Bhutan: The Land of Gross National Happiness by Pam Perry

This is a guest blogpost by Pam Perry, Director of Operations for Grand Asian Journeys and speaker at our Travelogue on Bhutan back in April at the Bainbridge Library.  We asked Pam to give a brief overview of Bhutan as a travel destination for those who could not make it to the talk. - The Traveler

The first question most people ask when Bhutan is mentioned is “Is that in Africa?,” or perhaps, “Oh yeah, they measure happiness, right?”  Well, no and yes, in that order.

Buddhist Prayer Flags

 Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between China to the north and India to the south. It is about the size of Switzerland, with a population of just 700,000 people.

As a traveler coming to Bhutan, the first thing you notice is the stunning views of the Himalayas and the countryside on the plane ride in on Druk Air, the national airline of Bhutan and the only airline allowed to fly there.  Check out this tricky landing in Paro!

Once on the ground, what else does a traveler to Bhutan notice?  Here are just a few highlights of a typical visit.

Taktsang Monastery or "The Tiger's Nest"

☞  The Tiger’s Nest hangs on a cliff wall 2,900 feet above the valley floor and is only accessible by foot.  It exemplifies the remarkable architecture that is used for virtually every building in the country.

☞  Bhutan has a rich, well-preserved Buddhist culture which is evident everywhere.

☞  Trekking routes that are less populated than many others in the Himalayas 

☞  No plastic bags! (They’ve been banned since 1999) 

Why is everyone smiling?

Gross National Happiness

A very poor country, Bhutan’s fourth king decided that he would not use economics alone to measure the wealth of his country. The four pillars of Gross National Happiness are: cultural preservation, equitable economic development, good governance and environmental protection.  

Grouped together, these measures inform virtually every decision that the government makes. The government spends a good deal of money on health care, education and infrastructure, all for the betterment of their country and their people…things you will notice if you visit. 

No plastic bags!

How much does it cost to go to Bhutan?  It is not as expensive as one might expect. The “daily tariff” charged by the Bhutanese government, currently at around $200 per person, is not just a visa fee.  It is also a minimum amount of money that the government requires that you spend each day on transportation, food, lodging and guide services. There are many factors that can determine the trip cost, including the quality of accommodations.  

If you’re interested in visiting, it is necessary to book through a reputable tour operator. You cannot visit Bhutan on your own.  Grand Asian Journeys is one such local operator, and we are offering several itineraries to Bhutan, including Fibers of Bhutan: Culture, Heritage & Art (May 15-26, 2012).  Visit our Bhutan page or contact us for more information.

A passionate traveler, Pam Perry manages Grand Asian Journey's U.S. Office. She handles all client inquiries, bookings, marketing and administrative tasks.  Currently, she's developing exciting new itineraries for Bhutan, India and Vietnam for 2012 and beyond.  

Great Reads on Bhutan : Check our website, www.thetraveler.com, for a list of recommended books and guides on Bhutan.

Here are a few recent reports on Bhutan from Public Radio International's The World radio program.  

Bhutan's Hydropower Challenge (7/7)
How Democracy is Evolving in Bhutan (6/22) 

Why it costs $200 a Day in Bhutan (5/17)

Bhutan's Reform Program (5/10)

RE: Bhutan's Tobacco Laws (4/19)

Postcard from Bhutan: Gross National Happiness (4/15) - features a great slide show

Kingdom in the Himilayas (4/13) - features video of archery, the national pastime

Other links:
Fewer Fancy Hats, But Plenty of Pomp at Bhutan's Royal Wedding (NY Times, 10/13)
King of Bhutan Marries in Elaborate Ceremony (Seattle Times, 10/13)