Same like Nepal, the kingdom of Bhutan is a tiny, remote and impoverished country nestling in the Himalayas between its powerful neighbors, India and China. Almost completely cut off for centuries, it has tried to let in some aspects of the outside world while fiercely guarding its ancient traditions. Covering the 38,364 sq km (14,812 sq miles) area and 2.2 million people Bhutan is one of the Buddhist Country with Hindu minority.

The Bhutanese name for Bhutan, Druk Yul, means "Land of the Thunder Dragon" and it only began to open up to outsiders in the 1970s. The hereditary monarch wielded absolute power until 1998, and Bhutan still has no formal constitution. Television was only allowed in 1999. Bhutan's ancient Buddhist culture and breathtaking scenery make it a natural tourist attraction. Tourism is restricted; visitors must travel as part of a pre-arranged package or guided tour. Backpackers and independent travelers are discouraged. The king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, has gone to great lengths to preserve the indigenous Buddhist culture of the majority Drukpa, who have a common culture with the Tibetans and other Himalayan peoples. National dress is compulsory - the knee-length wrap-around "gho" for men and the ankle-length dress known as the "kira" for women. But by the 1990s, attempts to stress the majority Buddhist culture and the lack of any political representation had led to deep resentment among the ethnic Nepali community in the south.

Violence erupted and tens of thousands of Nepali speakers fled to refugee camps in Nepal. Some 100,000 refugees live in the UN-supervised camps. Nepali and Bhutanese officials have held talks about the repatriation of the refugees.

Jigme Singye Wangchuk came to the throne in 1972 at the age of just 17, assuming the title of "Druk Gyalpo" or Dragon King. Partly educated in the UK, and having travelled abroad, the king has continued the policy of limited modernisation adopted by his father. He has also been keen to preserve Bhutan's unique culture. He gave up some of the monarch's absolute powers in 1998 and now rules in conjunction with the government, an assembly and a royal advisory council.

Places of Interest to visit in Bhutan: Paro Valley - A rich terrai farming and home of Bhutias, Thimpu - The capital of Bhutan, Punakha - The old capital and the winter home of the monastic community. Wangdi Phodrang - pastureland for cattle, Gantey Gompa - the biggest monastery in Bhutan and Tongsa - a masterpiece of architecture etc.

Trekking and Tour is done 7-13 days