History, philosophy and daily life in the last independent Buddhist kingdom of the Himalaya - as our guides know it, not as a guidebook summarizes it.
Around 1500 BCE, the peoples of these valleys lived by herding - sheep, goats and yak. Buddhism arrived in the 7th century, and in the 8th century the Indian master Padmasambhava spread the faith more widely.
For centuries, though, the many ethnic groups scattered across the valleys remained fiercely divided. It was Ngawang Namgyal who first organized the country under a dual system of spiritual and temporal authority.
Atmosphere Bhutan is a licensed travel agency based in Thimphu. We design personalized, made-to-measure itineraries and accompany our guests through Bhutan's protected landscapes.
Our team speaks French, English, Japanese, German, Spanish, Korean and Chinese. We specialize in cultural journeys, trekking and spiritual travel.
Bhutan holds an unusual belief for a modern nation: that amassing material wealth does not necessarily lead to happiness.
That principle still shapes national policy today, from free healthcare and education to strict environmental protection.
The Bhutanese constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Around three-quarters of the population practice Buddhism, alongside Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.
Every region carries its own language, dress and customs - one of the reasons a single Bhutan itinerary rarely does the country justice.
