Bhutan Local Government Elections

The Local Government Elections see more than ever voters through postal ballots. A total of 58,762 have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots comparing to 17,876 registered in the first democratic general elections in 2008.

The grown number in the Local Government Elections, the postal ballot facility is extended to spouses and direct dependents of civil servants and armed forces.

Majority of the postal ballot user are civil servants (17,417), followed by the spouses of the civil servants and armed forces (14,995), corporate employees (4,808), student and trainees (Students 4,899 and Trainees 1,029). Rests are prisoners (556), private employees including security personale (884). Fifty parliamentarians have registered to use postal ballots.

Another reason for the increase in the postal voters, election was deferred by more than a month.

The increase number of postal voters has escalated the cost for the Election Commission. Each postal vote cost Nu.180 working out to more than Nu. 10 million. Elections officials are urging voters to vote in person.

The last date for the issuing of Postal ballot was 3rd June. The voting closed on June 19. Now, the respective returning officers are receiving their postal ballots. By June 26, all the postal ballots will have to reach the respective geogs.

Source: BBS

Nation’s guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness

“When I grow up, I want to be like you,” a man in grey hair from the back seat of the room told students of Early Learning Centre up front.

The students had just demonstrated accompanied with video clippings of what they practiced at school towards a green school that draws its essence from the nation’s guiding philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

Meditation to begin and to call it a day at school, denying packaged food at school except once a week and helping ailing and aged citizens at the Thimphu hospital was what the students presented to some 70 people from across the globe.

The participants were gathered to mobilise a fund for green economic development during a conference at Termalinca resort yesterday morning. They were standing most of the time lauding the efforts Bhutanese students were tuning towards that was further embellished with education minister Thakur S Powdyel’s talk on GNH and education.

Impressed by the idea of green schools, the participants dropped money into the waste basket the school had made from plastics and gifted it to the children to use it to pursue their dream of being the change they want to see.

An inventor gave them an instrument that produces electricity from wind energy.

“Over the years, education, whose original idea is to inspire people to be better human beings has come to follow more the law of the market and I feel education has today lost its soul,” Lyonpo said. “That is why we feel we need to reclaim the core function of education itself and that is the reason why we have adopted a strategy called green schools for green Bhutan.”

Elaborating on the first aspect of a green school, he said children needed to understand endowment that’s inherited and the natural diversity that characterises Bhutan.

On intellectual greenery, the second aspect, lyonpo said for a small country like Bhutan, it was extremely important to build students’ knowledge bases, to build intellectual capacity and GNH schools must be intellectually vibrant and open with fertile minds.

A green school, he said, should also be academically green, in that schools should discover the great ideas hidden and so children and teachers will be explorers for the greater mind.

On being socially green, the fourth element, lyonpo said green school should also be culturally green because being a small country with a diverse culture, schools ought to provide space for children to be able to express, articulate and celebrate the different cultural experiences.

“We also believe spiritual greenery is important, which we hope will allow children to find completion, find fulfillment in relation to appreciation of something superior and greater than us,” the minister said. “So this should allow us to moderate our ego, be humble, and be a little more positive.”

Aesthetic greenery is yet another element of a green school, lyonpo said because a lot of children are exposed to influences which compromise and do violence to the integrity of their lives.

“Today, a lot of other things children see on TV screen is such that it can suck the soul of the child,” lyonpo said. “That’s why we need to create opportunities where children know what is really good, and what only looks good; what is genuine, what is fake; what is truly beautiful and appreciate what it is. We call it aesthetic greenery.”

Moral greenery, the ability to inspire to distinguish between right and wrong, good and bad, truth and falsehood is another extremely important element of a green school, the minister said.

“Perhaps one of the great gaps in modern education is the cultivation of the intellectual dimension, to a point where all other dimensions of the learner are relegated to the background,” he said. “We may have graduates who have wonderful degrees, skills all of which are very important but people who may not be able to relate to each another and the thirst of heart is not quenched by education.”

All these elements are intended to respond to and support the multiple dimensions of the life of the learner, just as GNH is a development alternative that is expected to respond to the multiple dimensions of an individual and society, the minister explained.

“I have a feeling that we need to have green schools even before we have the blue economy,” lyonpo said. “So, a green school in ally to the blue economy, we certainly believe is about time we started looking for a new civilisation, and I call it a new educational civilisation.”

Source: Kuenselonline

Private Tour Itinerary for 11 Days

Day 1: Arrival Paro International Airport.

During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane, breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On the arrival at Paro International Airport, The representative of Bhutan Historic Tour, your tour guide will receive you and escort you to the hotel. After a brief rest at the hotel and tea/coffee

Drive to the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D. Lunch at Hotel. After Lunch Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery). Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It is considered one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. It is one of the 108 such temples built by him for spreading Buddhism in this region. Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro – Paro.

Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8^th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive to Drugyal Dzong and on the way enjoys the view of the Taktsang Monastery, also known as “Tiger’s Nest temple”. Near the Drugyal Dzong, if the sky is clear we can see the Mt. Chomolhari on the background.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

Day 3: Paro – Thimphu

The drive to Thimphu will take roughly Two Hours. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan since from 1974. Punakha used to the capital city of Bhutan before that.

For the first one hour you will follow the Pa-Chu (Paro River) and reach Chuzom where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River and forms Wang-Chu (Chu means Water, River or Stream). Chuzom is a four direction motor road junction where one road leads to Thimphu, one to Phuentsholing the border town to India, one to Haa valley and one where you drove from Paro. It will take another One hour from here to Capital city, Thimphu. Check in the Hotel and after short rest visit National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan.

The Memorial Stupa, built in 1974 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the Father of Modern Bhutan, The Third King of Bhutan. This Tibetan & Bhutanese Architecture mixed Stupa has got three different sects of Buddhism such as Gongdu on the Top floor, Drukpa Kagyud on Middle with Second Buddha figure facing the Sun Rise and on the Ground Floor it is the Phurba. Visit the Post Office with Money exchange as the bank is next door. Lunch in Town, after lunch drive to BBS Tower to get the magnificent picture and view of Thimphu and you can also see our Queens Palaces. Visit to Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see our National Animal “TAKIN” which has a head of a goat and body of a cow, believed to be made by great Devine Madman in the 16^th Century. Visit national Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. Visit to Thimphu Tashi Cho Dzong, the office of the King and the Throne Room and also the Summer Capital of Monastic Body lead by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who spend six months here during summer and move to Punakha for winter for another six months.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

After breakfast drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unifided Bhutan in 17^th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 5: Punakha – Bumthang, Alt: 2500mts. Driving Distance: 6Hours.

After breakfast drive to Bumthang. It takes another two hours to reach Pelela Pass at 3340mts, pretty good view of the snow capped mountains. It takes another half an hour to reach our hot Lunch place at Chendibji where you will witness a Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15^th century by saint for the people of Bhutan to worship and not to travel long on foot till you reach for your pilgrimage to Shambunath and Boudanath in Kathmandu, Nepal. That’s why the architecture is in Nepalese Style and there is another of same kind in Trashi Yangtse far eastern Bhutan. It will take another One an Half hour drive to Trongsa. Visit the Trongsa Choekor Rabtentse Dzong. Drive to Bumthang which will take another 3hours. After having lunch in Bumthang visit the Kharchu Monastery, Swiss Farm and do some hiking.
Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang – Bumthang.

Sight seeing in Bumthang which include Jambay Lhakhang, oldest monastery built in 7^th Century as same as the Kyichu Monastery in Paro. Jakar Dzong the district administration center of Bumthang. Kurjey Monastery the body print monastery where one can see the body prints of Guru Rimpoche. Tamshing Monastery and Member Tsho (Burning Lake)

Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang.

Day 7: Bumthang – Bumthang

Day excursion to remote and beautiful Ura Valley. Picnic lunch will be served.
Overnight hotel in Bumthang

Day 8: Bumthang – Gangtey

After an early breakfast, drive to Gangtey, 174kms from Bumthang. Gangtey is a beautiful place situated at an altitude of 3000m. From Gangtey, one can closely view the picturesque black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley which is one of the biggest and the most beautiful valleys in the country. During winters, we can also see the famous Black Necked Cranes there.

Overnight: Hotel in Gangtey

Day 9: Gangtey – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to Thimphu (1250kms.) Lunch at Dochula Pass 3150m.
Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 10: Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast drive to Paro. After lunch explore the town

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 11: Depart Bhutan.

After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport to board.

Thank You very much for visiting Bhutan with us at Bhutan Historic Tour and we look forward in hearing and re-organizing same Pilgrimage Tour for you, your family members and Friends!!!

8th South Asian Bodybuilding Championship will held in Thimphu Bhutan

The buses that chauffeured bodybuilders from five of the eight SAARC member nations between Paro airport and Thimphu must have felt unusually heavy yesterday.

Besides the luggage and other officials, it was carrying, close to 100 men of steel weighing between 50kg and more than 100kg from Maldives, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal to participate in the 8th South Asian Bodybuilding Championship, which will be held at clock tower square in Thimphu between June 3 and 4.

Participants from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could not make it.

Executive committee members of the World Bodybuilding federation and South Asian Bodybuilding federation are also expected to participate as officials for the event.

“The championships will be held under nine weight categories between 55kg and 90kg and go on up to super-heavy weight category,” officials said. “It’s the first time that a prestigious international sporting event is being hosted in the country.”

The Bhutan Olympic committee, in association with the Bhutan Bodybuilding and Weightlifting federation will be organising the event.

ྠྠྠྠྠSource: Kuenselonline

Private Bhutan Jumolhari Trek Itinerary for 22 Days

Day 1 Arrive Paro International Airport
During the flight to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Historic Tour who will escort you to the Hotel where arrangements have been made for two nights halt.

Day 2 Paro – Paro
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 Kms. away from Paro Town). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. From here , the peak of Jhomolhari “Mountain of the Goddess” (Alt. 7,329 m / 24,029 ft.). On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch, at the hotel, take a leisurely stroll around the compound. Overnight in Hotel

Day 3: Paor – Paro (Hike to Tiger’s Nest)

Drive for 15kms and reach the base of Famous Tiger’s Nest “TAKTSANG” Monastery and hike up which would take Two Hours up and approximately One Hour down. Stop at Taktsang Tea House “Cafeteria” for refreshment of Tea & Coffee and on your return back from monastery you will have your Lunch here.

Taktsang is at 2900mts. Hike for another half an hour and you reach the Great and Magnificent Taktsang where you will be greets by the monks who live there and Special Bhutanese Butter Tea will be served with Snacks.

Visit the most important monastery were the Guru Rimpoche was flying on a Flamming Tigress from Singye Dzong in Eastern Bhutan to here and meditated for Three Months and flourishment of Buddhism in Paro started from 8th Century.

Walk down to the Tea House for Vegetarian Lunch.

After Lunch walk down hill and drive to hotel and relax. Drive to the Paro village town and explore the town. Altitude of Paro is 2260m.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 4 Paro – Shana
Distance 17 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Shana 2,800 m. Drive up to Drukgyal Dzong where the road ends and the trek begin. The trail follows the river through beautiful meadows and paddy fields. The night’s camp is just beyond an army outpost.

Day 5 Shana – Thangthangkha
The trail continues uphill through the river valley. The valley gradually narrows to a mere path which descends to a meadow where a camp will be set up.

Day 6 Thangthangkha – Jangothang
Distance - 19 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Jangothang 4040 m. The trek starts up the Pa Chu. Cross an army outpost along the way. The valley begins to widen here with a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herders’ winter homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Camp for the night beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jhomolhari.

Day 7 Jangothang – Jangothang
Trek up to Tosoh or hike around the area. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jhomolhari and it subsidiary mountain chains lie directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and a number of un scaled peaks to the east. Overnight halt in camp

Day 8 Jangothang – Lingshi
Distance - 19 Kms. About 5 - 6 hours journey. Altitude of Lingshi 4150 m. Trek through wide yak pastures and up and down passes. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tsarim Kang and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut or the tent.

Day 9: Lingshi – Lingshi
A day excursion to Tsokha (Lake), which is the base camp for Jichu Drake, can be organized. Blue sheep and musk deer are plentiful along the trek route. Distance 15 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Tsokha 4500 m.

Day 10 Lingshi – Shodu
Distance - 22 Kms. About 7 - 8 hours journey. Altitude of Shodu 3963m. The trail climbs up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 4820 m. From the pass, you can get an excellent view of Jhomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang on a clear day. The trek from the pass to camp site at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent.

Day 11 Shodu – Barshong
Distance - 13 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Barshong 3785m. The trail follows the Thim - Chu river through rhododendron forests. Waterfalls can be seen along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp can made in stone shelter or tent.

Day 12 Barshong - Dolam Kencho
Distance - 11 Kms. About 3 - 4 hours journey. Altitude of Dolam Kencho 3628m. The trail descends through thick rhododendron forest to meet the Thim-Chu and then ascends to pasture lands. Camp is in a meadow.

Day 13 Dolam Kencho – Thimphu
Distance - 14 Kms. About 4 - 5 hours. The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. Overnight halt in Hotel.

Day 14 Thimphu – Thimphu

Thimphu is the Capital City of Bhutan but for the Buddhist Monk body moves to Punakha in Winter and their Summer Capital District is Thimphu but Winter s Punakha because it is cold in Thimphu during winter and Punakha is just perfect at 1300mts

After breakfast drive to National Memorial Stupa, built in 1874 by Royal Queen Mother and dedicated to the father of Modern Bhutan, the Late His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan. Visit the Post Office with Money exchange as the bank is next door. BBS Tower to get the magnificent picture and view of Thimphu and you can also see our Queens Palaces. Visit to Thimphu Mini Zoo where you can see our National Animal “TAKIN” which has a head of a goat and body of a cow, believed to be made by great Devine Madman in the 16th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 15 Thimphu – Thimphu

After breakfast drive to the Visit national Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. visit the Simtokha Dzong (Dzong means Fortress). Simtokha Dzong is one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan, and was the first Dzong to be built by him. Lunch in the down town. After Lunch Visit Nunnery centre the Zilukha Nunnery, visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. if there are Archers are playing Archery, Bhutan’s National Sport, in the National Stadium, you can witness and take pictures. Visit to Thimphu Tashi Cho Dzong, the office of the King and the Throne Room and also the Summer Capital of Monastic Body lead by His Holiness the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) who spend six months here during summer and move to Punakha for winter for another six months.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 16 Thimphu – Punakha 142kms 5Hours

After breakfast drive to Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m.

One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Live His Majesty. It descends to Punakha and Wangdue at 1300mts which will take another two hours. Visit Historic and one of the most beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unifided Bhutan in 17th Century.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha


Day 17 Punakha – Bumthang 7 Hrs drive Bumthang Altitude is 2500m

Drive to Trongsa over Pele-la pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west and lunch will be served at Chendibji where you will see Nepalese Style Stupa built in 15th Century for Bhutanese pilgrims so that they don’t have to travel or walk from Bhutan to Nepal. Tea stops over in Trongsa. Drive to Bumthang via Yotongla Pass at 3450m which is the highest pass on your holiday in Bhutan.

Overnight lodge in Bumthang.

Day 18 Bumthang – Bumthang.

Sight seeing in Bumthang which include Jambay Lhakhang, oldest monastery built in 7th Century as same as the Kyichu Monastery in Paro. Jakar Dzong the district administration center of Bumthang. Kurjey Monastery the body print monastery where one can see the body prints of Guru Rimpoche. Tamshing Monastery and Member Tsho (Burning Lake)

Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang.

Day 19 Bumthang – Punakha 7hrs drive

Drive to Punakha with lunch en route. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Day 20 Punakha – Thimphu

After breakfast drive back to Thimphu, on the way hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley”. It is believed that the couples who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 21 Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast shopping and explore the town and drive to Paro.

Overnight Hotel in Paro

Day 22 Paro International Airport

Drive to Paro International Airport. Seen off by your guide
Early morning drive to Airport and board flight to onward destination.
Wishing you safe journey and thanks for visiting Bhutan with us