Bhutan

Lessons From Bhutan

Why, exactly, would somebody want to tour or trek in Bhutan? How’s this for an answer?

Suddenly my problems and concerns shrank in importance and I was overwhelmed by a feeling that we are all connected on the planet, as big and as disconnected as it can seem. It was a giant thunderbolt that’s completely changed how I live my life. I started to see that it wasn’t about what I didn’t have or hadn’t achieved, but that there was a lot I could do to help other people.

Those are the words of Lisa Napoli, who was a radio reporter in Los Angeles, but who was going through something of a life crisis. Then somebody invited her to Bhutan to help start a radio station, and her life changed completely, along the lines above.

Napoli has now written a book called Radio Shangri-La: What I Discovered on my Accidental Journey to the Happiest Kingdom on Earth, and in this interview with WorldHum.com, she explains how getting out of our own culture also gets us out of our head, and into a connection with something larger than ourselves.

She talks about how the outside world appears to be affecting Bhutan (television, consumerism, etc.) but also how Bhutan’s emphasis on Gross National Happiness is affecting the rest of us.

Isn’t this why we travel, after all? Sure, there’s the beauty and adventure of walking or touring in Bhutan and the Himalayas, but isn’t it also to open our minds and hearts just a little?

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Bhutan’s Old-World Charms

The writer of this Fox News (yes, Fox news) article on Bhutan has figured out something intrinsic to the culture of this Himalayan kingdom: its monasteries and festivals are at the heart of what Bhutan is all about.

It’s a good read: Bhutan’s Serene Old-World Charms.

She also takes a look at the growth of tourism in Bhutan and concludes with a statement we agree with:

Central Bhutan, once the fringe region for more dedicated travellers, will continue to become more accessible and more popular. If Bhutan is on your radar,visit soon. If you’ve been before but couldn’t travel far enough east, the next few years will be your golden opportunity.

 

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Tips for Responsible Travel

At Embark, we think of travel as an adventure. But we also want to do it right: that is, we want to visit cultures but not affect them negatively; we want to explore natural environments without contributing to their demise; and we want to see the world while leaving behind a world worth seeing.

That’s why we enjoyed this article from a Filipino newspaper (thank you, Internet!) from an Adventure and Responsible Tourism Conference in, appropriately enough, Bhutan. The article quotes the keynote speaker as offering these seven tips for moving from “gawking tourist” to responsible traveler.

1. Make careful choices about the frequency, length and location of your trip

2. Learn to explore by foot

3. Select suppliers whose actions show that they run “places that care” for the environment, the employees, the host community as well as for the guest and investor.

4. Use transport modes that run on alternative energy

5. Buy food and souvenirs that are sourced and made by local residents, preferably using skills at risk of disappearing, and the services of local guides

6. Demonstrate humble curiosity—a conscious traveler will take the time to learn more about the community, the people and issues before, during and after their trips

7. Learn and respect local customs and traditions

What a great list! We aspire to live by all of those, whether it’s trekking in the Himalayas, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or going a cultural tour of Nepal. We also believe in paying fair wages and supporting the people and the environments where we travel. We believe in the places we travel, and invest money back into these communities, supporting local nongovernmental organizations such as the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project in Tanzania.

As we like to say, Embark is not just a company – it is a philosophy.

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Bhutan Travel Film in Oregon March 11

If you live anywhere near Portland, Oregon, where Embark is based, we recommend you head down I-5 to Albany this Sunday to see a travel film about Bhutan.

Linn-Benton Community College is hosting “Bhutan, The Cloud Kingdom,” is by Tom Sterling, and the event Sunday is part of a  series called “Travel at the Tripp.” Tickets are only $8 (and available online), and the show starts at 2 p.m. Directions are at the same link as tickets.

While we haven’t seen the film, Embark has seen Bhutan, and we think it’s a very special place. That’s why we have two or three trekking and cultural trips there every year.

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The Beauty of Bhutan

Sometimes it’s all about looking at pretty pictures and dreaming of travel. And no place supplies beautiful images like Bhutan, the tiny Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas.

We found this post leading to some wonderful images, and with a little digging we found the photographer’s site at Visited Planet. One of the things they do is donate used cameras to people in developing nations, so if you have an old camera you’re done with, get in touch with them

One of our hiking groups in Bhutan have brought back some amazing photos, too. Check them out.

Now, who wants to head for Bhutan?

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Even with daily travel fee, Bhutan offers affordable trip of a lifetime

Aside from its expansive serentiy and Gross Domestic Happiness agenda, what sets the Kingdom of Bhutan apart from the rest of the world is its $200 daily travel fee required of all visitors.

The fee is essentially a permit, and it is a flat fee charged to any visitor regardless of income level, length of stay, etc. There is, simply put, no way around it. And the Bhutanese government plans to raise the rate to $250 a day in 2011.

But what many outsiders do not know is that this fee covers all the in-country basics: food, lodging, permits, etc.

Bhutan’s economy, incidentally, is the second-fastest-growing in the world, due in large part to a big hydroelectricity project. Even still, as of March 2006, the country’s per capita income was $1,321, so your incoming travel dollars go far.

Embark will be announcing more trips to Bhutan soon, but for now, our existing trip provides a great outline for what you’ll get out o f a trek through this magnificent, well-preserved, and tranquil landscape. The base cost covers the daily travel fee.

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Embark’s Upcoming Adventures – Join Us!

Upcoming Embark Adventures, Adventure Travel Company, Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro Trips, Nepal Treks, Bhutan Trips.

Each year, Embark has a handful of adventure trips that are looking for extra adventurers.

One of our most popular treks continues to be Kilimanjaro as it has several departure dates this summer and fall: July 5, August 16, September 6 and a New Year’s eve summit. Find out more details about our climb up Kilimanjaro. We are looking for more people for all the departure dates – but are trying extra hard for the Sept departure!

Climbing and trekking continues in Asia as well. October 16 is the start date for the 19 to 23 day Island Peak/Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Climb Island Peak and explore Everest Base Camp in the best time of year to visit the country. Nepal is a great, affordable country for trekking, climbing and exotic culture

Embark is fortunate enough to be leading a group through Bhutan, a country that only allows a very limited number tourists in per year. Bhutan’s self-enforced isolation and contrasts never disappoint. Explore Bhutan on the Chomolhari Trek. The Chomolhari Trek in Bhutan departs October 31 and should not be missed.

Embark’s newest venture is into the world of adventure yoga holidays. Beginners, experts and complete novices can benefit from a practice while traveling. Our 14 day Nepal Yoga Trek offers trekkers the option to open mind and body on the Annapurna range and departs October 23.

And, as always, Embark has other adventure trips around the world: Uganda, Costa Rica, Tibet, Morocco and other destinations.

If you are interested in a company that offers Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro Tours, please contact Embark, or visit our Kilimanjaro Tours section for more information.

If you have any questions, send us an email to inquire about any of our expeditions or adventures.

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