The independent kingdom of Bhutan is located in Southeast Asia, most of it being two thousand metres above sea level and is situated between India in the south and Tibet in the north. Until the 1960’s Bhutan was protected from intruders due to its geographical location and was totally cut off from the outside world.

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. On the northern edge of the city on the banks of the Wang River is the Pangri Zampa Temple, two impressive white buildings in the centre of a monastery. A school of astrology is located behind an unusually long prayer wall of carved stones surrounded by a forest of cypress trees.

The road to Punakha travels across the Dochula Pass from the top of which more than a hundred chortens appear in the mist. A chorten is a container for religious offerings that symbolize Buddha’s consciousness in the Himalayan countries, and are therefore sacred. As quickly as it arrives, the fog vanishes, and the Druk Wangyal Ihakhang Temple suddenly appears out of nowhere.

At the end of a valley, about fifteen kilometres from Paro, and located on a hill, is the once proud Drukgyal Dzong Fortress. At its foot, the beautiful village of Tsento nestling against protective rocks and surrounded by fertile fields which are brown or green according to the season of the year.

Bhutan is an amazing country has retained its ancient traditions, religious secrets and cultural identity.