▣ Bhutan Dukar in the upcoming The New York Times Travel Show.
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We are pleased to announce that Bhutan Dukar Tours and Travels, one of the licensed and competent travel agencies in Bhutan and an associate of American Society of Travel Agents is one of the exhibitors in the upcoming 7th Annual New York Times Travel show 2010.
Recognized internationally as the premire travel show held in North America, the show will take place from February 26-28, 2010 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York city , U.S.A.
We take the liberty to introduce us at the travel show and we would like to request all travel agents/ tour operators and the travel professional world wide to visit our travel representative at the show.
For your kind information, our booth No. is 255.
We sincerely look forward to welcome you at our booth to foster a better possible cooperation in our businesses.
▣ 2nd Community Based Sustainable Tourism in Phobjikha Conservation Area.
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The Royal Society for the protection of Nature had initiated the project with the goal to develop Phobjikha into a model tourism destination and also to integrate conservation and development objectives by introducing environmentally viable tourism activities that bring maximum benefit to the poorest section of the local communities.The project will benefit the communities of four gewog in Phobjikha.The overall objective of the project is to develop Phobjikha valley as a model community-based sustainable tourism destination contributing to the conservation of the natural environment ,the protection of the crane habitat,conservation of culture,and at the same time contributing to the socio-economic benefits of the communities in the valley .
Phobjikha is one of the most important conservation area because of its status as the habitat for the Black-necked crane( Grus Nigricollis).
▣ Bhutan awarded "top country"certificate".
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The Tourism Council of Bhutan received a certificate from the Wanderlust Travel magazine Bhutan as a finalist for "Top Country 2009"in the Wanderlust travel awards
In 2005,Bhutan won the silver award from the Wanderlust Travel Awards for the "Top Country".
The Wanderlust Travel Awards is on their 8th year and is voted by nearly 3,000 consumers based on customer satisfaction levels over the past year.
The Paro International Airport was listed as number 2 on the list of 10 Top Airports Worldwide.
Wanderlust is a travel magazine based in the United Kingdom.This magazine has been in production for the last 15 years.
▣ Gross National Happiness
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Coronation Address of His Majesty King Khesar, The 5th Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan. 7th November,2008.
It is with immenese joy that we are gathered together on this most auspicious day. In these last 100 years the dreams and asperations of our forefathers and the vision of our Kings have been fulfilled beyond all expections. The wise and selfless leadership of our kings, the sacrifice and hard work of generations of Bhutanese and the special bond between the people and king have given us this unique and special nation - a jewel of the earth.
Two years ago, at a time of profound change I came onto the Throne as a young King. You , my people, in the spirit of generations past, worked with me with complete faith and gave me your wholehearted cooperation and goodwill. Thus, in these two short years while we have taken gigantic steps towards strengthening our nation, we have doneso in a clam, deliberate manner in complete harmony. It is with great pride that we stand as a new democracy, having successfully completed an unprecedented and historic transition.
Yet we must always rememberthat as our country, in these changing times finds immenese new challenges and opportunities, whatever work we do, whatever goals we have - and no matter how these may change in this changing world - ultimately without peace, security and happiness we have nothing. That is the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Our most important goal is the peace and happiness of our people and the security and sovereignty of the nation.
Our generation of Bhutanese have been gifted a strong, dynamic nation by our forefathers. I am confident that as long as we are willing to work with their commitment and dedication and follow their example we can bring greater peace, happiness and prosperity to our country.
I am confident because I know the worth and character of our people. You are the true jewel of this nation. As a citizens of a spiritual land you treasure the qualities of a good human beings - honesty, kindness, charity, integrity, unity respect for our culture and traditions, love for our country and for God. Throughout our history our parents have upheld these values and placed the common good above the self.
My deepest concern is that as the world changes we may lose these fundamental values on which rest of our character as a nation and people. It is critical that we are able to recognize Bhutanese character irrespective of how far we look back into the past or into the future. The Bhutan we see is vastly different - unrecognizable even - when compared to the Bhutan in the time of our first King. Yet, the character of our people and the nature of our fundamental values have remained unchanged. Henceforth, as even more dramatic changes transform the world and our nation, as long as we continue to pursue the simple and timeless goal of being good human beings, and as long as we strive to build a nation that stands for everything that is good, we can ensure that our future generations for hundreds fo years will live in happiness and peace.
It is not because I am King that I ask these of you. Destiny has put me here. It is with immenese gratitude and humility that at this young age, I assume that sacred duty to serve a special people and country. Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a king. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your childern; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and asperations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.
As a King of a Buddhist nation, my duty is not only to ensure your happiness today but to create the furtile ground from which you may gain the fruits of spiritual pursuit and attain good karma.
This is how I shall serve you as King
I cannot end without addressing our most important citizens - our youth. The future of our nation depends on the worth, capabilities and motivation of today's youth. Therefore, I will not rest until I have given you the inspiration, knowledge and skills so that you not onlyfulfill your own aspirations but be of immenese worth to the nation. This is my sacred duty. A strong motivated young Bhutan gurantees a strong bright future.
The future is neither unseen nor unknown. It is what we make of it. what work we do with our two hands today will shape the future of our nation. Our childern's tomorrow has to be created by us today.
I end with a prayer for Bhutan - that the sum of peace and happiness may shine on our people. I also pray that while I am but King of a small Himalayan nation, I may in my time be able to do much to promote the greater wellbeing and happiness of all people in this world - of all sentient beings.
Explore Bhutan and experience The Gross National Happiness !!! We are sure to be able to arrange an itinerary that will take you to your preferred destination. Guided and hosted by the best people, in best way and delivered at the best value. We certainly assure you that your tours with us will bring forth much enjoyment and enrichment in your lives. Our personal attention and care created a group of camaraderie not found on most tours. We help visitor understand our rich culture, exiquisite heritage, unique way of life and scenic beauty at its best.
▣ Visit Festival in the Himalayas
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There are numerous festivals celebrated in Bhutan-both secular and religious ones.The most popular religious festival is the Tsechu which honours the memory of Guru Padmasambhava( lotus born precious master and the one who bought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century) by depicting key episodes or great deeds from his life.The Tsechu usually take place on the tenth day of the particular month in the Bhutanese calendar.The festival lasts between three to four days and is celebrated in all most all the major Dzongs(fortress) at varying times of the year.The religious dances are called Chhams and are performed by monks as well as lay people.The dances invoke the deities to wipe out misfortunes,increase luck and grant personal wishes.Chhams are the core event of monastic festivals and it is inevitably the depiction of the triumph of good forces over evil.Every chham has its own conncetion with the Buddhist religion.An auspicious event of the many Tsechu is the unfurling of a huge embroidered thangkha depicting Guru Padmasambhava and his eight manifestations and at some Tsechu the great treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa depicts the thangkha. Such a thangkha which is worshipped is known as Thongdrel which means liberation on sight and it is belived that simply by viewing it a person gains merit and some are delivered from the cycle of reincarnation or their sins of this lifetime are washed away. At some Tsechu there is the custom of wang which means a collective verbal blessing given by a high priest known as Rinpoche or Lama.Besides the chham there is also a traditional Bhutanese dances being performed by women and men in gergeous traditionbal attire.On lookers rarely fail to notice the Atsaras( Clown) who move through the crowds mimicking the dancers and performing comic gestures in their mask with long red noses.
For those traveler who wish to visit festival in the Himalayas,the month of September,October and November offers some of the popular festivals held in the country/These are:
* Thimphu Tsechu: ( 28th-30th Sept.)
*Tamshing Phala Choepa:( Date same as Thimphu)
* Thangbi Mani:( 3rd-5th Oct.)
* Jakar Dzong Tsechu:( 26th-29th Oct.)
* Trashigang Tsechu:( 26th-28th Nov.)
And apart from Tsechus,a smaller community based folk festivals exist that are often more interesting as visitors get close and better perspective of a local festival which provides fascinating insight into local beliefs.
Our recommendation is that,since these months are at high demand in booking the air ticket and reserving hotel,we request all our clients to make your inquiries at the earliest possible.
If you haven't been to a Tsechu,plan your trip so that we can include some festivals in your itinerary to create a trip you will never forget in your lifetime with your travel company, Bhutan Dukar Tours and Travels Family.