Bhutan Vegan Tour

Penned in travel journals as the last Shangri La, Bhutan – the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon, to us is so much more than that. It is not a romanticized version of what travelogues portray Bhutan to be, but it’s authentic and very much a living reality, which includes its ups and downs and historical peaks and pitfalls, as seen through its people and the struggle to endure cultures, that makes Bhutan to us so extraordinary. A region that has historically tried to keep its sovereignty intact from outside influences and putting itself throughout history in self-imposed exile from much of the rest of the world. And when opening up for economic or other reasons, trying to do so as much as possible under its own terms with a continued balance between both its historically spiritual and secular beliefs, whether this is during its ancient day centuries ago, or during its transition to a democratic Himalayan state. And to this day as it continues to open up to the future, including the relatively recent region opening up to tourism, Bhutan and its people cautiously step forward being open to what the future may bring, but rightfully embracing the qualities of its past, that many more “developed countries” have so long ago forgot, that values the balance of living within its diverse nature and ecosystems, which its high elevation passes, mountain river gorges, and fertile valleys sit firmly amongst.

Nestled on the easternmost remote folds of the Himalayas, Bhutan is located along the ancient trade routes with Tibet and China to the North and East, and India to the South and West. Bhutan’s geography of mountainous terrain is epic with peaks as high as 24,000 feet that are carved away by a network of snow-fed rivers that sculpt fertile valleys before draining into subtropical plains at 322 feet and exiting out into the Indian plains. These striking high-elevation valleys pass and river gorges shaped natural trails for trade and travel as far back as the 7th century CE providing invaluable trade links and contact between South Asia and the Tibetan Plateau and China up until the 1950s when China invaded Tibet. Bhutan’s geography is breathtaking!

However, what makes Bhutan stand out, even more, is its unique cultural roots that date back to early Tibetan settlers in the area who adapted to regional geographic, spiritual, and political conditions, but who over time, since this area pinched in the eastern fold of the Himalayas was used more as a trade transit route during the Silk Road times, were able to keep their cultural roots intact evolving into what we know as the cultures of Bhutan today. This also led to Bhutan being the pioneer of Gross National Happiness where overall “happiness” takes precedence over Gross National Product. This means the way of life in theory (and when you visit Bhutan you’ll see, very much still in practice among a majority of its people) matters over money, and a society that promotes a successful life cycle of birth, living, aging, and dying, takes priority over a society that promotes profits and the wealth of a select few. Elements of GNH can be seen in the fact that Bhutan provides free education and healthcare, has no traffic lights, frowns upon single-use plastic bags, billboards, and large-scale tobacco sales, and continues to frown upon slaughterhouses (for the time being), is the world’s only carbon-negative country, and environmental protection is embedded in the constitution.

On your Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages Bhutan Vegan Adventure, you’ll experience the country up close and personal. As guests of local families, friends, and communities you’ll have a rare opportunity to see this country as it is and get an unfettered look at one of the most unique, beautiful, and isolated countries in the world. From mountainside villages where life continues at the pace it has for centuries, but at the same time adapts to the changing times. From Buddhist rituals and bustling bazaars to out-of-this-world views, hillside hikes, morning meditation, ancient arts, and enchanting folk music and dance. We’ll learn about life in the Himalayas as personal guests of communities, off-the-beaten-track hamlets, Buddhist monasteries, local home kitchens, grassroots projects, educational institutions, and activists, among others.

And of course, we can’t forget the food. In a place where red rice and buckwheat are the staples and organic is the norm, not the exception, we’ll taste our way through local cuisines all 100% veganized especially for us. This includes their famous “cheese” dishes! Yes, in a country where people love their cheese and where most Top 10 Dishes of Bhutan lists include at least 3 cheese dishes, our friends will create “vegan Bhutanese cheese” with ingredients sourced regionally, so we’ll be able to enjoy all the Bhutanese classics – all 100% vegan!