The Happiest Place on Earth (Quantifiably)

Imagine a place that doesn't measure the quality of life in economic terms, but "real" terms. Not in money signs, and time clocks punched, but smiles, and time spent with loved ones. The place you are imagining is Bhutan, the kingdom of quantifiable happiness: or, Gross National Happiness.

The term was coined in 1972 when then King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was in the process of opening Bhutan up to modernization.  Prior to Wangchuck's rule Bhutan had been an isolated kingdom.  In openeing up the Kingdom to the outsdide world and Western economonics Wangchuck made off-hand comment, "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product."

What was once an off-the-cuff remark, is now policy. Karma Titsheem is the current secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission of Bhutan. According to him, the four pillars of Gross National Happiness are: sustainable socioeconomic development, preservation and promotion of culture and traditions, good governance, and conservation of the environment.

Bhutan "preserves and promotes its culture and traditons," by limiting outside influences.  They have slowly allowed in the influences of television and internet.  Lisa Napoli of NPR just released an impressive book recounting her volunteer efforts to help Bhutanese youth open the nation's first radio station. This newfound openness was accompanied by massive recent political reforms, most significantly the abdication of Wangchuck in 2008 and emergence of a more democratic, constitutional monarchy.

Due to this glasnost-esque reopening of the nation, adventure travel companies have begun to move into Bhutan in earnest. AdventureLink is proud to carry over 70 trips to the country, ranging from short multi-day tours all the way to 27-day odysseys! Despite, or perhaps because of the nation's spiritual wrestling with tradition and innovation, Bhutan has a unique and endearing mix of old-world culture and modern convenience, local custom and open-armed welcome. Combined with incredible vistas and awe-invoking landscapes, Bhutan is surely a destination you'll not soon forget.

If you're looking for a mighty trek, perhaps you'll want to hike From Darjeeling to Bhutan. This 20-Day adventure is a hardcore hike through mountains and jungle, an unforgettable trip through Himalayan wilds. If you're less interested in the trek and more fascinated by the monasteries, you can take a shorter 10-Day tour of the Nature and Legends of Bhutan, where you'll visit the famous Taksteng Monastery, among others. If you'd like to experience the local culture, why not take a tour of the Black-Necked Crane Festival this November, where you'll experience the celebratory side of the Bhutanese people as well as immersing yourself in Buddhist culture. If road cycling is more your style, you can go on the Mystical Bhutan Cycling Adventure, where you'll cruise through the famed spiritual energy of Dochula Pass as well as past the many flags of Lawala. The bottom line is this: you don't know what "Happy" really means until you visit Bhutan!