A small kingdom that measures success by wellbeing, protects its forests by law and still wears its national dress to work — here is what makes a journey here different.
People often ask what makes Bhutan different from other Himalayan destinations. The honest answer is a combination of small things that add up to something unusual.
A culture that is lived, not performed
Most Bhutanese wear the national dress — the gho for men, the kira for women — to school, to work and to government offices. Festivals are community events first and tourist sights second. When you attend a tshechu you are a guest at someone else’s celebration, which changes the feel entirely.
Forests protected by the constitution
Bhutan’s constitution requires that at least sixty percent of the country remain under forest cover, and the real figure is higher. The result is one of the greenest landscapes in Asia, with tigers, red pandas and black-necked cranes sharing the country with its people.
A measured approach to tourism
Visitors pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee, and travel is arranged through licensed local operators. The effect is a country that has not been overrun: lodges are small, roads are quiet and the best-known sites are rarely crowded early in the morning.
Architecture with a purpose
A dzong is both a monastery and a seat of government, and nearly every district still has one. Built without nails or architectural plans, these white-walled fortresses are some of the most striking buildings in the Himalaya — and they are still in daily use.
Travel at human scale
Bhutan is small enough that you can walk to a cliffside monastery in the morning, soak in a hot stone bath in the evening and sleep in a farmhouse by night. Even the longest drives pass through landscapes you will not want to hurry.
If you are curious, our seven-day Western Valleys journey is the one we suggest for first visits, and our planning form is the best place to begin shaping your own.
