Bhutan's tiny Himalayan airport is one of the hardest places on Earth to land

Surrounded by 18,000-foot mountains.

That airport is called "Paro," and like the rest of the mostly Buddhist kingdom, it is nestled among the Himalayas, which make getting there a tricky proposition.

Obviously, however, it's easier to fly in than it is to walk.

Partly due to an unusually short runway, takeoffs and landings are among the world's most difficult, and very few pilots are qualified to land there.

But for those who can get their hands on a tourist visa, and handle their fear, a trip to Paro also offers breathtaking views of some of the world's most beautiful mountains, and one of the only ways to visit one of world's happiest countries.

Bhutan has preserved much of its traditional Buddhist culture, a big draw for the tourists who come from around the world to explore its majestic mountains and centuries-old monasteries.

[An earlier version of this post was written by Alex Davies.]