Bhutan
Bhutan known as the country of happiness was an eye opening experience. Historically the natural wall of the Himalayas in the north and the unforgiving tropical jungle in the south had protected the country from colonization. Without much foreign influence coupled with a deeply spiritual culture that embraces preservation of nature, Bhutan has to this day one of the most pristine natural landscapes. Interestingly Bhutan’s mountains has one of the highest tree line altitudes in the world. As such, unlike Japan Alps where trees start to disappear at ~2500m Bhutan’s summer had a deep green hue even at altitudes around ~4500m.
Jomolhari Trek
Day1: Shana village to Soi Thangthangkha (3575m).
Day2: Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang Jomolhari base camp (4040m).
Day3: Jangothang to Tshophu lake (4350m).
Day 4/5 return to Shana village.
Paro Valley
Situated at already 2200m altitude, though its a simple town is where the international airport of Bhutan resides. Given the altitude and the mountainous terrain, the airport is known as the world’s most difficult runway to land.
Taktsang Monastary
Taktsang Monastary is a one day hike in upper Paro valley and was built in the 17th sentury around a cave that Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche meditated for 3years in the 8th century.
