Bhutan Himalayas
Bhutan is a country which lies in the Himalayan mountain range and has mountain peaks ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 meters above sea level. These mountain peaks remain covered with snow for most part of the year and have a number of glaciers.
Bhutan is a tiny country which is situated between India and Tibet. It has ever remained the attraction for tourists from all over the world because of its never ending Himalayan mountain range, green pastures, deep lush valleys, Bhutanese Buddhist culture and architecture. Bhutan is also known as the 'Land of peaceful Dragon' and has been blessed with varied flora and fauna.
Climate of Bhutan Himalayas
Climate in Bhutan Himalayas remain cool throughout the year. In winter months from December to February, the temperature ranges between -4 degree and 16 degree Celsius, whereas in the summer months of April to June, temperature fluctuates between 15 and 32 degree Celsius. Monsoons here provide rainfall in the months from July to September.
Physiography of Bhutan Himalayas
Bhutan is a landlocked country and entirely mountainous which ranges from 100 meters to 7,554 meters of altitude. The total stretch of Bhutan from East to West is around 300 km and from North to South is 150 km. Bhutan Himalayas can be divided into three zones i.e. Great Himalayas, Inner Himalayas and Himalayan foothills.
Great Himalayas
This zone of Himalayas in Bhutan starts from Kulha Gangri mountain (7,554 m) in the Central Bhutan to Chomolhari mountain (7,314 m) in the West. Most of the peak area which has alpine meadows is covered by snow throughout the year. Melting snow of the Great Himalayan mountain peaks is also a source of many snow fed rivers of Bhutan. This region is also used as a pasture for livestock by the localities.
Inner Himalayas
The inner region of Himalayas in Bhutan lies between an elevation of 1,100 m to 3,000 meters above sea level. Most of the populated major towns of Bhutan lie in this region in broad valleys and hilly slopes covered by woods. Towns like Thimpu, Trongsa, Paro, Mongar and Trashigang all lie in the inner Himalayan range of Bhutan. Some of the spectacular gorges lie in the inner Himalayan range in Bhutan which has fertile and cultivable land with terraced river basins.
Himalayan Foothills of Bhutan
This region covers the Southern parts of Bhutan. It is also known by the name of Terai which receives heavy rainfall during monsoon season and is rich in various varieties of vegetation in its tropical dense deciduous forests. The region is a habitat for abundant wildlife with rugged and slopping terrain and dry porous soil.
Flora and Fauna of Bhutan Himalayas
Himalayan range in Bhutan is very rich in various species of flora with over 5,000 varieties of different plants like Rhododendrons, Orchids, Blue Poppy and Dock etc. Apart from this there are various reasons for its diverse biodiversity like geographical and climate diversity.
Tiger, one horned rhino, clouded leopard, golden langur, sloth bear, goral, black bear, red panda, sambar and blue sheep are some of the wild animals which are found in Bhutan Himalayas. A number of varieties of birds can also be spotted in the forests of Bhutan except in harsh winter climate.
Places of attraction in Bhutan Himalayas
Himalayan region of Bhutan is full of tourism attraction destinations, attracting a number of visitors every year from across the globe. Some of the best destinations to visit are Thimpu (the capital city), Phajoding, Paro, Kytchu-Lakhang, Vhunzom or Confluence, Taktsang, Punakha (the old capital city) and Kyichu.