Travel Guest Post: Bhutan, the Real Shangri-La

Tired of the same overrun, passé destinations? Looking for tranquility and a deeper connection? If you believe that Gross National Happiness is as important as Gross National Product, then there’s an elusive kingdom waiting for you at the “roof of the world.” Nestled between Tibet and India in the eastern Himalayas is one of the world’s most reclusive countries, the Kingdom of Bhutan. Closed off to the outside world for a long time, Bhutan opened itself to tourism in 1974. Since then, the pace of travel to Bhutan has gradually picked up, and for the first time the number of annual visitors may reach 100,000 in 2012.

Don’t expect it to become the next Riviera any time soon though. Just before opening the country’s doors to foreigners, then-Dragon King Jigme Singye Wangchuck famously coined the concept of “Gross National Happiness” as an official statistic to keep cultural, ecological, and psychological wellbeing in the Buddhist kingdom, and affirm those values to be every bit as important as economic growth. In accordance with those goals, there remain certain deliberate barriers to full-scale exploitation of Bhutan’s tourist potential.

A daily tariff of $250 is charged to all foreign visitors. For a standard group tour, this covers meals, in-country transportation, all taxes and fees, and standard lodging. However, a smaller additional fee ($20 or $30 per night) applies if you choose to travel singly or as a couple, and not in a tour group. And should you prefer to stay at some of the more upscale resorts such as Uma Paro, Taj Tashi, or Amankora, you will need to pay your own hotel costs in addition to the daily tariff.

Uma Paro is conveniently located near the town of Paro…conveniently because Paro’s airport is the only way to enter Bhutan (other than crossing over from India by land, and even then there’s only one border checkpoint). Lodgings include Forest View and Valley View rooms, suites and private villas. The main restaurant, Bukhari, features an eclectic mix of Western, Bhutanese and Indian cuisines, and its tables are arranged around a central fireplace in a breathtaking circular pavilion with views of the pines.

The Taj Tashi is a five-star hotel in the kingdom’s capital city of Thimpu, with 66 guestrooms amid a mixture of modern style and Bhutan’s own unmistakable Dzong architecture. After a long day of trekking through mountainous terrain (or simply gazing upon the beauty of classical Buddhist murals and prayer wheels), try a hot stone bath at the Jiva Spa.

Amankora, whose name means “circular pilgrimage,” is a series of lodges in five of the valleys of Bhutan, including Paro and Thimpu, but also the smaller settlements of Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang.  Each has its own spa and dining room with Western and Bhutanese menus. You can stay at one lodge or plan a spiritual journey that stops at more than one.

Whether you choose one of these luxurious lodgings or decide to backpack around Bhutan as a humble pilgrim, you’re sure to experience something special. Just remember to bring your cigs: though you’re allowed to bring a small amount for personal use, the kingdom is the one country in the world where tobacco is illegal!

Author: This is a guest post by Eliza Morgan who is a full-time blogger.  She specializes in writing about business credit cards. You can reach her at: elizamorgan856 at gmail dot com.