BHUTAN | THE LAND OF HAPPINESS
KUZUZANGPO LA!
Welcome to Bhutan, a country blessed with rich culture and living traditions. Bhutan is also referred to as Drukyul which translates to the Land of Thunder Dragon. The nation has remained immune to the global shift that has affected customs and cultures throughout the world. Bhutan is still one of the most gorgeous countries on the planet adorned with plenty of rich all-natural resources and biodiversity. Bhutan has a population of roughly 750,000 inhabitants and Buddhism is the main religion practiced in Bhutan. Since 1907, Bhutan became a unified country under the Institution of Monarchy and since then enjoyed a graceful development pathway in the last ten decades.
The geographical terrain of Bhutan stretches from the snowcapped Himalayan ranges into the tropical forest in the south next to India. This makes Bhutan, the ideal destination for the enthusiastic traveler to trek through the magnificent valleys and temperate mountains of Bhutan.
BHUTAN TOURISM POLICY
Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness, and a well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment.
The Tourism Policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan is based on the concept of “High Value & Low Impact”. Founded on the principle of sustainability, tourism must be environmentally friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development, particularly for a developing country like Bhutan. It believes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help to promote a deeper understanding among people and to strengthen ties of friendship based on a deeper appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.
Tourists are kept to a manageable level through a government regulated tourist tariff. This all inclusive tariff covers all food, accommodation, transport and guide services. A portion of the tariff (currently 35%) helps to sustain the provision of free medical care and education for everyone in the country.
Where is Bhutan?
Bhutan lies in the eastern Himalayas, sandwiched between China and India.
Gross National Happiness | Land of Happiness
Gross National Happiness, or GNH, is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. The objective of GNH is to achieve a balanced development in all the facets of life that are essential; for our happiness.
We are in the age of the Anthropocene when the fate of the planet and all life is within the power of mankind. Boundless consumerism, widening socio-economic inequality and instability is causing rapid natura resource depletion and degradation. Climate change, species extinction, multiple crises, growing insecurity, instability and conflicts are not only diminishing our well-being but are also threatening our very survival.
Today, it is inconceivable for modern society to function without the business of commerce, finance, industry or trade. These very factors are altering human destiny by the day in extraordinary ways, both positive and negative. GNH directly addresses such global, national and individual challenges by pointing to the non-material roots of well- being and offering ways to balance and satisfy the dual needs of the human being within the limits of what nature can provide on a sustainable basis.
GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS
Since 1971, the country has rejected GDP as the only way to measure progress. In its place, it has championed a new approach to development, which measures prosperity through formal principles of (GNH).
The four pillars of GNH philosophy are the promotion of:
- Sustainable development
- Preservation and promotion of cultural values
- Conservation of the natural environment, and
- Establishment of good governance.
The phrase “Gross National Happiness” GNH” was coined by Bhutan’s fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The phrase was coined as a signal of commitment to building an economy that would serve Bhutan’s culture based on Buddhist spiritual values instead of the western material development that was represented by gross domestic product.
HOW TO GET TO BHUTAN
The best way to get into Bhutan is by air. Bhutan has only two airlines operating in Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines that flies in from Thailand, Singapore, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. You can also enter via road from the border town in the south of Bhutan.
FESTIVALS OF BHUTAN
You can find a list of festivals happening in 2023. You can work with our travel expert to design and custom tailor your trip to coincide with a festival in Bhutan.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT BHUTAN?
THE MOST PEACEFUL KINGDOM IN THE WORLD
Bhutan is a small kingdom with an area little over 38,394 sq.km and a population of 7, 97,335 only. The Kingdom is situated in the greater Himalayan region with two giant neighbors, China in the North and India in the south. Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion and the head of state is His Majesty the King.
Bhutan hasn’t been marred by any political conflicts, extreme poverty or has to worry about crime In the Kingdom. Bhutan is a very safe and peaceful destination. Bhutan is also known as the “Druk Yul” Land of the Thunder Dragon thus Bhutan is popularly known as the Thunder Dragon Kingdom.
SMILING AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE.
While walking in Bhutan do not be surprise if someone smiles at you and greets you “Kuzuzangpo La” Hello! Or if a villager or stranger asks you to visit their home for tea, “suja” butter milk, wine or request you to eat at their place. Well! This is Bhutan where the people are very friendly and always will be smiling.
Ever since the times of our forefathers it has been a tradition to welcome anyone with smile and treat them in the best manner. Bhutanese people are very friendly and helpful people so don’t be surprised if you make dozens of very good friends while you in Bhutan for a week’s trip.
FAIRY TALE KINGDOM.
Bhutan has rich heritage, culture and the myth and legends seamlessly comes together to create a unique and journey. The centuries old rich architecture and customs are still been practiced today. Everything in Bhutan is simply beautiful and very different.
Since Bhutan has the noble and popular Kings, the massive centuries old “Dzongs” forts which are situated on the high hills, towns and villages with colorful traditional houses, man and women who are wearing their national dress called Gho and Kira and beautiful valley all around, it will make you wonder if you have just landed in a Fairyland Kingdom which you always dream about.
EXCLUSIVE TOURISM DESTINATION.
Bhutan is possibly one of the best examples of sustainable eco tourism and a country that is committed to this concept, inspired by the Buddhist view of interdependence between man and nature. Bhutan opened up its door to Tourism only in 1974 and the government adopted a cautious tourism policy to avoid any negative that mass tourism could have on a small country.
All visitors to Bhutan have to book their tour and avail their Visa through a registered Bhutan tour operator.
(Tourist visiting Bhutan has to pay a Minimum tariff of USD$ 200 per night during off season and USD$250 per night during peak season, an all inclusive payment for accommodation, meals, guide, travel and environment policy)
RICH BIO-DIVERSITY.
Due to Bhutan’s strict environment policy. Bhutan possesses flora and fauna that is unrivaled in the Himalayas. While developing countries forests have been plundered, Bhutan’s, which cover 72 percent of its land, are in fact increasing.
Bhutan is marked by raw natural beauty where the dense foliage change dramatically as the sub tropical jungles at sea level merge into a fertile temperate zone and rises up to the great northern glaciers. The pristine environment is home to exotic wild life and is the last refuge for endangered species like the black necked crane, the blue sheep, the golden languor, the Takin and even the royal Bengal tigers.
IMPRESSIVE FESTIVAL CALLED TSHECHU
Festivals in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts inside a black necked crane, the blue sheep, the golden languor, the Takin in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhist to Bhutan in the 8th century.
Tshechu takes place on auspicious days and months according to the Bhutanese calander and last up to 4 days in which a series of highly stylist mask dance rituals are performed. During the festival the locals come and enjoy the festival in their finest clothes.
The Tshechu’s are a rich form of our oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual believe through the dance dramas. Many of the Tshechu’s culminate with a rare display of a giant silk appliqué Thagnka” painting” depicting Guru Rimpoche or some other important Buddhist deities.
UNIQUE TREKKING EXPERIENCE
Trekking in Bhutan is a unique experience unlike many of the more crowded trek’s offered in Asia. The variety of treks range from a simple 3 days trek from the district of Thimphu to Paro ( and vice versa ) to the 25 days legendary snowman’s trek that takes veteran trekkers to some of the most exquisite spots in the country. The snowman trek is also labeled the world’s toughest trek as it goes over 12 mountain passes, all of the over 45oo meters
UNIQUE CULTURE AND TRADITION.
Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until early 1960s. One of the main attractions for tourists is the country’s culture and traditions.
The government is increasingly making efforts to preserve and sustain the current culture and traditions of the country. Because of its largely unspoiled natural environment and cultural heritage, Bhutan has been referred to as The Last Shangri-la.
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME.
If you visit Bhutan then you will cherish this wonderful journey forever. Ask any friends or family member who has visit Bhutan they will tell you fascinating story and experience they had in Bhutan. Bhutan truly is a country that should be in your bucket list. If you are a frequent traveler but if you have not been to Bhutan then your travel will never be complete.
What makes travelling to Bhutan so different and a journey of a life time experience is the uniqueness of the Kingdom, the smiling and happy people which you will encounter in the country, the beautiful landscape, rich cultural, devoted people, the noble King and the Royal family, freedom, unpolluted country etc.
Embassies and Consulates
Bhutan has a number of embassies and consulates, including those listed below:
- Bangkok: Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok – 375/1 Soi Ratchadanivej, Pracha – Uthit Road, Samsen nod, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10320. Tel: +66-2-2744740, Fax: +66-2-2744743.
- Brussels: Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Avenue Jules César 70, 1150 Bruxelles, Belgium. Tel: 32 2 761 95 70, Fax: 00 32 2 761 95 77
- Dhaka: Royal Bhutanese Embassy,House No.12 CEN, Road No.107, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212.Phone: 880-2-8826863/8827160, Fax: 880-2-8823939
- Kuwait: Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Kuwait- P.O.Box 1510, Safat 13016, South Surra, Al Salaam, Block 3, Street 308, House 3. Tel: +965-25213601/2 Fax: +965-25213603
- New Delhi: Royal Bhutanese Embassy – Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel: 609217/ 609218, Fax:6876710
- U.S.: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UN, – 763 United Nations (1st Avenue), New York NY 10017. Tel: +212 682-2268, Fax: +212-661-0551.
Contact
- The international dialing code for Bhutan is +975
- WiFi is readily available in the majority of hotels throughout the country. Many of the internet cafes offer WiFi also. Most populated areas have internet cafes, although they are relatively expensive, and the connection is slow. Please make sure you find an appropriate internet cafe in advance if you need a connection for work.
- Telephone call booths are existent in major towns in Bhutan
- Most of Bhutan has mobile phone coverage, which is smart phone capable. B-Mobile has agreements with North American, some Asian and European countries on mobile roaming. Tashi Cell is another mobile company based in the country.