Bhutan launches pilgrimage travel programme ‘Druk Neykor’

Bhutan’s Department of Tourism has launched the Druk Neykor programme, a new tourism experience covering 108 sites and monuments in Bhutan showcasing the history, culture and spirituality of the country. It was introduced to welcome and enlighten travellers of varying ages who seek to know more about Bhutan’s unique culture and tradition. The Druk Neykor programme first starts with tours to 16 sites within Thimphu, including the Wangditse Lhakhang, Tshelung Ney, Talangkha Drugyel Goenpa, among others. All these sites are accessible either by road or via a hike. Accommodation options are available in close proximity to these sacred sites, including hotels, guesthouses and campsites, ensuring a comfortable stay.

The Druk Neykor is a pilgrimage travel programme, and the sites were selected based on their sacredness, historical significance, easy accessibility and popularity among others. Visitors can participate in Druk Neykor through a Bhutanese Tour Operator, and one can also visit the sites without participating in the Druk Neykor programme. However, the truly immersive experience is Druk Neykor’s unique passport system, wherein travellers collect stamps at each spiritual site visited. From the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery perched on a cliffside to the serene Druk Wangyel Chorten, Dochula, offering panoramic views of the Himalayas, every stamp tells a story of spiritual awakening and cultural immersion. Additionally, the stamp book also includes QR codes, allowing access to detailed information about each site upon scanning.

Visitors can embark on a journey of spiritual discovery traversing Bhutan’s beautiful landscape and nature. It also offers an exciting opportunity for visitors to traverse ancient pilgrimage routes, encounter local communities and participate in age-old rituals and traditions that have shaped Bhutan’s spiritual landscape for centuries.

“The spiritual heritage of Bhutan is deeply intertwined with its natural beauty, and Druk Neykor provides a unique opportunity to explore both in harmony. We invite travellers from all across the world seeking a truly spiritual and immersive travel experience to participate in the Druk Neykor programme and contribute in promoting the pilgrimage sites and the unique culture of Bhutan,” concluded Dorji Dhradhul, the Director General of the Department of Tourism-Bhutan.