Original Bhutan Travels

09/01/2024

You can now depart to Gelephu every Sunday and Thursday! ✨ What's more? We've added an extra connection to Yongphula for an even smoother journey.

🏞️✨Book your travel with us now for a seamless journey between Gelephu and beyond!

31/12/2023

Happy New Year to you and yours!

23/12/2023

23 December 2023: His Majesty The King graced the Salhang Tendrel (groundbreaking) ceremony for the Gelephu International Airport today.

The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, with the interim government, senior government officials, the Indian Ambassador, and lams and trulkus from all Buddhist traditions in Bhutan, attending.

The salhang tendrel ceremony is of great importance before commencing any construction, reflecting the deeply held respect for land in Bhutanese culture. The ceremony is held to honour the land deity believed to protect the land, and seek her permission to use the land, as well as receive her blessings and continued protection for all future work and inhabitants of that place.

Simultaneously, Salhang tendrel ceremonies were held at 9 other sites across the future Gelephu Mindfulness City.

The international airport will be an important component of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which was announced during His Majesty’s National Day Address.

18/12/2023

18 December 2023:

His Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, members of the Royal Family, the Kuwait Ambassador, advisors from the interim government, senior officials, and international representatives joined the ceremony to offer one thousand butter lamps in honour of the late Amir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

His Highness Sheikh Nawaf passed away on December 16.

Bhutan and Kuwait share exceptionally warm and friendly relations, guided by the friendship between the Royal Families of the two countries.

His Majesty The King has granted messages conveying condolences from the people of Bhutan to the Amir of Kuwait.

14/12/2023

In preparation of upcoming Bhutan’s National Day on the 17th December, Original Bhutan joined other members of ABTO (Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators) in sprucing up the town and road into Thimphu.

#

06/12/2023

Do you know that presently interim government composed of autonomous agencies is in power during transition between elections? It ensures that there are no undue influence from the party in power during elections. No party is in power during elections. The interims government will hand over reins after results of January 09 elections are confirmed. Bhutan is constitutional democratic monarchy.

02/12/2023

As a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy, Bhutan just completed primary elections for the lower house and will be headed into General Elections on Jan 09th, 2024. Bhutan’s tri-cameral system has the Lower House based on party while Upper House is non-partisan. Very hard to have polarized parliament - thought out by His Majesty the fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck

(Picture Courtesy: Kuensel)

29/11/2023

Bhutan goes to polls tomorrow - primary round for lower house. Bhutan is a democratic Constitutional Monarchy. We have come long way since His Majesty the Fourth King then held mock elections so that people knew the process, we now hope that we imbue the spirit with which His Majesty brought about these changes, for it is not about power but chance to serve and sacrifice. His Majesty the 4th King stepped down 2 years before the elections and new system that he pushed for years before then.

Bhutan, a constitutional democratic monarchy, is preparing for its fourth primary lower house elections since its transition from absolute monarchy 15 years ago. The anticipated polls will determin…

29/11/2023

Bhutan goes to polls tomorrow - primary round for lower house. Bhutan is a democratic Constitutional Monarchy. Did you know that people didn’t want democracy and that it is a gift from enlightened leadership and the throne? Years before the 2008 first elections, people time and again asked His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to reconsider as His Majesty talked about democracy and elections. More on the subject in our ‘blogs and news’ page of our website. (Picture Courtesy: Daily Bhutan)

29/11/2023

Sustainable flight

The Virgin Atlantic flight used only sustainable aviation fuel to cross the Atlantic Ocean from London to New York on Tuesday. It’s a step toward zero-carbon flight.

24/11/2023

🙏🙏🙏

22/11/2023

One of the days during the month of May in Bhutan

17/11/2023

Happiness is a place - Kingdom of Bhutan. The video never gets old.

Some of the highlights of being in Kingdom of Bhutan. Original Bhutan Travels curates trips with unique blend of comfort and adventure, reflecting one's indi...

16/11/2023

The ta***ic Buddhist festivals serve as a medium to instruct laity - enticing, mystic and engaging morality show. The festivals called the ‘Tshechu’ (or the tenth day) alludes to the 10th day of lunar calendar on which ta***ic master Guru Rimpoche was born, in celebration of his life.

13/11/2023

Idyllic Bhutan

10/11/2023

It’s said that once a survey on patriotism was conducted at Sherubtse College by the then Principal the Late Father William Mackey. One of the questions was something like “will you die for your country?” and it’s said that close to 50 percent said ‘yes’. After the question was slightly tweaked to ask “will you die for your King?” This time it was cent percent ‘yes’

Our Kings are our country.

Celebrating His Majesty the 4th King’s Birth Anniversary with prayers for His Majesty’s well being - grateful for His Majesty’s being.

08/11/2023

Kingdom of Bhutan… traditionally the concept of solo dancing is non-existent - a recognition of interdependence and communal culture, where everyone shows up during sickness or building house (similar to American concept of barn raising). (Photo courtesy: Zhung Dratshang)

01/11/2023

Celebrating the 15th Coronation Day in gratitude for bringing us home safe through the pandemic, leading changes and securing our future. Ever grateful. The fortunate people of the world - the Bhutanese.

31/10/2023

His Majesty the King attended Japan in Bhutan anniversary. Japan is close to every Bhutanese's heart from His Majesty to every subject. Grateful to Japan for being friend in action.

Courtesy: Kuensel 28th October 2023 His Majesty The King graced the celebration of the 35th Anniversary of Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in Bhutan yesterday. The JICA Volunteer pr…

31/10/2023

Her Majesty Tseyring Pem Wangchuck Accepts Environmental Champion Award - the Murie Award

Staff Reporter, Kuensel 21 October 2023 Her Majesty the Gyalyum Tseyring Pem Wangchuck was presented the Champion of Rising Leaders Award by Teton Science School on October 17. The award was for He…

31/10/2023

Her Majesty's the Queen Mother's benevolence and Tarayana leaves no one behind

Neten Dorji, Kuensel 20th October 2023, Lumang Her Majesty the Gyalyum, Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck laid the foundation stone for a Community Seed Bank in Lumang gewog, Trashigang yesterday. The seed ba…

30/10/2023

His Majesty the King with the Royal Highness the Prince graced the Royal Highland Festival. The way of Highlanders’ semi nomadic life is unique and not everyone’s cup of tea living most of the time above 5000m (15000ft) elevation. The beauty of high surrounding peaks, pristine lakes, natural abundance, rearing yaks, makes up for the harsh alpine remote conditions. Besides legal and policy frameworks that protects holdings and economic returns of the residents, His Majesty has ensured that such a way of life is celebrated with Royal Highland Festival. His Majesty himself gracing this year’s Royal Highland Festival in Laya (3880m/ 12730ft) shows the need to celebrate such a way of life.

To be able to get glimpse into the beauty of their lives is a privilege. Every year, the festival in October showcases the way of life. It deserves such attention.

29/10/2023

Happy National Cat Day! Enjoy this image from our archives of a pair of cats sitting on a bench in Rhodes, Greece.

27/10/2023

The Twelve Animals. The Bhutanese astrological chart here is also considered protective and so can be found as wall murals at the entrances or during ancient times on standards carried into battle first.

23/10/2023

Some of them are just gross; others can really harm you. Here's how to stop creepy-crawlies from spoiling your trip.

23/10/2023

Lots of dogs in Bhutan

A pet dog enjoys the good life on a Hawaii Island beach.

22/10/2023

Bhutan’s white gold. Bhutan is blessed with fresh water, in form of rivers, lakes, glaciers, streams, springs. The rivers through hydropower plants generate highest revenue for Bhutan. In its various forms, the natural bodies are essential part of belief system, being considered sacred and as part of rituals and ceremonies. It is also both means and sign of healthy natural environment.

20/10/2023

19/10/2023

No festival during your visit to Bhutan? No problem, private arrangements can be made - showcasing sacred mask dances, folk music to regional presentations in a go.

18/10/2023

Sometimes, we just need an extra level of empathy.

Showing kindness and compassion is a display of strength, not weakness. And sometimes, it’s the best way to navigate a sticky situation - whether navigating your own emotions or those of others.

Photo credit: Oscar Manguy