Bhutan

Self-isolation has helped Bhutan preserve its unique culture of timeless traditions and to protect its pristine environment of sacred mountains, fast flowing rivers and over 5000 species of plants. This mystical Himalayan kingdom only opened its doors to tourism in the 1980’s and continuously strives to maintain its cultural identity by resisting western influences. 

Television and the internet were introduced only in 1999, smoking is against the law for Bhutanese citizens and the wearing of traditional national dress is compulsory. There are no traffic lights, even in the capital Thimphu, and the last king introduced the now famous "happiness principle" which rejected GDP as a measure of progress and chose instead to value the country's progress in terms of Gross National Happiness.

Wedged between India to the south, east and west, and Tibet to the north the land of Bhutan rises from a few meters above sea-level to permanently frozen peaks of over 7000m (23 000ft). The majority of the tiny population lives in the valleys where subsistence farming of rice, buckwheat, millet and potatoes is practiced beneath steep slopes of virgin forest. The main valleys are linked by a single road that runs from east to west across the country, crossing high passes marked by stands of prayer flags blowing in the wind. Exploring on foot you will discover friendly people who do everything they can to comply with their spiritual duty to offer visitors hospitality, and fortified monasteries whose foundations lie in myths and legends.