The most magical of Himalayan kingdoms, Bhutan is a small country nestling in the eastern end of the Himalayas. Seeking to preserve its unique culture it has guarded itself against unchecked tourism and modernization and even now remains a rare destination for most travelers. As well as its colorful religious and social traditions, Bhutan is the guardian of some of the world’s most beautiful mountain scenery. A Buddhist land, Bhutan’s religious practices largely follow those of Tibet. Commemorative chortens dot the landscape while faded prayer flags are stretched around homes and monasteries. Red-robed lamas can be encountered on hill paths, turning prayer wheels as they journey across this rugged country. Stretching from foothills on the Indian border to snow-clad peaks, Bhutan offers an unspoiled habitat for a huge variety of flora and fauna. As mountain streams tumble down steep, thickly forested mountain valleys they pass through thick belts of pine and rhododendron, oak and alder and, lower down, groves of bamboo and oranges. Small-scale farmers cultivate rice in terraced paddies and millet and barley on the higher slopes.