Interview: Meet Karma, your Bhutan adventure guide

Normally when we spot a destination that we want to visit, it takes weeks, sometimes even months to find the right guide to lead our expeditions.  In this case though, once we met Karma, he made the choice extremely easy.

Bhutan is an incredibly beautiful country that we’ve wanted to add to our list of group adventure destinations for quite some time.  And after reading that Bhutan was at the top of the list for adventure destinations to visit in 2010, we knew it was time to kick it into high gear and add Bhutan immediately.

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let me introduce you to one of the most patient, friendliest and knowledgeable guides you could ever meet, Karma!  (Crowd goes wild!)

Karma, what do you like most about living in Bhutan?

~ Well! Personally I feel so proud to be born in this mighty Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.  We Bhutanese consider our country one of the happiest places to live in the world.  This is because our government believes in ensuring that all citizens are content with their lives – we call it “Gross National Happiness.” All matters of economics and politics revolve around this central theme. And, it seems to be working!  I love living here where Bhutanese people are smiling and friendly.  Of course, I also believe that being a Buddhist country has something to do with our national disposition.

Our country is a safe, peaceful and an extraordinarily beautiful place. We work hard to maintain it that way. The mountains, flowers, water, trees and animals – are all in pristine condition due to our efforts to eradicate pollution and allow nature to thrive. In Bhutan, you will not only venture out into virgin landscapes, but will also learn how eco-friendly communities function in this Himalayan Kingdom. That’s really making me very happy –I have been born in the right place – Bhutan!

What do you like most about working as a guide?

Ahh! I love guiding and organizing and leading groups of people from all the different countries of the world. I love learning about their cultures and have made many new friends with whom I interact on Facebook (and other social media) and who return again to travel with me.

Being a guide also allows me to share my knowledge of our Bhutanese cultural and traditional way of life with other people. I know that people from other parts of the world often don’t even know where Bhutan is and what we are like.  Well, come and see us and you will never forget.

Another advantage of being a tour guide is that I have up to date knowledge of current events as they affect our nation and the ones around us.  You can learn more than history and religion from a visit with us.

Tell us about an amazing wildlife encounter or cultural experience you’ve personally experienced in Bhutan?

~ The raw and natural beauty of the earth characterizes much of Bhutan’s environment that is so stunning and captivating to visitors. From the tropical plains right up to the alpine highland, Bhutan’s environment is a diverse as its culture. The Land of the Thunder Dragon is today one of the world’s top global eco-hotspots, boasting a rich and varied biodiversity.

Well! You will definitely encounter some of very common wildlife like Langurs, white monkeys, Takin, our national animal, deer, bear, mountain cats, but they are very shy wild animals. Also in winter time you will see the endangered Black-Neck Crane that flies from Tibet and stays for whole winter here in Bhutan in places like in Wangdue Gangtey Valley, Bumthang, and Trashi Yangtse in East Bhutan.

Together, we’ve created a really exciting trip to Bhutan.  Is this an itinerary that was created specifically for Falk Custom Adventures or is this just another crowded, mass marketed tour?

~ This itinerary is especially prepared and created for Falk Custom Adventures to make it a trip of a lifetime for you in this Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.

Tell us about some of the exciting things that our guests will see and experience during our trip?

~ I think you will find the whole journey to Bhutan surreal. It will be remarkable trip and you will know why Bhutan is called The Last Shangri-la…a place to get away for peace of mind.

In Bhutan, wherever you go, you will be greeted with traditional Bhutanese welcoming. It is in our tradition to honor every guest with great hospitality. Bhutanese people are friendly and well-disposed towards foreigners.

Buddhism is woven into people’s lives and the environment. Throughout Bhutan, stupas and chortens line the roadside commemorating places where Guru Rinpoche or another high Lama may have stopped to meditate. Prayer flags dot the hills, fluttering in the wind. They allow us to maintain constant communication with the heavens. Temples, dzongs and monasteries are our architecture and our art reflects our faith.  Every home has its own prayer room.

You will also climb to the beautiful and sacred Taktsang Monastery. The place where the Guru Rimpoche flew over the Himalaya from Tibet in the 7th century on the back of a flying Tigress is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan.  It is said that a pilgrimage to the Tiger’s Nest can cleanse you of past sins.

Why would you recommend people travel to Bhutan? This kingdom, in the midst of the Eastern Himalayas is in many ways the world’s most exclusive travel destination. BHUTAN, known  to the world, as the Last Shangri-La is a tiny kingdom about the size of Switzerland with 700,000 inhabitants, perched high up on the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan range. It abounds with colorful culture, tradition, clothing, unique architecture. Peace and tranquility live in this unpolluted habitat.

BHUTAN, is also the last bastion of Mahayana Buddhism. It is not merely the religion but the way the people live their daily lives. Its rich and diverse flora and fauna earned the world’s recognition as one  of the Top 10 Global Hot Spots. Bhutan opened to the outside world only in the 1960s. Planned development was initiated with Gross National Happiness as its development vision. Television and Internet found their way to the country only in 1999.

Any final thoughts, words of inspiration or just something you need to get off your chest?  We’re listening.

My personal experience goes hand in hand with the changes that are affecting Bhutan today.  When I take my clients to farm houses it really touches me, because I am a simple, ordinary farmer’s son from East Bhutan. I remember of my parents working the farm land for the whole day, looking after the cattle and grazing them. I used to do the same, helping my family look after the cattle, gathering firewood from the forest every morning, fetching water from the pond a 10-15 minute walk away.

Fortunately for me free education became available and my parents valued education.  I got to go to boarding school two days walk away and only went home during school vacations.  Now I have started my own business and help to support my family in other ways.

Bhutan is a developing country now and the Bhutanese Government is providing a water supply to each village, supplying electricity for every household. But still in some parts of Bhutan, especially in villages, I can see the old traditional practices remain. This really takes me back to 1980’s. I have lots of stories to tell you, but will save them until you get to Bhutan and we are traveling through some villages.

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Tags: adventure, Bhutan, Bhutan guides, Custom Adventures, Falk Custom Adventures, featured, Group Adventures, Karma bhutan, trekking bhutan

Category: Falk Custom Adventures, Meet our Guides, Travel