Last month, on Bhutan’s 118th National Day, the prestigious Druk Thuksey Medal honored the country’s tourism industry. Reasons for the Award: Supporting Bhutan’s growth in line with the “High Value, Low Volume” tourism policy. Promoting Bhutan’s values and becoming an ambassador for the country abroad. In 2024, Bhutan received top destination awards from National Geographic...Read More
The Bhutanese education system started as early as 1914, during the first king’s reign. The first school, Ugyen Dorji High, was in Haa. However, in the 1980s, Bhutan’s education system underwent major changes when it formed its own curriculum, which was previously based on the Indian education system. Having said that, a growing number of...Read More
Bhutan is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit can depend on several factors. Weather, costs, and other considerations could impact your travel dates to the country. Weather Spring (March to May) and Fall (late August to November) are ideal times to visit Bhutan, if weather is a priority. During these months, you...Read More
Since the pandemic travel trends have drastically changed, especially in Bhutan. There’s been a growing interest in experiencing the culture of a place more authentically, one home at a time. In Saudi Arabia, inviting guests to a local’s home is popular, which is similar to a homestay experience in Bhutan. Homestays have been booming in...Read More
Last Saturday, the official Facebook page for Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan’s future sustainable city, announced that British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran will be performing in Bhutan. He is set to perform in Thimphu, the capital, on January 24, 2025, kicking off his tour. The announcement quickly gained attention, with some concerns raised about...Read More
Last Friday, I attended an exhibition in River City Bangkok, an iconic building by the Chao Phraya River. The exhibition showcased pieces from the collaboration between fashion brand Chuni Dorji Prive, from Bhutan and Sarran, a Thai jewellery line. Both brands bear the names of their respective designers. The exhibition was held at Sarran’s flagship...Read More
Day 1: Picked up guests from the airport for the Royal Highland Festival tour. Day 2: After arriving in Punakha the night before, we made our 7-hour drive to Taktsimakhang above Gasa, the last point for driving before you reach the festival location in Laya. Day 3: At 3820 meters above sea level, we thoroughly...Read More
In September, I traveled with Little Bhutan to Haa, the last district in western Bhutan to open to tourists. Haa lies just a 90-minute drive from Paro International Airport but sees fewer visitors. Most people know little about the district beyond its guardian deity, Chhundu, who reportedly rivals Gyenyen, Thimphu’s local deity. On our three-hour...Read More
In 2008, Tshering Dorji won Bhutan’s first bodybuilding competition, making him the first person to hold the title of Mr. Bhutan. He won the title again, in 2010, and 2011. Fourteen years later, he’s raising three children, living in a new country, and pursuing a different career. He lives in Geneva with his family, but...Read More
Carissa Nimah is the Chief Marketing Officer at the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Bhutan. She is also a member of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) working team, for which she was part of the historic Australia visit by His Majesty the King. She is Australian. Before moving to Bhutan, she spent the majority of...Read More
