Luxury Bhutan vacation

Planet

The charming mountain kingdom of Bhutan is the only country in the world that measures its citizens’ Gross National Happiness. By visiting Bhutan you help to preserve and sustain one of the world's 10 most biodiverse regions, with 72% of pristine forest cover.

On your trip we will ensure that we respect the country´s sustainability & happiness rules and customs to the most by working with local partners, using local food and resources, and by educating our staff and our guests as much as possible - we will take you on a continuous journey of learning and remembering that nature is a gift that we should respect and cherish.

We are trying to keep the extra unneeded waste to a minimum in all our tours and leave the smallest footprint possible on all our hikes and treks. In our head office we also choose to have no printed brochures or material to avoid our carbon footprint and we are dedicated recyclers (just as Bhutan´s entire country is going paperless also).

By visiting Bhutan´s parks and treks, you will directly contribute to conserve its native wildlife and natural environment, including more than 770 species of birds and over 165 species of animals, which roam free in the country’s 5 million acre network of protected areas. We work with licensed local trekking guides who are officially trained in the necessary trekking, mountaineering, environmental and cultural issues relevant to the country’s eco-tourism policies.

Responsible accommodation:
The hotels we pick subscribe to harness a healthy, green clean policy both for local communities and for their staff which ties in with our own belief and passion to keeping as green as we possibly can. You will stay at the Amankora lodges for example, whose values are founded on simple luxury complimented by unique locations and offering an enriching, enlightening and rewarding 'lifestyle' experience. The Amankora resorts are focused on contributing positively to the long term viability of the destination, such as supporting local employment, using local produce for food to support local farmers, developing local work force by imparting training and assisting in a forestation programme in surrounding areas.

You will also stay at two Como hotels. The Como hotel group recognises that each COMO location is unique and faces different local challenges and opportunities for sustainability. Yet, the basis for their efforts are the same — a firm belief that they can deliver distinct, memorable experiences for guests while operating responsibly.

- Como are committed to reducing the use of precious natural resources and minimising their impact on the environment. They manage water and energy consumption by installing efficient equipment and fixtures.
- Much of their produce comes from the organic kitchen garden, which is maintained in partnership with local farmers from the Paro Valley, affording a bounty of fresh ingredients.
- In general, COMO sources locally whenever possible, supporting local producers, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and non-profit organisations. They choose these vendors not only because they often have the best and freshest produce, but also because they are leaders of sustainable economic development within their communities.
- At COMO Uma Paro, they have helped a local female entrepreneur set up Bhutan’s first prayer flag printer and shop.
- Habitats and Biodiversity: COMO aim to preserve natural habitats to allow the ecosystems of each destination to thrive. COMO Uma Paro and Punakha cultivate indigenous tree species and work with local authorities in reforestation efforts of local blue pine and cypress trees. COMO Uma Paro is also committed to developing wildflower meadows, organic gardens and more mixed species woodland, using oak, hemlock, fir and maple saplings. These measures are paying off, attracting a rich variety of birdlife.

People

A fair deal:
We only work with local Bhutanese guides that come from the very region you are visiting, giving back to their families and communities. While many operators pay per day or per tour, our guides receive an hourly rate which allows a fair and fruitful reward for their expertise.

If you do want to shop additionally, we will guide you to local markets where local artisans craft their products or local farmers sell their organic produce, which will help keep the money earned in that very community.

We will take you to the most sacred sites, temples and villages in Bhutan which will directly help conserve the country´s traditional values and culture. Many of the monasteries and temples you will visit are kept alive thanks to your contribution.

We will also make sure you will have enough time to enjoy Bhutan´s rich, hospitable culture where local people enjoy sharing their way of life over lunch or tea. In Paro, we will take you to a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn about their lifestyle and also share your own stories – an exchange of cultures and wisdoms which will benefit both the family and you.

A special local experience you can live with us is the hoisting of a Lung Dhar or Prayer Flag. Prayer flags are hoisted for happiness, long life, prosperity, luck and merit. The colours used in the prayer flags follow the concept of ‘Kham’ which are the five characteristic birth elements that determine an individual’s dominant personality. We work with a Buddhist Monk who will personally accompany you to a shop that sells prayer flags. You will get an insight to and an interpretation of your birth element in the Bhutanese way.

We will then buy a prayer flag with the colours corresponding to your birth element and head out to a designated place in Thimphu, where you will hoist the prayer flag. The Monk will chant the consecration prayers, once you finish the hoisting of your prayer flag.


Preserving Culture through your hotel choice:
With your stay at the COMO hotels, you will contribute to the celebration of artisanal skills unique to each culture and tradition. At COMO Uma Paro and Punakha, the interiors feature Bhutanese wall art hand-painted by their in-house artist who also produces one-of-a-kind mementos for their boutique.

Every COMO hotel also takes a great interest in enabling local youth to gain employment within the hospitality industry. COMO support local community partners with skills and relevant assets, with a particular focus on health, education and income sustainability. COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma Punakha also operate a water management system for their respective communities, ensuring that local farmers have enough water.