The phrase ‘Gross National Happiness’ was coined in 1972 by Bhutan’s fourth Dragon King, Juigme Singye Wangchuck. And this is how the ‘ economic health’ of the nation is judged; by building an economy that would serve Bhutan’s culture based on Buddhist spiritual values instead of the material development in other parts of the world that is measured by gross domestic product.

Protected by the Himalayas, Bhutan’s geographic isolation has protected itself from cultural influences from the rest of the world – and it has been only recently that foreign tourists are being allowed into the country in limited numbers. Bhutanese language, script and its culture is closely related to what is seen in Tibet and there are religious and physical similarities as well between the two as well.

Silent, rugged and exuding an air of rare spiritual authority, Buddhist monks and their monasteries are also a scattered along Bhutan’s landscape. Revered and looked up to as healers and leaders of each Bhutanese community, these monasteries are as much a part of Bhutan’s landscape as its mountains.

The best time to visit Bhutan is during its festivals. As the population was largely illiterate earlier, Bhutan’s masked dances and music was the best way for the kings and the religious heads to communicate to the masses.

Bhutan’s terrain is largely forests and most trek paths will take you through forests, mountains covered with green foliage and flowers, birds chirping – it doesn’t more idyllic than this. Most treks use outdoor camps and the best season to trek in the area is from March to September/October.

If you have to try one Bhutanese dish it has to be its National dish Imma Datchi – a concoction made of chillies, cheese and onions – its delicious with just plain rice. Rice features predominantly in all Bhutanese meals as does chicken, yak meat, dried beef, pork and lamb.