Bhutan holiday, tailormade

There is simply no other country on earth that can claim to have such a sustainable policy regarding tourism as Bhutan. Every visitor contributes to the ongoing sustainability and success of the country.

The environment: The Bhutanese government and people’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a shining example. The environment is seen as a source of life and its protection is therefore a priority. Over 70% of the land area is covered by indigenous protected forest and is quite usual to see school children on tree planting days. In fact, few countries can boast environmental education classes in school from the age of 5.

All our tailor made trips minimise our environmental footprint. This is especially relevant to the numerous pristine environments that we encounter during our itinerary. Throughout all our Bhutanese trips we follow a robust policy of “leave no trace” which is relevant to wild camping, flora and fauna, waste disposal, visual and noise intrusion and other land users. We present briefings to clients on environmental awareness, responsibilities and practices, with particular emphasis on highlighting local environmental issues and threats that exist throughout the country. We also provide an opportunity to offset carbon emissions arising from international air travel to Bhutan.

The local economy: The government’s tourism policy ensures maximum support for local businesses, including local tour operators, hotels, transport companies and guides. In travelling to Bhutan, you can be sure that your visit is contributing to the ongoing support and growth of the local economy. Our local partners on this trip have been at the forefront of development of tourism in the country since the borders opened to visitors in 1974. They have assumed the environmental, economic and social responsibilities of operating a commercial enterprise in an exemplary way. A great example of this is how they retain all of their key guiding and operations staff as employees throughout the year, including those months where there are very few visitors to the country.

This particular tailor made trip visits areas outside the main centres of Thimphu and Paro where tourism is less established. By trekking through remote mountain regions and sourcing our supplies along the way from isolated villages, we are contributing to the even distribution of income and economic growth.

The local community: Bhutan’s cultural identity is unique and it is impossible not to feel that you are in a special place when you visit here. Although the country has been welcoming tourists for over 30 years, its ancient spiritual and cultural legacy remains intact. The preservation of the country’s culture and traditions has certainly, in part, been achieved by the government’s tourism policy which has kept tourists numbers low and meant that visitors are welcomed as guests of the Bhutanese throughout the country.

This particular itinerary is designed to ensure authentic interaction with the local population, customs and culture. This trip provides opportunities to learn and understand more about Bhutanese culture and customs through the use of qualified and experienced local guides. We inform clients of the socio-cultural considerations of the places visited and appropriate behaviour, particularly with regard to sites of religious significance that we visit on this trip, such as the Kyichu Lhakhang monastery.