You will find awesome landscapes in Bhutan with highly rugged mountains, picturesque deep valleys, spectacular snow-peaked mountain ranges, one of the world's highest unclimbed peak (Mount. Gangkar Puensum) and pristine biodiversity hotspots in the heart of the Himalayas.
Location
Bhutan is located in Southern Asia between China in the north and northwest with about 477 km and India in the south, southwest and east, about 659 km making a total of 1,136 km. We are a very compact landlocked nation with about 38,394 square km of total land, which is about one-half the size of Indiana and we have no territorial water bodies. Our geographical coordinates are 27 30 N, 90 30 E.
How it all began
The Himalayan mountain range and Tibetan plateau have formed as a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate which began 50 million years ago and continues today to rise about more than 1 cm a year. 225 million years ago (Ma) India was a large island situated off the Australian coast and separated from Asia by the Tethys Ocean. As a result present day Bhutan along with Nepal and northern parts of India was formed.
Gangkhar Puensum
Gangkhar Puensum is our highest mountain, and at 7,570 meters, it is the 40th highest peak in the world. It may sound surprising to you but, Gangkhar Puensum still arguably remains unclimbed, especially when most peaks in the Himalaya have already been scaled decades ago. It lies on the border of Bhutan and Tibet (China), although the exact boundary line is disputed.
Chinese maps put the peak squarely on the border whereas other sources put it wholly in Bhutan. When the mountain was first mapped and surveyed in 1922, maps of the region were shockingly inaccurate. It is said that one of the first team to attempt the summit was unable to find the mountain at all.
Until very recently, maps of the region showed the mountain at different locations and marked with different heights. In 1994, our government forbade climbing of mountains higher than 6,000 meters out of respect for local spiritual beliefs, and since 2004 mountaineering in the country has been banned completely. With the difficulty of securing permits from the government as well as lack of rescue support, it seems that Gangkhar Puensum will likely remain unclimbed for the foreseeable future.
Golden Langur Monkey and Tiger in the Terai
In the broad-leaved vegetation of our hills you will find majestic rare golden langur monkey, endangered Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, and deer in the Southern Foothills. This plains are part of the region known as Terai, which extends from Kashmir, through Nepal, to Bhutan. Royal Manas National Park is main attraction for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike, as it houses more than 365 species of birds and representing largest example of subtropical and tropical ecosystem in Bhutan.
Himalayan Black Bear and Sambar Deer in Deciduous Forest
As you drive across the temperate Inner Himalayan deciduous forests, you will find the largest physio-graphic region of Bhutan among broad valleys and hillsides ranging from 1,100 m to 3,000 m in elevation. All the major towns of Bhutan are situated in this zone such as Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, in western Bhutan, Trongsa and Bumthang in central Bhutan and Monggar, Trashigang in eastern Bhutan. National Reserves such as Trumshingla National Park and many others spread across the region are home to Himalayan bear, wild boar, sambar deer and many endangered species.
Alpine Forest for Blue Sheep and Snow Leopard
The alpine region is sparsely populated but the steep mountain slopes shelter many species of animals, including snow leopards and blue sheep. This region is virtually a snow-wilderness zone where almost 20% of the land is under perpetual snow. This zone is represented by alpine meadows and perpetually snow bound high summit of the Great Himalayan range.
Glaciers and Climate Changing Effects
If you are glaciologist, climatologist or a mere enthusiast to understand global warming effects, you would love to hike up into the snowed-peaked mountains and thousands of Bhutanese lakes to take a look. Glaciers used to cover 10 percent of the northern mountains of Bhutan in 1980s. It is however reported that due to climate change major glaciers are melting resulting in GLOF (glacial lake outburst floods) and monsoon river swelling.
Roaring River Systems
The Himalayan glacial melting feeds the river systems and makes it a crystal clear best kept open secrets of Bhutan. We have six major rivers (Wang Chhu, Sunkosh, Puna Tsang Chhu, Mangde Chhu, Kuri Chhu and Dangme Chhu and their tributaries). You will enjoy rafting and kayaking in one of these rivers with our experienced guides who ensure your safety all times.
Location
Bhutan is located in Southern Asia between China in the north and northwest with about 477 km and India in the south, southwest and east, about 659 km making a total of 1,136 km. We are a very compact landlocked nation with about 38,394 square km of total land, which is about one-half the size of Indiana and we have no territorial water bodies. Our geographical coordinates are 27 30 N, 90 30 E.
How it all began
The Himalayan mountain range and Tibetan plateau have formed as a result of the collision between the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate which began 50 million years ago and continues today to rise about more than 1 cm a year. 225 million years ago (Ma) India was a large island situated off the Australian coast and separated from Asia by the Tethys Ocean. As a result present day Bhutan along with Nepal and northern parts of India was formed.
Gangkhar Puensum
Gangkhar Puensum is our highest mountain, and at 7,570 meters, it is the 40th highest peak in the world. It may sound surprising to you but, Gangkhar Puensum still arguably remains unclimbed, especially when most peaks in the Himalaya have already been scaled decades ago. It lies on the border of Bhutan and Tibet (China), although the exact boundary line is disputed.
Chinese maps put the peak squarely on the border whereas other sources put it wholly in Bhutan. When the mountain was first mapped and surveyed in 1922, maps of the region were shockingly inaccurate. It is said that one of the first team to attempt the summit was unable to find the mountain at all.
Until very recently, maps of the region showed the mountain at different locations and marked with different heights. In 1994, our government forbade climbing of mountains higher than 6,000 meters out of respect for local spiritual beliefs, and since 2004 mountaineering in the country has been banned completely. With the difficulty of securing permits from the government as well as lack of rescue support, it seems that Gangkhar Puensum will likely remain unclimbed for the foreseeable future.
Golden Langur Monkey and Tiger in the Terai
In the broad-leaved vegetation of our hills you will find majestic rare golden langur monkey, endangered Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, and deer in the Southern Foothills. This plains are part of the region known as Terai, which extends from Kashmir, through Nepal, to Bhutan. Royal Manas National Park is main attraction for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts alike, as it houses more than 365 species of birds and representing largest example of subtropical and tropical ecosystem in Bhutan.
Himalayan Black Bear and Sambar Deer in Deciduous Forest
As you drive across the temperate Inner Himalayan deciduous forests, you will find the largest physio-graphic region of Bhutan among broad valleys and hillsides ranging from 1,100 m to 3,000 m in elevation. All the major towns of Bhutan are situated in this zone such as Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, in western Bhutan, Trongsa and Bumthang in central Bhutan and Monggar, Trashigang in eastern Bhutan. National Reserves such as Trumshingla National Park and many others spread across the region are home to Himalayan bear, wild boar, sambar deer and many endangered species.
Alpine Forest for Blue Sheep and Snow Leopard
The alpine region is sparsely populated but the steep mountain slopes shelter many species of animals, including snow leopards and blue sheep. This region is virtually a snow-wilderness zone where almost 20% of the land is under perpetual snow. This zone is represented by alpine meadows and perpetually snow bound high summit of the Great Himalayan range.
Glaciers and Climate Changing Effects
If you are glaciologist, climatologist or a mere enthusiast to understand global warming effects, you would love to hike up into the snowed-peaked mountains and thousands of Bhutanese lakes to take a look. Glaciers used to cover 10 percent of the northern mountains of Bhutan in 1980s. It is however reported that due to climate change major glaciers are melting resulting in GLOF (glacial lake outburst floods) and monsoon river swelling.
Roaring River Systems
The Himalayan glacial melting feeds the river systems and makes it a crystal clear best kept open secrets of Bhutan. We have six major rivers (Wang Chhu, Sunkosh, Puna Tsang Chhu, Mangde Chhu, Kuri Chhu and Dangme Chhu and their tributaries). You will enjoy rafting and kayaking in one of these rivers with our experienced guides who ensure your safety all times.