Dochula Pass situated at an altitude of 3182m falls on the way to Punakha from Thimpu offers a spectacular view of the whole Eastern Himalayan range. Punakha enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Today Punakha enjoys the status of the winter capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The ceremonial tradition of moving from Thimpu to Punakha is still a part of old customs carried out by his holiness Je Khenpo (the religious head of Bhutan) along with the monk body of Bhutan.

• Around Punakha
• Punakha Dzong: One of the oldest religious centres of Bhutan built on the confluence of river Phochu (Male) and Mochu (Female) by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. The Dzong was burnt four times and by a severe earthquake in 1807. The Dzong also became the worse victim of devastating floods.
• Wangdi: Wangdue or Wangdi is a small Bhutanese Village; situated at 76Km from Thimpu and a 45minutes drive from Punakha. The place is dotted with natural beauty and beautiful Dzong.
• Around Wangdi
• Gangtey Gompa: Situated in the eastern side of Wangdi, is an old monastery dating back to the 17th century. The Gompa itself is similar in style to the temples found all over Bhutan.
• Phobjika: A small village situated at a distance of few kilometers from the Gompa on the valley floor. This is the winter home of the Black Necked Cranes . The cranes migrate from the high plains of the Tibetan plateau in winter in search of the warmer climate.