No one seems to know exactly the meaning of the word Bhutan but it is believed that it is derived from `Bhot' which is the name given by Tibetans to their own country and `Tan' which is a corruption of the word `stan' meaning Land. The Bhutanese however prefer to call their country `Druk-Yul' which means `The Land of the Dragon'. Bhutan is renowned for its undiluted cultures and unspoiled natural wonders. Bhutan's past is still its present.

The Chomolhari Trek
The six-day return trek offers a taste of the great variety of Bhutanese landscapes. Starting Drugyel Dzong, we pass through scattered hamlets and farmland, into a deep and richly forested valley, which leads to a high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals. Our highest camp, beside a clear lake, beneath the 10,000 ft. high East Face of Chomolhari, is in as magnificent a location as you could ever wish to find. Despite the opening up of a number of new trekking possibilities in Bhutan, the long-established route from Chomolhari across to Laya will always rank as one of Bhutan's finest treks. The reason for this is not hard to find. The route offers a great variety of trekking conditions, from picturesque farmland and forest to alpine pastureland and high passes. Spectacular campsites, beneath some of Bhutan's most impressive peaks, of which the most notable and Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake, are also a feature of this trekking route. Numerous isolated dzongs and scattered settlements, including the outlandish village of Laya, provide a great deal of cultural interest's enroute. The memories of this special trek will stay with you for a lifetime. Starting out at the splendid "Lodge" in Jakar, this four days trek passes through several villages on its meandering route through the Bumthang countryside. This trek provides an exceptional opportunity for contact with Bhutanese rural life. One of the most picturesque of the low altitude treks, this trek begins at Tangmachu; two hours drive from Mongar. Climbing through temperature forest with an abundance of wildlife (including several types of pheasant) this route explores some of the least visited areas of Bhutan before continuing on to Tashiyangste on the ancient caravan route across Bhutan. In springtime the flowers and bird-life make this trek a sheer delight. Continuing across the north of the Kingdom from Laya, one enters the seldom-visited region known as Lunana. Passing some of the last virgin peaks of the Himalayas, Lunana offers a breath-taking landscape that has previously seen only a handful of foreign visitors. Starting out at Punakha, this unique and challenging itinerary spends three days climbing the steep gorge leading to Laya, before crossing the mighty Karakachu La to enter Lunana proper. After spending seven days walking through the "paradise on earth, the route crosses the Gophu La to explore the valleys south of Gangkar Puensum, which remains the highest unclimbed peak on earth. Seven long days' trekking remains to reach the wide-open, fertile valleys of Bhumthang. Probably one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas. This is a short four-day trek, which leads from Thimpu to Paro, or vice versa, crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although there is little settlement on this route, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish and the area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests, which bloom in May. In the clear weather of late autumn and winter where are views across to the Himalayas.